> The song of a great singer, the speech of a political leader, the sermon of a great divine, the lecture of a man of science may thus be delivered to an audience scattered all over the world.
"...and videos of cats."
I find it endearing that our visions of the future always see the best (or worst) of humanity, but never the mundane or banal.
> He also said some nice things about communication devices "in your vest pocket," but I can't find it.
I had a search. Maybe this one?
"When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole. We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but through television and telephony we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face, despite intervening distances of thousands of miles; and the instruments through which we shall be able to do his will be amazingly simple compared with our present telephone. A man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket."
though I think that's actually one of the less interesting things to be found in that interview... Tesla really was quite the interesting person, it seems.
> though I think that's actually one of the less interesting things to be found in that interview
oh I probably agree, or at least in general - in terms of what kinds of things Tesla might have said that might still be relevant. Check out his biography on wiki - totally bananas, and most awe-some indeed.
> I find it endearing that our visions of the future always see the best (or worst) of humanity, but never the mundane or banal.
Because the banal makes for boring stories.
Star Trek could just as well have been set aboard a naval ship island hopping in the pacific or similar. Being crewed by the best and brightest of their generation, and equipped with the latest science had to offer.
That's probably because the common man from back then (who was probably more into banal stuff like cat videos) didn't have a voice that survived the times - probably couldn't even read or write. Tesla, along with those other dudes, was a well-known inventor, definitely not working class.
"...and videos of cats."
I find it endearing that our visions of the future always see the best (or worst) of humanity, but never the mundane or banal.
> He also said some nice things about communication devices "in your vest pocket," but I can't find it.
I had a search. Maybe this one?
"When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole. We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but through television and telephony we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face, despite intervening distances of thousands of miles; and the instruments through which we shall be able to do his will be amazingly simple compared with our present telephone. A man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket."
http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1926-01-30.htm
though I think that's actually one of the less interesting things to be found in that interview... Tesla really was quite the interesting person, it seems.