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Episode 517 - Ken Perlin - Professor of Computer Science, NYU

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Manage episode 507895242 series 74017
Content provided by Monstrous Moonshine. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Monstrous Moonshine or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Computer graphics pioneer Ken Perlin invented Perlin noise, a foundational tool used in nearly every area of computer graphics. In this episode of CG Garage, Ken shares his unique journey, starting with a childhood love for both art and mathematics. He recounts how his early work on the film Tron inspired him to invent Perlin noise and the foundational concepts of shaders, a breakthrough that laid the groundwork for modern GPUs and the photorealistic visuals we see today. His presentation of this work at SIGGRAPH in 1984 directly influenced companies like Pixar and permanently altered the landscape of visual effects.

The conversation extends beyond historical innovation to a compelling discussion about the future. Perlin draws a sharp distinction between VR and XR, predicting that true mass adoption of immersive technology will only happen when devices become socially invisible, much like the iPhone's impact on personal communication. He posits that the future of technology is not about escaping reality but enhancing it, and that the ultimate "killer app" will be the ability to connect with others in a shared virtual space. We also dive into the role of AI as a creative tool, with Perlin arguing that while it's a powerful new medium, it remains a “recombinant” engine that lacks sentience and is ultimately a vehicle for human creativity and expression.

Ken Perlin’s Blog > Ken Perlin on Wikipedia > NYU Holodeck: Future Reality Lab > Future Reality Lab - Github >

  continue reading

353 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 507895242 series 74017
Content provided by Monstrous Moonshine. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Monstrous Moonshine or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Computer graphics pioneer Ken Perlin invented Perlin noise, a foundational tool used in nearly every area of computer graphics. In this episode of CG Garage, Ken shares his unique journey, starting with a childhood love for both art and mathematics. He recounts how his early work on the film Tron inspired him to invent Perlin noise and the foundational concepts of shaders, a breakthrough that laid the groundwork for modern GPUs and the photorealistic visuals we see today. His presentation of this work at SIGGRAPH in 1984 directly influenced companies like Pixar and permanently altered the landscape of visual effects.

The conversation extends beyond historical innovation to a compelling discussion about the future. Perlin draws a sharp distinction between VR and XR, predicting that true mass adoption of immersive technology will only happen when devices become socially invisible, much like the iPhone's impact on personal communication. He posits that the future of technology is not about escaping reality but enhancing it, and that the ultimate "killer app" will be the ability to connect with others in a shared virtual space. We also dive into the role of AI as a creative tool, with Perlin arguing that while it's a powerful new medium, it remains a “recombinant” engine that lacks sentience and is ultimately a vehicle for human creativity and expression.

Ken Perlin’s Blog > Ken Perlin on Wikipedia > NYU Holodeck: Future Reality Lab > Future Reality Lab - Github >

  continue reading

353 episodes

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