Future Now
The IFTF Blog
Sacred Technology: The Mantra Box
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While I was in Bangalore last week, I visited the technology bazaar on SP Road. Karthikeya Acharya, an interaction designer, from CKS (our research partner) was my guide. We walked around looking at the various wholesaler shops selling everything from PCs, monitiors, speakers, CDs, radios, and of course, every accessory under the sun for the mobile phone. I even had my mobile phone shrink-wrapped for 20 rps. I was assured this would prevent scratches and wear and tear. While walking around the market, we began discussing how much we rely on and outsource to devices and technology. With this conversation in mind, Karthikeya was reminded of the Mantra Box. After convincing the shop owner to let us buy just one since they usually sell wholesale and in large quantities we acquired one. This is a small steel box that will play 1 of 72 different mantras and box reads, "always keep hearing the chanting Mantra and be in a state of meditation for healthy mind, soul, and well being of the future." What's interesting about this mantra box is that it is usually found playing in the local shop--from the smallest to the most established--as way to bring good fortune and well being on themselves and their business. Normally, the shop keeper would have to chant these Mantras himself each day and several times throughout the day. Now, with the Mantra Box, the shop keeper can simply choose his Mantra for the day, plug the box in, and turn it on. Talk about outsourcing to devices!