techmoan
patreon
Prison Tech
🕑 Added 2020-04-02 08:18:42 +0000 UTCHere's an odd subject for a video, a perfect example of what happens when you head down a late night ebay rathole.
There's also an intriguing story here that I'm not sure I've adequately navigated. It's an odd tale that connects US prisons with the continued survival of cassettes and the music tech sold in clothing stores.
Anyway I hope you enjoy this one - its been planned for a few months. There are some things that aren't quite perfect, a couple of abrupt edits and some minor audio issues - but nothing that warranted a re-shoot. I really need to take a day off instead. Perhaps I can take a day trip to the back garden.
In virus news - the Mrs is now working from home and has commandeered the conservatory as her makeshift office, so I'm glad I recorded the Sony Reel to Reel video in that room the other week while I had the chance.
I have been taking stock of the backlog of tech in the house and I think I can probably shoot videos for a year or so without needing to get any new deliveries. However I can see my videos and behaviour becoming increasingly bizarre over time.
Anyway I hope you are all taking care of yourselves and I'm glad to see that not too many people have had to drop out of patreon just yet - your support is of course very much appreciated at this time.
UPDATE: It seems some of my descriptions about potential weaponisation might have been a bit graphic - so I've re-edited a toned down PG friendly version suitable for all audiences. I've also took the opportunity to fix a couple of minor issues. Seems like I'll be taking my day off another time. I'll post another note here when the new version has replaced the original.
UPDATE 2: Less scary version now embedded and linked to above.
Comments
Techmoan
Yes it’s a good article - it’s the one I mentioned in the video and linked to underneath. Definitely worth a read. There are a couple of other links on YouTube too.
Glyn Cash
Hi Matt, this might be an interesting read, I've found it online after your video jogged my memory about an article I read in a newspaper many years back on the Sony SRF-39FP (Federal Prison) https://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-ipod-of-prison
Arthur Robillard
I was aware of the transparency issue for cassettes in institutions. But I also thought they had listening rooms with players WITH speakers because headphones were not allowed--they could be used to hang or otherwise strangle themselves or others.
