Authors
Corina Sas, Steve Whittaker, John Zimmerman
Publication date
2016/8/13
Journal
ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (TOCHI)
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
1-37
Publisher
ACM
Description
People increasingly live their lives online, accruing large collections of digital possessions, which symbolically represent important relationships, events, and activities. Most HCI research on bereavement focuses on retaining these significant digital possessions to honor the departed. However, recent work suggests that significant digital possessions may complicate moving on; they function as both comforting and painful reminders but currently provide inflexible methods for disposal. A few works have investigated the disposal of digital objects as a means of letting go. To better understand this we interviewed 10 psychotherapists who employ rituals of letting go to help patients overcome loss in situations such as a divorce, a breakup, or a stillbirth. Patients disposed of either natural artifacts or symbolic personal possessions through actions such as burning, burying, or placing in a body of water. Therapists noted that …
Total citations
201620172018201920202021202220232024321012161518167
Scholar articles