Considering Worth and Human Values in the Design of Digital Public Displays

Introduction

The creation of novel digital artifacts, including pervasive and ubiquitous computational artifacts, for diverse contexts of utilization and fruition is a process that should go far beyond the definition of its form and functionality. For example, it should take into account the way that the artifact is going to fit into the larger context of daily life and into the eco-system of already existing services and artifacts. In fact, in addition to the technological challenges that are involved, designing digital artifacts requires a thorough understanding of the social milieu that the system is meant to integrate, a clear view of the respective value proposition and the engendered users' experiences (Sellen, Rogers, Harper, & Rodden, 2009).

Reflections on human values and the development of digital artifacts are not a new theme. Computers and other digital technologies have been raising important concerns regarding ethical principles (see, for example, Johnson, 2004). However, the mediation of human actions by these new types of technologies pose distinct challenges and the field of computer ethics is active in defining ethical boundaries and trying to inform policy vacuums (Johnson, 2004): “Computer technology instruments human action in ways that turn very simple movements into very powerful actions” (pag. 76). As a simple example, consider the case of cyber-bullying in schools and its consequences in terms of publicizing, social identities and images of the self.

Sellen et al. (2009) consider that: “...values are not something that can be catalogued like books in a library but are bound to each other in complex weaves that when tugged in one place, pull values elsewhere out of place.” (pag. 61). Furthermore, understanding human values means not only taking the perspective of the individual but also looking at other levels of social organization, like groups, Institutions or even societies. Distinct agents at specific points might particularly cherish different human values in time and space. The design of interactions and technologies, in this sense, needs to be aware of the different balances and make choices (Sellen et al., 2009). Although Sellen et al. (2009) propose a new stage of the design cycle especially concerned with the referred to issues, it seems that the field is still quite open regarding how to proceed in terms of methodologies and methods.

In their seminal work, Friedman et al. (Friedman, 1996; Friedman, Kahn Jr, & Borning, 2006; Friedman & Kahn Jr, 2003) have proposed a framework which they termed Value Sensitive Design that considers three distinct aspects/investigations that should inform design:

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  Conceptual investigations intend to understand which values are at stake within a certain project from a philosophical stance. It involves reflecting on stakeholders views, assumptions about networks of values and possible trade-offs.

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  Empirical investigations focus on how the conceptual issues uncovered are actually instantiated in real contexts. Researchers should formulate particular empirical questions regarding usage and perceived valuation by stakeholders in order to reach understanding based on real world data.

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  Technical investigations try to uncover how specific systems' functionalities are tied to particular values and assess support or hindrance.