This point was made most amusingly on the VIRTPSY email discussion list.
"A new aid to rapid almost magical learning has made
its appearance. Indications are that if it catches on all the electronic
gadgets will be so much junk. The new device is known as Built-in Orderly
Organized Knowledge. The makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK(tm).
Many advantages are claimed over the old-style learning and teaching aids
on which most people are brought up nowadays. It has no wires, no electric
circuit to break down. No connection is needed to an electricity power
point. It is made entirely without mechanical parts to go wrong or need
replacement.
Anyone can use BOOK(tm), even children, and it fits comfortably into the
hands. It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire.
How does this revolutionary, unbelievably easy invention work? Basically
BOOK(tm) consists only of a large number of paper sheets. These may run
to hundreds where BOOK(tm) covers a lengthy program of information. Each
sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot be used in
the wrong order. To make it even easier for the user to keep the sheets
in the proper order they are held firmly in place by a special locking
device called a "binding".
Each sheet of paper presents the user with an information sequence in the
form of symbols, which he absorbs optically for automatic registration
on the brain. When one sheet has been assimilated a flick of the finger
turns it over and further information is found on the other side.
By using both sides of each sheet in this way a great economy is effected,
thus reducing both the size and cost of BOOK(tm). No buttons need to be
pressed to move from one sheet to another, to open or close BOOK(tm), or
to start it working.
BOOK(tm) may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. Instantly
it is ready for use. Nothing has to be connected up or switched on. The
user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards as he pleases.
A sheet is provided near the beginning as a location finder for any required
information sequence.
A small accessory, available at trifling extra cost, is the BOOK(tm)mark.
This enables the user to pick up his programme where he left off on the
previous learning session. BOOK(tm)mark is versatile and may be used in
any BOOK(tm).
The initial cost varies with the size and subject matter. Already a vast
range of BOOK(tm)s is available, covering every conceivable subject and
adjusted to different levels of aptitude. One BOOK(tm), small enough to
be held in the hands, may contain an entire learning schedule.
Once purchased, BOOK(tm) requires no further upkeep cost; no batteries
or wires are needed, since the motive power, thanks to an ingenious device
patented by the makers, is supplied by the brain of the user.
BOOK(tm)s may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference the
program schedule is normally indicated on the back of the binding.
Altogether the Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge seems to have great
advantages with no drawbacks. We predict a big future for it."
Here's the supervisor's response:
"BOOK(tm) does not, in spite of the claims, seem
"to have great advantages with no drawbacks". Soon, it probably
won't even be legal. Consider:
It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire. Being paper,
it might burn in the fire. Probably fire laws in most locations wouldn't
allow its use there. Worse, such a device, which encourages close proximity
of the user to fire, will be outlawed by OSHA's request.
"Each sheet bears a number in sequence, so that the sheets cannot
be used in the wrong order." How quaint; to think that the programmer
(author) would be allowed to turn over such an important task to the user!
"cannot" is clearly misuse; any user could incorrectly turn to
the wrong sheet. A proper user interface might correct that, of course,
such as requiring that each sheet be torn off to expose the next. This
is in clear conflict with "The user may turn at will to any sheet,
going backwards or forwards as he pleases."
"BOOK(tm)s may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference".
The user interface obviously needs more work before such a system can be
practical.
"the motive power - is supplied by the brain of the user". Clearly,
the
inventors have not examined recent trends. No serious person would suggest
even expecting a "user" to have a brain present, much less to
use it so continuously.
I'd suggest the inventors return to their consoles and do a thorough associative
search of various data banks, like the rest of us, and forget this nonsense."
Dr Ju Gosling aka ju90's ABNORMAL: How Britain became body dysphoric and the key to a cure is available now for just £3.09 for the Kindle or in a limited-edition hardback with full-colour art plates for £20 inc UK postage and packing. |