MT: Calm Technology

Calm technology describes itself as: Technology in the Periphery.
Which means it's not given the center of attention.
What is in the periphery at one moment may in the next moment come to be at the center of our attention and so be crucial.
It's playing in the back, without us giving it any attention. Untill it changes, then we're aware of it.

As an example:

"Ordinarily when driving our attention is centered on the road, the radio, our passenger, but not the noise of the engine. But an unusual noise is noticed immediately, showing that we were attuned to the noise in the periphery, and could come quickly to attend to it"

The information would be present in the background until needed, move to center stage when needed, then fade to the background again — something like having the television on with the sound turned down until a "news alert" is broadcast.

Good tools should be 'invisible'. It has to become your second nature.
This describes an essential part of Calm technology.
Mark Weiser says at the end of his article 'The World Is Not A Desktop':

"I propose childhood: playful, a building of foundations, constant learning, a bit mysterious and quickly forgotten by adults. Our computers should be like our childhood: an invisible foundation that is quickly forgotten but always with us, and effortlessly used throughout our lives."

What we find interesting was another part of this article:

"Voice command is so well-known in science fiction exactly because it is prominent and attention grabbing -- fiction is supposed to hold our attention. A good tool is not."