The Shape of Actions

More about the book

The authors explore the distinction between polimorphic and mimeomorphic actions to analyze human-machine interactions. Polimorphic actions, which vary with context, contrast with mimeomorphic actions, which remain consistent. They argue that while machines mimic mimeomorphic actions, true human actions cannot be replicated. The book applies this framework to various examples, including writing machines and organizational operations, and examines historical technological developments like the air pump to illustrate how automation is linked to mimeomorphic actions.