5.1 The Future of Computing & the Quality of Life

Section 13 identifies sources that address a broad range of issues pertaining to the impact of computers on the quality of human life. Works that consider issues related to technological productivity and progress are cited in Section 13.1. Sources concerned with issues related to human-computer interaction and human-computer dependency are listed in Section 13.2, while Section 13.3 contains sources that examine issues related to computer use in health services and human services. Some works cited in the latter section look at ways in which computers are used to assist disabled persons. (Sources that focus on "quality" issues in the computerized workplace, on the other hand, are included in Section 7.2.)

ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990. (Published as a special issue of Computers and Society, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1990.)

ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96): Proceedings. (ed. Chuck Huff). NY: ACM Press, 1996.

Artz, John M. "Computers and the Quality of Life," Computers and Society. Vol. 25, No. 3, September 1995, pp. 17-20.

Artz, John M. "Computers and the Quality of Life: Assessing Flow in Information Systems," ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96): Conference Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1996, pp. 61-66.

Attewell, Paul and James Rule. "Computing and Organizations: What We Know and What We Don't Know," Communications of the ACM, Vol. 27, 1984, pp. 1184-1192. Reprinted in C. Huff and T. Finholt, eds. Social Issues in Computing. NY: McGraw Hill, 1994, pp. 276-294.

Berry, Wendell. "Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer," in What Are People For?. North Point Press, 1990. Reprinted in A. Teich, ed. Technology and the Future. 6th ed. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1993, pp. 66-72.

Bowers, C.A. "How Computers Contribute to the Ecological Crisis," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 3, Summer 1990, pp. 1; 6-8.

Brynjolfson, Erik. Information Technology and the "Productivity Paradox": What We Know and What We Don't Know. Cambridge: MA: MIT Sloan School of Management, November, 1991.

Carnes, Alice and John Zerzan. eds. Questioning Technology. Left Bank, 1988.

Cherkasky, Todd. "Obscuring the Human Costs of Expert Systems," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Vol. 14, No. 1, Spring 1995, pp. 10-20.

Cohn, Michael. Fear of Computers. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1994.

Dahlbom, Bo and Lars Mathiassen. "Quality," Part III of Bo Dahlbom, and Lars Mathiassen, eds. Computers in Context: The Philosophy and Practice of Systems Design. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1993.

Davison, Andrew, ed. Humour The Computer. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1995.

DeLacy, Justin. "The Sexy Computer," in T. Forester, ed. Computers in the Human Context. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1989, pp. 228-236.

Dobyns, Lloyd and Anne Crawford-Mason. Thinking About Quality: Progress, Wisdom, and the Demming Philosophy. NY: Random House, 1994.

Emery, Sherry "Information Technologies and Rural Economic Development," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 35.

Florman, Samuel. Blaming Technology. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1981.

Glendinning, Chellis. When Technology Wounds: The Human Consequences of Progress. NY: William Morrow, 1990.

Gotlieb, Calvin C. "Computers: A Gift of Fire," in Information Processing '80: Proceedings of the IFIP Congress '80. Amsterdam, Netherlands: North-Holland Publishing, Co., 1980, pp. 863-872.

Gray, Susan H. "Assessing the Impact of Computers on the Home and Family," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 36.

Greenbaum, Joan; Turkle, Sherry; Kuhns, Sara and Chuck Huff. "The Head and the Heart: Gender Aspects of Computing," a panel Discussion at the ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90) September 14, 1990.

Hardison, O. B. Disappearing Through the Skylight: Culture and Technology in the Twentieth Century. NY: Penquin Books, 1989. Portions of this work are excerpted and reprinted as "Disappearing Through the Skylight," in A. Teich, ed. Technology and the Future. 6th ed. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1993, pp. 15-29.

Heim, Michael. "The Erotic Ontology of Cyberspace," in M. Benedikt, ed. Cyberspace: First Steps. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991, pp. 59-80.

Henrion, Max. "Computer Tools for Environmental Policy Analysis: Lessons from Acid Rain," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 3, Summer 1990, pp. 1-5.

Hertlein, Grace. "Computers and the Quality of Life," Computers and Society, Vol. 20, 1990, pp. 60-66.

Huff, Chuck and Thomas Finholt. "Putting Technology in Its Place," introductory essay in C. Huff and T. Finholt, eds. Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in Its Place. NY: McGraw Hill, 1994, pp. 1-16.

Jaroff, Leon. "Age of the Road Warrior," Time, Spring 1995 (Special Issue: Welcome to Cyberspace), pp. 38-40.

