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We originally envisioned The Metaverse Sessions as a weekly serise (well, John Swords envisioned it; I just came along for the ride), but we bumped into so many good interview subjects in Palo Alto that we’re squeezing out episodes on a slightly accelerated schedule. One of the people we were very fortunate to cross paths with was Doug Engelbart, who is best known for building the first mouse and graphical user interface, but is simply a pioneer in personal computing like almost no other. He may not be very metaversal, but you wouldn’t want to pass up the chance at a chat with someone of Dr. Engelbart’s stature in the history of computing. In fact, the metaverse owes to him the very idea that computers could be used to augment an individual’s intelligence and capabilties in the world. Finally beginning to realize a dream that began more than 50 years ago, Engelbart talks about his “country boy” upbringing, changes in the Valley (where he’s lived since 1948 or so), the coinage of the word “online,” and the birth of the personal computer in his anxiety over his impending marriage. Well, I may be pushing that last one, but only a little bit. (Honest.) Listen here to a brief conversation with a man who has somehow managed to remain gracious and kind despite the world’s having largely ignored his brilliant ideas. (Read more about Engelbart’s Hyperscope project.)