The myth of the paperless office

Abigail Sellen's "The Myth of the Paperless Office" challenges the widespread belief that digital technologies would eliminate paper from workplaces.

The book examines the persistent use of paper in various professional settings, highlighting its unique affordances and the social functions it serves.

Sellen and her co-author explore how paper facilitates communication, collaboration, and memory in ways that digital systems often fail to replicate.

They argue for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between technology and work practices, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design and the careful integration of digital tools into existing workflows.

The book's insights remain relevant in the age of AI, underscoring the need to understand the social and cognitive aspects of work before implementing new technologies.