Kaufman, Margo. "They Call It Cyberlove," The Los Angeles Times Magazine, September 12, 1993, pp. 45-62. Reprinted R. Kling, ed. Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1996, pp. 525-532.

Kiesler, Sara. "Computer-Mediated Communication and its Effect on the Quality of Life," a paper presented at the ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90), September 15, 1990.

Kling, Rob. "Reading 'All About" Computerization: How Genre Conventions Shape Non-Fiction Social Analysis," in Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing 1990 (DIAC ' 90) Symposium Proceedings, ed. Doug Schuler, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), 2nd. ed., 1992, pp. 77-116.

Kling, Rob. "Information Systems, Social Transformations, and the Quality of Life," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 76-85.

Kling, Rob. "The Seductive Equation of Technological Progress with Social Progress," in R. Kling, ed. Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1996, pp. 22-25.

Krohe, James. "The Productivity Pit," Across the Board, October 1993. Reprinted in K. Schellenberg, ed. Computers in Society. 6th ed. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1996, pp. 55-59.

Kupfer, Andrew. "Alone Together: Will Being Wired Set Us Free?," Fortune, March 20, 1995. Reprinted in K. Schellenberg, ed. Computers in Society. 6th ed. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1996, pp. 11-14.

Landauer, Thomas K. The Trouble With Computers: Usefulness, Usability, and Productivity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1995.

Markus, M. Lynne. "Finding a Happy Medium: Explaining the Negative effects of Electronic Communication on Social Work Life," ACM Transactions of Information Systems, Vol. 12, No. 2, April 1994, pp. 119-149. Reprinted R. Kling, ed. Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1996, pp. 490-524.

Marques, Ivan da Costa. "Modernity and the Betterment of Life," ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96): Conference Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1996, pp. 67-72.

Marx, Gary. "Some Questions About Any New Technology," in Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing 1990 (DIAC '90) Symposium Proceedings, ed. Doug Schuler, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), 2nd. ed., 1992, pp. 217-226.

Marx, Leo. "Does Improved Technology Mean Progress?," Technology Review, 1987. Reprinted in A. Teich, ed. Technology and the Future. 6th ed. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1993, pp. 3-14.

Questioning Technology, Special Issue of Whole Earth Review, Winter 1991.

Sheridan, Thomas B. "Computer Control and Human Alienation," Technology Review, October 1980.

Sproul, Lee, Keisler, Sara and David Zubrow. "Encountering an Alien Culture," in C. Huff and T. Finholt, eds. Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in Its Place. NY: McGraw Hill, 1994, pp. 582-603.

Stenger, Nicole. "Mind is a Leaking Rainbow," in M. Benedikt, ed. Cyberspace: First Steps. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991, pp. 49-58.

Van Gelder, Lindsy. "The Strange Case of the Electronic Lover," The Village Voice, December 21, 1993, pp. 36-42. Reprinted R. Kling, ed. Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1996, pp. 533-546.

Warner, Timothy. "Information Technology as a Competitive Burden," in T. Forester, ed. Computers in the Human Context. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1989, pp. 272-280.

Winner, Langdon. "Silicon Valley Mystery House," in M. Sorkin, ed. Variations on a Theme Park: The New American City and the End of Public Space. NY: Noonday Press, 1992.

Winner, Langdon. "The Digital Society and Its Discontents," Keynote Address at the ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96), Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 15, 1996.

Cowart, Robert and Anita Amirezevani. "Using VDTs in the Workplace," PC Week, January 21, 1986, pp. 57-60.

DeMatteo, Bob. Terminal Shock: The Health Hazards of Video Display Terminals. Toronto: NC Press, 1985.

Etinger, Loci. "Improve Quality of Life, Make Work Possible," Accent on Living, Vol. 40, No. 1, 1995, pp. 78-82.

Forster, E. M. "The Machine Stops," from The Eternal Moment and Other Stories. NY: Harcourt Brace, 1970. Portions reprinted in D. Johnson and H. Nissenbaum, eds. Computers, Ethics & Social Values. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995, pp. 694-713.

Foster, Kenneth. "The VDT Debate," American Scientist, Vol. 74, March/April 1986. Reprinted in T. Forester, ed. Computers in the Human Context. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1986, pp. 188-197.

Foster, Kenneth. "Health Effects of Fields from VDSs: The Issue in Retrospect," a paper presented at the ACM/SIGCSE Symposium - ACM Computing Week '96, Philadelphia, PA, February 15, 1996.

