Neuromancer Workshop: Towards Designing Experiential Entanglement with Science Fiction

Title of the Paper

Neuromancer Workshop: Towards Designing Experiential Entanglement with Science Fiction

Paper Information

• Domain: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design Theory, Intersection of Science Fiction and Design
• Keywords: Design Fiction, Entanglement, Experiential Speculation, Science Fiction, Human-Computer Interaction
• Conference: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21), Yokohama, Japan.

Research Background and Problem

• Research Background:

  • Design fiction is a creative method for speculating about the future, gaining significant attention in the HCI field.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on exploring possible worlds through design fiction, often adopting a critical and analytical perspective.
  • Recent studies have shifted towards exploring experiential qualities, investigating how design can create intertwined experiences with science fiction worlds.

• Problems and Challenges:

  • There is a lack of systematic research on "non-analytical perspectives" in experiential speculation, particularly regarding the perceptual nature of experiential design fiction.
  • Current studies on possible worlds pay limited attention to the interaction dynamics between human and non-human agents and the perceptual changes such interactions might bring.

• Research Motivation:

  • The authors argue for an experiential understanding of the perceptual and emotional impacts of design fiction.
  • They aim to explore how interactions between protagonists' life imagery and science fiction texts can provide novel ways for humans to experience science fiction worlds.

Solution

• Methods and Experimental Design:

  • The authors designed a design fiction workshop based on the novel Neuromancer.
  • A set of 206 sentence cards extracted from the novel was created, divided into two categories: "everyday anchors" and "science fiction features."
  • Participants (15 individuals) were asked to upload personal life photos and match them with the card content, followed by secondary text creation.
  • An experiential speculation approach was employed, emphasizing the fusion of life experiences with science fiction worlds.

• Innovative Contributions:

  • Introduced the concept of "experiential entanglement," exploring how human perception transitions between the real and the fictional.
  • Uniquely combined classic science fiction texts with participants' everyday photos, creating a novel mode of exploring the interaction between imagination and experience.
  • Proposed a framework for studying experiential factors in design fiction, aimed at understanding the "perceptual agency" of science fiction worlds.

• Implementation Steps and Techniques:

  1. Conducted a pilot study to design and refine the card content and rules.
  2. Hosted the workshop, organizing participants to pair cards with photos and generate new sentences using a printer.
  3. Allowed participants to engage in subsequent creation, enriching the narratives evoked.
  4. Data analysis included questionnaires, participant interviews, and collected creative texts, extracting experiential and imaginative characteristics.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Findings:

  • Proposed a model of "experiential entanglement," interpreting human interaction with science fiction worlds as an overlapping experience of reality and fiction.
  • Identified two common experiential phenomena when participants interacted with the Neuromancer text: imagination and entanglement.
  • Documented various participant behaviors and psychological responses during the workshop, highlighting the impact of "personalized resonance" when combining life memories with science fiction elements.

• Experimental and Evaluation Results:

  • Data showed that most participants could find connections between their daily lives and the science fiction world using the Neuromancer cards.
  • Extracted specific sentence formats, such as those combining everyday anchors and science fiction features, which were more effective in evoking perception and memory.
  • Found that science fiction not only reflects certain realities (potential realities) but also "invites" participants to re-examine their everyday lives.

• Advantages:

  • Focuses more on the artistic and experiential aspects of design fiction compared to existing methods, extending critical analysis to include experiential insights.
  • Provides a novel methodology that fosters deeper engagement and interaction, moving beyond purely theoretical discussions.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • Limitations:
    • Participants were required to read parts of Neuromancer beforehand, which could pose a high entry barrier.
    • Daily photos only represent "snapshots" rather than the entirety of life experiences.
  • Future Directions:
    • Explore potential combinations with other types of texts (non-science fiction).
    • Extend the approach to IoT (Internet of Things) devices and virtual reality, investigating the potential of digital technologies in everyday life experiences.

Conclusion

This study advances the theoretical research on design fiction by proposing a life-integrated science fiction construction that enhances the emotional and experiential appeal of design fiction. It provides significant insights for HCI and the design of future technologies.