In
Computers as Theatre by Brenda Laurel she introduces an interesting idea that computer interface interaction and theatre interaction are one in the same. Laurel states that both computer interface and theatre "both attempt to observe and understand human behavior" (Laurel 6). This concept is fairly interesting to me because I never would have thought computers and theatre would have any type of connection at all.
Laurel explains that idea that interface design is focused on "making computer systems and applications easy to use" and describes this interaction between the user and the computer as "conversational" (Laurel 3). This relates to her idea of theatre because the computer and user interaction is similar to theatre by "two people working together to play a duet, shake hands, play chess, waltz, teach, or make love"(Laurel 3). Both the computer and theatre interaction rely heavily on the cohesive interaction between both parties. Without the compromise, cooperation, and use of "common ground" (Laurel 3) neither party would succeed in the task they are trying to achieve.
Laurel introduces the connections of both psychology and graphic design and how they both relate to the common aspects of theatre and computers. Psychology in both the theatre and computers share a common goal of "observing and understanding human behavior" (Laurel 6). Psychology attempts to "describe what is going on in the world" and in theatre "represent something that might go on"(Laurel 6). Graphic design is used in both computer and theatre by creating easily understood representations of "physical and emotional aspects of interaction" (Laurel 9) for the user/viewer. A good example of both each of both psychology and graphic design used to help a computer user is Clippy from Microsoft Word. This interactive program would pop up and help that user if they had trouble with the software. His design made him seem like a friendly pal and he was made to show both "physical and emotional aspects of interaction" described by Laurel (Laurel 9).
The comparison made between theatre and computers by Laurel was a very interesting connection of how users interact with interfaces and viewers interact with theatre performances. Both theatre and computers attempt to make connections with human interaction and represent real physical and emotional aspects of life.
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