Comments on: Airbus imagines transparent airplane http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: PBryden http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139975 PBryden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139975 If we are still traveling on airplanes instead of using teleportation by 2050, I am convinced that the best way for air travel will be in some type of unconscious state. Just think of it, you pack your bags, lie down in your bed, take a sedative, and the airline arrives to retrieve your luggage and pop you in a travel tube that keeps you in stasis during your flight. At your destination you are placed in your hotel bed and you awake rested and ready to go. Benefits: The security monkeys could scan the baggage and travelers to their hearts content, the airlines could stack passengers like cordwood in planes that are little more than cargo haulers, and travellers wouldn’t have to deal with long wait lines and jetlag. Drawbacks: Creepy baggage handlers now have access to unconscious people instead of just undergarments, lost luggage would be a real bummer, and the crappy in-flight meals industry would collapse. If we are still traveling on airplanes instead of using teleportation by 2050, I am convinced that the best way for air travel will be in some type of unconscious state. Just think of it, you pack your bags, lie down in your bed, take a sedative, and the airline arrives to retrieve your luggage and pop you in a travel tube that keeps you in stasis during your flight. At your destination you are placed in your hotel bed and you awake rested and ready to go.

Benefits: The security monkeys could scan the baggage and travelers to their hearts content, the airlines could stack passengers like cordwood in planes that are little more than cargo haulers, and travellers wouldn’t have to deal with long wait lines and jetlag.

Drawbacks: Creepy baggage handlers now have access to unconscious people instead of just undergarments, lost luggage would be a real bummer, and the crappy in-flight meals industry would collapse.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139723 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139723 “…shape of your buttocks…” guess the TSA is collecting some market research data then. *rimshot* “…shape of your buttocks…” guess the TSA is collecting some market research data then. *rimshot*

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139981 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139981 Where are the overhead bins? What are you going to do with your carry-ons? Where are the overhead bins? What are you going to do with your carry-ons?

]]> By: kjulig http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139726 kjulig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139726 <blockquote>It's easy to be one of the top commercial airline manufacturers in the world just so long as you have three governments subsidizing your work. If France, England and Germany pulled their funding from EADS, we would then see how competitive they actually are.</blockquote> Competitive with whom? Boeing? They (and, of course, other major defense contractors) receive massive subsidies from the US government too. Seems like there are agreements between Boeing, Airbus and various governments regarding subsidies that are routinely broken by both sides. Why should one side back down in this situation when they would find themselves at a severe disadvantage? No idea what the aviation world would look like without said subsidies. Maybe smaller manufacturers would get more of a chance to compete (do _they_ have competitive products)? Maybe innovation would stop? No more giant, long-term projects? Who knows...

It’s easy to be one of the top commercial airline manufacturers in the world just so long as you have three governments subsidizing your work. If France, England and Germany pulled their funding from EADS, we would then see how competitive they actually are.

Competitive with whom? Boeing? They (and, of course, other major defense contractors) receive massive subsidies from the US government too. Seems like there are agreements between Boeing, Airbus and various governments regarding subsidies that are routinely broken by both sides. Why should one side back down in this situation when they would find themselves at a severe disadvantage?

No idea what the aviation world would look like without said subsidies. Maybe smaller manufacturers would get more of a chance to compete (do _they_ have competitive products)? Maybe innovation would stop? No more giant, long-term projects? Who knows…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139983 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139983 Honestly, this is the worst idea ever. It turns out, at the heights that planes fly it is really bright. Everyone would get headaches and the stewards/stewardesses would suffer series eye damage. Not to mention that it's already hard enough to sleep on air planes. Honestly, this is the worst idea ever.
It turns out, at the heights that planes fly it is really bright. Everyone would get headaches and the stewards/stewardesses would suffer series eye damage.

Not to mention that it’s already hard enough to sleep on air planes.

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139730 Kimmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139730 I'm not even going to watch the vid; it's obviously utter wank. I’m not even going to watch the vid; it’s obviously utter wank.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139755 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139755 What planet is this guy living on? Given the way that air travel is headed, I imagine the plane of 2050 to more closely resemble the decor of the C-123 in Con Air. What planet is this guy living on? Given the way that air travel is headed, I imagine the plane of 2050 to more closely resemble the decor of the C-123 in Con Air.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140526 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140526 It all sounds good, except for the acupuncture seats. It all sounds good, except for the acupuncture seats.

