Genpets. Both Creepy and Brilliant

Genpets. It may be the most disturbingly ingenious thing I've ever seen. Genetically engineered pets, packaged like action figures or consumer electronics. They come in 1-year and 3-year configurations, and their emotions can be controlled via their special nutrient packs.

Now before anyone gets upset, it's not real; the whole thing is an art project by a guy named Adam Brandejs. It is still one of the more fascinating art projects I've ever seen. It's a science fiction satire of modern consumerisism that isn't obnoxiously pretentious. It makes it's point subtly but powerfully and, most importantly, without making the subject feel stupid. Let's be honest, this little troll-looking thing would sell like crazy if it actually existed. It's hairless, allergen free, can't run away and you only have to feed it once a week. It's like a goldfish that you can hold like a baby. A creepy Gollum looking freak baby, but a baby none the less.

technorati tags: technology, art, scifi,