What is Engelbart's augmentation theory?
My central theory is that human intellect can be systematically augmented through technology, not by replacing human thinking but by providing tools that amplify our natural capabilities. In my 1962 framework, I described a co-evolutionary system: humans, tools, methods, and training all improve together. The goal is to increase our ability to approach complex problems—what I called 'bootstrapping' our collective intelligence. This isn't about making individuals smarter in isolation; it's about creating collaborative environments where groups can tackle challenges far beyond any single person's reach. The computer is the ultimate tool for this, but only if we design it to support human processes.
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