- Author
- Matt Webb
- Published
- 13 October 2025
- Kind
- Short personal blog post, argument only
- Original
- interconnected.org/home/2025/10/13/dichotomy
- Subject
- Future of computing
What it is
Matt Webb writes the blog Interconnected. This post contrasts computers worn on the body with computers built into places. It asks what should be built for rooms.
What it says
- Webb sees two visions for how people will interact with computers: cyborgs and rooms.
- Near term, cyborg computing means wearables. Longer term, Webb mentions implants and body modification.
- Webb says firms chasing the Third Device reach for cyborgs, turning people into computers.
- The room-scale side includes Dynamicland, Put-that-there, Project Cybersyn and SAGE. Webb adds smart speakers and robotics.
- Webb finds no good word for this paradigm. Ubicomp, ambient and calm computing each mean something narrower.
- Webb likes Becky Chambers's term somaforming. Webb says both paths can use AI equally.
- Webb prefers rooms and asks which core technologies would enable them. Webb calls the area overlooked.
What evidence it gives
The post gives no data or tests. It names historical and current projects as examples. Its support is the author's framing and stated preference.
Interests and limits
Webb states a personal preference for room-scale computing. The post does not compare costs or risks of either path. It is a short opinion piece, so its reach is limited.