by Elina Melgin
This interview (made by Elina Melgin originally for the paper bulletin ARTTU 4/94 published 15.8.1994, translated by Tomi Snellman) represents the thoughts of
Senior Vice President Nokia Mobile Phones, Research and Development: Mr Yrjö Neuvo Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones Sales: Anssi Vanjoki Philosopher and the best known intellectual in Finland: Mr Esa Saarinen Specialist and educator at UIAH Media Lab: Kari Hans Kommonen
It is morning and I'm on my way to do an interview with the most famous Finnish philosopher and the Technology and Marketing Directors of a world-famous information technology company. The subject: their visions of the new digital age. The night before I checked my technical equipment so that it won't let me down: tape recorder, questions prepared in advance, driving instructions, camera, film. I chase the children out, all the hurry is making them edgy. A beeping sound starts somewhere in the flat. I run about desperately, trying to locate the electronic sound, till I discover that the tape recorder in my bag has been documenting the morning hassle on its own. Then I find a chewed-up paper on the floor: my questions!? Nevertheless I manage to be on time to pick up my colleagues and we actually arrive with time to spare. Now the debate can start. Just then the photographer has to excuse himself. Fortunately there's a supermarket next door where he can buy a fresh pair of batteries for his camera.
When is the digital revolution going to take place?
Information technology is changing our way of thinking, but how?
Will equality increase in the world?
Will the change affect power structures?
Should information be secured?
Information technology needs new design approaches. How has this been taken into account?
What's the role of artificial reality in this process?
I wonder how that interview would look ten years from now in virtual reality? I would be looking at and listening to the interviewees through a glass, the soundtrack would be unbroken by the shutter of the camera or the clinking of the coffee cups. Speech would be transmitted directly from the word processor to a network, or to an info capsule. I would also miss Neuvo's handshake, Vanjoki's number with his braces, and Saarinen's aura. If I could have access to a hundred times more information about the thought processes of these men, would I be prepared to trade the reality I am experiencing physically here and now for a virtual reality?
