#21 – Seph Gentle: Google Wave, eg-walker, creativity, AI
Feb 25, 2025
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Seph Gentle, a renowned software researcher behind projects like Google Wave and ShareJS, dives into the evolution of collaborative technologies. He reflects on the ambitious vision of Google Wave and its unique real-time features. The conversation also explores the complexities of rich text editing, mobile web challenges, and the need for innovative data synchronization methods. Seph emphasizes the importance of creative chaos in software development, advocating for a democratic ecosystem where collaboration and AI reshape the future of technology.
Seph Gentle advocates for local-first software to enhance user autonomy and community engagement by moving away from centralized services.
Google Wave's legacy in promoting real-time collaboration is pivotal, influencing modern approaches to collaborative software development and user agency.
There is a pressing need for improved rich text editing solutions across platforms, emphasizing user experience and functionality in web applications.
The rise of AI in software development challenges traditional job roles, necessitating a balance between technological advancements and human creativity.
Deep dives
Desire for Local First Software
There is a growing desire for software that operates on a local-first basis to foster personal empowerment and community connection. The speaker expresses dissatisfaction with the reliance on centralized services like Google Cloud, emphasizing that while we could survive with such systems, they do not align with the values and creativity individuals seek in their software. Local first software aims to create applications that resonate with users personally, allowing for more control and ownership over their work. This personal touch creates a conducive environment for community engagement and innovative expression.
Seth Gentle's Contributions
Seth Gentle has made significant contributions to the field of local first software and collaborative editing through various projects, including Google Wave, which pioneered ideas of real-time collaboration and flexible data management. Wave's unique approach allowed users to collaboratively edit content while keeping it within their organization, laying the groundwork for future developments in this area. Despite its closure, the principles of Google Wave continue to inspire efforts towards creating software that fosters real-time collaboration while honoring user autonomy. Gentle's ongoing work signals a commitment to making local first principles accessible to a broader audience.
The Challenge of Rich Text Editing
Creating a seamless rich text editing experience in web applications presents significant challenges, with existing solutions falling short of usability across platforms. The conversation highlights the frustration surrounding the complexity of rich text editing tools, as many fail to provide consistent functionality and user experience, especially on mobile devices. This ongoing struggle emphasizes the need for better standards and a unified approach that allows for robust rich text editing across various web applications, thereby enhancing productivity and creativity. The inadequacies in existing systems underscore the opportunity for local first software to redefine these experiences in a way that prioritizes user needs.
Collaboration and Primitives
The ideal future for software includes collaborative tools that allow seamless interaction across various platforms and applications, mirroring the flexibility and interoperability found in Unix-based file systems. Local first software envisions a landscape where different applications can work together effortlessly, promoting a shared experience for users regardless of the tools they are utilizing. This would grant individuals the freedom to mix and match software components for their unique needs while maintaining the ability to collaborate effectively. Such a shift implies not just technological advancements but a fundamental conceptual change in how we perceive and build software.
Economic Implications of AI
The rise of AI tools represents a transformative moment for the software development landscape, holding the potential to significantly increase productivity and reshape job roles. As AI continues to evolve, the distinction between human and machine capabilities may blur, prompting essential conversations about the future of work in the tech sector. This transformation elicits questions about creative control and agency, as software engineers contemplate their roles when AI can handle tasks traditionally performed by humans. Balancing AI's potential with a commitment to human creativity and agency will be crucial for fostering a future that prioritizes innovation and collaborative work.
Empowerment Through Local First Software
Local first software fosters an environment of empowerment, allowing users to have greater control over their data and collaborative interactions. Unlike centralized systems, where user agency can be limited, local first approaches promote a sense of ownership that extends to the communities users wish to create and nurture. This empowerment leads to more intentional and diverse software development that aligns with individual values and desires for meaningful engagement. Ultimately, local first software aims to democratize the creation of technology by ensuring that users are active participants in shaping their digital experiences.
Vision for a Collaborative Future
A collective vision emerges for a future where software tools enable individuals from all backgrounds to engage creatively and collaboratively without the constraints of centralized control. Drawing inspiration from established practices like version control systems in software development, there is a desire to bring similar functionalities to tools used across various industries. Achieving this goal requires not only technological advancements but also a cultural shift toward openness and shared experiences, where creative collaboration is celebrated and facilitated through accessible software. In this future, the focus lies on creating an inclusive digital ecosystem that values human creativity and the interconnectedness of ideas.
The guest of this episode is Seph Gentle, a prolific software researcher who is behind projects such as the new eg-walker paper and ShareJS, one of the oldest local-first open source projects. Before, Seph also co-created Google Wave over 10 years ago which will be explored in-depth in this episode.
