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What's it like to work in a place that encourages playfulness, creativity, and innovation while demanding scientific rigor and integrity? How would it feel to influence the evolution of the machine as a tool, not like a hammer that sees everything as a nail, but with an intelligence that allows judgment and discernment? These are experiences and sensations that only a few of us ... some of the luckiest, perhaps ... get to have. And Victoria Bellotti is one of these lucky folks.

In her work at the legendary Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), Dr. Bellotti explores that ubiquitous tool, email, that's pervaded (some might say invaded) life for many workers, particularly knowledge workers. Dr. Bellotti discusses her research into why email has become such a boon, and bane, for many, and what she and others are trying to do about it. She also talks about what she sees on the horizon in the area of human-computer interaction, and about the magic that is PARC, that creativity cauldron that's spawned intellectual and technological advancements for more than 30 years. Tune in for a fascinating conversation with a powerful individual who is passionate about her work and about her role in inventing our future.

Resources

Palo Alto Research Center Web site

Publications by Victoria Bellotti

Bio

Dr. Victoria Bellotti is a researcher at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), a subsidiary of Xerox Corporation. She is a technology-focused ethnographer with interests in user-centered design and evaluation, task and personal information management, computer mediated communication and collaborative work.

Production Credits

Dana Farver, Executive Producer, Communities Editor-in-Chief
Tom Parish, Audio Producer, Show Host
Kimberly Stone, Web Development Manager
Scott Ebner, Web Developer