I have a friend (let’s call him Dave) who used to joke that his wallet was so fat that it gave him spine trouble from sitting with it, swollen, in his back pocket. But what of those bill-packed status symbols in the age of electronic money? It’s not like your debit-card gets fatter the higher your bank balance.
Enter the free-wheeling innovators of MIT’s Media Lab, who have come up with three billfolds that give tactile feedback based on your transactions. These “Proverbial Wallets” hook up to your cellphone via Bluetooth to grab details from your bank account, and then perform for you.
The Bumblebee buzzes its vibrator with every transaction, giving you a physical reminder that money is entering and leaving your bank account. Put it in the correct pocket and you’ll get a little thrill every time you spend.
The Mother Bear is more thrifty. Its hinge gets tougher to prize open the more you spend. As your balance ticks closer to zero, the Mother Bear shuts up tight like an oyster.
Finally, the Peacock, the perfect gift for Dave. The Peacock swells proudly depending on the size of your balance. As the video voiceover says, “Your assets will be on display to attract potential mates.” Quite.
Proverbial Wallets [MIT Information Ecology]
See Also:
Post a Comment