-: 00:03

All right, let's get ready for a serious deep dig today. Oh, yeah.

-: 00:05

We're not just dipping our toes in the water.

-: 00:11

We are grabbing our shovels and digging deep, folks, uncovering

-: 00:12

all the dirt underneath the hype.

-: 00:17

And you sent this article in about spatial computing, and wow,

-: 00:18

this is eye-opening stuff.

-: 00:20

Yeah, it really is.

-: 00:24

So we're talking about the metaverse, augmented reality, VR, the

-: 00:29

whole tech shebang, but this isn't just about, you know, wrapping

-: 00:30

our heads around the tech itself.

-: 00:35

It's about seeing through the smoke and mirrors, you know, the

-: 00:39

inflated promises and how they're using language to basically

-: 00:42

separate you from your hard-earned cash. Yeah, absolutely.

-: 00:43

We don't play that here.

-: 00:47

So joining us for this excavation is our expert here.

-: 00:48

Happy to be here.

-: 00:51

Who can help us sift through all the rubble, you know, and find

-: 00:55

the real gems, and maybe even a few fool's gold nuggets along the way.

-: 00:59

Well, what really struck me about this article, you know, was

-: 01:02

how it throws a wrench into the gears of the whole Silicon Valley hype machine.

-: 01:07

You know, it calls out this idea that spatial computing is, like,

-: 01:11

magically going to give us computers with human-like spatial intelligence,

-: 01:14

and that's a dangerous delusion, my friend. Dangerous?

-: 01:15

Okay, tell me more.

-: 01:18

I mean, the article uses some pretty strong language, right, calling

-: 01:20

it a trillion-dollar mistake.

-: 01:22

So what's so dangerous about this idea?

-: 01:25

Well, because it leads to wasted investments.

-: 01:28

You know, misdirected research, ultimately a lot of disappointments,

-: 01:30

like chasing a mirage out in the desert.

-: 01:31

Okay, so let's break this down.

-: 01:34

You know, the article is saying that Silicon Valley is, to use

-: 01:36

their words, drunk on their own marketing wine.

-: 01:38

Ah, love that.

-: 01:42

And they've convinced themselves that spatial computing can actually

-: 01:45

replicate human spatial intelligence.

-: 01:48

Yeah, and that's where it all falls apart, you see.

-: 01:51

Human brains and computers simply don't process spatial information

-: 01:52

the same way.

-: 01:56

We as humans have millions of years of evolution behind us.

-: 02:01

You know, our spatial reasoning is tied to survival, to navigating

-: 02:03

this complex and ever-changing world.

-: 02:07

You know, it's deeply integrated with our emotions, our memories,

-: 02:08

our social cues.

-: 02:13

So it's not just about, you know, crunching numbers and algorithms. Exactly.

-: 02:15

Think about how you navigate around your home.

-: 02:18

You do it effortlessly without even thinking about it consciously.

-: 02:21

You can reach for a cup of coffee, sidestep a pile of laundry.

-: 02:24

All while having a conversation.

-: 02:27

Now imagine trying to program a computer to do the same thing.

-: 02:29

Yeah, good luck with that.

-: 02:31

Even the most advanced robots. I know.

-: 02:35

They still struggle with, you know, basic tasks that we do, you

-: 02:37

know, without even thinking about it. Instinctively.

-: 02:38

Yeah, it's instinctive.

-: 02:41

And this is what the article really highlights so well.

-: 02:45

This fundamental difference between human and computer brains.

-: 02:48

Like, one is a product of millions of years of evolution. Right.

-: 02:51

It's designed to be adaptable. And approximate. And approximate.

-: 02:54

And the other one is a system of precise measurements and rigid code.

-: 02:59

So trying to force that latter to mimic the former.

-: 03:00

Is a recipe for disaster.

-: 03:02

It is a recipe for disaster.

-: 03:05

And yet companies are spending, I mean, billions.

-: 03:05

Billions with a B.

-: 03:07

Trying to convince us that this is the future.

-: 03:09

They need you to believe the hype.

-: 03:13

They need you to buy into this vision of seamless virtual worlds.

-: 03:19

Mind reading interfaces a spatial reality that's just an extension

-: 03:20

of your own thoughts.

-: 03:23

It's seductive, but it's ultimately a fantasy.

-: 03:27

And speaking of seductive narratives, the article mentions companies

-: 03:29

like Apple and Meta specifically.

