============ Forwarded message ============ From: Daveed Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:23:06 -0700 ============ Forwarded message ============ First, I'd like to acknowledge and thank Cindy Mason for her inspiring work on humanizing computing, particularly in her exploration of artificial compassion. As we contemplate the future of digital technologies and their potential to address some of humanity’s deepest emotional and relational needs, your dedication to this space is deeply motivating. I believe we share a common goal: leveraging technology not just for efficiency, but to foster love, empathy, and meaningful human connection. I’m convinced--through Digital Destiny Theory--that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the digital world we are destined to meet, reconnect with, or collaborate with, whose contributions could help shape the course of our lives for the better. These connections are not random; they are rooted in shared passions, purposes, and experiences. However, they often remain unrealized in the physical world. How many times have we encountered an old friend or discovered a mutual connection and exclaimed, “It’s a small world!”? In reality, though, the digital world is vast and filled with people we’re meant to cross paths with. We often exist in parallel, visiting the same virtual spaces--reading the same articles, donating to the same causes, or engaging with the same ideas--without ever directly interacting. The opportunity to make these connections lies in digital spaces, but not in the way we might currently imagine. The metaverse, while promising, is in its infancy and lacks sufficient safety measures. Instead, I believe the real potential lies in what I call the meta-layer--a conceptual space above traditional webpages. This layer provides the framework for serendipitous encounters that are both safe and meaningful. Imagine visiting a website, and instead of merely consuming content, you can see and engage with others who are also there, perhaps people you already know, or people who share purposes and are seeking collaboration. In this meta-layer, we move beyond the dangers of social media and dating apps--spaces often filled with scammers and predators--and into a realm of authentic connection, where people are accountable and interactions are purpose-driven. Much like encountering a kindred spirit in a cafe, where you strike up a conversation about a shared interest, the meta-layer allows us to meet, interact, and collaborate in digital spaces. After all, when we enter a website, why shouldn’t we also encounter those who share our thoughts, passions, and ideas? This theory suggests that there are connections we are meant to make in the digital realm—because how else would we meet? Just as the physical world offers the occasional serendipitous encounter, the digital world, if structured thoughtfully, should provide the vastly more opportunities for connection, interaction, and collaboration. We’ve already begun to see early forms of this in collaborative spaces and online communities, but these often feel siloed and limited by the constraints of current technology. This is where the idea of the Metaweb comes into play--a hyper-dimensional layer that exists above the current web and fosters human connection, trust, and collaborative intelligence. The Metaweb, as outlined by Bridgit DAO, creates a decentralized public space that can help us meet others with similar passions, reduce scams and disinformation, and enable truly meaningful interactions​. As Gary Kreps so insightfully pointed out, the evolution of computing has often focused on tasks like organizing, calculating, and summarizing information—bureaucratic, content-oriented goals that, while valuable, do little to address the deeper human needs for connection, compassion, and empathy​. The potential for computing to foster humanistic goals, such as caring, friendship, and shared purpose, has only begun to be explored. This meta-layer concept ties directly into that idea—using the digital space not just for efficiency, but for meaningful interpersonal connections that enrich our lives. This space offers a more relational form of computing, one that addresses core human needs for belonging, affection, and collaboration, as highlighted in Will Schutz’s theory of interpersonal needs​. Imagine logging onto a webpage and seeing that a friend is on the same page, reading the same article, or engaging with the same content. This could spark conversations or collaborations that might otherwise never have occurred, creating a sense of shared experience even in digital isolation. Moreover, as we continue to face growing challenges in digital safety--such as the spread of misinformation, online harassment, and privacy violations--the Metaweb’s decentralized structure could help mitigate these issues. By providing verifiable identities, contextual information, and accountability, the meta-layer fosters a safer and more trustworthy environment for these digital encounters to flourish. Cindy, I believe that what you’re working toward—using technology to help humanity tackle its deepest problems, such as how to love, forgive, and be compassionate—is exactly the kind of human-centered future we should be striving for. We’re moving toward a world where computing isn’t just a tool for efficiency, but a platform for growth, connection, and mutual support. AI, gaming, VR, and digital platforms should be designed to facilitate our better selves, as your work so profoundly suggests. The more we give space to these humanistic applications of technology, the more we can build a compassionate, connected future that benefits us all. The digital world can--and should--be a place where we meet others who will walk alongside us in our journey, helping us grow and find purpose. Whether it's through the Metaweb, the meta-layer, or new, innovative spaces yet to be developed, I’m certain that these connections are out there, waiting to happen.