Synthetica: Synthesis on Design

On the second to the fourth waves of human-computer interaction


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This episode explores the evolution of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) through its second and third waves and speculates on the emergence of a fourth wave. The first wave focused on cognitive science and human factors, emphasizing the individual. The second wave shifted attention to group dynamics, work settings, and communities of practice, introducing participatory design as a core principle. The third wave, in contrast, prioritized individual experiences and questioned the collective focus of its predecessor. Current discussions highlight the need to balance personal experience with participation and sharing, proposing that a fourth wave should address politics, values, and ethics within HCI. Central to this vision is the manifesto as a vehicle for expressing values and driving change.

Please note that the podcast covers key points from the source with synthetic voices, which may have glitches. It’s a reflective, not comprehensive, interpretation.

Ashby, S., Hanna, J., Matos, S., Nash, C., & Faria, A. (2019). Fourth-Wave HCI Meets the 21st Century Manifesto. Proceedings of the Halfway to the Future Symposium 2019, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1145/3363384.3363467

Bødker, S. (2006). When second wave HCI meets third wave challenges. Proceedings of the 4th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Changing Roles - NordiCHI ’06, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1145/1182475.1182476

Bødker, S. (2015). Third-wave HCI, 10 years later—Participation and sharing. Interactions, 22(5), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1145/2804405



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Synthetica: Synthesis on DesignBy Synthetic Synthesis