Holocene Chat
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About
Holocene Chat is a patented software concept developed by David Brin. It attempts to make online realtime conversation more useful and productive by re-introducing elements of offline (non-computer) discussion into the user interface.
The software remains at the concept phase at this point (though a limited demo is apparently working), and is looking for a backer to fund development.
Concept
The following is loosely adapted from materials at the official Holocene Chat web site.
the real "digital divide"
- The problem: Today's real-time interfaces dumb down thought and conversation
- The clue: Sophisticated conversation tools that we humans already use in real life. None have yet been brought into the online world!
- The solution: Holocene's broad range of patented and fundamental tools can revolutionize online communication, letting hosts offer new, attractive services to visitors, users, clients, collaborators
| Realms → | Aynchronous Realm | Synchronous Realm |
|---|---|---|
| description → | speaker and listener not present simultaneously | speaker and listener are present simultaneously |
| examples → |
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| what happens → | Advanced interfaces assist information flow and expression of complex thoughts
Useful to grownups! |
Primitive interfaces dumb down discourse to the level of flirting, grunts, mayhem...
Almost useless to serious people! |
| Holocene impact → | Holocene improves this realm. | This realm needs utter transformation. |
Funding / Marketing Opportunity
- "Only IP-protected Holocene can replace or transform online chat, instant messaging, avatar worlds, meeting-ware, collaboration-ware, user-generated gaming and 'augmented reality' overlays upon real-world locales."
The Dismal Competition
to be written/transcribed