First he'd opened the box, offline for now, being careful not to tear it anywhere. After he'd laid out the contents obsessively on his bedroom floor; after he had taken out the hardware with its scent of freshness; the compact headset, the light casing of the visor and its crisp instruction manuals; after he had cradled the main components in his hands he sat down on the floor and looked at the gleaming, rounded shapes waiting for new life. It had never before been fired-up, at least not by many mortals, i.e. those outside Immertech's post-production tests. It belonged to him now; he needed to take a moment to think carefully.
He tried not to think about the cost, or what it might cost him later on, in other ways. What was immediately exciting was the tiny amount of people - among the teeming millions of people - who would be staring at a similar sight. Staring at the next major upgrade for the future of immersive capability for the mind. The next chapter in the chronicle for greater interaction with: information, experience, learning, concepts... and other people. He still remembered the early ads on TV for the first versions: This is not a fad. Take a look into the future.
He knew he would have to carefully re-box it all, for his online audience later that night. He'd be filming the 'unboxing' webcast, of course, straight after his barbecue chicken pizza. Maybe he'd include the pizza; it might make an amusing, casual addition to the big event.
The 'next future' had now come. So many geeks were guessing across the medias at the impact of this interface; the next commercial movements. Many of them had tried and tested it; used it for weeks or months for the purposes of trials and magazine articles... but so few in comparison had actually owned it; pre-ordered it through industry contacts and brought its power – as he had now - into the sphere of their own, everyday lives. And from this evening it would be up to him to report on its 'real' capabilities; its power to change his life and others around him. What power would it bring him, if any at all and at what price? Who was really controlling who with this custom-made, spidery device attaching itself intimately to his own, more honest, natural interface? What visions had been created for it - so far - to render it useful or powerful at all?
Well, he knew for certain that it would be his ticket to 'The Spiral', as they were calling it. Ever since the notorious – mysterious - incident with the Neuroceans with its many rumours there had been wide changes including a large migration and upgrade onto a new network. This was visually accessed via the 'Spiral Tower' filling with doors to worlds each designed in-line with the traits of this new interface. He'd be able to see inside this tower now, for himself; to see the bright portals to the new worlds of the future; the continuing virtual future...
What would these visions be? Would the overhaul have just made impressive enhancements or would the migrated worlds now feel very different? If not, perhaps he wouldn't have to bother with any of them; he could send the device back to its makers and go outside, into his garden to spend evenings under the sun.
It was unlikely. If the rumors were true, the features of this interface looked set to be incorporated into every Virtual World currently available. These spaces either existed already, or you could say were locked in books and films and all the older media. But they would be brought closer; to become more vivid; more real. Some visions you could imagine but not fully; not these new realms. They would have to be seen to be believed; to be made real; to be made resonant and relevant to the real world or else kept hidden: divorced and escapist. There would be winners and losers: the rulers and the shapers and their victims; those lost amongst the riches and distractions. And there would be glorious insights; 'wonderful things' just like the opening of tombs long buried...
Yes, the worlds of the past would be brought into the present, times from the dinosaurs to the moon landings so we could re-live our progress and inspire the new. 3D realms of information relating to every subject bringing information to life for understanding and training. It would be a great tool for survival; for practicing the numerous arts of survival in a complex society or a primitive tribe. Like the Game of Being, there would be worlds to prepare us for realities, and realities to replace our worlds. And we would become real in spaces existing beyond our walls and the walls of space and time?
Another thing he knew about the supposedly big technological 'game-changers' in both hardware and online innovations, is that very often the old systems took a long time to be replaced, if ever. There is room for new things but, especially in the case of software, and particularly 'social networking' platforms – they must stand the test of time. They must fill a deeper need in humanity as it continues to try and transcend space and time; to reach out in closer and more immediate forms of vision and sound. Such a test would be no easy thing to stand.
For this gadget - 'The Spiral Interface' - that time started... this evening.
And one more thing he knew for sure, as he cast a final look over the contents of the pristine, sharp-edged box: his viewers were going to love his next video, and his hits were going to get one hell of a boost. He hoped so! It was an investment and it would need to pay off.
He sighed. The pressure had begun to steal already some of his sense of wonder and privilege.
Yes... now he would have to play his cards right.
Preparatory Notes:
'Unboxing' notes for the new SPIRAL INTERFACE for my followers.
Remember Online Presence angle: a wry, amusingly skeptical view on new technology and VR, hiding worthwhile reviews.
Include:
- Description of all the components, demonstrate how to hook up. Easy to install?
- My expectations, comparison with Neuroceans interfaces + design.
- Technical specs, subtle features and promises.
- Background poster behind me on wall: The Spiral Tower.
- Promotion for blog etc: Come with me! Sign up! As we test out all the features and review web worlds and what the interface may bring.
- Remember to say: help me on my quest to uncover the truth behind rumours about a mysterious game world.
- Finish by turning on the equipment...
NATTER-CAST:
@spiral - Go on then show me the real Innerspace [link to Video]
#unboxingspiralinterface #spiralinterfacedevelopment #vrworldsblog @superworldnotes
BLOG ENTRY:
Post Title: The Interface Arrives !
['Super World Notes' website FEATURING UNBOXING VIDEO]
Hi everyone! Today I've been so excited! Yes... it arrived!... And now I've opened my custom-made Spiral Interface and taken a first look into the future! Who's coming with me?! Check out the video exclusive here: [insert VIDEO]
Check the video to see what's contained in the long-awaited box of Immer-tricks. Shall I send it back to them and complain? Or keep it under the bed? Yes, it's the upgrade for VR access and the Neuroceans from Immertech... but what else? With limited access to any of the worlds we're used to, what's it gonna be good for? How does it work and what does it improve on? Where is the new Game of Being? And what on earth is this thing called The Spiral Tower?
Well... follow this blog – and me! - into super-space, to find more about the much-hyped Spiral, and what exactly lies... inside...
Find out more about what has happened to the Knowledge Zones, Ariella and the Sonoworld? What will the Game Grid become? And just how tame are the so-called pleasure-realms? Are we going to see anything we've not seen before? Do we stand on the threshold to new powers of control, understanding and virtual collaboration?
More reports to follow...
[FRAGMENT COMPLETED! +7 XP : PROJECT ITEM - see more under XP + Ranking]