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VI:25. [But] interaction is a term which sits happily in the phrase complex
interaction and it implies reciprocity and mutual influence, between persons and/or things. It is
too rich a term for the programmed stimulus and response, or configurational controls which are
currently offered over the limited channels of todays electronic publishing systems
keyboard, pointing device, screen; less commonly simple voice recognition and speech-generation;
full-motion video or virtual reality if you are (?) lucky. Doubtless, the technology will improve and
improve quickly. In the meantime it is strange that there is so much willingness to apply the term
interaction to simple human-machine exchanges when in face-to-face encounters with other persons (or
animals or things for that matter) we have experiences which are truly interactive, to an extent which
might make us wary of applying the term when dealing with software.
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