Internalist and Externalist HCI

The history of technology, as a discipline, supports alternate points of view termed internalist and externalist , which terms highlight an approximately similar division in points of view within HCI. Conventional HCI is externalist, rightly concerned with human-centered issues; but externalism risks ignoring important internalist issues. A successful human-computer system is better if it is successful from both perspectives. This discussion paper argues that the externalist view, while necessary and immensely useful, is not sufficient—and in the worst case, risks eclipsing innovation from internalist quarters.