I like your comparison to the Faust layers. I was intending “translation” as literally converting rich data into text data. You would need text versions of rich content in order to exploit services like search. And, by rich content I mean audio recordings of human speech. I could see translation as being something like facial recognition.

…this approach seem like less of a change than I would expect with a new mock-versioning of the web

I don’t recommend the Web 3.0 layers, I was speculating on a trend based on early observation. Guessing, one might say. I believe the Clean Slate folks are discussing something radically different like the 3D worlds Sabrina mentioned.

http://blog.space150.com/assets/faust/1.0/faust-layers-diagram.jpg

With the layers simply abstracted to their essence, what you just described IS web 2.0.. html=internet, css= static web, translation layer=javascript, rich layer=flash..

Of course they do not match identically but the similarities make this approach seem like less of a change than I would expect with a new mock-versioning of the web.

It would be nice to layer the real world along side it because that is familar to me. In Second Life I need an anchor- there is too much that is too odd and I don’t know where to start. I told a shop keeper that it was strange that you could click on an object and that object would animate your avatar. She said, “Why is that strange?”
Well to people like me it is.

Virtual interfaces is where gaming and communication are heading. My kids want to see Mom on the phone… etc.
We should use interactive “games” to simulate real world situations and develop our long term planning abilities. We can collaborate globally.

And wait until Spore comes out! I can’t wait!