I was walking along a street in Vancouver yesterday, and I noticed that the house numbers were on the order of 1841, 1847, etc., and were gradually increasing. And I had the obvious thought: These house numbers seem an awful lot like historical years.
And suddenly I had a thought about a possible use for virtual and augmented reality. Imagine you are walking down the street, and you can switch in to an alternate view mode in which, wherever you are, the number on the house corresponds to what year it seems to be.
You can start out in the 1700s, and gradually walk your way up through history, through the 1800s, the 1900s, and beyond. All of the architectural details, the vehicles, the way people are dressed, would gradually change as you progress up the street.
If you really like a particular year, you can make a right turn onto a side street. Here you will find different places around the world. Perhaps Florence, or London, or Bucharest or Rio de Janeiro.
Then, if you are really curious, you can take the next left and keep walking. At some point you will end up in the future. And that could be really fun.
Unless you find, after a few blocks, that the street dead ends. That would be a major bummer.
Hi Ken,
Years back I searched found your website, have been applauding from afar your successes and interests — recently have been enjoying your blog, we met through Cynthia when I was in New York ’85 or ’86. I’m still a dentist, married now, 3 kids grown up, now living in Vancouver, so was surprised when I read you were presenting at Emily Carr! last Friday, didn’t read your blog entry until 7 the evening of… or I’d have come by, dang.assumed you’d be flying right back, but looks like you’ve stayed around a few days.
Always inspired by the scope and depth of your thoughts, thanks for doing the blog. Hello from an old friend, (‘ghost’ from the past 🙂 )
It’d be amazing to get together, maybe next time you’re here..
Cheers, Will