Summary of Computer for the 21st Century

Corine Britto
Sep 5, 2018 · 2 min read

In “Computer for the 21st century” Mark Weiser discusses our relationship with technology and how technology should exist within the world. He believes that technology has made progress when it has become invisible which has yet to happen. Progress, in learning for example, happens when we cease to be aware of it. When we cease to be aware of it we can then focus on other goals. He challenges the notion of virtual reality and proposes the term “embodied reality” as a more accurate descriptor.

He also discusses the possibility of multiple scales and devices which are similar to the laptops, tablets and laptops of today. He compares the difference between the use of these devices to how we might use a notebook differently from a post it note. He predicts that these devices will one day be as ubiquitous as the paper object found in an office of that time. Tabs, the smallest device, would function as gps locators and allow access to rooms.”Pads” have a scale and function similar to today’s laptop.

It is fascinating to read his attempts at predicting the future and to realize which aspects have come into fruition. His most accurate predictions occur when he escapes the limitations of data storage of that time. He creates a fairly accurate portrait of life in the 21st century He imagines a woman being asked by an alexa like device if she wants a cup of coffee, spyng on her kids, electronic mail and news His correlations between paper and digital media have mixed results. Desk size computers called “Boards” seem absurdly oversized. I supposed that shrinking scale of digital era would be difficult to grasp.

As we imagine our relationship with technology in the future, this article is a brave and intriguing exploration. I am reminded to design beyond current limitations. No matter how adventurous my concepts are, technology will soon catch up to bravest of ideas.

    Corine Britto

    Written by

    I am a textile designer studing to be an interaction designer.