Give peace a chance: a call to design technologies for peace

ABSTRACT

Peace is an extremely important value for humankind, yet it has been largely ignored by the computing and human-computer interaction community. This paper seeks to begin a discussion within the human-computer interaction community on how we can design technologies that have peace as an explicit goal. To begin this discussion, I review empirical studies on the factors that contribute to conflict and those that make conflict less likely. Based on this, I identify areas where human-computer interaction research has already contributed to prevent conflict and promote peace, and open areas where our community can make a positive difference.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.m Miscellaneous

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education

General Terms:
Human Factors

Keywords:
causes of conflict, discussion, empirical studies, peace, software, technology