Human Uber Is About To Be The Future For Fraternity Pledges Everywhere

Socrates Johnson8 years ago

Did Japan do it again or did Japan do it again? In a move pretty much straight out of an Arrested Development episode, some Japanese researcher went full mastermind mode and invented a surrogate technology that’s quickly becoming known on the street as “Human Uber.”

I know machines pretty much already own us at this point, but this is starting to feel a little bit like overkill.

From Vice:

Japanese researcher Jun Rekimoto presented his new tech, called ChameleonMask, at MIT Tech Review’s EmTech this week, Select All reports. ChameleonMask has apparently been described as a “Human Uber,” but it’s really closer to a mobile FaceTime.

According to its website, the technology “uses a real human as a surrogate for another remote user,” by giving the surrogate “a mask-shaped display that shows a remote user’s live face, and a voice channel transmits a remote user’s voice.” Rekimoto reportedly described the experience of using ChameleonMask as “surprisingly natural,” which does sound surprising.

Now I’m not here to argue the moral or cultural ramifications of this or to even speculate on whether or not this is a phenomenon that we will see panning out on a more widespread level. As an ideas guy, I don’t sweat the details. All I know is that I can smell a good idea from a nautical mile away. And simply put, Human Uber is the future when it comes to marrying seemingly simple remote technology with face-to-face social interaction fraternity pledgeship.

Just think about it. Having a pledge serve as a Human Uber could be a safe and effective method of hazing. Not to mention, it would allow for actives to, in some capacity, be present at events that they really don’t feel like physically attending. Classes. AC meetings. Philanthropy events.

When you think about it, Human Uber would allow for the perfect win-win situation. Pledges can feel like they earned their active status without being subjected to a cat o’ nine tails, and actives can go through college without going through all the mundane bullshit.

I’d sure be willing to risk a robot takeover if it at least led to a more convenient Greek life experience. Like I said, we’re pretty much fucked anyway..

[via Vice]

Image via Twitter/@willknight