Episodes
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Ep 25: Developing the global immersive economy with Max Noir
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
In the latest episode of the Building New Realities podcast, Tim chats with Max Noir about her work with FXG and developing the immersive economy in developing countries.
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Ep 24: User focused design for VR experiences with Rupert Breheny
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
In the latest episode of the Building New Realities podcast, Tim chats with Rupert Breheny about his work on Google Earth VR, his observations and lessons as a UX designer focussed on virtual reality and the future of immersive technology. They cover the power of VR to improve accessibility, digital anthropology and the importance of designing with a customer focus.
Guest Bio
Rupert is an experienced technology advocate and conference speaker, specialising in VR/AR and mobile ecommerce, particularly in the fashion vertical. He builds partnerships and wrangles technology to launch products that drive both business value and user delight.
Highlight 1 - Using VR to unite different generations
00:09:34:15 - 00:10:57:02… I live in Zurich, Switzerland <> I’m quite enthusiastic about that too
Highlight 2 - Digital anthropology and the importance of face-to-face testing
00:24:30:06 - 00:26:33:23… when I was a UX prototyper <> see it for yourself in person
Additional Resources
Rupert’s links
Applications mentioned:
- Unseen Diplomacy:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/429830/Unseen_Diplomacy/
Theories mentioned:
- Imposter Syndrome
https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469#:~:text=Coping-,What%20Is%20Imposter%20Syndrome%3F,perfectionism%20and%20the%20social%20context. - Simulation Theory
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-we-live-in-a-simulation-chances-are-about-50-50/
Book Recommendations
- Heaven and Hell, Aldous. Huxley
https://amzn.to/36WeTjy - The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu
https://amzn.to/3OEICyk - Tower of Babylon by Ted Chiang
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/29864598-tower-of-babylon - Piranesi, Susanna Clarke
https://www.waterstones.com/book/piranesi/susanna-clarke/9781526622433 - Snow Crash: Neal Stephenson
https://amzn.to/3vPhS5J - Fall of Hyperion, Dan Simmons
https://amzn.to/37Gu2WB
Episode Transcript
00:00 - 00:49 Introduction
00:50 - 01:29 Rupert explains what his role is at Google
01:30 - 03:21 Rupert talks about his first experience with VR in the 80’s
04:22 - 09:29 What does building new realities mean to you?
09:30 - 12:44 Using VR to access the non-accessible.
12:45 - 20:18 User Design for VR
20:19 - 22:28 Observing and learning from how people react in VR
22:29 - 23:54 Using novel mechanics and using the natural playfulness of VR to heighten immersion for users.
23:55 - 30:33 Digital anthropology, face to face testing and customer focus
30:34 - 33:54 Sacrificing aesthetics for performance in immersive design
33:55 - 46:21 The future of social interaction and games in the metaverse
46:22 - 48:51 What project has changed the way you approach design?
48:52 - 01:01:08 Rupert’s future trends: Avatars, virtual clothing, architecture and NFTs.
01:01:02 - 01:05:59 Gaining perspective and “opening your eyes”
01:06:00 - 01:07:48 If you had $100m to spend on a social programme with no red tape, what would you do?
01:07:49 - 01:12:00 Rupert’s favourite theories and book recommendations
01:12:01 - 01:12:55 Closing comments
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WdFEVGCsFJCb5iyIY19sY
Podbean: https://buildingnewrealities.podbean.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZuZmlLMIX3lCunZ1bXIb-ZTDJOZRKbLY
Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-building-new-realities-podcast/id1508003242
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-building-new-realities-podcast
TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Building-New-Realities-p1315313/
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8063a708-52c8-43d0-a952-5d45d9f47158/the-building-new-realities-podcast
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Monday Apr 11, 2022
In today's episode, Tim speaks with Publius, the anonymous founder(s) of Beanstalk, a decentralized credit based stablecoin protocol uses a new and novel method of pegging their native currency $BEAN, to the value of $1. Together they discuss the purpose that stablecoins play in the cryptocurrency markets and what makes Beanstalk so innovative.
