Title: MIT Creates Amazing UI From Levitating Orbs
Context: When we talk about the future of the UI, let???s stop being so modest in our assumptions.
Synopsis: Some brainbox dude from MIT has built a brain-melting prototype of a tactile 3d user interface using motors, cameras, electromagnets and steel balls. But that???s not what I want to talk about (even though it is super-cool and you should definitely check out the video). No, I want to talk about prototyping. Everyone has great ideas, and unfortunately that???s exactly what they usually remain: ideas. This mostly happens because the effort involved in realizing these ideas are often perceived as insurmountable. The words ???can???t??? and ???impossible??? are often thrown around as justification for leaving a promising notion on the drawing board. And while it may be true that manifesting the actual concept into full-bore reality is not possible, more often than not we can prototype it ??? or at least part of it ??? or at least a simplified version of it ??? or at least a smoke and mirrors rendition of it. Rather than spending a single iota of time thinking about why things cannot be, we would be much better served by building what we can and using that as a stepping stone to making those things of which we dream.
Best Bit: ???I think it is important for all of us to reflect on what our essence is, and discuss what kind of world we would like to live in as a human. Asking ???what if??? questions and prototyping such futures can bring the future a bit closer.???