5 ms·

Huh. To me it massively decreases the "creepy factor", as the idea that someone is watching me when I can't see their eyes looking at me is where the creepiness

by saurik 3y ago

Huh. To me it massively decreases the "creepy factor", as the idea that someone is watching me when I can't see their eyes looking at me is where the creepiness originates... the only thing we normally interact with where that happens with people are mirrored sunglasses, and those are themselves often associated with cops and (if you even consider this a separate category ;P) creeps.

deanCommie 3y ago
At least you KNOW they're not interacting with you. With the exterior glass projection you THINK you're making eye contact with them, while both of you are looking at screens through cameras. dystopian!
- haswell 3y ago
  This scenario seems functionally similar to a FaceTime call or other form of video communication. Both parties know they’re not literally gazing into each other’s eyes, but the technical medium creates a pretty decent long distance approximation of doing just that. A video call will never replace the real thing, but I don’t think I’d say it’s dystopian. And I don’t find the tech in this headset all that different, the exception being that there isn’t a 2nd set of cameras and screens on the non-headset side of the conversation. On the other hand, maybe it is dystopian, but if so, I’d argue that dystopia is already here and has been for awhile.
  - JohnFen 3y ago
    > This scenario seems functionally similar to a FaceTime call or other form of video communication. But in a video call, the "distance" the video causes is something that you put up with in exchange for a greater benefit. If I'm talking with someone that has a screen in front of their face showing me their face, that's distance that provides no benefit, so it's a loss without gain. It makes the person seem sketchy.
  - deanCommie 3y ago
    I don't know what kind of Facetime calls you're having but 99% of the time I'm looking at someone's face, but we're not making eye contact. The video is almost never exactly where the camera is, and if the person is using an external camera or a secondary monitor, the eyeline will never line up. It's fine! But you never have the illusion that you're talking to the person directly. Which may be is good enough for adults working on professional projects. But it's not good enough for a parent interacting with a young child.
JohnFen 3y ago
But you still can't see their eyes. You're seeing an image on a screen. That strikes my creepy nerve because it seems even more opaque than if they are wearing sunglasses or something. Rather than just being aware that their eyes are being hidden, it feels like an attempt is being made to actively deceive me. It's the same sort of creepy I get when someone is wearing a realistic mask.

by saurik 3y ago

deanCommie 3y ago

At least you KNOW they're not interacting with you. With the exterior glass projection you THINK you're making eye contact with them, while both of you are looking at screens through cameras. dystopian!

haswell 3y ago
This scenario seems functionally similar to a FaceTime call or other form of video communication. Both parties know they’re not literally gazing into each other’s eyes, but the technical medium creates a pretty decent long distance approximation of doing just that. A video call will never replace the real thing, but I don’t think I’d say it’s dystopian. And I don’t find the tech in this headset all that different, the exception being that there isn’t a 2nd set of cameras and screens on the non-headset side of the conversation. On the other hand, maybe it is dystopian, but if so, I’d argue that dystopia is already here and has been for awhile.
- JohnFen 3y ago
  > This scenario seems functionally similar to a FaceTime call or other form of video communication. But in a video call, the "distance" the video causes is something that you put up with in exchange for a greater benefit. If I'm talking with someone that has a screen in front of their face showing me their face, that's distance that provides no benefit, so it's a loss without gain. It makes the person seem sketchy.
- deanCommie 3y ago
  I don't know what kind of Facetime calls you're having but 99% of the time I'm looking at someone's face, but we're not making eye contact. The video is almost never exactly where the camera is, and if the person is using an external camera or a secondary monitor, the eyeline will never line up. It's fine! But you never have the illusion that you're talking to the person directly. Which may be is good enough for adults working on professional projects. But it's not good enough for a parent interacting with a young child.

JohnFen 3y ago

But you still can't see their eyes. You're seeing an image on a screen. That strikes my creepy nerve because it seems even more opaque than if they are wearing sunglasses or something. Rather than just being aware that their eyes are being hidden, it feels like an attempt is being made to actively deceive me. It's the same sort of creepy I get when someone is wearing a realistic mask.