Sunday, February 24, 2008, 5:06 PM PST
Dream Home: Microsoft and Disneyland's View of the Future
"Lights and thermostats will automatically adjust when people walk into a room. Closets will help pick out the right dress for a party. Countertops will be able to identify groceries set on them and make menu suggestions."
A $15 million Inventions Dream Home will soon open at Disneyland in Anaheim and visitors "...will experience the atmosphere of tomorrow." It's a collaboration between Disney, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard.
“We’re thrilled that Disney has chosen Microsoft to bring digital entertainment to life at Disneyland,” said Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President, Entertainment and Devices eHome Division at Microsoft. “Together, we’re showcasing innovative technology that is both attainable and inspiring, offering park guests the opportunity to see, touch and feel digital home experiences in a simple, fun and interactive environment.”
Great. A voice-activated screen in my closet will tell me what to wear to the party tonight. When I place a bag of groceries on the counter, a monitor will suggest recipes. "Touch-screen technology will be built into appliances, furniture and countertops, " said Belfiore...
Does this strike anyone else as creepy? Do we need Microsoft telling us what to cook for dinner or how to dress for the party? And at what cost? Sometimes I wonder if I and my friends, with our preferences for cozy, colorful, creative, rich dwelling spaces aren't a little like the book lovers in Fahrenheit 451 — in the minority, out of the mainstream.
Take Dwell magazine as an example of soulless living. No warmth, no richness, no human clutter in the sterile homes depicted. Is this the future of shelter? I hope not.
A $15 million Inventions Dream Home will soon open at Disneyland in Anaheim and visitors "...will experience the atmosphere of tomorrow." It's a collaboration between Disney, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard.
“We’re thrilled that Disney has chosen Microsoft to bring digital entertainment to life at Disneyland,” said Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President, Entertainment and Devices eHome Division at Microsoft. “Together, we’re showcasing innovative technology that is both attainable and inspiring, offering park guests the opportunity to see, touch and feel digital home experiences in a simple, fun and interactive environment.”
Great. A voice-activated screen in my closet will tell me what to wear to the party tonight. When I place a bag of groceries on the counter, a monitor will suggest recipes. "Touch-screen technology will be built into appliances, furniture and countertops, " said Belfiore...
Does this strike anyone else as creepy? Do we need Microsoft telling us what to cook for dinner or how to dress for the party? And at what cost? Sometimes I wonder if I and my friends, with our preferences for cozy, colorful, creative, rich dwelling spaces aren't a little like the book lovers in Fahrenheit 451 — in the minority, out of the mainstream.
Take Dwell magazine as an example of soulless living. No warmth, no richness, no human clutter in the sterile homes depicted. Is this the future of shelter? I hope not.
Builders of the Pacific Coast
Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter
Shelter
Septic Systems Owner's Manual
Perfect for sub-division hell, where everyone gets assimilated!
Great post. I was noticing this about your photos...that they show real living and work spaces. Seeing those is very helpful to those of us more accustomed to seeing the lifeless sterilized view, and I'm only starting to realize what a detrimental effect those images can have on me. If we keep ourselves busy cleaning and "organizing", we won't make trouble doing more interesting things, eh?
I'd worry, too, except my 18 year old son is just you, me, the people into this kind of thing. He loves my copy of HomeWork, and I already told everyone the picture of the van home is my retirement home.