Anthropology-Based Computing

John N. A. Brown is an inventor and researcher who has lived and lectured on four continents as a specialist in Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction. Dr Brown is trying to advance Weiser and Brown's concept of Calm Technology and hoping to bring a few new practices and a few new tools into common use, based on the concepts that a) the real world is much more complex than any computer or software ever invented, and b) it has taken us a very long time to evolve and adapt to the world in a way that allows us to be both effective and comfortable. In short, Mr. Brown proposes that it is time to start designing our most ubiquitous tools to better suit our natural human abilities and limitations and calls this approach Anthropology-Based Computing.

Foreword.- Preface.-  Introduction.- Part I: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Evolution of Computerized Technology, But Where Afraid to Ask.- You are Here.- How Computing  Became Ubiquitous and What That Means.- Getting Excited About Calm Technology.- The Evolution of Humans and Technology Part 1 - Humans.- The Evolution of Humans and Technology Part 2 -  Technology.- The Evolution of Humans and Technology Part 3  -   Computers.- What are Human Factors and Why Should We Care?.- Ergonomics and Biomechanics: The Surprising Science of Using your Body.- Psychology and Neurology: The Surprisingly simple Science of Using your Brain. Part II: Taking Control - It's as Easy as A,B,C.- The Theory of Anthropology-Based Computing.- The Early Days of Anthropology-Based Computing.- The Future of Anthropology-Based Computing.- Part III: Citizen Science: Simple Solutions to Improve the Way Your Technology Treats You.- Stop your Mouse from Twisting Your Arm.- Stop your Keyboard from Twisting Your Arm.- Stop your Tech From Wringing Your Neck, Breaking Your Back, and Being an All-Round Pain In Your... Life.- Stop Your Phone from Screaming at You (and Everyone Else!).- Stop your Messages from Killing You ( or Your Friends, or Total Strangers).- Stop Your Dashboard Navigator from Driving You to Distraction.-  Stop your Noise-Blocking, High Volume Headlines from Stopping Your Ears.- Your Chapter, an Invitation.- Afterword.

"The book is a great resource to not only introduce the subject from a historical perspective, but also to expose readers to the subject supported by experience-based examples analogous to the HCI environment. ... The abstract and summary in each chapter provide the desired focus and help the reader glean the most important information. ... the book will generate interest from researchers pursuing HCI who are involved in experimentation." (Harekrishna Misra, Computing Reviews, April, 2017)