Aspects of Interaction

The concept of interaction has been adapted to a variety of situations. A central element in interaction is feedback. Wiener (1961) notes the biological importance of feedback in the organism, including the human organism, and explains why feedback is essential for life:

We thus see that for effective action on the outer world it is not only essential that we possess good effectors, but that the performance of these effectors be properly monitored back to the central nervous system, and that the readings of these monitors be properly continued with the other information coming in from the sense organs to produce a properly proportioned output to the effectors (Wiener, 1961, 96).

Feedback and interaction are forms of communication. Studies of communication are especially valuable for defining us as human beings and for demonstrating ways in which we relate to ourselves, to others, and to ideas. Deetz (1982) refers to this

when noting how interpersonal communication involves the individual "in the most thorough and integrated sense" (Deetz, 1982, 2). The person interacting displays multi-dimensionality and is also able to use all sense modalities: "The interpersonal message is precisely the synergy of all essential inputs. Analysis of interpersonal dialogue must recognize this synergy" (Deetz, 1982, 3).

However, in the current age an important issue is the degree to which interactivity by means of electronic means such as the Internet can be considered interperso

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the Internet makes the process faster, more direct, and more like a persons interaction. The reciprocity possible in democratic political interactions also benefits from the advent of the Internet, and this idea has been tested in various pilot projects. O'Sullivan (1995) reports on the Teledemocracy Project in Santa Monica, California, used to improve the flow of political information and opinion between citizens and leaders. O'Sullivan concludes that interactive computer networks are well-suited for facilitating pluralistic political participation. Critics, of course, find that such efforts are questionable because they reduce face-to-face interaction, though Schudson (1997) argues that while some have claimed that face-to-face conversation is the heart of democratic life, while Schudson finds that democratic institutions and norms developed otherwise contribute to this conversation rather than being created by conversation. One could assume that such institutions and norms would be developed as well by the information-gathering and dissemination of electronic media. White (1997) finds numerous opportunities in the Internet age for increased and improved citizen participation, noting first that the increase in the use o

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