The Lost World of Technology Three Examples

The “Lost World” of Technology: Three Examples

Today: • CB Radio • Eight-Track Audio Tape • Pixelvision Video

CB Radio: “The Ancestor Technology”

The CB as Internet Ancestor ten-four, pron. means "OK"/ "YES" ten-twenty, pron. location ten-thirty three, pron. emergency ten-thirty six, pron. call for correct time parking lot, n. a truck that is used to transport several cars "piggy back" pickemup truck, n. a pick up truck picklestop, n. Rest Area ( can also mean to take a break). plain wrapper, n. term for an unmarked police car. . can also use color of car, ie. "blue wrapper" (see also bear). preeshaydit, adj. thank you very much queen city, n. Charlotte, NC

Concerns About CB Radio There is very much a dark side to CB. When used as a directed communication tool between family members or friends in a caravan or park setting you are generally safe. Unfortunately CB has attracted some very strange users. You will hear grown men singing, shouting, making weird noises, and using off color humor. You will hear sexual innuendo, and maybe even drug dealers and prostitutes at truck stops. It sounds just like visiting a big city in person and walking through the down town. Keep that in mind as you cruise the highway with your CB. Anyone can buy a CB and put it it on the air. To a degree you should be guarded but don't be paranoid. Don't talk to strangers that make you feel uncomfortable. CB will only remain a wasteland if we allow the morons, flakes, jerks, perverts, and creeps to keep it. While I am on the road I will hear things that make you wonder about life itself. It is tragic that people behave the way they do. (from “Radio for the Family Minded Communicator”)

The Trucker-as-Cowboy Myth

CB Mythology in Song “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine #1 U. S. Country Hit in 1976

Teddy Bear I • I was on the outskirts of a little southern town Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1 -9! When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line And he said: "Breaker 1 -9! Is anyone there? Come on back, truckers and talk to Teddy Bear!" Well, I keyed the mike and said: "You got it, Teddy Bear!" And a little boy's voice came back on the air "'Preciate the break, Who we got on that end? " I told him my handle, and, then he began: "Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk 'Cause that's about all I can do, I'm crippled, and, I can't walk!" I came back and told him to fire up that mike And I'd talk to 'im, as long as he liked

Teddy Bear II • This was my dad's radio", the little boy said "But I guess it's mine and mom's now, 'cause my daddy's dead!" "Dad had a wreck about a month ago He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow Mom has to work now, to make ends meet And I'm not much help, with my two crippled feet!" "She says not to worry that we'll make it alright But, I hear her crying, sometimes late at night You know there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me!" "But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home But, I guess that's all over now, since my daddy's gone Not one breaker came on the old CB As that little crippled boy talked with me I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town

Teddy Bear III • Dad was going to take mom and me with him later on this year, Why, l remember 'im saying: 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!' But, I know I'll never get to ride an 18 -wheeler again But, this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends!" "Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone 'Cause it's about time for mom to come home But, you give me a shout when you're passin' through And I'll sure be happy to come back to you!" Well, I came back and I said: uh! "Before you go 10 -10 What's your home 20, little CB friend? " Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate 'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait I turned that truck around on a dime And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229 And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock l 8 wheelers were lined up for three city blocks!

Teddy Bear IV • Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call And that little crippled boy was having a ball For as fast as one driver would carry him in Another would carry him to his truck and take off again Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair And buddy if I never live to see happiness again I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man We took up a collection for him before his mama got home And each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone He shook my hand with a mile-long grin And said: "So long, trucker I'll catch ya again!"

Teddy Bear V • Well, I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes I turned on the radio and I got another surprise "Breaker 1 -9!" Came a voice on the air "Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear!" "We wish each and every one, a special prayer for you 'Cause, You just made my little boy's dream come true I'll sign off now, before, I start to cry May God ride with you, 10 -4, and goodbye. "

Turning Carey Upside Down: “Communication With Transportation”

“Red Headed Step-Technology”: The 8 -Track Audio Tape

8 -Track Pornography

“Communication With Transportation” II

(Controversial) “The Betamax of Audio”?

Now, a Popular Collector’s Item & Emblem of Cultural Opposition

Why 8 -Tracks? • Eight-track collectors are the archivists of a unique and glorious technology. We embrace a machine that has ceased to exist in the present, one which Madison Avenue has, arbitrarily, made synonymous with "last year's model, " obsolescence and backwardness (they scream, "You don't have a cellular phone yet? You probably still listen to 8 -tracks. . . "). We are a group that refuses to believe it when corporate America insists that the new technology sounds better; a group whose members understand implicitly the relevance of looking back in history in order to see forward. • (cont…. )

• When you say yes to 8 -track you're generally saying no to the accepted wisdom of our hallowed consumer culture, decrying this religion of consumption as the worship of hollow, deceptive idols. The format is not so important as the information within it, so the plan of corporations to make you re-buy the same music over and over again on different formats is, as one tracker puts it, "backwards thinking. " Commit an act of consumer disobedience with us and reject the unjust laws of a marketplace ruled by greed. Follow the way of the 8 track and reap the spiritual rewards that come with renewing and recycling instead of stepping in line with the cattle so captivated with the consumerist culture that ultimately benefits only landfill brokers.

CLIP “So Wrong They’re Right” Directed by Russ Forster (1998)

The “Misused” Technology: Pixelvision Video

Like 8 -Track Movement, A Rejection of “Newer is Better” and Consumer Society

Part of a Tradition of Low-Fidelity and Primitive Technique in Art

Intended Use Does Not Always Determine Actual Use

FUTURE LOCALES IN THE LOST WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

The Jukebox

Mini-Tel

The Piano Roll

Magnavox Odyssey

Lessons From The Lost World --History repeats itself --the use of technology is unpredictable --your favorite tech today may end up tomorrow’s bad joke

EMAIL: Steve Bailey bailey@yorku. ca