-: 03:30

Oh yeah, the big players.

-: 03:32

Aren't they the ones pushing this vision the hardest?

-: 03:34

I mean, what's the reality versus the hype?

-: 03:36

And when it comes to their products, I mean.

-: 03:39

Well, you see Apple, for instance, they're touting their new AR

-: 03:42

glasses as like this revolutionary way to experience the world.

-: 03:45

But when you actually look at the capabilities, they're pretty limited.

-: 03:47

The field of view is narrow.

-: 03:48

The battery life is short.

-: 03:52

And the gesture controls are, oh, they're notoriously finicky.

-: 03:56

So it's like they're selling you a Ferrari, but delivering a scooter. Pretty much.

-: 03:59

And then you have Meta, who are all in on the Metaverse, pouring

-: 04:02

billions into creating these virtual worlds.

-: 04:08

But the technology is still so clunky and the experiences are often underwhelming.

-: 04:11

The article uses this great analogy to illustrate this disconnect.

-: 04:16

Comparing it to early aviation, people were obsessed with building

-: 04:18

machines that flapped their wings like birds.

-: 04:21

But that's not how we ended up achieving flight.

-: 04:24

Right, it was only when we understood the principles of aerodynamics

-: 04:28

and designed aircraft that worked with those principles, not against

-: 04:31

them, that we were able to take to the skies.

-: 04:33

So are you saying that we need to, like, rethink our approach

-: 04:35

to spatial computing? Absolutely.

-: 04:38

Instead of trying to mimic human interaction, we need to design

-: 04:42

interfaces that leverage the strength of both humans and computers.

-: 04:45

For example, the article suggests focusing on interfaces that

-: 04:49

utilize our natural abilities for pattern recognition and contextual understanding.

-: 04:53

Imagine a system that presents complex data visually, allowing

-: 04:55

you to quickly grasp trends and anomalies.

-: 04:57

That makes a lot of sense.

-: 04:59

Instead of trying to force us to adapt to these clunky interfaces,

-: 05:04

we should be designing systems that work with our brains, not against them. Precisely.

-: 05:07

And the article highlights some areas where spatial computing

-: 05:09

is already showing real promise.

-: 05:10

But here's the key.

-: 05:13

It's not about replacing human intelligence.

-: 05:15

It's about augmenting it.

-: 05:16

Give me some examples.

-: 05:18

Where's this actually working?

-: 05:22

Think about fields like manufacturing or surgery, where precision

-: 05:24

and repeatability are crucial.

-: 05:28

Spatial computing can be a powerful tool in these areas, acting

-: 05:30

as a guide for human expertise.

-: 05:33

For instance, the article mentions how surgeons are using spatial

-: 05:36

computing to train in virtual environments, practicing complex

-: 05:39

procedures before operating on real patients. That's fascinating.

-: 05:42

So it's like having a digital coach that helps you hone your skills

-: 05:44

and avoid mistakes. Exactly.

-: 05:45

And in manufacturing.

-: 05:51

Spatial computing can be used to create more efficient and flexible production lines.

-: 05:55

Imagine a system that can overlay digital instructions directly

-: 05:59

onto the physical world, guiding workers through complex assembly tasks.

-: 06:03

This kind of technology can increase productivity and reduce errors,

-: 06:06

all while enhancing human capabilities.

-: 06:09

This deep dig is really making me rethink the whole narrative

-: 06:10

around spatial computing.

-: 06:13

It's easy to get swept up in the hype, but it's important to remember

-: 06:15

that technology is a tool.

-: 06:19

And like any tool, it can be used for good or for ill.

-: 06:22

And that brings us to another crucial aspect highlighted in the

-: 06:25

article, the potential downsides of this technology.

-: 06:29

While there's huge potential for good, there are also risks we

-: 06:30

need to be aware of. Like what?

-: 06:33

The article mentioned something about surveillance and privacy. That's right.

-: 06:36

These systems, in their quest to understand and mimic human behavior,

-: 06:38

require massive amounts of data.

-: 06:42

They track our movements, our interactions, even our facial expressions.

-: 06:46

Imagine a world where your every gesture, every glance is being

-: 06:47

recorded and analyzed.

-: 06:48

That sounds pretty dystopian.

-: 06:49

It could be.

-: 06:52

And that's why it's so important to be aware of these issues and

-: 06:55

to demand that these technologies are developed and used responsibly.

