Archive:Video-Enhanced Grave Marker

A Video-Enhanced Grave Marker is a Western-style tombstone, with technological advances attached. Through sound and video, VEGMs would, in theory, make visits to graveyards an interactive experience.

Invented and patented by Robert Barrows of San Mateo, California, the VEGM would allow its owner to record messages to be played to loved ones, or any visitor to the site with a remote control. The stones would be equipped with a microchip memory system and flat-screen television, embedded into a weather-proofed, hollowed-out headstone. As of the May 2005 launch, Barrows planned to retail the VEGMs for USD$8000.

Barrows commented soon after its invention: "I envision being able to walk through a cemetery using a remote control, clicking on graves and what all the people buried there have to say. They can say all the things they didn't have the opportunity or guts to say when they were alive."

The concept has yet to prove feasibility in the real world. It is presumed by critics of the concept that some cemetery managers would be opposed to the "noisy" displays. People living in the surrounding neighbourhood may be disturbed by the constant sound, as well as other visitors to the cemetaries. Also, the VEGMs would be likely targets of thieves or vandals.

The issue of censorship would likely be of concern with VEGMs. How high a level of free speech would be offered to the eventually deceased has not been announced, and could vary from site to site.

References

• Toronto Star: "Ideas of the Week: Talking Tombstones". Toronto: Torstar Publishing. May 8 2005

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