]]> By: Gawain Lavers http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140015 Gawain Lavers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140015 Experience Zone 5 is for people who are going to cover their eyes and scream for the entire duration of the flight. Experience Zone 5 is for people who are going to cover their eyes and scream for the entire duration of the flight.

]]> By: cratermoon http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139761 cratermoon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139761 'There's nothing exciting about looking at the sky from an airplane'. OK, leaving aside all the utterly impractical, unrealistic, and unlikely aspects of AirBus' video -- have you ever seen the night sky from a truly dark sky far from cities at 30K+ feet? I might buy a ticket on a trans-Pacific red-eye flight just to experience that, provided the aircraft also shut off the in-flight TVs, cabin lights and other distractions. ‘There’s nothing exciting about looking at the sky from an airplane’. OK, leaving aside all the utterly impractical, unrealistic, and unlikely aspects of AirBus’ video — have you ever seen the night sky from a truly dark sky far from cities at 30K+ feet? I might buy a ticket on a trans-Pacific red-eye flight just to experience that, provided the aircraft also shut off the in-flight TVs, cabin lights and other distractions.

]]> By: Outtacontext http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1142068 Outtacontext Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1142068 In 2100 we look back on this video of what the future will be like and laugh. Instead, I'm envisioning flight attendants with cattle prods. In 2100 we look back on this video of what the future will be like and laugh. Instead, I’m envisioning flight attendants with cattle prods.

]]> By: Rich Keller http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140023 Rich Keller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140023 You're joking, right? How is it honest to dislike a nation because of something that happened nearly 1000 years ago? Normandie and England don't even exist the same way politically now. The animosity between the French and the English probably started with the 100 Year's War continued with the Napoleonic wars. Any Americans that dislike the French do it because their televisions told them to do it. Anyway, if they do build this invisible plane, can I park the transparent Buick in long-term parking? You’re joking, right?

How is it honest to dislike a nation because of something that happened nearly 1000 years ago? Normandie and England don’t even exist the same way politically now. The animosity between the French and the English probably started with the 100 Year’s War continued with the Napoleonic wars. Any Americans that dislike the French do it because their televisions told them to do it.

Anyway, if they do build this invisible plane, can I park the transparent Buick in long-term parking?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139768 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139768 @jeligula - The subsidies argument has been going on between Boeing and Airbus , France and the US, for decades now. The French are pretty protectionist, but so too are the Americans. @jeligula – The subsidies argument has been going on between Boeing and Airbus , France and the US, for decades now. The French are pretty protectionist, but so too are the Americans.

]]> By: Gulliver http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140536 Gulliver Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140536 <blockquote> Is the transparent top able to block more of that radiation? </blockquote> Depends what it’s made of. X-rays aren’t visible.

Is the transparent top able to block more of that radiation?

Depends what it’s made of. X-rays aren’t visible.

]]> By: CastanhasDoPara http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140539 CastanhasDoPara Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140539 There seems to be a ever spiraling degree of futurist propaganda/BS. IE flying cars by 1990, moon-base by 2010, etc, etc. On the one hand, this 'seems' like a neat concept but on the other hand the reality is that by 2050, this thing will have to run on people power, solar, or fusion (another one of those, sooner than you think technologies). Conclusion, this is a big waste of everybody's time and effort. I feel for the concept designers who seem to be so far out of touch with reality that they must exist in a wonderfully delusional state to even get this far in the process, and don't even get me started on the PR people and all that goes with that who had to eat shit and just nod along as if anything they did to promote this 'pie in the sky' would have the slightest bearing upon the future. Cool graphics but still, what a bunch of horse crap. Besides why in the hell would be need this thing in 2050 when we will be fighting off hordes of zombie-robot-mutant-ninjas with nothing but our wits, an old shotgun and a picture of some chick (or dude) we hardly even know thing one about? Also seconding Gulliver's take on the 'anti-French' thing. What the media says about this country is a totally different thing than what exists here, on the ground at least. Sure there are dolts that toe the line and hate French anything just 'cause the boob-tube said so, but there are also those that laugh at these punditoid jerks, backslapping politicos and moronic sheeple for being so ignorant and hateful. Deep down, the US really loves France and that is what is important to this particular off-topic convo. There seems to be a ever spiraling degree of futurist propaganda/BS. IE flying cars by 1990, moon-base by 2010, etc, etc. On the one hand, this ‘seems’ like a neat concept but on the other hand the reality is that by 2050, this thing will have to run on people power, solar, or fusion (another one of those, sooner than you think technologies). Conclusion, this is a big waste of everybody’s time and effort. I feel for the concept designers who seem to be so far out of touch with reality that they must exist in a wonderfully delusional state to even get this far in the process, and don’t even get me started on the PR people and all that goes with that who had to eat shit and just nod along as if anything they did to promote this ‘pie in the sky’ would have the slightest bearing upon the future. Cool graphics but still, what a bunch of horse crap. Besides why in the hell would be need this thing in 2050 when we will be fighting off hordes of zombie-robot-mutant-ninjas with nothing but our wits, an old shotgun and a picture of some chick (or dude) we hardly even know thing one about?

