Imagine a wireless machine as thin as a piece of paper, driven by "floating molecular processors interconnected with clear, conductive plasma" and powered by a a kinetic engine.
This is your future personal computer as envisioned by Kirk Kirksey in this long article available from TheTechMag.com. Here are some details.
Although the most popular machines will be rectangular, endless sizes and shapes will be available. A flawless handwriting recognition engine will digitize input entered on either side of the machine. No more Graffiti.
Typists can use a projected, holograph keyboard. Wires will disappear completely from the computing landscape. Floating transmitters will beam images and sound to unconnected earphones and screens embedded in sunglasses. All Internet connections will be made via satellite links.
Last but not least, the machine will be durable. Because of the molecular nature of the processors, you will be able to fold your computer into smaller and smaller packages. Spill a beer on your machine? No problem. Just wipe and go.
If Kirksey's predictions are right, how will we get to this transformed computer?
Transforming technology only occurs when the Aesthetics of Technology [unmatched utilities derived from new technology] and the User Illusion are aligned.
[According to Alan Kay, the creator of Small Talk in the 80’s,] "User Illusion is the picture the user has of the machine. What matters is not explaining how the computer works, but the creation of the myth that is consistent and appropriate, and is based on the user’s experience not the technical limitation of the computer." In other words, humans understand "Folders" better than "DIR C:\tsk\work\acctng\ sm01*.doc p."
Kirksey contends that paper, being with us for 4,000 years, has powerful Technology Aesthetics, and is part of our User Illusion.
The convergence of paper and technology is inevitable because the final product is embedded deep within our genes and social history.
Bottom line: We love the aesthetics of paper; paper has become part of our User Illusion; our User Illusion will drive how we build our computers; and, over time, computers will look and act more and more like paper. We can’t help it.
Source: Kirk Kirksey, TheTechMag.com, May 22, 2003
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