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The Future of Communication, for GEO Magazine
7 images
Created 26 Jan 2013
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Peter Menzel Photography
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![FIRST CONTACT: "FETALFONE" Photo Illustration for the Future of Communication GEO (Germany) Special Issue. Fictional Representation and Caption: The Smith's of Vallejo, California were not certain that the latest hi-tech form of giving their (unborn) child a headstart was effective, but it sure was fun to see Junior react to their voice on his "fetalfone". It was true that the youngster could only use it to listen (even if he could talk, it would very difficult in the amniotic fluid), but they enjoyed the idea that their offspring would be comfortable with a cell phone from Day Minus-90 to Day One when he popped out. The flat screen imaging unit affords the parents (and in this case older sister) the opportunity to track the unborn's development and also watch his reactions when they talk to him on the "Fetalfone". [Fetus with "Fetalfone" shown on "Babewatch", fetus-scan home imaging system can be monitored by absent parent via Internet.] MODEL RELEASED.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000662khrzWwDk/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000r4x8ZnuIOXU/I0000662khrzWwDk.jpg)
![FINAL CONTACT: "GRAVEWATCH". Photo Illustration for the Future of Communication GEO (Germany) Special issue. Fictional Representation and Caption: Interactive gravestones became quite popular in the 21st century. Adding snippets of video of the diseased was quite easy to program since nearly every family had extensively documented their family time with small digital videocams. AI (artificial intelligence) computer programs made conversations with the dead quite easy. These virtual visits to the underworld became passé within a decade however, and graveyard visits became less common. By mid-century many people wanted to insure that their relatives would continue paying their respects, and keeping their memory alive. New technology insured regular visits to the gravesite to pick up a monthly inheritance check issued electronically by a built-in device with wireless connection to the living relative's bank account. Face recognition (and retinal scanners on high-end models) insured that family members were present during the half-hour visits. A pressure pad at the foot of the grave activated the system and after 30 minutes of kneeling at the grave, watching videos or prerecorded messages or admonitions, a message flashed on the screen, indicating that a deposit had been made electronically to their bank account. For the Wright family of Napa, California, there is no other way to collect Uncle Eno's inheritance other than by monthly kneelings. ["Gravewatch" tombstones shown with "Retscan" retinal scanning ID monitors.] MODEL RELEASED](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000NgUnOkWePzQ/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000r4x8ZnuIOXU/I0000NgUnOkWePzQ.jpg)
![FINAL CONTACT: "GRAVEWATCH". Photo Illustration for the Future of Communication GEO (Germany) Special issue. Fictional Representation and Caption: Interactive gravestones became quite popular in the 21st century. Adding snippets of video of the diseased was quite easy to program since nearly every family had extensively documented their family time with small digital videocams. AI (artificial intelligence) computer programs made conversations with the dead quite easy. These virtual visits to the underworld became passé within a decade however, and graveyard visits became less common. By mid-century many people wanted to insure that their relatives would continue paying their respects, and keeping their memory alive. New technology insured regular visits to the gravesite to pick up a monthly inheritance check issued electronically by a built-in device with wireless connection to the living relative's bank account. Face recognition (and retinal scanners on high-end models) insured that family members were present during the half-hour visits. A pressure pad at the foot of the grave activated the system and after 30 minutes of kneeling at the grave, watching videos or prerecorded messages or admonitions, a message flashed on the screen, indicating that a deposit had been made electronically to their bank account. For the Wright family of Napa, California, there is no other way to collect Uncle Eno's inheritance other than by monthly kneelings. ["Gravewatch" tombstones shown with "Retscan" retinal scanning ID monitors.] MODEL RELEASED](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000V4BJNzcfR4o/fit=180x180/fill=/g=G0000r4x8ZnuIOXU/I0000V4BJNzcfR4o.jpg)