Beanstalk: https://bean.money/
Beanstalk Farms Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeanstalkFarms
Publius' Twitter: https://twitter.com/isthispublius
00:00: Introduction
01:06: What is the purpose of a stablecoin in the world of cyptocurrency? And what problem do they solve?
04:30: Collateral & Credit based stablecoins
07:00: The problem with collateral based stablecoins
08:00: How Beanstallk's credit based stablecoin works
10:05: The success of Tera Luna
11:15: Digging in on the volatility and cost of borrowing for stablecoins
15:40: What drew Publius into the world of finance
18:30: How do you explain DeFi to newcomers?
23:45: How can people engage with Beanstalk?
26:20: The mechanics of Beanstalk's borrowing
30:15: The Beanstalk DAO & How Beanstalk stablises the cost of BEAN to $1
36:00: Incentivising people to remain invested in Beanstalk
37:45: The journey for a first time user getting involved with Beanstalk
42:00: Clarifying terms and the user journey
43:30: What can I use Beans for?
48:00: The vision for Beanstalk's future
51:15: Where do you see the future of DeFi?
55:30: What does Publius think about NFTs?
57:00: What would Publius do with $100 million to spend on a social programme with no red tape?
Disclaimer: This podcast is for information purposes only. This should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Ep 22: Immersive worldbuilding from an artist’s perspective with Brenda Chen
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Friday Mar 25, 2022
In today's episode, Tim chats to Brenda Chen, a freelance Immersive Media Director and XR Artist. Brenda describes her previous jobs working on events for Justin Bieber and John Legend, as well as her thoughts and ideas about using XR as a tool for meditation.
Topics discussed in this episode:
• Background on Brenda [00:46 - 04:31]
• What is Brenda excited about? [04:32 - 5:46]
• Brenda's early steps [5:47 - 10:23]
• The Metaverse [10:24 - 12:32]
• Digital experiences [12:33 - 17:43]
• Examples of immersive mental health apps [17:44 - 20:26]
• Greatest technical challenges [20:27 - 22:21]
• A project that changed Brenda's approach [22:22 - 28:16]
• Brenda's opinion on NFTs [28:17 - 31:44]
• Building new realities [31:45 - 33:00]
• Social programs [33:01 - 34:28]
• The creative scene in L.A. [34:29 - 36:02]
Highlight sections
• Brenda talks about learning to work under pressure [07:14 - 09:07]
• Brenda talks about using to Metaverse to detox [15:25 - 17:15]
• Brenda describes her immersive installation, Opal [22:30 - 25:14]
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Ep 21: Building a better world with Emma Cooper
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Ep 20: How do we adapt to rapid technology change? Featuring Michael Quintana
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
In today's episode, Tim chats to Michael Quintana, Director of Innovation Solutions at Sony. Together they discuss the concept of 'highlight culture', and how VR can be used as a medium for discussion between individuals.
Topics discussed in this episode:
• Michael's background [01:16 - 03:35]
• Michael's first VR project [03:36 - 05:17]
• What is Michael working on at Sony? [05:18 - 08:42]
• The Metaverse and blockchain [08:43 - 13:04]
• Highlight culture [13:05 - 17:37]
• What does the Metaverse mean to Michael? [17:38 - 26:04]
• NFTs [26:05 - 34:19]
• The link between mental health and technology [34:20 - 35:54]
• Michael's aspirations [35:55 - 40:00]
• Technical challenges [40:01 - 42:42]
• What is Michael curious about? [42:43 - 45:57]
• Building new realities [45:58 - 50:42]
• Social programs [50:43 - 53:44]
• Favourite theories [53:45 - 55:37]
• Book recommendations [55:38 - 57:57]
• Michael's social media [57:58 - 58:59]
Highlight sections
• Michael Quintana and Tim chat about 'highlight culture' [16:05 - 17:37]
• Michael Quintana explains how VR can be used as a medium for conversation [46:55 - 49:14]
• Michael Quintana and Tim chat about Solomon's Paradox [53:45 - 55:37]
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
In today's episode, Tim chats to Jordi Van Den Bussche, AKA Kwebbelkop. Jordi explains the concept behind NFTs, as well as his new project 'Launch my NFT'.
