When Obama and Sotomayor were at the podium, a smoked-glass-lookin’ screen, about the size of a sheet of paper or so, was up at Obama height. When he backed away from the podium, it lowered to Mini-Me height.
What is it?
Sounds like the teleprompter widget used by many politicians (and news anchors although you can’t see theirs since the camera films right through it). It’s basically an angled sheet of glass that reflects the text of their speech so they can speak without notes in hand. There are generally two of them so they can turn their head from side to side. The text scrolls on a monitor down below, speed controlled by someone.
There are some good photos here:
Shutthefuckup. You can see the words on his side but not on the audience side? I’m impressed. I always thought it was a TV screen thingie on a table about 15 feet in front of him.
Thanks!!! Technology…sheesh…
See also Pepper’s Ghost. (OK, not really the same thing; but related.)
I wonder if that’s why Obama always talks to his right or his left, but never down the middle.