Both the documentary “Hyperland” and the “Hitchhiker’s Guide” by Douglas Adams are two amazing examples of digital media that I definitely recommend researching hand in hand. “Hyperland” from the 1990’s was clearly ahead of it’s time by predicting amazing things from cell phone commonality and 3D television/VR to hypertext and smart fridges!
INSERT IMAGE FROM SECOND LIFE VR “my avatar from Second Life sitting at a PenCol PC in World.”
What makes it so enjoyable is that it breaks the fourth wall quite a bit and there’s plenty of narrative interaction, and fun characters and visuals to entertain the viewer. There is even a customizable AI butler and plenty of computer error humor to keep everyone who has used a computer enthralled. It contains and explains other technology like the “mouse” for example to find information with our fingertips. My favorite interview was when Robert Winter was discussing waves and shapes (and since listening flows along with life and takes time) he compared the way Beethoven seems like the 20-year growth of a mighty oak tree compressed into sound. Could this have been yet another prediction? I believe it could be, because recently a device was created to attach and listen to plants and mushrooms electricity levels. I know I would truly love to experiment with and create a chorus with it from https://plantwave.com/.
This story begins with a house that is about to be destroyed in order to add a superhighway which is a ludicrous idea to it’s owner and main character Arthur Dent. This quickly progresses to him leaving with his “alien” friend Ford Prefect on a mission to stop Earth from being destroyed by the Vorgons and a gigantic quest to find answers about the meaning of life and the universe. Like the other documentary this was also way ahead of it’s time, because he was given a Babel fish which translates any language into your ear, much like current apps and translators do now, but this story was just getting published around 42 years ago. The book also has a lot of humor, bad poetry (which could “supposedly” kill) and advice, such as keep a towel with you in case it is needed for almost any emergency, such as a spontaneous Kung Fu fight. Don’t panic when reading this book as your mind expands…just let it hitchhike to different galaxies and afterwards go have your own adventures!
