Modern tools - Human interface

Coming out of a long conversation I had with my brothers and sisters yesterday I have begun to think more and more about the human interface of today tools. One of the things my younger brother brought up was that aging, or the main cause that generates many of the negative effects of aging ie- loss of mobility, strength, bone mass, cardiovascular health, is actually due to a lack or absence of gravitational stimuli. This effect is accelerated in space where astronauts age at an increased rate, but is easily found in respect to all aspects of our modern life. For example sitting, a position where the natural gravitational loading on the human body is changed or accommodated (for comfort) to a point that it is enjoyable in the short term (daily operation of a computer from an ergonomic Herman Miller chair) but in the long run generates loss in bone mass, cartilage regeneration and circulatory and cardio vascular strength. I've been thinking about these affects on the human body in relation to the tools we use, computers are one of the main tools in our industry (many of us in architecture are spending between 8-12 hours per day sitting in front of one) but also with respect to industrial tools, loaders and excavators, The kind of heavy lifting of todays work force has been engineered and designed to allow for maximum comfort and minimum fatigue, in effect the cabins of these industrial vehicles has actually contributed to extending the sedentary lifestyle of workers today. I find it ironic because these are the jobs of strong men, robust men, however they are caged into and air conditions comfort ride ergonomic easy chair for their working day, most heavy equipment operators smoke like crazy and generally take poor care of they body. It probably doesn’t help that they no longer get any physical stimulation while ate work save for the short climb into the machines cabin (which I’m sure we are currently working on a design to accommodate.

A Virtual Environment

An Arcade Game Controller

A Strong Hand

So my question, and my brother’s point, is what is our modern definition of human? Are we just brains and hands hooked to a machine? Is there a way that the machines can still allow us to be human? is there a way that the machines can be suited to the natural, healthy loading that is representative of the operators strength? can these modern machines act as our gym time as well? Can they promote a level of fatigue that is necessary for good health and a good sleep? I guess for me it comes back to the question since when is work a bad thing? When is fatigue a bad thing?

Some shots of excavator operators and their cabs.

A Tough Dude.