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NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, yeah. So you’re considered the father of virtual reality, in part because you even coined the term?
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Because you know when someone has— you know where they’re clamming shut on what you really want them to say about what they’re doing. You know it in an interview, right?
JARON LANIER: Well, I will tell you one thing about my role. I have an agreement with them where I can speak my mind, including being encouraged to criticize the company itself, so long as I’m clear that I’m not speaking for Microsoft. And somehow they haven’t imploded. I think it actually— I would like to see more people with that role in the tech industry. Okay, so in that sense, I don’t want to be the last. I’m aware of one other maybe, who would be Vint Cerf over at Google, but I think we’re the only two. And we really desperately need more of us.
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: I’m just impressed that that’s even a title that one can ascend to. Are you going to break the mold in your— can anyone become you in this? The answer is no, just say no.
JARON LANIER: That can happen. That can happen. And so between those two things, The Octopus, yes.
JARON LANIER: It actually is, yeah. Okay, it’s actually a joke. It’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Prime Unifying Scientist, so it spells out OCTOPUS. And there are several reasons for that. One is I used to study cephalopod cognition because it’s absolutely fascinating. But then there’s also that some accuse me of starting to look like one myself.
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, we don’t use the word polymath too freely today because there aren’t many folks, there’s so much specialization, but if I were to bring that into the 21st century, I would apply it to you. You’re a computer scientist, but interdisciplinary. What’s your title? Prime Unifying Scientist at Microsoft? That’s a title? Is that on your business card?
JARON LANIER: Well, you know, I think you can speak a little lower than me, but that does not mean I will not attempt it.
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, there’s a uniquely qualified person in the world to address those issues and more, and I’ve got him sitting right here. Jaron Lanier, dude.
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