And let's not forget our dear, departed pets and their grave sites.... ;-)

Chris Olson


On Mar 4, 2010, at 6:06 PM, Grevin, Fred wrote:

> The people who thought this up are guilty of thinking too small.
> 
> What we REALLY NEED is a Web-based memorial gravestone (Web 2.0 for now, updates to come later). 
> 
> Call it a WebStone.
> 
> The WebStone would consist of a dedicated computer, loaded with information about -- and by -- the deceased. 
> 
> This is where Larry Medina is so right (as usual):  just like the Egyptian pharaohs, each person could build up, before they die, a knowledge base (KB) about themselves. 
> 
> The KB could include still and moving images from childhood to senility, audio recordings, pithy sayings, adoring tributes from family and friends, a RAP sheet (well, maybe not for everyone), a lifetime of email messages, FaceBook postings, tweets, & etc.
> 
> The WebStone would tie into the living Web, so consumers wouldn't even have to go on-site, but could also transmit a Wi-Fi signal.
> 
> The minor technical issue of power could resolved by installing an array of tastefully-decorated solar panels over the gravesite, or perhaps the cemetery could be paid to supply power during off-peak usage hours.
> 
> This raises the first REAL issue:  how to pay for this -- in perpetuity? 
> 
> Here's an opportunity for the insurance industry to develop a new product:  the Perpetual Memorial Trust Fund. 
> 
> After all, we wouldn't want to see news headlines such as "Abraham Lincoln's WebStone Disconnected and All Data Lost:  Unpaid Bills, Say Power Company and ISP" or "Elvis Presley WebStone Hacked: Attacker Places Own Face on Every Page". 
> 
> But, dear friends, there's an even greater professional opportunity:  someone will have to MANAGE this lifetime of information. 
> 
> We, the archivists and records managers of the world, have a duty to stand up and be counted! 
> 
> We must form a new professional association, following AIIM, AHIMA, ARMA and NIRMA. This will be called Death Information Management (DIM). 
> 
> Perpetual employment and small business come together ....
> 
> With gallows humour for all,
> And malice towards none.
> 
> CommuterRailroadWhimsey.

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