Also seconding Gulliver’s take on the ‘anti-French’ thing. What the media says about this country is a totally different thing than what exists here, on the ground at least. Sure there are dolts that toe the line and hate French anything just ’cause the boob-tube said so, but there are also those that laugh at these punditoid jerks, backslapping politicos and moronic sheeple for being so ignorant and hateful. Deep down, the US really loves France and that is what is important to this particular off-topic convo.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140028 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140028 Figuring out how to move around in 3-D is much harder than trying to move around on a 2-D plane. Based on my experience with flight simulators, if we're all flying, we'd better have some awesome AI assistance. Even a little crash is dangerous when you're ten metres up. Figuring out how to move around in 3-D is much harder than trying to move around on a 2-D plane. Based on my experience with flight simulators, if we’re all flying, we’d better have some awesome AI assistance. Even a little crash is dangerous when you’re ten metres up.

]]> By: halfacre http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140034 halfacre Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140034 Lotta comments and at least one disagreement over a video that's nothing more than a lot of marketing hot air. Not only that, but those pointless hand-reading things have been just-around-the-corner for at least 30 years. Lotta comments and at least one disagreement over a video that’s nothing more than a lot of marketing hot air. Not only that, but those pointless hand-reading things have been just-around-the-corner for at least 30 years.

]]> By: halfacre http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1140039 halfacre Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1140039 "...remove the old class system..." The airlines are going to do away with the best method they have for gouging customers? I haven't verified this but I bet there's a ton of profit in charging high overhead for so little in return, other than vanity. “…remove the old class system…”

The airlines are going to do away with the best method they have for gouging customers? I haven’t verified this but I bet there’s a ton of profit in charging high overhead for so little in return, other than vanity.

]]> By: victorvodka http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139534 victorvodka Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139534 what if women in the planes are wearing dresses? i can tell it was men who came up with this idea. what if women in the planes are wearing dresses? i can tell it was men who came up with this idea.

]]> By: caipirina http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139790 caipirina Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139790 IF they really ever build this ... I am 100% certain they will STILL put ashtrays in there, and immediately a 'non smoking' sticker next to it. I was shocked to find that the new A380 still has ash trays! Other concern: ever noticed how dull the small plasticky windows on older aircrafts look? Now, imagine that on a bigger scale :D IF they really ever build this … I am 100% certain they will STILL put ashtrays in there, and immediately a ‘non smoking’ sticker next to it. I was shocked to find that the new A380 still has ash trays!

Other concern: ever noticed how dull the small plasticky windows on older aircrafts look? Now, imagine that on a bigger scale :D

]]> By: aj http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139535 aj Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139535 Do these "visionaries" ever actually ride in a plane? By 2050 I want a comfortable seat, cold beer, hot coffee, good movies, a faster flight, and NOISE REDUCTION. Not a transparent plane that will give me a severe sunburn! Do these “visionaries” ever actually ride in a plane? By 2050 I want a comfortable seat, cold beer, hot coffee, good movies, a faster flight, and NOISE REDUCTION. Not a transparent plane that will give me a severe sunburn!

