n a t b s

On a day where we take one step closer to the world of 1984 with the re-branding of TSA headquarters as “the Freedom Center,” no, really, I feel the need to remind the world (or the 20 people who might read this) that the essential freedom America is about, the one we fought that big ‘ol war over, is freedom from tyranny.  I’m sure most of you know what that word means, but, just for the record, tyranny means “A government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.”  Hmmmm, so it’s not freedom from being blown up by terrorists?  No, not really.  That’s pretty hard to guarantee.  But a government in which a single ruler has absolute power…sound like any government you know?  I mean, sure, George Bush can declare anyone a terrorist for no particular reason and lock them up indefinitely without due cause, but that’s not absolute power right?  Sure he ignores the laws he doesn’t like, and makes up new ones without consulting congress, but that’s not absolute power.  I mean, he still derives his “just powers from the consent of the governed” right?  It’s not like he stole the last two elections.  Nah, tyranny is not even close to being a problem in these United States.  I mean, how could it be with fine institutions like the Freedom Center and the department of Homeland Security guaranteeing our freedom?  Nope, no one in history has ever used the guise of national securty to unjustly seize power, so one must be crazy to think that’s happening now.  I say we all just sit back and relax, I mean, we have a really humble and qualified civil servant running the show.  George Bush loves us, just like God loves George Bush.  And I’m just loving these motherfuckin’ freedom fries!

I just got back from a 10 minute walk around the corporate campus, which is something I’ve been doing with increasing frequency as of late.  Today as I reentered the building, the contrast between the natural beauty of the outdoors (even the limited natural beauty of a corporate campus), and the drab dull soulless interior of corporation land was espcially stark.  It took quite a bit of will power to make it back to my desk, and I realized that one of the many consequences of society is to make the world more like this building and less like the beautiful outdoors.  Why?  What is wrong with people?  I think humanity has a few screws loose.  Personally, I don’t think I can stay at this job much longer.

Forget the Wii, direct brain to video game control is the next wave. Seriously.

I’ve heard of this
technology but didn’t realize it was so close to being mass marketed. I’m not entirely sure I see the value. It would be a little creepy to see someone sitting in front of a TV staring intently, and not moving, with this thing on their head wouldn’t it? Plus I don’t really mind hand controls. I suppose one advantage would be you would have free hand for snacking or whatever. Probably snacking.

They claim it can read your mood. I could see creative game developers using that ability to make the game respond to your emotions. Which could be cool/creepy. This thing has a lot of potential, but marketing-wise they’re going to need to get past the creepy factor.

I bet a lot of people will be afraid of this thing. I bet a lot of parents will refuse to buy this for their kids. Of course that’s all paranoia, since it uses passive sensors it’s actually safer than a cell phone. But still, totally creepy. Imagine what advertisers could do with a thing like this…shudder.