iDMAa: Over the past decade we have seen seismic changes in digital media, digital art and in the broad sense digital culture. Looking back over the last ten years, what are the things that stand out within the broad intersections between these fields?

MA: I’m as struck by what doesn’t change (our basic human needs and interests—to communicate, get smarter, entertain ourselves, socialize) as much as the speed and impact of what HAS changed (the means by which we fulfill those needs—searching, social networking, mobile communications, “always on”). Clearly the web and “digitization” has permeated our personal and professional lives, disrupting business models along the way. Most striking has been the pace of technological change and rise of the device as the central hub for information and communication. Cloud computing, software as a service, infrastructure as a service, Amazon as a virtual search agent… all of these concepts were mere hyperbole a decade ago. In today’s highly verticalized world of hardware/software and application, the power of network effects have never been greater. At the same time, look what hasn’t changed: TV—despite all odds, regular predictions of its impending disruption to “chord cutting” actually is more the same than it is different. The cost to create professionally engaging content that draws viewers continues to rise, even while the average program (thanks to reality TV, continues to find its editorial “bottom”). Until we “solve” the physics problem of the last mile, bandwidth is still a constraint, which puts carriers still in a strong position vis-à-vis the distribution of content. Disruption via the open web and “over the top” video is not as easy as it is for music or print. Only YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/t/press_statistics) has the sheer reach to start trying to tip the balance of power in advertising…

iDMAa: How does it affect your work?

MA: This is more a personal statement, but I do think we may sometimes delude ourselves into believing that the information and communications revolution has made us more efficient. It’s certainly sped up the ability to multi-task and get the data needed, but for all the sources and tools at our disposal, our brains still have some natural limitations of focus (http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/ august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html). In my job, just trying to keep up with the dizzying range of technological changes afoot, new companies launching, new devices competing can be daunting unless I maintain some kind of mental framework to sift through and prioritize the number of potential areas I (or the company) can effectively focus on. As my career has shifted from traditional media to new media, to telecommunications to technology, it becomes more apparent how different the language and expectations of these worlds are. We’ve talked about convergence (http://web.mit.edu/cms/ People/henry3/converge.pdf) for years, but only now do is sense these worlds are finally properly colliding and “making peace” with each other. The word “platform” is a great example. It certainly doesn’t mean the same thing to entertainment distribution as it does to software developers!

iDMAa: What properties (art/media/scholarship) interest you today?

MA: I’m married to an artist. Does that count? I actually studied music (French Horn) in College. Does THAT count? Seriously though, I do think scholarship must align itself more closely to innovation and invention. Whether that’s of ideas, business, or technologies. iDMAa: What technologies interest you? MA: Big Data and Machine Learning and other natural (new) user interaction (http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=NcdrfacG_y4), such as image recognition, gesture and speech, and Augmented Reality. iDMAa: What does the future hold for your area? MA: The area of information and computing will increasingly embed intelligence in everything you do. Contextual awareness will support your needs (we’re already seeing this with web services, but the device itself, through richer client applications supported by the cloud will learn from your habits and suggest what data you may need, what restaurant you may want to try, what investments to make and where to locate your stores). Devices will get cheaper and more wearable and more “real world.” The web graph will not just show you “what” and “who,” but ”where”, “when” and “why.” Could be a bit “big brotherish,” so the long arm of the law and data privacy will start to become more critical to how we create new services.

iDMAa: What have we lost as a culture in the last ten 11 years?

MA: A sense of quality having a price, at least where digital content is concerned. Good enough became good enough.

iDMAa: Looking back on your own professional experience with digital culture, is there something you wish you had learned more about/explored/been a part of?

MA: I wish I’d studied computer science. I probably still should. Online!

iDMAa: What will the next generation bring to the culture?

MA: New ventures are less risky than they’ve ever been. The next generation can afford to be more natural risk takers and innovators. That inspires our culture and can permeate every aspect of life.

iDMAa: How will people be interacting with search and knowledge exploration in ten years? Will we still recognize it?

MA: See #5 above. Knowledge will be embedded into the fabric of the web and by extension, into most of the applications we use and new services that will be built. There will always be some destination search when you know what you’re looking for, but the real evolution is the serendipity of discovery.

iDMAa: Most valuable lesson learned from the past decade?

MA: Patient for growth; impatient for profit. Michael Raynor/Clay Christiansen (http://www.amazon.com/ Innovators-Solution-Creating-Sustaining-Successful/ dp/1578518520/) taught me this one and I believe it is still valid, even if it seems to fly in the face of the Valley mantra of getting eyeballs first and then dollars will eventually follow. Profit tells you you’ve got something that people value. Subsidizing the product can simply distort the market.

iDMAa: Looking back on the role that digital media and art have played in your own personal life, what has been the best and worst thing to change for you?

MA: Best: make your own video sites like Animoto (http://animoto.com/) allow me to express images and music in far more creative ways than I’d otherwise be able! Worst: the amount of time I spend on email. The corporate ladder (and every other social and professional vocation for that matter) compels us to be plugged in, engaged and accessible at all times “to be successful.” But unplugging (http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/ archive/2012/02/plug-in-better-a-manifesto/252873/) is where I (and I suspect many others) often tap their most creative and thoughtful energies, not responding immediately to every email.