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From the Editor-in-Chief
Published: 2006-04-01

The importance of the free flow of information and knowledge

Cognitive Science, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Abstract

Since the dawn of the Industrial Age, our societies have seen a continual, incremental flow of more and more complex technologies and new practices involving human-technology interaction. When looking at the development of these technologies, one begins to notice that the innovations are reflected first in the general knowledge that influences product design and production, which is then spread within the society by specialized companies. It is rare indeed when a new innovation, perhaps products such as cellular cameras or mobile TVs, takes the general audience by storm or is spontaneously produced in final form. For the most part, new ideas result in small changes: progress that the average person hardly notices. Perhaps the innovations reflect changes in the knowledge of ergonomics, or about the emotional impact of a design. Ultimately, much of what happens in improving human-machine interaction is completely unknown to the user.

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How to Cite

Saariluoma, P. (2006). The importance of the free flow of information and knowledge. Human Technology, 2(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.17011/ht/urn.2006155