So Michael Jackson performed at the recent Billboard Music
Awards show. No, he wasn’t pulled from his grave and reanimated with the blood
of virgins, although would it surprise you if he had his people try? The
performer was a hologram surrounded by live dancers.
First it was Tupac, now Jackson. I’m not sure how I feel
about this trend. On the one hand, it’s really just one technological step away
from a routine music video, with a 3-D performer instead of a 2-D performer. On
the other, it can be unsettling to view such a realistic performance from a
singer who’s been lying in a coffin for years. It would certainly add a new
dimension to a remake of the Thriller video.
The technology is here, so I’m guessing we are going to see
it used a lot more. There may come a day when it will be so affordable you
could create holograms of your deceased loved ones, and sit by the fire with
Granny who died ten years earlier. Wait, that’s creepy. How about a favorite
pet? You could create virtual soldiers so the enemy wouldn’t know if what they
are shooting at was real or not. Why not a virtual self who goes to work for
you when you need a day off?
“Jim thinks he’s so smart. I can see right through him.”
That’s the problem with some new technologies, whether you like
them or not, they will endure if someone can make money from it. It’ll be
interesting to see where this one goes.
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