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Have Your Family Gather 'Round the Virtual Table

Posted by michael on from the pass-the-salt dept.

Ridgelift writes "A new device is helping families and loved ones feel connected even when they're far apart. Part of the Media Lab's Habitat project, a pair of 'cyber-tables' are equipped with radio tag readers, projectors and computers running on Linux and Macintosh operating systems. 'Habitat's designers say the system can give people a sense of what their loved ones are up to and perhaps even how they are feeling'."

3 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Who funds this research? by HangingChad · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Because I have an idea for an virtual crapper that will cause log grahics to appear in the receive toilet. When I have to stop and think what message I'm sending tossing my keys on the table, that's where I draw the virtual line. If you want to see how someone far away is doing, here's a suggestion: Road trip!

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    That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
  2. compare to plane tickets by diamond0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Seems like a plane ticket would be cheaper, given the number of times certain relatives would be willing to use this thing

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    There is no hatred more pure and true than that expressed by children.
  3. Re:Why? by Saeger · · Score: 2, Insightful
    So, because you're a pessimistic, paranoid, isolationist, luddite, so should everyone be? Only you know the Right Way?

    Humankinds appetite for communication and connectedness will continue to grow, and despite my "Brain-2-Network" interface, I'll still be able to stop and smell the flowers.

    Simstim can never replace reality

    Never say never, or did you mean to say "I hope it's never possible, because it conflicts with my current belief systems"?

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    Power to the Peaceful