-: 06:59

We need to ensure that privacy is protected, that data is used

-: 07:02

ethically, and that these systems are designed to benefit humanity,

-: 07:03

not exploit it.

-: 07:06

So it's not just about the cool gadgets and the shiny promises.

-: 07:10

It's about the deeper implications of this technology and how

-: 07:12

it will shape our future. Exactly.

-: 07:16

And the article makes a powerful argument for a more human-centered

-: 07:17

approach to spatial computing.

-: 07:21

Instead of trying to create a digital copy of human intelligence,

-: 07:25

we should focus on designing systems that enhance our capabilities,

-: 07:29

that help us see the world in new ways, and that connect us more

-: 07:30

deeply with each other.

-: 07:32

This has been a real wake-up call for me.

-: 07:35

I went into this thinking about all the cool stuff that spatial

-: 07:38

computing could do, but now I'm seeing a whole other side of the coin.

-: 07:40

And that's exactly the point of this deep dig.

-: 07:43

It's about going beyond the surface, digging beneath the hype,

-: 07:44

and asking the hard questions.

-: 07:46

Who benefits from this technology?

-: 07:48

What are the potential downsides?

-: 07:51

And how can we ensure that it's used for good?

-: 07:54

The article doesn't just criticize, though.

-: 07:58

It also offers a more optimistic vision for the future of spatial computing.

-: 08:02

So what are some of the positive possibilities that they highlight?

-: 08:06

Well, imagine a world where spatial computing helps us overcome

-: 08:10

our cognitive biases, where it augments our creativity, where

-: 08:13

it allows us to collaborate in ways we never thought possible.

-: 08:16

Instead of trying to replicate human intelligence, we could use

-: 08:18

these tools to expand our own capabilities.

-: 08:22

So instead of building a digital Frankenstein, we could create

-: 08:25

something that actually enhances our humanity. Exactly.

-: 08:29

Imagine a world where doctors can use spatial computing to visualize

-: 08:34

complex medical data in 3D, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.

-: 08:37

Or architects using it to design buildings that are more sustainable

-: 08:39

and responsive to their environment.

-: 08:39

What about education?

-: 08:43

Could spatial computing revolutionize the way we learn? Absolutely.

-: 08:47

Imagine immersive learning environments where students can interact

-: 08:50

with historical events, explore the human body from the inside

-: 08:52

out, or even travel to distant planets.

-: 08:57

It could make learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible to everyone.

-: 08:59

The possibilities are really mind-blowing.

-: 09:03

But how do we get from the hype and their potential pitfalls to

-: 09:04

this more positive vision?

-: 09:05

It starts with awareness.

-: 09:09

We need to be critical of the narratives we're being sold, ask

-: 09:12

questions, and demand better from the companies developing these technologies.

-: 09:17

We need to prioritize human wellbeing and ethical considerations

-: 09:21

over profit and technological advancement for its own sake.

-: 09:23

The article has a great call to action.

-: 09:27

Don't buy the hype, be skeptical, demand transparency, and hold

-: 09:28

those in power accountable.

-: 09:32

We need to remember that we have a choice in how this technology

-: 09:32

shapes our future.

-: 09:37

We can choose to be passive consumers or we can be active participants,

-: 09:41

shaping the development and use of spatial computing to ensure

-: 09:43

it serves humanity, not the other way around.

-: 09:46

To our listener who sent in this incredible article, thank you,

-: 09:47

thank you for sparking this deep dig.

-: 09:51

You've challenged us to think critically and to see beyond the

-: 09:52

shiny facade of this technology.

-: 09:57

And remember, the real power of spatial computing lies not in

-: 10:01

replicating human intelligence, but in expanding it.

-: 10:06

But that requires us to be informed, engaged, and to demand a

-: 10:08

future where technology is a force for good in the world.

-: 10:11

And everyone listening, we encourage you to check out the full article.

-: 10:12

The link is in the show notes.

-: 10:16

Keep digging, keep questioning, and keep pushing for a future

-: 10:18

where technology empowers us all.

-: 10:20

This has been the Deep Dive and we'll catch you next time.

-: 10:21

See you later.

-: 10:26

Yeah, they are, I mean, Apple, you know, like they're saying their

-: 10:30

new AR glasses are like, this is revolutionary way to experience

-: 10:31

the world, you know?

-: 10:34

But when you really look at what they can actually do, it's pretty limited.

