On the web, the nature and ontology of the interaction is static within certain bounds. In real life, interaction might switch modes depending on the flux of the intention of those present to any particular interaction. Because we don’t have a map of the modes of human interaction we also don’t have a coherent design target for providing the affordances for people to have a variety of interaction modes that fulfill various needs. And such a map is very hard to make given that the moment that you try one out everyone modifies their behavior to try to meet their needs as best they can using what you’ve given them. If you base your own design, therefore, on what already exists on the basis that this is good evidence about what people want, you’ll be in competition instead of invention for an already existing interaction modality.
I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I want omegle but for idea jamming with intelligent people. Tricky (imagine omegle but with an ELO ranking ladder). When I think about it a bit I think Tumblr was actually the website that most encouraged this sort of ‘yes, and’ improv.
I could talk more about the unprecedented things I think would emerge, that don’t resemble what already exists, but they might not believe me. What I can do is explain how it will compete well, if it must.
I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I want omegle but for idea jamming with intelligent people
Oh, I think my friend Demi Schanzel is working on something a lot like that. A project called “Solstice Cafe”. It’ll match you with random people on a recurring basis (if you seem to like each other) while trying to map out networks of compatibility. At least, that was a concept we discussed last time we got together. An example of the kind of thing they make, so that you can start getting excited.
We resolved that the system should probably name webs randomly. Those in the webs would quickly learn their meanings. As the webs mutate and diverge, the names would mutate and diverge too. The names would be used to tell you some basic things about the people you meet up front, so that you know what they’ll be able to understand.
On the web, the nature and ontology of the interaction is static within certain bounds. In real life, interaction might switch modes depending on the flux of the intention of those present to any particular interaction. Because we don’t have a map of the modes of human interaction we also don’t have a coherent design target for providing the affordances for people to have a variety of interaction modes that fulfill various needs. And such a map is very hard to make given that the moment that you try one out everyone modifies their behavior to try to meet their needs as best they can using what you’ve given them. If you base your own design, therefore, on what already exists on the basis that this is good evidence about what people want, you’ll be in competition instead of invention for an already existing interaction modality.
I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I want omegle but for idea jamming with intelligent people. Tricky (imagine omegle but with an ELO ranking ladder). When I think about it a bit I think Tumblr was actually the website that most encouraged this sort of ‘yes, and’ improv.
I could talk more about the unprecedented things I think would emerge, that don’t resemble what already exists, but they might not believe me. What I can do is explain how it will compete well, if it must.
Oh, I think my friend Demi Schanzel is working on something a lot like that. A project called “Solstice Cafe”. It’ll match you with random people on a recurring basis (if you seem to like each other) while trying to map out networks of compatibility. At least, that was a concept we discussed last time we got together. An example of the kind of thing they make, so that you can start getting excited.
We resolved that the system should probably name webs randomly. Those in the webs would quickly learn their meanings. As the webs mutate and diverge, the names would mutate and diverge too. The names would be used to tell you some basic things about the people you meet up front, so that you know what they’ll be able to understand.
I think it will be absurdly powerful.