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This was a nice read, and I agree there's a problem, but I disagree with your solution (just unplug, at least occasionally). The kinds of social interactions w

This was a nice read, and I agree there's a problem, but I disagree with your solution (just unplug, at least occasionally). The kinds of social interactions we're all becoming addicted to online aren't as "real" as offline ones to be sure. I'd rather solve that problem by further improving the technology. To give you a concrete example, all of my family and many of my friends are in the UK, while I'm in California. We keep in touch a lot using Facebook and Skype. Those are great, as far as they go, but what I really want is something that lets me and my best friend grab a "virtual beer" together in a way that's as good as the "real" thing. Ever the optimist, I think we'll get there soon enough.

bsaunder 17y ago
What is there to a "virtual beer" beyond a quickly brokered time for a Skype session with a real beer in hand? I agree with the solution but not for all of the situations the author mentions... Status meetings in particular seem like inefficient token ring events Collaborative problem solving and design reviews on the other hand could be more engaging to require an "unplugged" atmosphere.
- stcredzero 17y ago
  I think he's getting at a key point, but never quite gets there. All of our interface technology is oriented towards a single user interacting with a single machine. There's a reason why a desktop PC has been called a "workstation." The design of the interface is specifically for a human who is not interacting with his surroundings. Even our "mobile" computing is really just relocatable computing. It's a "workstation" that you can easily move to a new location in which you can ignore your surroundings. Heck, even the iPhone is designed in this way. (You are not meant to be driving, biking, or even walking when you are using one!) Interfaces designed for Collaborative interfaces with computers are being researched. It could be as simple as a big rear projection screen with Johnny Lee's Wiimote hack for an inexpensive multi-touch interface. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remote_hacks.html http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remo... EDIT: I think this is one of the things that bugs me about Pair Programming. I don't think we have the right setup for it. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/images/FT_xmen_1.jpg http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/images/FT_xmen_1.jp...
  - abstractbill 17y ago
    Yes, this is along the lines I was thinking. Computers need to get better at integrating into our lives in a way that makes them part of the background and doesn't prevent us from interacting with the real world. In fact I'm convinced that, if we get it right, technology can enhance those real world interactions rather than detracting from them.
  - bsaunder 17y ago
    Okay, a holodeck. Yeah, seems like we could be almost at version 0.1 beta of that
notaddicted 17y ago
One key feature about the real thing, getting a beer: whoever is sitting across the table from you, you probably have their full attention and focus. In that sense, maybe you'd be better off using a chat program in DOS, in order to prevent multitasking.

bsaunder 17y ago

What is there to a "virtual beer" beyond a quickly brokered time for a Skype session with a real beer in hand? I agree with the solution but not for all of the situations the author mentions... Status meetings in particular seem like inefficient token ring events Collaborative problem solving and design reviews on the other hand could be more engaging to require an "unplugged" atmosphere.

stcredzero 17y ago
I think he's getting at a key point, but never quite gets there. All of our interface technology is oriented towards a single user interacting with a single machine. There's a reason why a desktop PC has been called a "workstation." The design of the interface is specifically for a human who is not interacting with his surroundings. Even our "mobile" computing is really just relocatable computing. It's a "workstation" that you can easily move to a new location in which you can ignore your surroundings. Heck, even the iPhone is designed in this way. (You are not meant to be driving, biking, or even walking when you are using one!) Interfaces designed for Collaborative interfaces with computers are being researched. It could be as simple as a big rear projection screen with Johnny Lee's Wiimote hack for an inexpensive multi-touch interface. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remote_hacks.html http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remo... EDIT: I think this is one of the things that bugs me about Pair Programming. I don't think we have the right setup for it. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/images/FT_xmen_1.jpg http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/images/FT_xmen_1.jp...
- abstractbill 17y ago
  Yes, this is along the lines I was thinking. Computers need to get better at integrating into our lives in a way that makes them part of the background and doesn't prevent us from interacting with the real world. In fact I'm convinced that, if we get it right, technology can enhance those real world interactions rather than detracting from them.
- bsaunder 17y ago
  Okay, a holodeck. Yeah, seems like we could be almost at version 0.1 beta of that

notaddicted 17y ago

One key feature about the real thing, getting a beer: whoever is sitting across the table from you, you probably have their full attention and focus. In that sense, maybe you'd be better off using a chat program in DOS, in order to prevent multitasking.