(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick




Man's TV Calls Out For Help

from the how's-that-for-interactive-TV dept

And you thought interactive TV was just about being able to vote on the latest American Idol TV show. A man outside of Portland, Oregon discovered that his TV was actually broadcasting an international distress signal that was picked up by a satellite. A bunch of local authorities and search and rescue folks descended on his apartment to help, when they discovered that it was just a random TV crying out for help. Ever understanding, the authorities then told him if he turned his TV back on, he risked a $10,000 fine for "willingly broadcasting a false distress signal." Toshiba, makers of the TV, came to the... uh... rescue and gave the man a new TV.

2 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Oct 19th, 2004 @ 8:13am
  • No Subject Given

    by thecaptain

    what I don't get is WHY a TV of all things would be broadcasting an international distress signal in the first place...at ANY intensity.

    Can someone clarify why this is?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 19th, 2004 @ 8:37am
    • Re: No Subject Given

      by alternatives

      Can someone clarify why this is?

      1) Like the Barbies that said 'math is hard' - a Yes Man type operation.
      2) Someone at Toshiba screwed up and plugged in the wrong module. (unlikely)
      3) Someone 'hacked' his set as a practicle joke.

      Personally I'd like a few such modules. Put 'em in stuff that the locals would steal. Then watch as ppl descend on the location.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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