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Philly is Getting a Portal. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

  • Eagles

Technology is amazing. Sure, sometimes a self-driving car runs over a toddler, AI is going to take our jobs, and you have to scan a QC code to get a damn Applebee's menu.

But for the most part... amazing! And one of the latest technological innovations is coming to Philadelphia in the form of a "portal."

Portals, as described by Portals.org, are "technology art sculptures" that connect to a network of identical sculptures around the world. "Each Portal is located in the public space, providing a real-time, unfiltered live stream 24/7 that is frequently rotating between different locations on Earth."

Other localities with portals include NYC, Dublin, Vilnius (in Lithuania), Lublin (Poland), and Piaui (Brazil). 

Photo of New York City portal, via Portals.org

The portals began as paired connections between two cities. Vilnius and Lublin were connected first, then NYC and Dublin. Things went off the rails with the latter connection:

- A woman was escorted away by police for grinding her ass on the Dublin portal just hours after it opened.

- A guy in Dublin decided to show the good people of New York some hardcore porn from his phone.

- There was a lot of this:

- And a lot of this:

- Here's Dublin taunting NYC with images of the 9/11 attacks.

- NYC retaliated with a potato.

- It's not all bad. Here are a few wholesome interactions. Presumably what these things were intended for.

But is the world ready for a portal to Philadelphia? We will soon find out.

author

John Foley

Before joining OnPattison.com, John Foley was a Phillies beat writer for PHLY Sports and the founder of a popular independent Phillies newsletter. He has provided nontraditional local sports coverage since 2013. Foley grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. He's a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system, a Penn State grad, and a Georgetown Law alum. A licensed attorney, he sits on the board of the Papermill Food Hub, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping families in need throughout the city. Find him on your favorite social media: @2008philz.

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