Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Word Render

forbidden-freedomioobdairlessronindnooefiddifiorbd
eboidfndrrbrofbdebeifdeefrddfnnffifddnoeeeieeeobod
bbdnidnffedebooefo-faith-oniddreinoeodrnnangwishdg
dobbrbdfeebennerinenieninbfedndbinennfdbbeeoobbrei
ddbeofiidorodbfanthroddennedfdfdeffdfdedrfbodiedfb
indifenirnedioidoibbobboebreoidedefenoerrdrffneidr
oofdderndordniebrboniodbbbinnnbeibfdirndinedfodief
dirniedednibibidnnonbiodoioddfidnineodfnnidoibndbf
oodrrdfbbrfeofrobdoeodedrffnnffnebidoreobevoidridn
drdfdoosexyniondorfdonbfndrbbonoioinnodriooiffdrro
bbifefeidbofodbbfbbfrfeefdrrbndrnidbbdeenoonreeori
nboondfibreedebfffdrobdbrrineddeoamericanieioorbnf

Monday, January 29, 2007

The Cave

Daniel Sandin and Thomas DeFanti were just a few behind the production of the virtual reality environment, the CAVE. This allowed viewers to actually enter inside a computer generated environment without the need of head sets of special devices, they were actually immersed in the scene. The very concept of it was always far more interesting than the actually practice, and certainly there are limits to its present condition. But what of the idea of being immersed completely in a space entirely of your own design seems to completely unrealistic? Did equal minds but eighty years ago feel that perhaps something a huge and complicated as the computer would ever be small enough to fit in your hand? Perhaps, but it wasn’t exactly an optimistic thought among the majority.


Multimedia seems to only go as far as the limits of not only its creator, but also the one interacting with it. The very idea of a total emersion space is there, but the technology has not even remotely come to a point of even making it worth the time and patience of it. Yet let us entertain the notion of being able to not only water your ideas come to life, but to be able to manipulate a virtual universe where one person alone sets the stage, characters, script, lighting and more without the need of a crew or the highly technical complexity of rendering a computer animation. Right now it takes several people and several machines to power virtual environments inside a computer, much less outside of one.


Yet perhaps one day the technology may allow for the ability of a single person to quite literally be the god of their own little universe that they can touch, see, hear, and smell.

What Is Technology?

Advancements of modern day living that we’ve all come to know and love. This includes but isn’t limited to computers, all modes of transportation, refrigeration, central heating and air, most forms of footwear, refined metal objects (most eating utensils), plastics, heaters, fan, cell phones, telephones, television, radio, and so much more. You are constantly surrounded by this each and every day at home, work, and school. It becomes so familiar that is starts to become difficult to imagine life without these things. Could you possibly imagine living a day without them?

What Isn’t Technology?

Basically, mandatory requirements such as standard clothing, fabrics, books, basic artistic supplies, sandals made primarily of leather, and all that is required to keep you alive for a 24 hour period (Such as mandatory medication, which is a technology but we don’t want you dieing for the wrong reasons). You can do without telephones, radio, television, all modes of transportation, and other basic forms of modern day living for a single day.

Technology Use Record:

  • WindMachine Standing Floor Fans x2 – 24/7
  • Florissant Lighting - 18 hours a day
  • Personal Computer – 15 hours a day
  • Lap Top – 3 hours day
  • Entertainment Systems (Gaming) – 2 hours a day
  • Refrigeration Unit – 24/7
  • Center Heating and Air – 24/7
  • Plumbing – 24/7
  • Writing Utensils – 2 hours
  • Eating Utensils – 1 hour

What is a Technology Fast?

Normally a Fast is an absence of all food, sometimes even drink for religious or medical purposes. But what is a Technology Fast? Now this is an entirely different question altogether. This is an absence of all, if not most of the benefits of modern living for the duration of a 24 hour period. The goal is not just to allow one to appreciate their surroundings more, but it is to obtain a better understanding of oneself and their state of existence.

Is a Technology Fast Possible?

At times it can be hard to picture oneself outside of the normal shell of use of technology, and often people can forget what it may have been like where you could not readily take water for a fosset, flip a light switch, or endure the comfort of a heater in the middle of a cold night. In an attempt to better oneself, it may be wise to attempt a complete absence from technology at one point or another. Perhaps it will give you a great appreciation of it, or more ideally – it will allow you to start developing intellectual ideals toward for a better humanity.

Yes, a fast such as this is possible. But it takes dedication, and certainly a lot of planning. It can not be done simply upon a whim, for you will find that breaking away from technology is a lot harder than you might think. Making plans, gathering materials, and perhaps even relocating yourself to a new location entirely may be the smartest plan. If you were to indulge yourself in a fast within your own home, you will be far too used to a simply cycle and casual routine that you will mindlessly use technology and not even realize it. Alienation is the key to success.


For an example, consider a Bed & Breakfast in the middle of
Ozark Mountains. Set up a weekend visit and set up one of the days to be a complete absence of the technology you are so used to saturating yourself within.