Hello Holo Mark!
Right now the very nature of communication is changing. And given that communication is a fundamental requirement of Christian Ministry, this change is worth our attention. With the massive growth of the internet has come the ability to communicate across the world with relative ease. The most common forms include email and instant messaging, but over the past couple of years this has grown to include video conferencing, and even more recently, meeting within the virtual space.
The video conferencing option is either too expensive (see Telepresence as an example of the latest version) or is too unreliable (such as Skype). Which leaves the virtual option. Now regulars of my blog will know I am a big fan of the virtual platform (click here for background) but the number one barrier is access. To use it you have to download the ‘client’ onto your hard drive and then patiently learn how to operate it. The other limitation is that you are confined to your keyboard and monitor, which is fine if you are having a one on one meeting but what about a meeting involving others around a table? Or a presentation to a large gathering?
Imagine this scene: you are sitting around a table with six work colleagues; three are actually in the room, whilst the other three are physically located in Germany. They are able to participate in the meeting as they are projected into the room as a realistic hologram. The early form of this almost unbelievable holographic technology has been recently showcased in Australia where Telstra Chief Technology Officer Dr Hugh Bradlow, based in Melbourne, appeared at an Adelaide conference as a real-time hologram and interacted with members of the audience for around 15 minutes. (Check out the amazing vid of this below)
.
.
The hologram technology has been created by Musion Eyeliner based in the UK. The hologram can range in size from 50cm², up to a massive 20m x 100m. It works by projecting a 2D image onto a 3D flawless foil surface that effectively tricks the eye. Cost and broadband speed are the inhibitors at the moment, but the experts are predicting that it may well be within reach in the next 3 to 5 years.
We in Christian ministry need to take this development very seriously. In being able to conduct meetings without all the excessive traveling offers potentially massive savings in time, cost and environmental impact. But also with the emergence of multi-campus churches perhaps we will see the day where a pastor (and worship team?) can be virtually present in numerous locations all at the same time. This development is worth our serious attention.
Filed under Gadgets, resourcing | | Comments (2)
A glimpse of the future of reading?
Much of technology at the moment is about portability, holding huge amounts of information, cool user friendly design and wireless capability. A good example of this is the Kindle by Amazon books which is an electronic book reader that can hold up to 300 titles. Books can be purchased through Amazon over a wireless link and downloaded to Kindle in just one minute. Each title is considerably cheaper than the paper version, and the cost of the e-book includes the wireless ‘rent’. There are also a huge number of newspapers, magazines and blogs available. It presently costs are rather steep US$399.
A couple of issues straight up: a) it is sold out and customers are having to wait months to get one;
b) sadly they are only shipping to the US.
Check out the following user review/rant by Scoble click here.
The Kindle represents a major shift in how we relate to books. Check out my post Linked with the Future by clicking here for a prediction of what could be. I would now add, reading the Bible electronically, daily devotions received via wireless…
Check out the great demo video of Kindle below:
Filed under Bible Engagement, Future, Gadgets | | Comment (1)
Linking with the future
Diary for November 4th, 2011.
It is incredible to recall how back in 2007 the only contact you had with people at church was when you physically saw them once a week at the service. I remember a few keen people would attend a Bible Study, but most limited their experience of ‘community’ to a Sunday morning. Where would we be without Linking Technology today? What I love about Linking Technology is the ability to communicate and connect at any point in the day. I simply write or record a video/audio message and almost instantly my church community receive a copy. Community isn’t achieved through hurriedly summarizing the week over a cup of tea after the service, but about being involved each day. Continue reading »
Filed under Anglican, Creativity, Future, Gadgets, Leadership | | Comments (3)