Schizoanalytical Context of a User Interaction with a Digital Object: Interface’s Affordances

Abstract

This article discusses the concept of the interface in the context of the theory and philosophy of the media, as one of the propositions of digital space and digital communication. Analysis of research works in the field of the interface philosophy shows that there are two main views on the effect of communication interface: an interface as a filter for any data (L. Manovich) and an interface as a specific communicative situation “anti-choice” (A. Galloway). However, its mobile structure becomes the general property of the interface concept: this is a space where units of information are constantly being translated from one language to another. Such a transfer is carried out at the intersection of the digital object assemblages and the user with the help of affordances. It is assumed that the description of such a mobile structure and identification of semantic nodes expressed by the affordances is possible with the help of schizoanalysis developed by F. Guattari and J. Deleuze. The results of the schizoanalysis of the computer game “Disco Elysium” show that the interaction of assemblages is carried out on a compensatory principle, the search for harmony in the interaction of the structure and system of both assemblages. The affordances materialize those semantic nodes that contribute to such harmonization of assemblages.