Circumspective use of equipment: The case of bicycle messengers

Abstract

This thesis presents an interpretative study of technology use. It attempts to deepen our understanding of the relationship between users and the equipment they use. In particular, it tries to address the ways in which the equipment in use is visible for users. The research presented here aims at dwelling on the concept of circumspective use, i.e. a kind of awareness in the situation of use. The distinction between visible and invisible equipment in use has been central within the field of HCI. These concepts are used both to inform design and as concepts to describe and analyze the use of equipment. However, the distinction visible/invisible has its limitations for providing accurate descriptions of everyday use. The dichotomy suggests that either the equipment is visible for the user, or the equipment is invisible to the user. The notion of “invisible” equipment in use is particularly problematic, according to this thesis, since it alludes to the perspective that the activity of use is a “blind activity” where the equipment in use is not there for the user. In order to find out about ways of encountering and relating with equipment in use, an empirical investigation of bicycle messenger operations was conducted. By biking together with bicycle messengers, empirical evidence for a different perspective than the visible/invisible perspective was collected. Participant observation and interviews are the main methods that have been used in this study. Circumspective use is an important theoretical concept for this thesis. The concept of circumspection (Umsicht) is from Heidegger, and is used to describe a kind of awarenessin a situation. The phenomenon of everyday use of equipment is described and analyzed with this concept, and doing so has led me to go beyond the visible/invisible dichotomy. I suggest the concept of circumspective use to provide a theoretical perspective for describing everyday use situations. This concept directs attention to the user’s awareness of equipment, alternatives and the environment of use. The perspective provided by the concept of circumspective use suggests that the user always has an awareness of the equipment, alternatives and environment. Hence, this concept moves us beyond the visible/invisible dichotomy.