The fact that Ink & Switch researchers are focusing on "authentic use" without the pressure to find product-market-fit means they can effectively scout the terrain and signpost the fruitful paths.
Imagine if today's tech monopolies were compelled to invest in this kind of research (just like AT&T was). It would create a hot-bed of innovation and new avenues would open up for startups to explore. I wish we had more research groups like this.
I think Ink & Switch are presenting a model for industrial research that could absolutely be replicated by other teams following a similar style of output-oriented work.
What would be interesting if we could be empowered to go back to that say 19th century idea of the reasearcher. You know, someone with all their wants and needs seemingly acceptably met, tinkering on some obsession they have in their workshop/lab on their own property or out collecting data around the world. Only with modern technology and ideas of course.
> Peter has worked as an Arctic oceanographer, a game developer, he's wrangled millions of Postgres databases and he's now executive director of Ink & Switch where he plots the future of tools for thought.
Weirdly almost feels analogous to the whole "loss of a third space" conversation: we're losing places that can actually (afford to) invest in deep research and exploration.
gsf_emergency•8mo ago
https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=2&prefix=true&que...