The Human Factor: Revolutionizing the Way People Live with Technology

by Vicente; Kim J.

• ISBN13: 9780415978910
• ISBN10: 0415978912
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-16
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The Human Factor is a remarkable book about how we might better manage our lives, workplaces, and communities. Kim Vicente makes vividly clear that we are surrounded by technologies and systems-from VCRs to stoves to hospitals, airplane cockpits, and nuclear power plants-that are progressing in complexity so quickly that we have fallen behind our ability to manage them, with sometimes catastrophic results. The Human Factor offers provocative solutions to bridge the widening gap between people and technology that will spark debates everywhere. Winner of the Science in Society Book Award, Winner of the Canadian National Business Book Award. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Kim Vicente is Professor of Engineering at the University of Toronto

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 1
Technology Wreaking Havoc
A Threat to Our Quality of Life: Technology Beyond Our Control	p. 9
Why Is Technology So Out of Control? Walking Around Half-Blind	p. 29
Technology for Humans
Let's Get Physical: Fitting the Design to the Body	p. 65
Minding the Mind I: Everyday Psychology	p. 89
Minding the Mind II: Safety-Critical Psychology	p. 111
Staying on the Same Page: Choreographing Team Coordination	p. 155
Management Matters: Building Learning Organizations	p. 183
Political Imperatives I: Technology for Better or for Worse?	p. 231
Political Imperatives II: Safeguarding the Public Interest	p. 245
Regaining Control of Our Lives
The Way Forward: Not by Widgets Alone	p. 281
Notes	p. 307
Acknowledgments	p. 331
Index	p. 335
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.