Ricky Gervais: AR is “A Load of Bollocks”
If his performance at the Golden Globes earlier this year said anything about Ricky Gervais, it’s that the comedian doesn’t pull his punches or censor his opinions. Such was also the case on a recent episode of “The Ricky Gervais Show,” an animated HBO series based on the podcast of the same name.
But this time Gervais’ victim wasn’t the low-hanging fruit of Hollywood. Instead, Gervais has let it known that he thinks augmented reality is “a load of bollocks.” Gervais wasn’t pontificating on the latest trends in technology. He was engaged in a lively, comedic discussion with his fellow show stars Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington in which the later was discussing his vision for the future.
After pointing out that in the future, the human species will be significantly weaker in strength, pants will be evolutionarily eliminated from existence and all of our food will be consumed in a blended paste form, Karl suggests the idea of augmented reality technology within an everyday pair of bifocals.
“Everything that’s real, you’re not looking at that anymore. This is really the future,” Karl says. “If you’re a young kid and you like the idea of living in the urban ghetto with all the graffiti on the walls, you can see that.”
“What you mean is that the stuff that’s there in the real world is being digitally reimagined in your glasses,” adds Merchant. “So what was a nice country lane is suddenly now an urban ghetto.”
Those familiar with augmented reality can immediately recognize Karl’s vision of the future, and one could say that this technology is not far off. The building blocks of such a future are being placed as we speak. But Gervais wasn’t convinced.
“Absolutely mental. Pointless. Won’t ever work. Absolutely one of the maddest things you’ve ever said,” he retorts. “That’s a load of bollocks.”
Obviously, we disagree with Mr. Gervais, but he’s still entitled to his opinion. Check out this YouTube clip of the discussion of the future (AR shows up at 3:53) or watch the embedded version after the jump and let us know what you think of Gervais’ dismissal of AR.
We’re with you, Karl!
20 comments
HAHA love this post. Karl comes up with some crazy things, but this one's right on the money. Thanks for sharing!
Karl should be an ambassador for Layar :).
yes make karl the ambassador for Layar.!
"See its not a load of bollocks ricky"
Please keep in mind that this was recorded a few years ago, when AR and Layar-technology weren't up to the level where it is now. :-)
Oh and remember KARL PILKINGTON HAS A HEAD LIKE A FUCKING ORANGE.
The fact that "you're with Karl" tells me which side I'm on. Head like a fucking orange and all that ;)
Agreed, The podcasts were recorded almost five years ago no?
And before going into augmented reality. Don't forget if you backup Karl you got to back up the clippable mat, removing the intestins cause they're too long for yoghurt, his seethrough skin and believe shadows can push people of their bikes. :)
Most importantly, in the podcast Karl actually talks about it being as though you actually forget who you are, and live this life without being aware you have this headgear on. You'd still know you have these glasses on.
without being aware you have this headgear on. You’d still know you have these
Actually, this was recorded only within the last year, part of the "Guide To..." series.
Also, if we have faith in Karl's argument, realize there are invisible fish in the Amazon... and, as this submit button reminds me... HAS A HEAD LIKE A FUCKING ORANGE!!
Karl is always right! It's just not always conventional! mirrors on the moon! brilliant idea!
Head, Orange... you get the rest.. ;)
Karl.....his logic is insane but I love it. Pants will go away, lol.
Karl didn't actually talk about it being as though you actually forget who you are, and live this life without being aware you have this headgear on. That was a completely different gadget that apparently already existed
Karl may have a head like a "f@!king orange" but at least he doesn't have to eat his words.
WHAT A LEGEND! KARL IS A MANIAC..IN A GOOD WAY..RICKYS LAUGH AND STEVE INTELLIGENCE,....BRILLIANT. IM THE BIGGEST FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karl I love you and you are the best part of my day.
Augmented reality is going have a lot of impact in the future, certainly. One could take a historical walk around a city, annotate the world around you, advertise, show architectural designs or enable virtual reality games like never before.
But if anyone is wearing glasses to remove graffiti from a wall (for example) in a hope of making the world appear better to them, the reality of knowing it isn't completely negates the whole point and as for the reverse, what kid is going to want to decorate the world virtually (especially when most of the point is to rebel). Mental.
Perhaps there's a method through which graffiti artists can show off what they would do to a wall by way of advertising their work to other artists, but it would be a complete gimmick.
Well, there is a mirror on the moon its stated on the NASA website.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/21jul_llr/
There is a foot long spider that eats birds.
Heteropoda Maxima
If a monkey given an infinite amount of time could write Shakespeare
Why not rob a bank, cut hair, drive a car or play poker? Time is after all infinite. Lets not forget that he is never sure of when monkey news took place. Sorry Ricky hoisted on your own french banger and the letter there is P.
:/ he did get allot of stuff off ananova tho... yep head like an orange
I want 24/7 Karl cam to go ahead. KPTV. Although my social life would then be over, it would be a very happy unsociable life.
Yep totally agree! I remember listening to the original podcast where Karl was talking about this and thinking Ricky was totally wrong on the AR issue!
Of course, if Gervais ever gets his hands on a real set of AR glasses he's obviously going to augment Karls head into a f@#king orange!
Well, as karl himself said, anyone could have done that, thought that 1 up.
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