Digitally Induced Altered States as Facilitators of the Future Augmented Human Sensorium: Analysis of Science Fiction Representations
Anatolii Belousov, Mila Bujić, Joseph Macey, Juho Hamari
UbiComp Companion October 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1145/3714394.3756162 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that science fiction depictions of four sensorium manipulations (replacement, expansion, sharing, suppression), each tied to distinct cognitive shifts, suggest that at least three could benefit from digitally induced altered states of consciousness that facilitate those shifts. |
Abstract
This work analyses science fiction narratives for the intersections between the evolution of sensory augmentation technologies and altered states of consciousness as means of adaptation to this evolution. It identifies four types of sensorium manipulation, namely replacement, expansion, sharing and suppression, with each relating to unique cognitive shifts. Their representations in science fiction suggest that at least three of them can benefit from the facilitation of these shifts through appropriate types of digitally induced altered states of consciousness.