BODIES AND SPACES
by Yasushi Kusume
The effective piloting of the body to avoid or manipulate objects in pursuit of behavioural goals requires an integrated neural representation of the body (the ‘body schema’) and of the space around the body (‘peripersonal space’).’
The body schema and the multisensory representation(s) of peripersonal space, Nicholas P. Holmes and Charles Spence
The ‘body schema’ enables us to use such tools as power drills, hand mixers, keys and cutlery. Because when we do, we make use not only of their functions, we also extend our senses through them. For example, a knife and fork don't just enable us to pick up and cut things; using them, we can also sense such factors as texture, density and solidity.
The ‘peripersonal space' enables us to observe or otherwise sense an object entering the space around us. As Sandra and Matthew Blakeslee explain it, the human brain 'contains cells that keep track of everything and anything that happens within the invisible space at arm’s length around your body’. These are known as ‘place cells’ and ‘grid cells’.
Place cells are context-sensitive: they tell you where you are relative to the specific objects around you. They memorize, for example, the context of your home; that's why you can find your way around it in the dark. Grid cells, by contrast, are context- independent: they map space independently from your environment and respond to changes in that environment. When somebody tosses a ball to you, they're the cells that enable you to catch it or avoid it. They're also the reason why you duck your head when you pass under a barrier or enter a garage with a low ceiling - even though you know you're well protected by a vehicle that's low enough to navigate them safely.
Sandra and Matthew Blakeslee have theorised that the best football and basketball players - in addition to their purely physical abilities - possess excellent place cells and, perhaps even more importantly, spectacular grid cells. It would explain their impressive skill in interacting with the ball and with the other players. And it would also, I assume, account for Formula 1 drivers' ability to control their machines.
And finally, it's worth noting that these same cells can even induce physical sensations before we are touched. As the Blakeslees observe: ‘Every parent knows you only need to wiggle your fingers above your child’s rib cage to elicit gales of laughter’.
Joyful moment
We all have experienced those wonderful moments when we chop vegetables like a Michelin chef, manoeuvre our car like an F1 driver, or dribble a ball like a World Cup football player. In most cases though, such moments really only occur in our own private perceptions, and strictly within our own maximum capabilities. We’re making the most of the place and grid cells we possess, for what remains a truly joyful moment.
As I write, I’ve not been able to find any research on the relationship between the application of place and grid cells and an individual’s satisfaction or happiness. However, if my hypothesis is correct we, as designers, will need to make full use of them if we want to design pleasurable interactions with space and objects in tomorrow’s products.
(I would be very happy to learn of any studies that do exist on the subject. If so, please feel free to contact me.)'