Re:Original Holmes cards

[P3D Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Fri, 22 Nov 1996 11:55:24 -0800
>From: P3D Gregory J. Wageman writes:
>
>Dr. T. opines:
>
>>>Perhaps we were born a century too late:)
>
>>No, perhaps 50 years too late.  From my viewpoint, stereo views were a form
>>of consumer passive entertainment. [ ... ] 1952-1955 were the peak years
>>of consumer use of these stereo cameras to record one's own stereo pictures
>>in full color, something that is at least as exciting (if not more) than
>>looking at someone else's stereo pictures.
>............. snip ...................
>
>I'm afraid that the majority of people *are* content with being passive
>receivers of such entertainment as Viewmasters and 3Discovers, and in
>the television age this is more true than ever.  Present company
>excepted, of course... we're all here because we participate actively,
>in one way or another, in stereography.  Even the pure collectors have
>educated themselves about what it is they're collecting.
>
>       -Greg W.
>


Despite the tendency to like passive entertainment, the internet helps prove
that people aren't totally passive automatons. They like to think and have
choices in what their entertainment is. With TV they are locked into
whatever the station or broadcaster throws out. Enter the very popular
remote control. Now they can change channels easily when a station fails to
hold their attention or provide what they wish to see. 

On the Internet, users have a MUCH greater flexibility and control and this
is at least part of why the Internet has exploded so strongly. There are
probably valuable lessons in this for anyone intending to catch and hold the
audience with stereo imagery. Make it easy and available as well as
interesting and the chances are dramatically improved. This is why any
system involving a viewing tool or device has a harder time being accepted.
Since 3Discover is a hand held unit it may be accepted, but it doesn't
project or transfer it's images to the more available TV or computer. It's
long term viability is dependent on other market factors, like whether or
not the LCD glasses catch on strongly. If they do, as expected, the
3Discover as a product may perhaps have a more difficult time catching on.

Larry Berlin

Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.sonic.net/~lberlin/
http://3dzine.simplenet.com/


------------------------------