How do you want to Chronophone today?

Chronophone Switzerland

The Chronophone service allows people to call their future selves. You call now and record a message. In exactly one year your phone will ring. When you answer you will hear your own voice delivering that message from the past.

Cronophone premiered in Finland at Pixelache 2011. Just a few days ago the Swiss branch of the service was launched, in conjunction with the opening of Haus für elektronische Künste Basel.

Mixed feelings

So far people have approached their, real or imagined, Chronophone call with a mix of enthusiasm and caution. The weight of the task haunts some. Others see Chronophone vouchers as a perfect gift - a drop of long now injected into everyday life and chores.

One woman told us she would distribute Chronophone vouchers to her friends: “future moms and dads, grandmas and granddads, and aunts and uncles”. She herself is pregnant and will use the Chronophone to reflect on this time of change: “Everyone with kids tells you that once the baby is there life will change in unexpected ways. I have naturally heard this many times over and have grown to take it as the most likely truth - but that does not mean I have any clue of what really lies ahead.”

Another Chronophonist told us that she didn’t dare to use it: “What if I die and someone else is using my phone and they get a call from me…”

Stories wanted!

Learning about these stories is the greatest reward for us Chronophone providers.

What would you tell yourself in one year? Perhaps you’ve already used the Chronophone? If you like, you can share your stories here or email us: telecom at unsworn.org.

Kiitos, danke, tack!

PS. Check out more Unsworn Telecom projects at www.unsworn.org/telecom.

Telemegaphone Dale had a rough 2010. The windmill was hit by evil lightning and the pole was pushed by heavy snow. Erik and Magnus went back to Dale to oversee the installation of a new power system.

It’s started off great. Dale’s culture chief, Ingeborg, sent a Facebook call for dugnad and a motley group of battery carriers showed up to help us transport two 40 kgs lead batteries, one windmill, a solar panel and all that other stuff you just might need on the mountain. (You don’t want to climb down again to pick up that all-important screwdriver you forgot.)

Svein Ove and Kjetil climbed the pole, mounted the fresh wind generator and a spanking new solar panel - just in case. The amazing Telemegaphone electronics had survived the long winter and booted happily.

Great! Everything is back up and running!

This is when we decided to install that new, mind-numbingly powerful amplifier to get some extra sonic oomph on windy days…

Replacement speakers will be installed as soon as it stops raining in Dale. Stay tuned for a, hopefully, happy ending!

A few more expedition photos can be found here.

Thanks to nkd for letting us stay in their fine basement and use their workshop.

Chronophone is a new telephone service that allows people to call themselves - one year from now.

When you call the Chronophone it automatically picks up and records whatever you say or do. Exactly one year later the Chronophone calls you back and replays the recording.

What would you tell your future self?

The Chronophone service is currently tested at the Pixelache festival in Helsinki. Get your Chrono-credits at the Pixelache info-desk! €1 = 1 call = 1 minute.

Chronophone is an Unsworn Telecom initiative.

Unsworn Telecom is kindly supported by Nordic Culture Point.