"Act natural": instructions, compliance and accountability in ambulatory experiences

  • Authors:
  • Peter Tolmie;Steve Benford;Martin Flintham;Patrick Brundell;Matt Adams;Nicholas Tandavantij;Ju Row Far;Gabriella Giannachi

  • Affiliations:
  • University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;Blast Theory, Brighton, United Kingdom;Blast Theory, Brighton, United Kingdom;Blast Theory, Brighton, United Kingdom;The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

This paper uses a detailed ethnographic study of an ambulatory experience, where participants were invited to explore the perspective of two notorious terrorists, in order to discuss the nature of instruction-giving and, most particularly, the methodical ways in which such instructions are complied with. Four distinct layers of compliance are identified, as are three different kinds of accountability, all of which stand potentially at odds with one another. The paper examines the tensions created by this, tensions that are further aggravated by instructions usually being delivered down a thin channel, with considerable surrounding contextual complexity and little opportunity for repair, and uncovers some core challenges for future design in relation to providing instructions for, and orchestrating a range of possible activities.