Since ancient times, some people have described or wrote about the concept of a crystal ball or sphere that could show 3D images. These images could be of things & events at various points in time.
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Crystal_ball
Quantum Bloch_sphere Terminology
Long before most humans could ever imagine the science required to develop TV & 3D imaging systems & Quantum computing, there was the concept of the crystal ball & the talking magic mirror.
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/03/moving-beyond-silicon-to-break-the-megahertz-barrier.ars
Eventually inventors & technicians were able to create such things with modern technology.
The Oracle is an ancient concept but it has continued into modern times. The work of John_von_Neumann was an integral part of the ORACLE (computer) project at the Oak_Ridge_National_Laboratory.
-
By the mid 1950s, Philip_K._Dick had realized that special future computers & certain precognition people could tap into various timelines. So in a way, even in ancient times, some people had the idea that holograms could be seen in things like crystalballs. An advanced quantum-computer might be able to tap into specific points & places in time & space. http://www.theuniversesolved.com/theuniversesolved/blog/post/2009/05/Non-locality-Explained!.aspx
So whether its a crystal ball (spherical TV) or a talking magic mirror, flat screen TV or tablet PC, its modern technology that's based on ancient ideas in the mind.
-
The concept of the Oracle & the_crystal_ball have become a modern Metaphor for future & past events stored in time.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/when-the-crystal-ball-foretells-a-bumpy-ride/article1513523
-
But if too many people start to metaphorically perceive the universe as a vast interactive recording, there would be a lot more people questioning reality.
