Machining the mind to mind the machine

Abstract

Ergonomics is identified as that discipline which is most particularly focused upon the “laws of work’. Indeed, this is the etymological origins from which the name of the science is derived. In consequence, any future consideration of such an area of research endeavor must constantly re-examine and re-evaluate what is meant by the term ‘work’. The present article, that features an individual perspective, attacks this challenge through a prospective vision of what work may come. This vision of ‘futurework’ proves to be a rather bleak one. For, as is explained, the driving economic forces emphasize and embrace the greater utility of automated, and now growing autonomous systems, to accomplish the tasks which connote work. Often cast in opposition to the efficiency/profit imperative are those social forces for which human-centered endeavors, such as Ergonomics, advocate. Optimistic perspectives seek to harmonize these conflicting forces and envisage a form of harmonious cooperation between humans and machines of increasing ‘intelligence’ and capability. The current work explores and evaluates why that positive narrative is unlikely to represent the actuality of coming events, at least within the foreseeable future.