Silflay Hraka

One more step further down the road to the brave new world of sex at a distance.

But Samsung’s phone is the first mass-market use of haptics. When you send a text message you can add one of a number of sensations from a menu. When the person reads the message, “vibrotactile” motors in their phone are activated. These are basically more complex versions of the motors that allow many mobile phones to vibrate when ringing. The precise frequency and amplitude of the vibrations generated by the motors simulates the desired sensation.
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From these simple beginnings, analysts think the technology will have many applications, for example, in haptic gloves and pads designed to give online shoppers a feel for products.

Imagine being able to feel the quality of a cashmere sweater before you buy it, experience the roadholding of a car or feel the finish of a piece of furniture. “Physical involvement creates a real attachment and is lacking in online interactions,” says Colgate.

Ten bucks says the world sees its first haptic condom before any of those above appear. Have your investment dollars ready.

Dennis Miller: “Scientist estimate that by the end of this century, via the means of virtual reality, a man will be able to simulate making love to any woman he wants through his television set. You know folks, the day an unemployed ironworker can lie in his BarcaLounger with a Foster’s in one hand and a channel-flicker in the other and f*ck Claudia Schiffer for $19.95, it’s gonna make crack look like Sanka.”

One thing I can say for popping up on the radar screen of wider blogdom every now and then; it gets you on some interesting email lists. I haven’t seen this anywhere else yet, and I’ve no idea as to the email’s accuracy or lack thereof when it comes to the situation(s) described. I’ll look around. If I run across anything pertinent, I’ll update the post.

Top O’ The Post Update: I’ve moved the whole thing to the “Continue Reading” section, for reasons which will become apparent.

Another email, with almost the exact same headers, has appeared, this time shilling for Protest Warrior Brian Henderson. Another apparently faked mac.com address is used as well. I think I’ve gotten emails like this before, but I’ve never really paid attention. If today wasn’t Sunday, usually the low point of the entire week when it comes to blogfodder, I probably would have ignored them this time as well. Popfile did accurately classify them as spam, after all.

I think what the two emails represent is the next generation of astroturfing. Rather than having some odd number of citizens send in almost the exact copy of a letter to the editor, someone has decided to spam bloggers with a variety of politically-themed emails. It’s the use of astroturfing as a strategic weapon in the culture wars, a step up from its deployment two years ago as a tactical tool. Pretty clever, when it comes right down to it.

I wonder who’s paying for it? And, as both of the emails this morning are obviously from the Right, is there an equivalent astroturfing operation on the Left?

I’m betting there isn’t, at least for now. If it’s successful, there will be.

Continue reading ‘Letters, We Get Letters!’ »