Telepresence Art Eduardo Kac
As per the essay, it states that it is based on the integration of telecommunication, robotics, and new kinds of human/machine interfaces and computers.
Virtual Reality is when the two worlds of the physical and non-physical mesh together, bridging the two worlds in order to communicate and interact with non-existent elements. The virtual aspect of the experience brings in the world of cyberspace, drowning the user in digital world.
Cyberspace referred to in the essay as a system of databases able to communicate with each other over a vast network. This network is then accessed by a human with the right hardware to exchange, add and take away information. It can also be used to connect one or users to across the network to again exchange information.
Telepresence creates an experience that allows for user and robotics to communicate eliminating the distance between the two over a network and in turn producing instant results. This allows for the user to experience a surreal and natural experience. In the article it mentions a novel “Waldo” written in the 1940’s which talks about a the main character Waldo F. Jones a who suffers from a disease which paralysis him. Living in earth’s orbit he builds a robot located on earth, for himself, which corresponds to his gestures.
The real interesting topic covered in the article was the notion of eliminating distances, and how it’s losing significance when communicating with other parties. Some examples mentioned that it was not even for the typical video or sound, but text as well playing a key role in this notion of real time. “ The shortest distance between two points is no longer a straight line, as it was in the age of the locomotive and the telegraph. Today, in the age of satellites and fiber-optics, the shortest distance between two points is real time.” a quote from the essay which says a lot about the advancements of technology has brought a new experiences and situations where we are left to adjust to these new astonishing changes.
Personal Reflection on the article it’s very interesting because as society grows and the technology keeps getting more and more complex and advance, we as humans find faster nodes of communications. Looking at the technology that is Facebook, we find that no matter where we are in the world we will have no problem in keeping in touch with other friends and family. The distance between Toronto and Chicago, Japan or Mombay is a few clicks away. The need to keep in touch or even the experience has gone unnoticed, as it has become so easy over the years. This then brings up the questions if soon physical face-to-face contact will be the faster mode of communication.
