4 ms·

I absolutely love it but is it really obvious how the jack connection thing works? I would imagine only to former switchboard operators and modular synthesizer

by kall 5y ago

I absolutely love it but is it really obvious how the jack connection thing works? I would imagine only to former switchboard operators and modular synthesizer players.

psadri 5y ago
The cable could be replaced with a rotary switch with stops for each recipient. I’d also add a picture of each grandchild in addition to the name. But overall, this is an awesome idea :-)
- bredren 5y ago
  I could see this, maybe each time the dial settles into its little ka-thunk index might also play “hello grandma” in the grandchild’s voice.
- askvictor 5y ago
  Or a set of radio buttons (i.e. from an actual radio).
  - psadri 5y ago
    The old radio metaphor would work pretty well!
Doxin 5y ago
Or anyone who has used wired headphones.
TeMPOraL 5y ago
It should be obvious to just about anyone who was born in the last 100 years[0], as they should be all familiar with the basic principles of electrical devices: you power a device by connecting it with an outlet using a wire[1]. The underlying concept here is that a wire can transfer something useful from one point to another. Like electricity. Or, in this case, a voice signal. Even if you found someone who's confused by the use of wire in this device, I think a 30 second explanation and demonstration would clear it up forever. -- [0] - Excepting the Sentinelese, and some other remaining groups with zero exposure to industrial-era technology - of which there's very few remaining on the planet. [1] - And even in case of people who have never seen electrical devices, you can easily come up with a simple analogies to transfer this concept across all advancement levels. Voice traveling along a taut wire. Water flowing down the gutter. Grain rolling down a chute. Water dripping through, or flowing along, a soaked string. A bolas. Poking a bear with a stick. Etc.

4 ms·

I absolutely love it but is it really obvious how the jack connection thing works? I would imagine only to former switchboard operators and modular synthesizer

by kall 5y ago

I absolutely love it but is it really obvious how the jack connection thing works? I would imagine only to former switchboard operators and modular synthesizer players.

psadri 5y ago
The cable could be replaced with a rotary switch with stops for each recipient. I’d also add a picture of each grandchild in addition to the name. But overall, this is an awesome idea :-)
- bredren 5y ago
  I could see this, maybe each time the dial settles into its little ka-thunk index might also play “hello grandma” in the grandchild’s voice.
- askvictor 5y ago
  Or a set of radio buttons (i.e. from an actual radio).
  - psadri 5y ago
    The old radio metaphor would work pretty well!
Doxin 5y ago
Or anyone who has used wired headphones.
TeMPOraL 5y ago
It should be obvious to just about anyone who was born in the last 100 years[0], as they should be all familiar with the basic principles of electrical devices: you power a device by connecting it with an outlet using a wire[1]. The underlying concept here is that a wire can transfer something useful from one point to another. Like electricity. Or, in this case, a voice signal. Even if you found someone who's confused by the use of wire in this device, I think a 30 second explanation and demonstration would clear it up forever. -- [0] - Excepting the Sentinelese, and some other remaining groups with zero exposure to industrial-era technology - of which there's very few remaining on the planet. [1] - And even in case of people who have never seen electrical devices, you can easily come up with a simple analogies to transfer this concept across all advancement levels. Voice traveling along a taut wire. Water flowing down the gutter. Grain rolling down a chute. Water dripping through, or flowing along, a soaked string. A bolas. Poking a bear with a stick. Etc.