The Metaverse and Human Experiences with Sara M. Watson

When we talk about the metaverse as we imagine it taking shape, we don’t always have the vocabulary to describe how we should be able to navigate it safely and enjoyably.

Join host Kate O’Neill on The Tech Humanist Show as she engages in an enlightening conversation with technology critic and industry analyst Sara M. Watson. In this episode, Sara delves into the intricate relationship between humans and emerging technologies, offering profound insights using metaphors like BDSM and deep-sea diving to explain VR transitions. Highlighting the paramount importance of a smooth VR offboarding experience, Sara shares her personal challenges and collaboration efforts to make VR safer and more user-friendly.

They explore the significance of prompts, critical thinking, and user creativity in navigating AI tools, drawing inspiration from Diana Kimball’s idea of AI as engines of imagination. They also broach privacy concerns and the ethical implications of AI and generative content, with Sara reflecting on historical media manipulation and consumer responsibility.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of immersive technologies, the evolving trust dynamics with AI, and the quest for ethical and humane innovation in technology. Tune in to explore Sara’s thoughts on the juxtaposition of physical and digital worlds, and how they shape our collective tech experience.

Host: Kate O’Neill Guest: Sara M. Watson

Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on the tech-human frontier!

#TheTechHumanistShow #SaraMWatson #VR #AI #Technology #Ethics #Innovation #Privacy #HumaneTech

Key Topics

1. Metaphorical Understanding and VR:
   • Sara M. Watson uses metaphors such as BDSM and diving tables to explain VR transitions and the importance of a smooth off-boarding experience.
2. Critical Thinking and AI Tools:
   • Emphasis on critical thinking and using AI tools as partners for thought, highlighting human creativity in the prompting process.
3. Generative AI and Imagination:
   • Discussion on generative AI as tools for imagination and creativity, including examples like generating a Lego set prompt of the Mar-a-Lago FBI search.
4. Privacy and Data Protection in AI:
   • Concerns about the privacy and data protection implications of large language models and corporate security in AI data handling.
5. Trust in AI:
   • Exploration of trust dynamics in AI integration by tech and non-tech companies, and the need for clear signals and explicit statements of intent.
6. VR User Safety and Aftercare:
   • Sara’s experience with nausea from VR use and the discussion on making VR environments safer, inspired by practices from the BDSM community and psychedelics.
7. Media Literacy and Technological Disruption:

Episode Chapters

00:00 Excitement to write about future tech interfaces.
07:00 VR uses novel controls, requiring significant learning curve.
10:41 Virtual experiences need better off-boarding for re-acclimation.
12:46 BDSM concepts integrated into safer VR experiences.
18:15 Metaphors for technology highlight human linguistic creativity.
23:00 Big data’s privacy, security, and output concerns.
26:18 Consumer interactions evolving; trust and transparency critical now.
30:21 Responsibility of digital literacy lies with consumers.
34:45 Implications for democracy, humanity, and technology’s future.
37:17 Brilliant insights on The Tech Humanist Show.

The Tech Humanist Show is a multi-media-format program exploring how data and technology shape the human experience. Hosted by Kate O’Neill.

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