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Can you elaborate on this a bit? The protocol itself, as far as how it conveys and interlinks information seems comparable to early HTML. Documents with very b
by readyplayeremma 5y ago
Can you elaborate on this a bit?
The protocol itself, as far as how it conveys and interlinks information seems comparable to early HTML. Documents with very basic formatting, that can be navigated via a hyperlink, forming a web or information graph in the big picture.
It sounds a bit like you didn't enjoy the browser you used rather than the protocol? There are terminal based browsers that might seem very non-modern, but there are also full GUI browsers that aren't much different than a web browser as far as UX. Within the limitation of the defined protocol of course, meaning text only with basic formatting and no inline images.
I personally find the formatting limitations and lack of inline images leads to a richer experience of taking in the information being conveyed. It's almost like the difference between reading a book and watching a movie. Both have their place in our culture. Even today in the age of VR/AR, 3D IMAX films, etc., we still read books, and it is a pleasant experience for many to take in content that way. There are no distractions, only the content.
Gemini is uniquely enjoyable because the imposed limitations provide many of the same benefits that people enjoy about reading books vs watching movies. The modern web very rarely provides content in that form. Nearly every article is interspersed with all kinds of media to "engage" the viewer. I enjoy a lot of it, however, I think there is something to be said about just putting the text out there bare as it is.
Gemini creates a space where the content doesn't have to compete with distractions. All content is on equal footing and must stand solely on the written words themselves. No distractions. No way for one piece of content to sway you over another just because of high-budget media production. Just bare words that you must interpret yourself. It leads to an atmosphere that is engaging in some ways today's web cannot be, like a movie cannot be in place of a book. It requires a different kind of interpretation and imagination to take in, and I really appreciate that.
- epicide 5y agoI think books are a great comparison for Gemini. Sure, some books have the occasional image and are made better for including it. However, thumbing through a lot (not all) of my stack of books, I see maybe one or two images in an entire book [0]. A lot of those are simple diagrams that could be conveyed (albeit crudely) via text. The remaining image (singular) could have easily been a URL or even a description. "A picture is worth a thousand words" works both ways. Therefore, sometimes it's better to just say a thousand words. And none of that is to say that we shouldn't have movies or shows or newspapers and textbooks full of pictures! Books pose no threat to any of those, so it's pretty odd to see people threatened seemingly by the mere existence of Gemini. Especially when part of its introduction is that it's not a replacement for the Web! Perhaps that upfront clarification is what's so scary? Depending on context, "we mean you no harm" can also sound like a threat. [0]: Though most have precisely 0. Obviously depends on author and their intent.
- throw10920 5y agoI don't think that books are a great comparison for Gemini. Go read The Art of Computer Programming or Linear Algebra Done Right and tell me how easy it would be to process that information without mathematical equations. Gemini doesn't just eschew images - it gets rid of math notation, too. Imagine how much further we would be back if we had been unable to use mathematical notation that didn't fit the ASCII character set. Not to mention all of the thousands of books that are massively better off with actual diagrams in them, and the fact that many books (textbooks especially) that should use images don't. Gemini isn't even as capable as a book. And yes, the marketing material states that it's not a replacement for the Web, but it is constantly compared with the Web - sure sounds like a wink and a nod, a subtle suggestion that it is somewhat of a replacement. If Gemini users want to collectively go off and exclusively create content in Geminispace without bothering me, that's great. However, I'm not very amiable towards any efforts to start moving other people's stuff there, or even the possibility of getting big brains or educators onto that permanently crippled medium.
- readyplayeremma 5y agoI am curious to understand why it feels like you are perceiving Gemini as some kind of existential threat? There are many mediums in this world that are technically inferior but have an important role in many people's lives. Why listen to vinyl when your digital download doesn't require unnecessary space for storage, and has the ability to skip between albums and tracks instantly? Why use Twitter with a very limited set of characters and features? Twitter existing did not kill long-form writing? Gemini existing will not kill the web somehow? Why the hostility? There is room enough for all the mediums. And they each have their place in our culture. I think the space Gemini creates is unique, and a very welcome value-add to this world of never-ending distractions.