Conversation between Bob Stein and Frode Hegland 12th of January 2025.
https://youtu.be/snhq1uYX1cw?t=125
AI Summary in Sequence follows. Full Transcript is available.
Bob demonstrates recent developments in Tapestry:
- He emphasizes how easy it is to create content now, noting that while programmers could code similar layouts, the intuitive interface makes it accessible to non-programmers.
- He shows several examples:
- A remake of an African folktale with nine versions
- A comparison of AI responses regarding German industrialists and modern tech leaders (noting how different AI models responded differently)
- A recreation of Alan Keyes’ Vannevar Bush Symposium talk, now all on one page
- A showcase of an artist’s work that took only ten minutes to arrange
- A Talmudic-style conversation layout that works well for 2-3 people
- A demonstration of the expanded books functionality, including the successful emulation of a 1992 book
Bob demonstrates the ease of creating new tapestries:
- Shows how to drag multiple items at once
- Demonstrates the grid layout feature
- Shows how to resize and arrange elements
- Explains video integration capabilities
They discuss the potential for classroom use, with Bob noting how teachers could benefit from having all materials readily available on a large display.
Frode then brings up the lab’s current work on XR document formats, discussing:
- The need for continuity between traditional computers and headsets
- Questions about document ownership and format
- The concept of “lifted” content in XR spaces
Bob compares Tapestry to PDF, positioning it as a digital era analog for complex multimedia documents.
They discuss technical integration possibilities and the challenges of working with programmers, sharing the Columbus egg anecdote about execution versus conception.
Bob shares a historical example from 1981 showing a father giving a rock and roll tour on a wall-mounted screen, noting how prescient this vision was.
The conversation then shifts to Frode demonstrating his work:
- Shows a journaling system with linking capabilities and action item marking
- Discusses AI integration in writing and reading
- Demonstrates customizable AI prompts based on user background and interests
They explore potential collaboration opportunities between their systems, particularly around AI integration and information visualization.
The conversation concludes with a discussion about Edgar (Frode’s son) and his Gundam model building, leading to observations about spatial learning. They also briefly discuss Alan Kay’s improved health condition and his interest in trying the Apple Vision Pro.
Throughout the conversation, both demonstrate a shared interest in making complex technology accessible and useful while maintaining user agency in thinking and creation.