So, part of the idea behind technological #singularity is that it might be possible to build a machine that’s smarter than people. Then all heck breaks loose, and humans do not necessarily come out on top.
“Theoretically, if a machine built by humans could bring to bear greater problem-solving and inventive skills than humans, then it could design a yet more capable machine. If built, this more capable machine then could design a machine of even greater capability.” Machines get smarter and smarter, outpacing humans until they’re the boss of us.
When I posted the video of my 9-month-old tickling Talking Carl on the iPhone, I thought it was a) pretty cute and b) amazing that the touch screen interface seemed usable by someone who can’t read and doesn’t know where reality ends.
Recently I’ve had further evidence that we’re at a turning point in HCI (human computer interaction). The baby came into contact this past week with the digital display on my breast pump (yeah, I said breast pump. Can I be a social media blogger AND a mommy blogger for a minute? Thanks!) and the display on my dSLR.
Both times, she wiggled her finger on the screen. Neither device giggled, but I was stunned that a) she expected she was interacting with a responsive device and b) she thought touching the screen would initiate interaction.
Either my baby is a genius (let’s assume she is), or touch/gesture interaction is the most natural extension of human will manifest. Until we can control devices with our thoughts, touch is a big upgrade.
Ever notice when we, uh, pretend to cast magic spells (totally pretend, of course), that the power of our intent is in our gesture? In our hands? Think Harry Potter’s gesture-based stylus interface.
The carpal-tunnel-inducing secretary-wrist-mangling mouse interface is finally an unnecessary proxy, hooray! Clicking, if you think about it, was the next iteration of inserting punch cards. No wonder our extremities got so tired.
We heard the story this week of the 99-year-old who’s first computer, the touch-based iPad, “opened up the world”. It seems the extremes of age and inexperience alike find the touch screen remarkably intuitive.
It makes sense. In observing the development of a baby, one is struck by the need to touch to understand the world. Grasping and gestures are the natural way one expects, as an unmolded infant, to learn about and control the world.
The upcoming generation are going to be digital natives on a different order of magnitude. May their wrists remain unburdened by silly stop-gap interfaces.
