Archipelagic Human-Machine Communication: Building Bridges amidst Cultivated Ambiguity

Abstract

In this commentary, I call for maintaining the archipelagic character of human-machine communication (HMC). Utilizing the metaphor of the archipelago or a chain of connected islands indicates that HMC entails a variety of islands differing in shape, size, location, and proximity to one another. Rather than aiming for conceptual unity and definitional homogeneity, I call for embracing a cultivated ambiguity related to HMC key concepts. Ambiguity in the sense of allowing these concepts to be flexible enough to be explored in different contexts. Cultivated in the sense of demanding resonance across individual studies and theoretical lineages to allow for cumulative and collaborative theorizing. My hope is that HMC scholars can continue to build bridges that traverse the paradigmatic, methodological, theoretical, and technological archipelago of HMC.