Friedman, Batya. "Designing Computer Systems for Human (and Humane) Use," in Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing 1992 (DIAC '92): Symposium Proceedings. (ed. Doug Schuler) Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), 1992, pp. 131-133.

Harrison, Philip L. "Assisted Computing: Independence by PC," Popular Science, Vol. 247, No. 4, 1995, 1995, p. 32.

Kiesler, Sara and T. Finholt. "The Mystery of RSI," in C. Huff and T. Finholt, eds. Putting Computing in Its Place. NY: McGraw Hill, 1994, pp. 94-118.

Kuhn, Sarah; Meskill, Judith A. and Michael M. Muller. PDC '92: Proceedings of the 1992 Conference on Participatory Design. Palo Alto, CA: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, 1992.

McIntosh, Dennis. "Using Ergonomics to Keep Humans in the Computer Age," a paper presented at the ACM/SIGCSE Symposium - ACM Computing Week '96, Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 15, 1996.

McFarland, Michael C. "Humanizing the Information Superhighway," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Vol. 14, No. 4, Winter 1995/1996, pp. 11-18.

Muller, Michael J. "Voices from the Margins," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer 1994, pp. 1-2.

Osborne, David. "Ergonomics and Information Technology," in T. Forester, ed. Computers in the Human Context. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1989, pp. 66-173.

Pearl, Yoni and Edgar Whitley. "The Environmental Contribution of Personal Computers: A State of the Art Report," Computers and Society, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 6-8.

Pullman, Cydney. "Participatory Curriculum Development With and For Workers," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer 1994, pp. 5-6.

Schuler, Douglas and Aki Namioka. Participatory Design: Principles and Practice. Palo Alto, CA: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, 1992.

Seligman, Jean, Pamela Abramson and Mary Hager. "Are Computer Screens Safe," Newsweek, June 20, 1988, p. 53.

Shneiderman, Ben. "Seven Plus or Minus Two Central Issues in Human-Computer Interaction," ACM/SIGCHI '86: Conference Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1986.

Shneiderman, Ben. Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction. 2nd ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Press, 1992.

Shneiderman, Ben and Anne Rose. "Social Impact Statements: Engaging Public Participation in Information Technology Design," ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96): Conference Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1996, pp. 90-97.

Shotton, Elizabeth. "Should Computer Dependency Be Considered a Serious Problem?," in C. Huff and T. Finholt, eds. Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in Its Place. NY: McGraw Hill, 1994, pp. 673-690.

Suchman, Lucy. "Designer With the User," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 3, Summer 1988, pp. 1-6.

Tigg, Randall; Anderson, Susan Irwin, and Elizabeth Dykstra-Erickson, eds. PDC '94: Proceedings of the Participatory Design Conference. Palo Alto, CA: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, 1994.

Tollander, Carl. Collaborative Engines for Multiparticipant Cyberspaces," in M. Benedikt, ed. Cyberspace: First Steps. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991, pp. 303-332.

Zachary, G. Pascal. "Living With the Control Key," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 3, Summer 1988, pp. 1; 7-8.

Wacker, Gary and Gary Tollefson. "Consulting End-Users on Infrastructure Worth," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Vol. 13, No. 2, Summer 1994, pp. 10-16.

Williamson, Evan. "Caught in the Grip of RSI: A Firsthand Account," Managing Office Technology, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 40-41. Reprinted R. Kling, ed. Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1996, pp. 826-829.

Adams, William and James Traglia. "How to Propose Automation for Human Services," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 8-12.

"ADA on the Internet," Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Vol. 89, No. 4, 1995, p. 19.

Alexander, Cynthia. "Putting the Byte on Canadian Social Welfare Agencies," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 13-19.

Anderson, James G. "The Social Impact of Computer Technology on Physicians," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 28-33.

Batson, Trent. "Multi-Vocality Come to Life: Computer-Mediated Communication in a Diverse Society," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 134-137.

Berkeley Chapter, Peace and Justice Working Group. "Work, Health and Safety," A Computer and Information Technologies Platform. Palo Alto, CA: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, 1992, pp. 16-19.

Bowe, Frank. "Making Computers Accessible to Disabled People," Technology Review, Vol. 90, No. 1, January 1987, pp. 52-73.

Buckley, Michael. "Developing Affordable, Clinical Information Systems: Meeting a Healthcare Challenge of the '90s," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 87-92.

Davis, Joyce. "Telemedicine Begins to Make its Case," Fortune, November 27, 1995, p. 44.

