Article about first of all the invention of a focused sound-beam [using hypersonic carrier waves, as far as I can tell] which is about to see its first practical application in Japan for drinks-machine advertising delivered directly to the head of passers-by.
A slightly nicer commercial application is the possibility of creating bubbles of sound so that noise pollution can be restricted [it could revolutionise muzak]. The possibilities -if it became cheap enough- for alternative worship are good: imagine having installations each with their own soundtrack which could only be heard in a bubble just in front of the visuals or the activities. Apparently, there is interest from museums for just this kind of application.
Another interesting question is, though, how will we feel about it once the novelty has worn off and we are assaulted by focussed advertizing as we walk down streets and through shops? Will it feel like an invasion of privacy -a violation, given that the effect is so intimate? What about the possibilities of it being used for harrament? And there are military/security uses too; to deliver sound that incapacitates temporarily ....
No comments:
Post a Comment