jeevan kalanithi {} Object-Based Media {} MIT Media Lab

Thanks to the Department of Homeland Security, Americans now have a sensible, simple means to know how fearful they should be on any given day: colors!

The DHS Security Advisory System provides a five valued color code, each color indicating the likelihood of terrorist attack. However, one must check websites to get this information. Who has the time?

The Ambient Terror Display automatically adjusts the lighting in a space to mirror the current threat level. Now busy people can be aware of the likelihood of attack in a convenient, time-effective way, without having to pay full attention. For example, if there is an elevated chance of attack, the space will be bathed in a yellow light.

The Ambient Terror Display lets you know whether you should be working at your desk or under it.

The Ambient Terror Display leverages the Ambient Weather Display architecture to automatically check the threat level posted on the DHS website and update the lighting system in a room. Thanks to Ritik Dholakia for the suggestion.

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