Dipner, Randy; Brummel, Susan; Stern, Virginal; Oliver, Larry; Seelman, Katherine and Bob Silverstein. "Impact of Legislation on a Availability and Use of Technology by Individuals With Disabilities," a panel discussion at the ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90), September 14, 1990.

Dipner, Randy and R. Gattis. "A Multidimensional Approach to Introduction of Technology to Aid Disabled Populations," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 127.

Ferson, Scott. "Ecological and environmental Risk Analysis: Using Computers to Estimate Impacts and Uncertainties," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 3, Summer 1990, pp. 25-28.

Frohock, Fred. "Special Care: Medical Decisions at the Beginning of Life," in A. Teich, ed. Technology and the Future. 6th ed. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1993, pp. 295-317.

Gallant, Robert V. "Computers and Social Change for Quality Long Living: The Let's Connect Project," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 116-117.

Geiss, G. and N. Viswanathan, eds. The Human Edge: Information Technology and Helping People. NY: Haworth Press, 1986.

Gianni, M. J. "Computing and the Handicapped: A Promising Alliance," Computer, Vol. 14, January 1981, pp. 12-13.

Goredezky, Michael and James Rusnak. "Increasing the Clinical Relevance of a Mental Health Information System," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 93-96.

Hayes, Heather B. "High-Tech Trumps Disabilities," Federal Times, Vol. 31, No. 23, 1995, p. 18.

Hubbard, Ruth. Profitable Promises: Essays on Women, Science, and Health. NY: Common Courage Press, 1995.

Hughes, Richard E. "Participatory Design in Occupational Health and Safety," CPSR Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer 1994, pp. 3-4.

Kapoor, Harina. "High Quality Speech for Laryngectomized Persons," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 128-133.

Kelly, William and Patrick Kinsella. "Virtual Reality and Disabilities," Contemporary Review, Vol. 265, 1994, p. 234.

Lazarro, Joseph J. "PCs Empower Individuals With Disabilities," in Developing an Equitable and Open Information Infrastructure: Proceedings of the Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing (DIAC '94) Symposium, (ed. Hans Klein) Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), 1994, H2.

Lin, J.; Hill, D.; Halliday, P. and C. McIsaac. "Computerized Ambulance Dispatching Systems," in

ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 86.

Looman, W; Noelker, L. and G. Deimling. "Using Information Technology to Coordinate Specialized Services for the Elderly," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 106-111.

MacKay, Harry. "On-Line Networking and Conferencing: Improving Human Services," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 97.

Macken, Betsy. "The Archimedes Project: Providing Leverage for Individuals with Disabilities Through Information Technology," Computers and Society, Vol. 25, No. 2, June 1995, pp. 19-23.

Monnickendum, Menachem. "KnoW, An Alternative Approach in Decision Support Systems for Human Services," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 27.

Moore, Michael B. "Acceptance of Information Technology by Health Care Professionals," ACM/SIGCAS Symposium on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '96): Conference Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1996, pp. 57-60.

Nizza, Arthur and Gunther Geiss. "EPIC Expert Assistant Calculator: An Expert System to Facilitate Eligibility and Savings Determination for a State-Sponsored Insurance Program," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 38-44.

Paciello, Michael G. "Designing for People With Disabilities," Interactions, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1995, pp. 14-16.

Perednia, Douglas A. "Telemedicine in Technology and Clinical Applications," JAMA, February 8, 1995, pp. 483-487.

Sackman, Hal. "Computer Workstations: The Occupational Hazard of the 21st Century," in Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing 1992 (DIAC '92): Symposium Proceedings. (ed. Doug Schuler) Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), 1992, pp. 32-47.

Semke, Jeannette and Paula Nurius. "Information Structure, Information Technology, and Human Service," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, p. 20.

Vanderheiden, G. C. "Practical Applications of Computers to Aid the Handicapped," Computer, Vol. 14, No. 1, January 1981, pp. 54-61.

Whitcomb, Robert G. "Computer Games for the Elderly," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 112-115.

Zurier, Steve. "Telemedicine is Bringing Electronic Doctors Closer," Computer News, October 2, 1995, p. 56.

Zysman, Shafer and Gunther Geiss. "Mental Hygiene Practitioners' Attitudes Toward Applying Computers in Health Care," in ACM/SIGCAS Conference on Computers and the Quality of Life (CQL '90): Proceedings. NY: ACM Press, 1990, pp. 22-26.