Cognitive Design

In cognitive design the classic distinction between thought and action is thrown out the window.   The idea of separating thinking from doing (something we still do as designers and managers) is dangerously dated.  Thought and action are intertwined in the matrix of experience. This is why in cognitive design we include requirements for achieving a specific frame of mind in the user (mentality) as part of the functional specifications of the artifact – thought, emotion and action as an integrated whole.

Some support for the idea that thought and action might not be as different as we assume was recently demonstrated in a musical performance in New York City.   As reported by the New Scientist, (registration is required) performers played their music by thinking about doing it.

“It demonstrated Sulzer’s idea that thinking about an action could stimulate the brain in much the same way as actually carrying it out.”

So our brains themselves might not make much of a distinction between thinking a thing and doing a thing.