Together they also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of being an online influencer, as well as how to manifest positivity. Topics discussed in this episode:
• Background on Jordi [00:00 - 05:59]
• VR and NFTs [6:00 - 17:35]
• Jordi's aspirations [17:36 - 24:50]
• Favourite metaverse experiences [24:51 - 31:57]
• Recognisability as a YouTuber [31:58 - 35:26]
• Unexpected effects on audiences [35:27 - 36:58]
• What is Jordi curious about? [36:59 - 42:04]
• Building new realities [42:05 - 43:55]
• What is 'Launch My NFT'? [43:56 - 50:15]
• Favourite theories [50:16 - 53:17]
• Book recommendations [53:18 - 56:00]
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Ep 18: The metaverse as a tool for collaboration
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
In today's episode, Tim chats to Anthony Steed. Together they discuss topics ranging from the early days of XR to what developers consistently get wrong about the metaverse.
Topics discussed in this episode:
• Anthony's background [01:01 - 10:21]
• People's reactions to VR [10:22 - 16:39]
• The rise of the term 'Metaverse' [16:40 - 23:59]
• The timeline of expectations with metaverses [24:00 - 27:55]
• What is Anthony excited by? [27:56 - 33:43]
• Anthony's favourite project [33:44 - 36:17]
• What is Ubiq? [36:18 - 40:22]
• What makes for a useful collaboration space? [40:23 - 44:24]
• What do developers get consistently wrong? [44:25 - 48:12]
• Good interaction techniques [48:13 - 55:45]
• Book recommendations [55:46 - 58:45]
• Favourite theories [58:46 - 1:00:46]
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Ep 17: The ethics & economics of the metaverse with Theo Priestley
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
In today's episode, Tim chats to futurist & metaverse consultant, Theo Priestley.
Together they discuss topics ranging from NFTs and virtual influencers, to visions for the future of the metaverse.
Topics discussed in this episode:
• Introduction [1:03 - 3:43]
• The new popularity of the metaverse [3:44 - 10:32]
• Theo's earlier projects [10:33 - 15:04]
• What is Theo excited by? [15:05 - 16:11]
• Personal aspirations [16:12 - 20:20]
• NFTs [20:21 - 26:08]
• Motivations for the metaverse [26:09 - 30:00]
• Virtual influencers [30:01 - 34:30]
• VR as a tool for wellness [34:31 - 37:29]
• Creator economies [37:30 - 40:27]
• Favourite theories [40:28 - 41:44]
• Book recommendations [41:45 - 43:14]
• Favourite artists [43:15 - 44:25]
• Abstract craziness [44:26 - 45:08]
• Social programs [45:09 - 46:41]
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Ep 16: VR as a tool for empathy with Louise Liu
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Friday Sep 17, 2021
• Background on PwC [00:41 - 02:37]
• How did the XR department come about? [02:38 - 04:37]
• Importance of a disruption team [04:38 - 07:10]
• Louise's background [07:11 - 10:33]
• The development of UX and VR experiences [10:34 - 14:09]
• VR as a tool for empathy and understanding [14:10 - 18:24]
• Future VR products [18:25 - 19:53]
• Conversations with clients [19:54 - 21:16]
• Greatest technical challenges [21:17 - 22:48]
• Cross-device experiences [22:49 - 26:30]
• Projects that changed the approach to a field [26:31 - 30:35]
• Louise's curiosities [30:36 - 34:08]
• What does Louise wish she knew when she started out? [34:09 - 35:54]
• Building new realities [37:09 - 38:33]
• Favourite theories [38:34 - 41:04]
• Book recommendations [41:05 - 41:50]
• Importance of a disruption team [04:38 - 07:10]
• How 'In My Shoes' affected viewers [15:58 - 18:21]