A Whole Latte Computer

THAT'S A WHOLE LATTE COMPUTER

Imagine you are sitting in your neighbourhood Starbucks, and all of a sudden people start schlepping in full-on desktop computers (complete with CRT monitors, printers and keyboards) and commence setting up for business.

You might wonder if it was a joke, and well, you'd almost be right. In this video, three people actually did just that while two of their compatriots secretly filmed the reaction of the cafe's other patrons using concealed cameras.

The exercise was a ingenious piece of street theatre intended not only to be a commentary on coffee shop culture but also a statement on how the speed of technological change pushes hardware into rapid obsolescence, not to mention how those who are not adept enough (or cash flush enough) to keep up with it all, quickly become social misfits themselves.

The "performance" was put on by a group called Improv Everywhere (mission: to cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places). Check out their website here for the video called "Mobile Desktop" plus its "making of" companion piece. While you are at it, you might also want to check out some of their other clever social co-operation missions such as Megastore,  The Cell Phone Symphony or the McDonald's Bathroom Attendant. 


Filed in MEDIA/video.