Andy Matuschak

Seminar: Mark Weiser's "The computer for the 21st century" and ubiquitous computing (1991); June 27 @4PM PDT

Added 2023-06-23 00:39:47 +0000 UTC

The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it. …

There is more information available at our fingertips during a walk in the woods than in any computer system, yet people find a walk among trees relaxing and computers frustrating. Machines that fit the human environment instead of forcing humans to enter theirs will make using a computer as refreshing as taking a walk in the woods.

— Mark Weiser, ibid

Join me (via Google Hangout) on Tuesday, June 27 at 4PM PDT [GCal] to discuss Weiser's classic paper introducing "ubiquitous computation". It's been on my mind recently—Weiser's vision has both significant overlaps and differences with the Vision Pro.

Please read the paper before attending: it's short, and originally published in Scientific American, like As We May Think. Bring your noticings, wonderings, and ideas; I'll bring discussion questions.

I'll record our discussion and share it here afterward.