And next, a TV set that tweets?
Well, not quite yet. But as the batteries run out on Philae, the sensational comet probe, or by chance get recharged in another whizz of science as it sits on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, this is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in communicating news. Instead of reassuringly dry scientific updates on this most recent adventure in space and Philae’s eventual touchdown 310 million miles from Earth, we were – entertained? – by tweets directly from the lander itself:
“My rotation was successful (35 degrees). Looks like a whole new comet from this angle:)”
“I’m so ready! MT @ESA_Rosetta: Imagining the final stages of descent to the landing site…”
“Link with @ESA_Rosetta later then expected… perhaps I moved a little bit again?!! :)”
The probe didn’t just report, it “imagined” what the final stage of its trip would be like. And, as perfect as it’s been, the probe is only human (“… later then expected”). But is the thought of a spacecraft tapping out tweets with references to “I” and “my” pushing the envelope of science fiction too far and too soon into our homes?
As hard as it may be for some to adapt to the voice of the iPhone’s Siri, the idea of interactive or communicating machines is nothing new: from the Robot in Lost in Space and Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey, to today’s avatars on instructional videos and, of course, real robots. If “all the world’s a stage”, then we may simply be smack in the next act, with all its attempts to entertain. The creeping notion that it’s been a staged moment gone too far recalls a scene from The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy’s dog, Toto, uncovers the Wizard with a pull of a curtain, in the midst of his ominous, surreal rants, a frustrated man going about his work in his little technological backroom.
Whether the space agency will choose to reveal the man or woman behind the tweets – the computer hack, scientist or P.R. writer – is debatable. Perhaps it’s just as well the agency doesn’t, as the homey spin on communication may help to broaden the appeal of science news and make events like Philae’s landing palatable to children – or to those of us who love a tweeting space probe.
“I’m feeling a bit tired, did you get all my data? I might take a nap…”
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