X-ray vision is now a reality, and has been for some time. I don’t know how I missed it but apparently ever since the late 1990s there have been IR filters for cameras that let you see through some clothes. These filters block out everything except infrared light. Since color is created by light bouncing off an object and most dyes do not bounce infrared light that means that these filters essentially give you xray vision.
Apparently someone was trying to create a “night vision” camera and there were some unexpected side effects.
These filters will only “see through” thin cloth. But now they are selling them for cell phone cameras and camcorders. I find the whole thing creepy. I am never going to look at a tourist with a camcorder or a college kid snapping pics on his cell phone in the same way again. And don’t even get me started on how creepy security cameras are.
HERE is a website where you can see some pics, don’t worry it’s a mannequin.
Somewhere, Heinlein is laughing at this innovation. He thought we'd all be walking around naked by this point (social evolution, and all).
ReplyDeleteI predict these revealing cameras will become more and more prevalent in the coming years. In fact, government buildings may be mandated to have them for our protection (hey, it's doing such a great job at airports already). Good security, comrades!