Clothes Make The Man?
In previous times, there was an old adage about dressing for success which included the saying, “The clothes make the man.” Fashions come and go through the years, and some fashions return again after they have spent enough time in moth balls. For the not so distant future, fashion might play a role in more than just appearances. Taking a queue from Hollywood concepts and the propensity for science fiction to become fact, there may one day be technology where clothing plays a role in the next stage of human development.
The film “The Tuxedo” starring Jackie Chan presented some hints about where the next big boost may be coming from. In the movie, Jackie Chan was transformed from an ordinary taxi driver into a virtual super spy with the help of a high tech tuxedo that imparted a host of special powers to the character when he put on the suit. In the movie “Blade Runner” starring Harrison Ford, technology much akin to today’s digital photography was used by Mr. Ford’s character to track down the android life forms he was hunting.
Advances in computer technology, data storage, miniaturization, and mapping the electrical impulses associated with human thought processes, may one day make it possible for people to “wear” huge repositories of information and skills as computerized fashion wear. Wearing such clothing, and tapping into the knowledge bases contained within the garments through electrical impulses interfacing directly with the brain’s own memory centers would make it possible for average individuals to instantaneously recall large amounts of information programmed directly into the weave of the cloth.
Styles of garments might then be created to represent the kind of information to be imparted to the wearer. This type of technology would bring a whole new meaning to finding the right “fit.” Work clothes would reflect information about the type of jobs being performed, with instant access to all the right information needed for performing the function.
Other people who would come in contact with the material would also be able to gain direct access to the available information stored in the clothing interface. It might also be possible for owners of the styles to impart aspects of their own personal experiences and information into the system, adding to the initial data pre-programmed into the garment. With this concept, someone who put on a shirt worn by Albert Einstein could tap into the level of information and understanding he had programmed into his fashion wear.
To the degree that knowledge and information can transform the perceptions of individuals, such advancement in outer wear could revolutionize how people learn new information, and transform society to achieve new heights in understanding. As with any technological advancement, there would also be necessary safe guards and adjustments to consider in filtering out the negative aspects of human nature. People would not want to absorb information input from criminal or sociopath personalities. The technology would also have to work through problems caused by damage to the material, leaving huge gaps in the information due to wear and tear in the fabric. New privacy considerations and the ability to regulate information obtained from someone’s personal wardrobe would also need to be considered. There might be copyright laws regarding information contributed by various individuals, which work their way into a particular product line.
Certainly, such technology would vastly enhance the educational process depending on how much information the human mind could retain after removing the garment. Experiences might become the province of what “hats” a person has worn in performing their duties. Another old adage springs to mind which might also carry new meaning, “You never really know a person until you have walked around in their shoes.”
If such technology is developed, it might blur the line between individual talent and artificially induced performance. The education process would take a major hit from anyone who could afford to buy the right clothes from someone who had already completed classroom work and taken tests. Sibling “hand me downs” would give younger children a leg up on what their brothers and sisters had to experience themselves to learn. The Good Will and Salvation Army used clothing drives might also have to more closely monitor the wardrobe they are redistributing to the under privileged.
Working through the preliminary thoughts about how a single innovation might impact society demonstrates the influences and considerations needed to bring such ideas into reality. In this scenario, the technical clothing industry might be able to revolutionize how people use and obtain information. How much would such garments cost if the alternative for people would be to learn concepts the old fashioned way? If knowledge were taken to this level of advancement, what would be the effect on the over all quality of life? Would nudists be willing to give up their practices to stay in touch with the mainstream?
Hopefully, this article will impart a few laughs and get people to think about just how many new ideas there are to pursue in trying to improve our quality of life. Human beings all start out the same as they have since the beginning of time. The only thing that changes is what each new society has to work with, and how the present builds on the experiences of the past. When you buy a suit from the Men’s Warehouse of the future, will you truly “like the way you look?”
LittleTek Center
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