-: 10:38

Like the field of view is so narrow, the battery life is short.

-: 10:41

And those gesture controls are, oh, they're a nightmare.

-: 10:43

So they're selling you a Ferrari, but delivering a scooter.

-: 10:45

Pretty much, yeah.

-: 10:48

And then you have Meta, of course, who are all in on this Metaverse

-: 10:49

thing, you know?

-: 10:51

They're pouring billions into it.

-: 10:54

They're into creating these virtual worlds, but the tech is still clunky.

-: 10:58

The experiences are honestly often pretty underwhelming.

-: 11:01

I know, and the article uses this great analogy to kind of illustrate

-: 11:03

this disconnect, you know?

-: 11:07

Comparing it to early aviation, like remember when people were

-: 11:11

obsessed with building machines that flapped their wings like birds? Yeah.

-: 11:12

But that's not how we ended up flying.

-: 11:15

Exactly, it was only when we understood, you know, the principles

-: 11:20

of aerodynamics and designed aircraft that worked with those principles,

-: 11:24

not against them, that we were able to, you know, take to the sky.

-: 11:28

So are you saying that we need to, like, rethink our entire approach

-: 11:30

to spatial computing? Absolutely.

-: 11:32

Instead of just trying to mimic human interaction, we need to

-: 11:36

design these interfaces that leverage the strengths of humans

-: 11:37

and computers, you know?

-: 11:41

For example, the article suggests focusing on interfaces that

-: 11:45

use our natural abilities for pattern recognition and contextual understanding.

-: 11:48

So, like, imagine a system that presents complex data visually,

-: 11:52

allowing us to quickly grasp, you know, trends and anomalies.

-: 11:53

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense.

-: 11:57

Instead of forcing us to adapt to these, you know, plunky interfaces,

-: 12:01

we should be designing systems that, you know, work with our brains,

-: 12:02

not against them.

-: 12:05

Precisely, and the article highlights some areas you know, where

-: 12:09

spatial computing is actually already showing promise.

-: 12:10

But here's the key.

-: 12:12

It's not about replacing human intelligence.

-: 12:14

It's about augmenting it.

-: 12:16

Give me some examples.

-: 12:18

Where is this actually working, you know?

-: 12:21

Well, think about fields like manufacturing or surgery, where

-: 12:23

precision and repeatability are so crucial.

-: 12:27

Spatial computing can be a really powerful tool in these areas,

-: 12:29

acting as a guide for human expertise.

-: 12:33

For instance, the article talks about how surgeons are using spatial

-: 12:36

computing to train in these virtual environments, practicing complex

-: 12:39

procedures before they ever operate on a real patient.

-: 12:42

Oh, wow, so it's like having a digital coach that can help you,

-: 12:43

you know, hone your skills and avoid mistakes.

-: 12:46

Exactly, and in manufacturing, you know, spatial computing can

-: 12:50

be used to create these more efficient, flexible production lines.

-: 12:54

So imagine a system that can overlay digital instructions directly

-: 12:58

onto the physical world, you know, guiding workers through these

-: 12:59

complex assembly tasks.

-: 13:02

This kind of technology can increase productivity, reduce errors,

-: 13:05

all while enhancing, you know, human capabilities.

-: 13:09

This deep dig is really making me rethink this whole narrative

-: 13:10

around spatial computing, you know?

-: 13:14

It's easy to get swept up in all the hype, but it's so important

-: 13:18

to remember that technology is a tool, and like any tool, it can

-: 13:19

be used for good or for bad.

-: 13:23

And that brings us to another really crucial aspect highlighted

-: 13:26

in the article, the potential downsides of this technology.

-: 13:30

You know, while there's this huge potential for good, there are

-: 13:33

also some real risks that we need to be aware of. Like what?

-: 13:36

I know the article mentioned something about surveillance and privacy.

-: 13:40

That's right, these systems you know in their quest to understand

-: 13:44

and mimic human behavior require massive amounts of data, like

-: 13:48

they're tracking our movements, our interactions, even our facial

-: 13:49

expressions, you know.

-: 13:52

Imagine a world where every gesture you make, every glance is

-: 13:54

being recorded and analyzed.

-: 13:56

Yeah, that sounds pretty dystopian.

-: 13:59

It could be, it really could, and that's why it's so important

-: 14:03

to be aware of these issues, and to demand that these technologies

-: 14:04

are developed and used responsibly.

