Thoughtless acts:
Communication via texting and typing (written language).
In this scene, a person (female) is typing on a mobile phone. She is texting a friend. I chose this scene as it is quite commonplace now, and would be seen as natural, almost intuitive, by most. However, once I stopped to think about this act, I realized how unnatural it really is. Texting is a relatively new form of communication, and requires us to know several things before being able to use it—humans have to be able to read the written language that is being used for texting, have to be able to input it on a small keypad or touchscreen, and have to be able to use that mode of entry (touchscreen, keypad, etc.). In order to maximize efficiency, a person also has to be familiar with that mode of input; for instance, being unfamiliar with a querty keyboard does not mean one will be able to efficiently type on a 123 numeric keypad. This mode of communication is also difficult for people who are not able to use a keyboard for whatever reason, which relates to the project the group I am in is developing. It can usually be assumed that people who are bedridden for whatever reason usually have limited mobility and energy. Though texting may seem like a quick and natural act for most able-bodied people, it is very difficult to work up the energy to pick up a telephone, and coordinate typing with tiny little keys/touchscreen buttons when a person is weak, and may not even have the energy to read what they are typing, or may not have the motor control to work the input. Because of this, our group is working on a tool that would allow bedridden people to most efficiently, intuitively, and easily communicate with people they need, without having to perform the ultimately unnatural act of texting.
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