They Live. One of my favorite cult classics ever. They Live was directed by none other than John Carpenter and starred WWE great Rowdy Roddy Piper, but let’s not forget the great Keith David either. Here’s a quick synopsis from IMDB about the movie.
Nada, a down-on-his-luck construction worker, discovers a pair of special sunglasses. Wearing them, he is able to see the world as it really is: people being bombarded by media and government with messages like “Stay Asleep”, “No Imagination”, “Submit to Authority”. Even scarier is that he is able to see that some usually normal-looking people are in fact ugly aliens in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued. (Written by Melissa Portell)
In They Live, the glasses are able to block out billboard and screen advertising, revealing the subliminal messages underneath. The makers of IRL glasses used this cult classic as the inspiration for their screen-blocking glasses. If you think you’re bombarded by screen advertising way too much, these glasses may be your solution.
Not too long ago, phones were attached to the wall, TVs weighed as much as refrigerators and computers rivaled minivans in size. Then everything changed. The world has seen an explosion of screens all vying for our attention (Americans spend 11 hours a day looking at screens, NY Times 2018), making it harder and harder to have uninterrupted experiences and genuine human connections. IRL Glasses put you in the driver’s seat to control when and how you engage with screens.
The polarization is TAC 1.1, Cat 3, UV 400, meaning IRL Glasses don’t just block screens, they work as a normal pair of UV-blocking sunglasses. IRL Glasses block LCD/LED screens through horizontally polarized optics. By flattening and rotating the polarized lens 90 degrees, light emitted by LCD/LED screens is blocked, making it look like the TV or computer in front of you is off. IRL Glasses are in beta. This means they are compatible with most TVs (LCD/LED) and some computers (LCD/LED). IRL glasses do not yet block smartphones or digital billboards (OLED).
The company stresses that these glasses are not supposed to be worn while driving and have no medical use. As with any crowdfunding campaign, there is a risk supporting them. We’ve recently heard about several that we’ve written about that have failed or are having issues. Our reporting on crowdfunding campaigns does not mean we support or are affiliated with them. Support at your own risk.
What do you think of these They Live inspired glasses? Let us know in the comments below or on GooglePlus, Twitter, or Facebook.
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