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Rage Against the Machines

Posted by michael on from the broken-dreams dept.

wiredbeat2000 writes "Kent Norman is a cognitive psychologist and director of the Laboratory for Automation Psychology and Decision Processes at the University of Maryland. He studies -- and makes films about -- why people lose it, and smash their computers, PDAs, mice, ect. MIT's Technology Review has a story about his lab."

6 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. It is extremely irrational by AbbyNormal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    to strike one's computer in anger.

    We must first create some sort of artificial intellegence within the computer with sensory perception. Only THEN can we slowly, painfully, and deliberately exact our revenge on it!

    --
    Sig it.
  2. Machine Smashing by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, I only smash my machines when they talk back to me. Normally I try to treat them with dignity and respect, but when they $*&! up, grind, groan, chew paper, start making funny knocking sounds or refuse to understand that when I pressed Delete and wiped out my spreadsheet I really meant to hit Enter then I start to get mad and then I exit out and my SuperNintendo emulator program refuses to output sound I feel myself getting hotter under the collar so I go on the web and look up Slashdot and there's a stupid &#)!#@ article like this then THAT'S IT. I'M GONNA GIVE THIS %*@$$$@!@$# piece of ##*%!*#(^ $!)#@$% THE $*!*$(# IT WILL NEVER $@*#~$($%% FORGET!

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  3. Nothing beats the Etherkiller by The+Hobo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    clicky

    Tee hee

    --
    There is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men. -- Boondock Saints
  4. Reluctant by kaleco · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I am reluctant to destroy hardware, but the consequences of venting frustration on other people are far worse.

    I've never broken anything but I have tested the robustness of my keyboard a few times.

    --
    Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped. Calvin Coolidge
    1. Re:Reluctant by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

      > I've never broken anything but I have tested the robustness of my keyboard a few times.

      Now that's a delightful euphemism.

      "Sorry officer, I wasn't breaking into the bank, I was testing the robustness of the front door."

      "Gee dad, I didn't bust up the car, I was merely testing the robustness of the airbags."

      "Come on honey, I didn't bust our marriage when I slept with that Mexican prostitute, I was merely testing its robustness."

      "We didn't break things in Iraq, we were merely testing the robustness of Middle Eastern society."

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  5. It's not the machine's fault! by HarveyBirdman · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Would you beat up a patient for having cancer?

    Well, yeah, some of you bastards would, but that's not the point. Oh, and so would Russell Crowe.

    The computer is sick and malfunctioning because some asshole installed Windows on it! Take a hammer to that guy, and not the poor computer.

    For further enlightenment on this desperate plague afflicitng our silicon bretheren, call 1-888-HELP4PC, and give generously.

    --
    --- Ban humanity.