WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” Podcast Goes Live in San Francisco
Table of Contents
- 1. WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” Podcast Goes Live in San Francisco
- 2. Patreon’s Remarkable Growth and the Creator Economy
- 3. The Future of San Francisco as a Tech Hub
- 4. How to Tune In
- 5. Understanding the ‘Uncanny Valley’
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions about the Uncanny Valley Podcast
- 7. What specific design choices within Ava’s digital representation (e.g.,texture,movement style) were intentionally made to reside *within* the uncanny valley,and how did WIRED assess the audience’s reaction to these choices during the live stream?
- 8. WIRED’s ‘Uncanny Valley’ live Stream: Experience the Theatrical Blend of Technology and performance
- 9. Decoding the ‘Uncanny Valley’ Phenomenon
- 10. The live Stream: A Hybrid Performance
- 11. Technology Behind the Illusion: Key Components
- 12. Why the ‘Uncanny Valley’ Matters: Applications & Implications
The Popular Tech Podcast, ‘Uncanny Valley,’ is preparing for its inaugural live show, set too take place on September 9th at 7 PM PDT. The event, a collaboration with KQED, promises an in-depth exploration of the most pressing issues shaping the technology landscape.
The broadcast will feature an engaging discussion led by Katie Drummond, the Editor in Chief of WIRED, and Jack Conte, the Founder and CEO of Patreon. This conversation will delve into Conte’s experiences navigating the evolving technological world and his success in empowering creators through his platform.
Patreon’s Remarkable Growth and the Creator Economy
Patreon, a platform that has become integral to the livelihoods of numerous content creators, has recently surpassed a significant milestone – facilitating over $10 billion in payments to creators as its inception in 2013. This achievement underscores the growing strength of the creator economy and the increasing importance of direct support for artists and innovators. According to a recent report by SignalFire, the creator economy is now valued at over $250 billion.
Did You Know? The creator economy has more than doubled in size as 2020, fueled by the rise of platforms like Patreon, Substack, and TikTok.
The Future of San Francisco as a Tech Hub
A roundtable discussion, featuring podcast cohost Lauren Goode and WIRED features editor Jason Koe (substituting for Michael Calore), will investigate the evolution of San Francisco’s position as a global technology center. the panelists will consider whether the Bay Area can maintain its leadership in the face of rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.
This discussion is especially timely given recent trends,including a slight outflow of tech workers from the region as 2022,according to data from the California Department of Finance. Though, the Bay Area continues to attract significant venture capital funding, maintaining its competitive edge.
Pro Tip: Staying informed about the latest technological advancements is crucial for both tech professionals and investors. Resources like WIRED and TechCrunch offer complete coverage of emerging trends.
How to Tune In
For those unable to attend the live event in the Bay Area, a livestream will be available on youtube. The event will provide an prospect to engage with the ongoing conversation surrounding technology, innovation, and the future of the digital world.
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Livestream Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncanny Valley Live | September 9, 7 PM PDT | San Francisco, CA | YouTube livestream |
Understanding the ‘Uncanny Valley’
The “Uncanny Valley” concept, popularized by roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970, describes the unsettling feeling humans experience when encountering entities that appear almost, but not quite, human. this has broad implications for fields like robotics, animation, and AI, as developers strive to create more realistic and relatable technologies. The WIRED podcast explores this concept in the context of larger technological and societal shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Uncanny Valley Podcast
- What is the ‘Uncanny Valley’ podcast about? The podcast covers key stories in technology, examining trends, companies, and figures that are shaping the future.
- Who are the hosts of the ‘Uncanny Valley’ podcast? Lauren Goode and Michael Calore are the primary hosts, with Jason Koe occasionally substituting.
- What topics has the ‘Uncanny Valley’ covered recently? Recent episodes have delved into issues like generative AI, the Dogecoin phenomenon, and ICE detention centers.
- Where can I listen to past episodes of the podcast? Past episodes are available on major podcast platforms,including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- Is the live event open to the public? Yes, the live event is open to the public, and is also available via livestream.
- What role does Patreon play in the tech landscape? Patreon has become a crucial platform for creators, enabling them to receive direct financial support from their audiences.
- What is the future of San Francisco as a tech hub? The podcast will examine whether San francisco can maintain its position as a leading tech center in the face of emerging challenges.
what are your thoughts on the future of the tech industry in San Francisco? What role will platforms like Patreon play in supporting creators in the years to come? Share your insights in the comments below!
What specific design choices within Ava’s digital representation (e.g.,texture,movement style) were intentionally made to reside *within* the uncanny valley,and how did WIRED assess the audience’s reaction to these choices during the live stream?
WIRED’s ‘Uncanny Valley’ live Stream: Experience the Theatrical Blend of Technology and performance
Decoding the ‘Uncanny Valley’ Phenomenon
The term “uncanny valley,” coined by Masahiro Mori in 1970,describes the unsettling feeling humans experience when encountering entities – often robots or computer-generated imagery – that appear almost,but not quite,human. This feeling, as described by resources like RedKiwi, isn’t simply strangeness; it evokes a sense of something subtly wrong, even unsettling. WIRED’s recent live stream, “Uncanny Valley,” masterfully explored this concept, not just through technological demonstration, but through a compelling theatrical performance.The event wasn’t about showcasing perfect realism, but about deliberately playing within the valley, examining its emotional impact.
The live Stream: A Hybrid Performance
WIRED’s stream wasn’t a typical tech demo. It was a live, interactive theatrical experience featuring a digitally created performer, a character named “Ava,” brought to life using advanced motion capture and real-time rendering.
Here’s a breakdown of key elements:
Real-time Rendering: Ava wasn’t pre-recorded. Her movements and responses were generated live, reacting to audience interaction via chat. This immediacy heightened the sense of presence, and consequently, the potential for falling into the uncanny valley.
Motion Capture Technology: A human performer provided the underlying movements for Ava, translated into the digital realm. The fidelity of this capture was crucial – too perfect, and the effect could be unsettling; too imperfect, and the illusion would break.
Interactive Narrative: The performance wasn’t a linear story. Audience participation shaped Ava’s responses and the unfolding narrative, creating a unique experience for each viewer.This interactivity pushed the boundaries of digital performance and audience engagement.
Exploration of Emotional Response: The core of the stream was an investigation into why we react negatively to near-human representations. The performance deliberately leaned into the uncanny aspects,prompting viewers to confront their own discomfort.
Technology Behind the Illusion: Key Components
Several technologies converged to create the “Uncanny Valley” experience. Understanding these components provides insight into the challenges and possibilities of creating believable digital humans.
Unreal Engine 5: WIRED utilized Unreal Engine 5, a leading real-time 3D creation tool, for rendering ava and the surrounding environment. Its Nanite virtualized geometry and Lumen global illumination technologies were instrumental in achieving a high level of visual fidelity.
Motion Capture Suits & Systems: High-precision motion capture suits, like those from Xsens or OptiTrack, tracked the performer’s movements with sub-millimeter accuracy. This data was then translated into Ava’s digital form.
Facial Capture Technology: Capturing nuanced facial expressions is critical for believability. Systems employing multiple cameras and advanced algorithms were used to record and replicate the performer’s facial movements onto Ava.
AI-Powered Dialog & Response: While not fully autonomous, Ava’s responses were likely augmented by AI, allowing for more dynamic and contextually relevant interactions with the audience. This is a growing area within AI and performance.
Why the ‘Uncanny Valley’ Matters: Applications & Implications
The exploration of the uncanny valley isn’t merely an academic exercise. It has notable implications for a range of industries:
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