10/20/2003: Tholos project

Undertoad · 10-20-2003, 12:10 PM

My greatest fascination in life is the clash of society and technology, and how technology is changing how we live with each other and how it brings us together.

Here's a concept that really represents all that in a big way. It's called the Tholos, named after an ancient Roman structure.

It's just in the concept phase now, but it could happen. It's a round building, 10 feet high and 23 feet wide. On the building is a high-res display and there are directional microphones and speakers all around. Each Tholos is networked to a remote identical Tholos in a different location, and everything that happens at the remote Tholos is displayed in real time at the local one.

So the London Tholos would be connected to the Vienna Tholos, and you in London could actually walk up to people in Vienna and speak with them directly and semi-privately.

It's to be advertising-supported, and the people behind it are looking to expand the idea to many other locations as well.

It's meant to be an attraction, not a tool to accomplish things; on the other hand, who knows what this sort of thing could generate?

I want one! Unfortunately they're about L1.4M ($2.5 M).

full story

project website

xant · 10-20-2003, 12:19 PM

Most Austrians speak German. That's gonna make meaningful communication tough.

OTOH, most of the people who walk up to this thing and try to use it will probably be American tourists, so maybe it's OK :-)

tjennings · 10-20-2003, 12:28 PM

How long do you think it would be before the first long-distance public mooning took place?

Carbonated_Brains · 10-20-2003, 12:41 PM

That'd be a sweet piece of international Tunick art.

Undertoad · 10-20-2003, 12:42 PM

Well that's the thing; of course the designers envision all kind of highbrow uses like sharing art and culture. How long before the most common phrase going across the wires is "show us yer tits!"

Tell me that isn't what the guy in the second picture is saying. And that's from the official website.

Elspode · 10-20-2003, 12:50 PM

You can bet that if they put one in Baghdad, there will terroristic threats shouted to wherever the other end is.

All in all, even with the obvious opportunity for international immaturity and crudeness, how can this be anything other than good? Face to face across space is a cool thing, and sure to inspire some interesting forms of communication between people otherwise removed from one another.

I think it is great. Who do I talk to about getting one in KC?

tjennings · 10-20-2003, 12:58 PM

Since it is supported by advertising, I would like to offer the first promotional idea:

"This "pressed ham" brought to you by Hormel."

Senor Oso · 10-20-2003, 01:47 PM

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children?

juju · 10-20-2003, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad
Well that's the thing; of course the designers envision all kind of highbrow uses like sharing art and culture. How long before the most common phrase going across the wires is "show us yer tits!"

The phenomenon of "show us yer tits!" <i>is</i> culture. And if tits aren't art, I don't know what is.

LUVBUGZ · 10-20-2003, 02:04 PM

This thing seems really cool

, but for some reason I get the "Big Brother is watching you" feeling from it. Probably just my paranoia or quilty conscious kicking in.:p

Beletseri · 10-20-2003, 02:05 PM

There are already too blamed many people I have to look at every day - why would I want to look at a bunch more just because they are a long way away?

EdZachary · 10-20-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad
Well that's the thing; of course the designers envision all kind of highbrow uses like sharing art and culture. How long before the most common phrase going across the wires is "show us yer tits!"

Its probably located in a public space to generate public acceptance, but I can see it evolving into a smaller unit for turbo-charged corporate video conferencing and who knows, eventually maybe even for home use.
Very cool conceptually.

10-20-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LUVBUGZ
Probably just my paranoia or quilty conscious kicking in

I've read that many quilters are extremely nervous about this.

LUVBUGZ · 10-20-2003, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dave

I've read that many quilters are extremely nervous about this.

Are you on cheap crack again Dave? Or are your eagle eyes just playing tricks on you again? Damn that q looks like a g to me:p .

juju · 10-20-2003, 05:23 PM

I don't get it. Do you make quilts?

10-20-2003, 12:10 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	10/20/2003: Tholos project My greatest fascination in life is the clash of society and technology, and how technology is changing how we live with each other and how it brings us together. Here's a concept that really represents all that in a big way. It's called the Tholos, named after an ancient Roman structure. It's just in the concept phase now, but it could happen. It's a round building, 10 feet high and 23 feet wide. On the building is a high-res display and there are directional microphones and speakers all around. Each Tholos is networked to a remote identical Tholos in a different location, and everything that happens at the remote Tholos is displayed in real time at the local one. So the London Tholos would be connected to the Vienna Tholos, and you in London could actually walk up to people in Vienna and speak with them directly and semi-privately. It's to be advertising-supported, and the people behind it are looking to expand the idea to many other locations as well. It's meant to be an attraction, not a tool to accomplish things; on the other hand, who knows what this sort of thing could generate? I want one! Unfortunately they're about L1.4M ($2.5 M). full story project website

10-20-2003, 12:19 PM	#2
xant Belt Conveyor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 65	Will it translate? Most Austrians speak German. That's gonna make meaningful communication tough. OTOH, most of the people who walk up to this thing and try to use it will probably be American tourists, so maybe it's OK :-)

10-20-2003, 12:28 PM	#3
tjennings Belt Conveyor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sioux City, IA Posts: 66	How long do you think it would be before the first long-distance public mooning took place? __________________ No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. Niels Bohr, physicist (1885-1962) Last edited by tjennings; 10-20-2003 at 12:57 PM.

10-20-2003, 12:50 PM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	You can bet that if they put one in Baghdad, there will terroristic threats shouted to wherever the other end is. All in all, even with the obvious opportunity for international immaturity and crudeness, how can this be anything other than good? Face to face across space is a cool thing, and sure to inspire some interesting forms of communication between people otherwise removed from one another. I think it is great. Who do I talk to about getting one in KC? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

10-20-2003, 12:58 PM	#7
tjennings Belt Conveyor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sioux City, IA Posts: 66	Since it is supported by advertising, I would like to offer the first promotional idea: "This "pressed ham" brought to you by Hormel." __________________ No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. Niels Bohr, physicist (1885-1962)

10-20-2003, 12:41 PM	#4
Carbonated_Brains Does it show up here when I type? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Between the smoky layers of a prosciutto sandwich! Posts: 355	That'd be a sweet piece of international Tunick art.

10-20-2003, 12:42 PM	#5
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Well that's the thing; of course the designers envision all kind of highbrow uses like sharing art and culture. How long before the most common phrase going across the wires is "show us yer tits!" Tell me that isn't what the guy in the second picture is saying. And that's from the official website.

10-20-2003, 01:47 PM	#8
Senor Oso Antagonistic Antagonist Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 22	Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children?

10-20-2003, 02:04 PM	#10
LUVBUGZ Not aging gracefully. Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 530	This thing seems really cool, but for some reason I get the "Big Brother is watching you" feeling from it. Probably just my paranoia or quilty conscious kicking in.:p __________________ You can't catch me...don't even try...go do something else...see ya next year. Mama Loves You Baby Girl ~ May You Rest In Peace

10-20-2003, 02:05 PM	#11
Beletseri Yeah sez you Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 206	There are already too blamed many people I have to look at every day - why would I want to look at a bunch more just because they are a long way away?

10-20-2003, 05:23 PM	#15
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	I don't get it. Do you make quilts?

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