Tattoos that really are very... moving

The Philips Electronics company has various 'Design Probe' projects where they "explore the body as a platform for electronics and interactive skin technology". On their website they have a simulation of what their idea of

Stimulated by touch, an Electronic Tattoo traverses across the landscape of the body, navigated by desire

looks like. I think it looks neat although it's probably 15-20 years away. From what I can find out "a wafer thin screen could be inserted under human skin and be 'addressable' , meaning specific points on the screen could be contacted and given instructions on what to draw, where to move and at what speed. Addressable ink is feasibly inserted by using a tattoo needle". I have a couple of thoughts

• The dynamically moving tattoos that potentially slither around your body like snakes or pulse on and off like a disturbing living chinese checkers board might look cool.
• Ok you could hide your tattoos when convenient from your boss or mom or woteva...
• ...you could change your tattoos all the time to suit yourself. No more messy cover-ups when you want to change "Kelly Forever" to "Kenny Forever This Time For Sure"
• ...but does that not have the same value or statement of committment, permanency and meaning that some people and cultures associate with their body art?
• Is some corporation going to start sending advertisements to your skin?
• What happens if you get hacked? Will you be walking around all day with a giant "KICK ME" pulsing on your back/forehead?

I got tatts that others abused, and whored out, but to my credit, I came out with them first, bitches.

(Helcyon... you know you're too kewl!!!) I freakin love tattoos!!!!!

Body art is one of the highest forms of expression.
YOU live and die with it.

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Originally Posted by OrganizedKhaos

(Helcyon... you know you're too kewl!!!) I freakin love tattoos!!!!!

Body art is one of the highest forms of expression.
YOU live and die with it.

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Yes all highly true :D

The thing about these little hi-tech tattoos is that you don't necessarily live and die with them. These could trivialise the whole tattoo thing when gutless fashion followers and victims with mundane lifestyles and attitudes could have their trendy week-end tough stickers and remove them at will during the week.

Part of the meaning of tattoos to me is bound up in their permanent, fairly unremovable nature. Ok you can laser them off (sorta) but that's even more expensive, time consuming and painful than getting them on there in the first place so there's no loss of cred doing that IMO.

I just say fuk yall who think I copied you...

I know in my heart what they meant to be, and thats what I'm sticking with.


Plus I dont have the money to spring for lazer therapy.

I freakin love to look at other's tatts..

I always want tatts, but never really did go get one... I still want Roman soldier on my arm with SPQR De re publica... its never to late

That is pretty cool Helcyon. Thanks for the link :D

yeah... these moving ones are interesting allright. I'm still not sure that they have the same appeal as the original type. It's awesome how the tatts we have now just don't really go away. They are so "in your face" and say something about your strength of character I reckon.

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Originally Posted by Bacchus88

its never to late

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The most recent of mine are from 1991. It's probably about time to ink up again. Several of the local tattoo artists are my pals so we'll see...

Whoa, that whole tatt deal is crazy to imagine.

I watched it, the other night I didnt get it... but I waited until it fully loaded.
Its kinda sexy, kinda creepy, but its got some serious potential. Thats for sure!

Thanks Helcyon for posting that, it just pushed the boundaries in my brain, and I'm definitely glad I saw that.

Kind of funny that in some ways, we are technologically far beyond some of the marvels predicted by late 80's cyberpunk now and, in other ways, we're still working on it.

The internet sure fucked society harder than any SF author ever imagined.

true true.

Nono tech could in theory produce this effect, color even. It could also work as makeup.

Who really knows what kinds of technology is around the corner?

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Originally Posted by Bacchus88

I always want tatts, but never really did go get one... I still want Roman soldier on my arm with SPQR De re publica... its never to late

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But if the Emperor names you as his successor instead of his son, than watch out.

In this case ....yes.