A framework for thinking about distributed cognition
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Pierre Poirier
Abstract
As is often the case when scientific or engineering fields emerge, new concepts are forged or old ones are adapted. When this happens, various arguments rage over what ultimately turns out to be conceptual misunderstandings. At that critical time, there is a need for an explicit reflection on the meaning of the concepts that define the field. In this position paper, we aim to provide a reasoned framework in which to think about various issues in the field of distributed cognition. We argue that both relevant concepts, distribution and cognition, must be understood as continuous. As it is used in the context of distributed cognition, the concept of distribution is essentially fuzzy, and we will link it to the notion of emergence of system-level properties. The concept of cognition must also be seen as fuzzy, but for a different reason: due to its origin as an anthropocentric concept, no one has a clear handle on its meaning in a distributed setting. As the proposed framework forms a space, we then explore its geography and (re)visit famous landmarks.
Abstract
As is often the case when scientific or engineering fields emerge, new concepts are forged or old ones are adapted. When this happens, various arguments rage over what ultimately turns out to be conceptual misunderstandings. At that critical time, there is a need for an explicit reflection on the meaning of the concepts that define the field. In this position paper, we aim to provide a reasoned framework in which to think about various issues in the field of distributed cognition. We argue that both relevant concepts, distribution and cognition, must be understood as continuous. As it is used in the context of distributed cognition, the concept of distribution is essentially fuzzy, and we will link it to the notion of emergence of system-level properties. The concept of cognition must also be seen as fuzzy, but for a different reason: due to its origin as an anthropocentric concept, no one has a clear handle on its meaning in a distributed setting. As the proposed framework forms a space, we then explore its geography and (re)visit famous landmarks.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the authors ix
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Introduction
- Offloading cognition onto cognitive technology 1
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Articles
- A framework for thinking about distributed cognition 25
- Distributed cognition: Domains and dimensions 45
- Distributed cognition: A methodological note 57
- Radical changes in cognitive process due to technology: A jaundiced view 71
- The grounding and sharing of symbols 83
- Collaborative tagging as distributed cognition 93
- Thinking in groups 99
- Distributed learning and mutual adaptation 117
- Distributed cognition, representation, and affordance 137
- Categorization and technology innovation 145
- Crime scene investigation as distributed cognition 159
- Web Search engines and distributed assessment systems 185
- Speech transformation solutions 207
- Computer-aided translation as a distributed cognitive task 237
- Index 257
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the authors ix
-
Introduction
- Offloading cognition onto cognitive technology 1
-
Articles
- A framework for thinking about distributed cognition 25
- Distributed cognition: Domains and dimensions 45
- Distributed cognition: A methodological note 57
- Radical changes in cognitive process due to technology: A jaundiced view 71
- The grounding and sharing of symbols 83
- Collaborative tagging as distributed cognition 93
- Thinking in groups 99
- Distributed learning and mutual adaptation 117
- Distributed cognition, representation, and affordance 137
- Categorization and technology innovation 145
- Crime scene investigation as distributed cognition 159
- Web Search engines and distributed assessment systems 185
- Speech transformation solutions 207
- Computer-aided translation as a distributed cognitive task 237
- Index 257