]]> By: Zadaz http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139793 Zadaz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139793 Back when Jet Blue was just getting started they had ads that showed how nice they were. Passengers could get beverages for free, they didn't have to eat their knees. Flight attendants smiles at them. The ads themselves won some kind of award. I happened to have lunch with a couple of bigwigs from a couple of ad agencies and the conversation turned to these commercials. These guys didn't understand them. Were they ironic? Was there a subtle joke going on? I was baffled at their reaction for a bit until I realized that they had never, in their life, flown coach. I think those idiots designed this plane. And seriously, do you really trust yourself to be lifted 6 1/2 miles in the air and returned safely to earth by something designed by these crazy-ass people who obviously have no working knowledge of an airplane? Back when Jet Blue was just getting started they had ads that showed how nice they were. Passengers could get beverages for free, they didn’t have to eat their knees. Flight attendants smiles at them. The ads themselves won some kind of award.

I happened to have lunch with a couple of bigwigs from a couple of ad agencies and the conversation turned to these commercials. These guys didn’t understand them. Were they ironic? Was there a subtle joke going on? I was baffled at their reaction for a bit until I realized that they had never, in their life, flown coach.

I think those idiots designed this plane.

And seriously, do you really trust yourself to be lifted 6 1/2 miles in the air and returned safely to earth by something designed by these crazy-ass people who obviously have no working knowledge of an airplane?

]]> By: Gulliver http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139796 Gulliver Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139796 @ Anon #14 <blockquote> I never understand the American attitude to the French -- are they bitter jilted lovers of the 18th-century, newest revolution kid on the block of the 19th, or the disobedient brats who wouldn't fight and die for the US in the 20th? </blockquote> Did it ever occur to you that maybe you shouldn't swallow the American mass-market media as a high-fidelity representation of on-the-ground American opinion? <blockquote> The video, though -- notice how he says they'll get rid of 'class' seating just to replace it with something functionally identical? Even I know that a term evoking "back of the bus" isn't a good idea for American audiences! </blockquote> There will still be upper-class seating. You'll be able to see it as the Virgin Galactic space ships zip overhead the transparent bulkhead. @ Anon #14

I never understand the American attitude to the French — are they bitter jilted lovers of the 18th-century, newest revolution kid on the block of the 19th, or the disobedient brats who wouldn’t fight and die for the US in the 20th?

Did it ever occur to you that maybe you shouldn’t swallow the American mass-market media as a high-fidelity representation of on-the-ground American opinion?

The video, though — notice how he says they’ll get rid of ‘class’ seating just to replace it with something functionally identical? Even I know that a term evoking “back of the bus” isn’t a good idea for American audiences!

There will still be upper-class seating. You’ll be able to see it as the Virgin Galactic space ships zip overhead the transparent bulkhead.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139797 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139797 Personally, I'm not comfortable with seats that "harvest" energy from my body...what an unfortunate (and creepy) choice of buzzwords. Personally, I’m not comfortable with seats that “harvest” energy from my body…what an unfortunate (and creepy) choice of buzzwords.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139799 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139799 Anon #14: No we Americans come honestly by our dislike of France. We inherited that dislike from our English mother-country. The animosity has been around since ~1066 AD. Anon #14:
No we Americans come honestly by our dislike of France.
We inherited that dislike from our English mother-country.
The animosity has been around since ~1066 AD.

]]> By: coop http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139545 coop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139545 I find that the seats suck the energy out of my body on current planes, thanks.... I find that the seats suck the energy out of my body on current planes, thanks….

]]> By: SuperDragonMaster79 http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139546 SuperDragonMaster79 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139546 Why do they make the top transparent? There's nothing exciting about looking at the sky from an airplane, I can do that at home! Why do they make the top transparent? There’s nothing exciting about looking at the sky from an airplane, I can do that at home!

]]> By: sindbad http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139547 sindbad Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139547 Good point victorvodka, all those 30,000 foot-tall men would be able to get some easy upskirt shots. Good point victorvodka, all those 30,000 foot-tall men would be able to get some easy upskirt shots.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139548 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139548 Better to make the space between passengers opaque. Better to make the space between passengers opaque.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/15/airbus-imagines-tran.html#comment-1139805 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1139805 Someone forgot to leave room for emergency oxygen masks ;) Oh and seat belts!!! Someone forgot to leave room for emergency oxygen masks ;)

Oh and seat belts!!!

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