Metafire

"OK guys. This system is what we call a "hybrid technology" system. It combines a variety of different sensing and automation systems in order to form a single, fused, output. So, you can't call this system, "sonic," you can't call it "electromagnetic," because it is about 20 different systems, all working collaboratively together to give you this view and to register this view as a surveyed spot on the globe. We can see into the sphere below us. Everything for an hour of recording is recorded on this little nine buck video tape."

"Now you will notice on the table here exactly three things. There is the central processing unit like a big VCR, the helmet, and these big round red disks. The wires connect everything up and keep you from having to measure anything or do any problem solving. Let me show you." He walked over to the table and starting putting disks around. "Stretch the wire as far as you can and when you have a disk placed, push down the "on" button on the top, the red light will go on. Any disks you can't place will be fine. The rule is 'don't let the wires cross.' This will keep the disks properly placed with respect to each other."

He put about four disks on the floor, there were maybe a dozen other ones with much more wire left on the table.

"Now, this helmet is connected to the central processing unit with a wire. The wire is plenty long to let you walk as far as is reasonable." He held up the helmet. "Who's the first to look?"