1. Man-Computer Symbiosis
Written by J.C.R. Licklider
Discussion Lead by Alexandra To
J.C.R. Licklider, "Man-Computer Symbiosis", IRE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics, Vol. HFE-1 (March 1960), pp

2. J.C.R. Licklider ( )
PhD in Psychoacoustics (+ degrees in math, physics, psychology)
Moved into information technology
Huge part of the computer revolution in the 1960s
Psychoacoustics – psychology about the perception of sound and its physiological affects
ARPA “set the stage” for ARPANET
BBN supplied the first computers on ARPANET
Not prophetic, that was my fault, created a guideline, he was funding this work, sharing it with founders at Xerox PARC, MIT, etc.
“Computing’s Johnny Appleseed”
Notably, his work at ARPA and BBN

3. J.C.R. Licklider ( )
1950, worked at MIT and became interested in computing after work on SAGE
1963, as director of Behavioral Sciences Command and Control Research at ARPA, kicked off development of ARPANET (predecessor of internet)
SAGE – designed to create computer-based air defense for the Cold War

4. “Man-Computer Symbiosis”
Looking at current limitations of computers, limitations of humans, and out into the future of computing
1960’s computers are huge, used for calculation, data processing, information storage and retrieval
UNIVAC I. (1960)

5. “Man-Computer Symbiosis”
Looking at current limitations of computers, limitations of humans, and out into the future of computing
Symbiosis – “close coupling of humans and electronic parts… two distinct and dissimilar organisms living in intimate, close union”

6. “Man-Computer Symbiosis”
1) “to let computers facilitate formulative thinking as they now facilitate the solution of formulated problems”
2) “to enable men and computers to cooperate in making decisions and controlling complex situations without inflexible dependence on predetermined programs”

7. Problems
Human “thinking” time is taken up by uninteresting, mechanical processes
e.g., more time finding information than actually digesting it
Computers are constrained and “single-minded” towards pre-programmed tasks, they are inflexible

8. 1) “to let computers facilitate formulative thinking as they now facilitate the solution of formulated problems”
Computer execute beyond rigidly pre- determined programs with strict inputs
To not just execute what I ask, but to help me understand what I want to know and discover how I might solve my problem

9. 2) “to enable men and computers to cooperate in making decisions and controlling complex situations without inflexible dependence on predetermined programs”
Real-time, interactive computing
Response to changing variables

10. Mechanically-Extended Man
Humanly-Extended Machine

11. Ideas Quick-List (“prerequisites”)

13. Discussion Questions
What does it really mean to be in symbiosis with technology? How is it distinct from using a tool?
Licklider’s goal is to create a smooth relationship between humans and technology that encourages mutual benefits, expedited thinking and processing, and enables regular people to use computers. Many of you talked about the negative consequences of automation. Can we similarly outline technical needs to begin addressing these issues?

14. Discussion Questions
What does it really mean to be in symbiosis with technology? How is it distinct from using a tool?
More specifically, what is uncomfortable about the term “symbiosis”? Does technology need strong AI to be an organism capable of symbiosis?
What technological (or other) affordances would you need to believe that computers are capable of symbiosis?

15. Discussion Questions
What does it really mean to be in symbiosis with technology? How is it distinct from using a tool?
Licklider’s goal is to create a smooth relationship between humans and technology that encourages mutual benefits, expedited thinking and processing, and enables regular people to use computers. Many of you talked about the negative consequences of automation. Can we similarly outline technical needs to begin addressing these issues?

16. Discussion Questions
Licklider’s goal is to create a smooth relationship between humans and technology that encourages mutual benefits, expedited thinking and processing, and enables regular people to use computers. Many of you talked about the negative consequences of automation. Can we similarly outline technical needs to begin addressing these issues?
What are our goals? To slow down? To think more? To pair innovation with real-world consequences? To create technology that aids and does not displace humans?

17. Man-Computer Symbiosis
Written by J.C.R. Licklider
Discussion Lead by Alexandra To
J.C.R. Licklider, "Man-Computer Symbiosis", IRE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics, Vol. HFE-1 (March 1960), pp