Google Glass TT888
Old New Media Tribute (the Teletext Edition)
by Esmée Stouten
Concept
Imagine a soundless world. You can't eavesdrop on interesting conversations that others might have on the train. You can't laugh about inside-jokes during lectures, because you have to concentrate on lip-reading. And you don't even have to think about turning on the television as you don't hear any sounds.
This was the world for the deaf and hard of hearing until the 23rd of September 1974.
Google Glass Teletext Edition
The world’s first Teletext service went live when the BBC began transmitting its service designed as a way to broadcast text-based information to assist viewers who were deaf or hard of hearing. It was a groundbreaking technology that helped them to learn about what’s going on; as only a few programmes (mostly those with spectacular pictures) made sense without sound or subtitles.
Although this technological innovation had enormous potential for subtitling television programmes, TT888 only started after an intense debate with the government and NOS. After years of demonstrations for the deaf and hard of hearing, a subsidy was granted and television programmes were subtitled with public broadcasters in 1974. A soundless television show, that made sense without sound, became reality.
Fast forward to 2017, all commercial broadcasters, among others RTL, SBS, NET5 and Veronica, have stopped their Teletext service. They have, however, decided to keep TT888 and TT889 still available.
In this project, I like to pay a tribute to TT888. I find it fascinating that the retro design has barely changed since the 70s (FYI: they are even improving its design to keep it 'more retro' on an iPhone). In addition, I admire the perseverance of the demonstrators in the time that nobody believed in TT888 (as they have stopped all services except for TT888). Also, it shows the potential benefits of upcoming technologies as it could increase the inclusivity of minorities.
Google Glass Teletext Edition from Esmee MT on Vimeo.
Explanation of design
It was decided to give the audience a "feeling of exclusivity" by introducing a soundless video. After a few seconds, Google Glass is asked to activate Teletext for 3 minutes and the sound is switched on again. To confront the audience with the obviousness of sound, both sound and subtitles suddenly stop after that specific time frame. As a result, it is unknown which inside jokes are made; what conversations students are having; or what the lecturer is saying. The audience has no clue about what's going on, just as the deaf and hard of hearing were having before Teletext. The movie makes no sense without sound or subtitles. This illustrates the power of Teletext it has by supporting television programmes with text-based information, as well as it could have in the future in every environment... these soundless conversations (on the train or during lecture) could make sense with subtitles.
I have designed to combine TT888 with Google Glass, because it magnifies the retro design of TT888 even more. Also, Google Glass is a potential technological advancement that still isn't produced due to criticism such as privacy concerns and safety considerations. Although only a few saw potential in TT888, and there was lots of criticism, they have managed to introduce the subtitles on television. After decades, TT888 is still essential: This illustrates the power that technological innovations, such as Teletext, could have.