-: 14:09

We need to make sure that, you know, privacy is protected, data

-: 14:13

is used ethically, and that these systems are designed to benefit

-: 14:15

humanity, not exploit it.

-: 14:19

Right, so it's not just about, you know, the cool gadgets and

-: 14:19

the shiny promises.

-: 14:23

It's about the deeper implications of this technology and how

-: 14:24

it's gonna shape our future.

-: 14:28

Exactly, and the article makes this really powerful argument for

-: 14:31

a more human-centered approach to spatial computing.

-: 14:34

You know, instead of trying to create a digital copy of human

-: 14:38

intelligence, we should focus on designing systems that enhance

-: 14:41

our capabilities, that help us see the world in new ways, and

-: 14:43

that connect us more deeply with each other.

-: 14:44

That's been a real eye-opener for me.

-: 14:47

Like, I went into this thinking about all the cool stuff spatial

-: 14:50

computing could do, but I'm seeing a whole other side of the coin now.

-: 14:52

Yeah, and that's the whole point of this deep dig.

-: 14:56

You know, it's about going beyond the surface, digging underneath

-: 14:58

the hype, and asking those hard questions.

-: 15:00

You know, who benefits from this?

-: 15:01

What are the downsides?

-: 15:04

And how can we make sure it's used for good?

-: 15:06

You know, the article doesn't just criticize, though.

-: 15:10

It also offers a more optimistic vision for spatial computing. Oh, yeah.

-: 15:13

What are some of the positive possibilities that they highlight?

-: 15:17

Well, imagine, you know, a world where spatial computing can help

-: 15:22

us overcome our own cognitive biases, where it augments our creativity,

-: 15:25

where it lets us collaborate in ways we never thought possible.

-: 15:30

Instead of trying to, you know, copy human intelligence, we could

-: 15:32

use these tools to actually expand our capabilities.

-: 15:36

So instead of building a digital Frankenstein, we could create

-: 15:38

something that actually enhances our humanity. Exactly.

-: 15:42

Imagine a world where doctors can use spatial computing to visualize,

-: 15:46

you know, complex medical data in 3D, leading to more accurate

-: 15:49

diagnoses and treatments, or architects using it to design buildings

-: 15:53

that are more sustainable and responsive to the environment.

-: 15:54

What about education?

-: 15:58

Could spatial computing revolutionize the way we learn? Absolutely.

-: 16:01

I mean, imagine immersive learning environments where students

-: 16:05

can interact with historical events, explore the human body from

-: 16:09

the inside out, or even, you know, travel to distant planets.

-: 16:12

It could make learning so much more engaging, interactive, and

-: 16:14

accessible to everyone.

-: 16:17

I mean, the possibilities are pretty mind-blowing, but how do

-: 16:22

we get from all this hype and the potential pitfalls to this more positive vision?

-: 16:24

Well, it starts with awareness.

-: 16:26

You know, we need to be critical of the narratives that we're

-: 16:29

being sold, ask questions and demand better.

-: 16:31

From the companies that are developing these technologies, we

-: 16:36

need to prioritize human well-being and ethics over profit and,

-: 16:38

you know, just technological advancement for its own sake.

-: 16:40

Yeah, the article has a great call to action.

-: 16:44

Don't buy the hype, be skeptical, demand transparency, and hold

-: 16:45

those in power accountable.

-: 16:50

You know, we need to remember that we have a choice in how this

-: 16:51

technology shapes our future.

-: 16:55

We can choose to be passive consumers or we can be active participants,

-: 16:58

you know, shaping the development and use of spatial computing

-: 17:02

to make sure it serves humanity, not the other way around.

-: 17:05

To our listener who sent in this incredible article, thank you so much.

-: 17:08

Thank you for sparking this deep dig.

-: 17:11

You've really challenged us to think critically and to see beyond

-: 17:13

the shiny facade of all this new technology.

-: 17:18

And remember, the real power of spatial computing lies not in

-: 17:20

replicating human intelligence, but in expanding it.

-: 17:25

But that requires us to be informed, engaged, and to demand a

-: 17:27

future where technology is a force for good.

-: 17:30

Absolutely, and to everyone listening, check out the full article.

-: 17:31

You can find the link in the show notes.

-: 17:35

Keep digging, keep questioning, and keep pushing for a future

-: 17:37

where technology empowers us all.

-: 17:38

This has been The Deep Dive.

-: 17:39

We'll catch you next time.