Cup Communicator [repost]

The form and function of the Cup Communicator refer to the 'two-cans and string' children's toy and the physical factors involved with that device. This typology and its associations remind us of the magic and playful intrigue of our first communication devices that has been lost by the desire for more efficient forms of telecommunication.

There's always the concern that as technology move ahead, some of the old visual symbols as they transition into something new loose their metaphorical meaning. Think of the rotary phone for example. The tin can tied with string is one of those things that will always be around. It's a toy of communication at a really basic level that everyone gets and has experienced.

I'm sure I agree with his last statement, " if the project was explored twenty years again with a newer tech aspect to it, the same meaning would still be conveyed". I think the meaning is only understood by those who have sen or experienced the original metaphor in the first place. If I showed this to my daughter would she get it? No.

I do love this project.

Michael Surtees Design Notes & the Cup Communicator by David Wilson.

Is there any standard vernacular for reposting content? With twitter we have the retweet, RT, but I don't recall any generally accepted short forms for web log.

Cup Communicator [repost]

The form and function of the Cup Communicator refer to the 'two-cans and string' children's toy and the physical factors involved with that device. This typology and its associations remind us of the magic and playful intrigue of our first communication devices that has been lost by the desire for more efficient forms of telecommunication.

I thought I would repost this in order to share Michael Surtees' excellent comment which follows:

There's always the concern that as technology move ahead, some of the old visual symbols as they transition into something new loose their metaphorical meaning. Think of the rotary phone for example. The tin can tied with string is one of those things that will always be around. It's a toy of communication at a really basic level that everyone gets and has experienced.

I'm sure I agree with his last statement, " if the project was explored twenty years again with a newer tech aspect to it, the same meaning would still be conveyed". I think the meaning is only understood by those who have sen or experienced the original metaphor in the first place. If I showed this to my daughter would she get it? No. I do love this project. Michael Surtees Design Notes & the Cup Communicator by David Wilson. Is there any standard vernacular for reposting content? With twitter we have the retweet, RT, but I don't recall any generally accepted short forms for web log.