The principle of self-amputation as an immediate relief of 
strain on the central nervous system applies very readily to the 
origin of the media of communication from speech to 
computer.

     Physiologically, the central nervous system, that electric 
network that coordinates the various media of our senses, 
plays the chief role. Whatever threatens its function must be 
contained, localized, or cut off, even to the total removal of the 
offending organ. The function of the body, as a group of 
sustaining and protective organs for the central nervous 
system, is to act as buffers against sudden variations of 
stimulus in the physical and social environment. Sudden social 
failure or shame is a shock that some may “take to heart” or 
that may cause muscular disturbance in general, signaling for 
the person to withdraw from the threatening situation.