Momentary gods and their users: A model of inherent anthriopomorphism in "virtual" environments, and possible opportunities for humane therapy

In this article, we introduce and explore the concept of anthropomorphic attachment by a human user to a man-made environment and its imagined creator. By utilizing the ELIZA program by Joseph Weizenbaum, and discussing some issues raised by him in response to his perception of the relationship between his users and his program, specifically a human\´s relationship to a virtual environment and virtual agents, we offer a cognitive analysis of object-attachment in a human-derived environment, borrowing concepts from the field of anthropology and art, which we feel can better incorporate the role of anthropomorphism as a perceptual tool. Finally, we briefly introduce an art-environment, the Mark Rothko Chapel, which expands the structures inherent in ELIZA to completely encapsulate a user. We feel that this comparison, presently in its initial stage, offers an interesting insight into one possible use of virtual information environments for "humane therapy," to effect attitude change/ self-change in users