One of my favorite things about pixelodeon was not the set screening room
sessions but the widespread use of 17 macbooks for impromptu screening of
all manner of videos over beers, at party's or simply gatherings in hotel
rooms.

It's these shared interactive viewing experiences that really make video
come full circle as a part of real world face to face conversations.

If the following nytimes article is correct pocket-able projection units are
expected to hit the market by years end at $300-350. This could in 2009
usher in a whole new possibility for impromptu video screenings.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/business/30novelties.html

I'd be curious to know if anyone has gotten their hands on any early
prototypes yet.

Perhaps there is some potential for sponsorship here at future video
blogging events.


Of course, cheap portable projectors could have far more ramifications then
simple video blog screenings.

I cannot begin to imagine how useful these things might become in the next 5
years.

As they get cheaper they could one day become as common in laptops as video
cams are now, and they have some interesting ramifications as secondary
information displays for "ambient" information such as twitter, friend feed,
Digg Spy, news, weather, and things we have yet to dream up.

If they become ubiquitous enough they could further blur the spacial
boundaries between office chair and arm chair, or put in other terms between
computer screen and tv.

As an information architect I find this prospect of a more ubiquitous
physical information space fascinating.

Anyone who has ever been on a trading room floor at an exchange will know
what I'm talking about by ubiquitous information space.

Or for that matter anyone who's watched a scifi movie where whole walls are
information displays.

Geography / real world space is the new frontier of cyberspace / media
space. We've brought meat space to cyberspace, now we're increasingly
bringing cyberspace back to meat space.

This has tremendous implications for memory, productivity, and privacy.

If the medium is the message, such bringing of video to meat space means
that today's trends such as the personal and non-linear nature of videos
will be nothing in comparison o the non-linearity and personal nature media
created for this eventual future. Video made to be projected ubiquitously
into the real world will have to be more non-linear, and in order to grab
our attention be more personal then ever. The narrative will be ever
increasingly abstracted and exploded. TV shows like south park, the
simpsons and so called "reality tv" that are increasingly dependant on
direct references to larger narratives in culture rather then their own sub
plots will look as quaint as Leave it to Beaver in coming years. This goes
for MTV's non-linear programing as well.

It also means our notions of information overload today will quaint in
comparison to those of tomorrow.

Case in point these cheap tiny projectors are not just consumer technology.
They may be used to assault our senses in yet new ways. They are perfect
for projecting advertising in all manner of unpredictable spaces... subways,
public bathrooms, elevators and more since they will be much cheaper, easier
to install, and easier to secure then today's ad display systems.

Of course a simple piece of gum will become a great weapon for future ad
busters. :)

I'm reminded of Jan of Faux Press's ideas of "vlogvertising".

We artists mine as well be the first to explore and exploit this newly
opening media space.

My dream of widespread true traditional gallery spaces for video blogging
will increasingly become possible, even probable.

Of course my 1984 type prediction is projected media will one day be as
ubiquitous at assaulting our senses as video cam's are already becoming at
recording our every action.

My answer to that is we as citizens must preserve our right to give as well
as we get in this future. Such is the important front line of the battle
with public photography and graffiti. The right to arm oneself with a camera
should be as protected as the right to free speech, or even more so then our
right to Carry a gun. The camera is the new gun.

I'm continually reminded of William Burrough's "Apocalypse". Art leaps from
its frames.

A whole new frontier is starting to open for media space.

And you thought all the real innovation had already happened.

P.S. Don't even get me started on on 3D holographic projection. ;)

-Mike
mmeiser.com/blog


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