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

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."

Philly is getting the portal pic.twitter.com/OM9wRkrugh

— James | fund SEPTA (@JamesPhl96) October 18, 2024

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:

the portal in new york and dublin has been shut down because some girl FLASHED the people on the other side pic.twitter.com/5fydTWFOxa

— juju 💰 (@ayeejuju) May 14, 2024

they opened a portal between dublin and new york and I just know it will be shut down before its one month anniversary lol pic.twitter.com/4MsGV7mSr8

— em (@shinywiglett) May 9, 2024

- And a lot of this:

This is so funny to see in Dublin - What A Day, What a City…

I dont know who thought this Dublin-NYC portal was a great idea but it shows they never set foot in DCC pic.twitter.com/kSspY3Gkr5

— Winnie Schola (@WinnieSchola) May 14, 2024

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

The New York / Ireland portal bouta start a war😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/0QTCmFVGvJ

— SolP (@SolProduced) May 11, 2024

- NYC retaliated with a potato.

Incredible things happening in the Dublin to NYC Portal pic.twitter.com/afRRzXbe2x

— Fiona Small (@FionaSmall) May 13, 2024

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

THE PORTAL: a visual bridge connecting New York City to Dublin

A public technology sculpture known as The Portal was unveiled this morning in New York City’s ’s Flatiron neighborhood. The sculpture has a real-time, visual live stream connecting New York City to Dublin, Ireland. pic.twitter.com/ATNBq63QeC

— Noel Y. Calingasan • NYC (@nyclovesnyc) May 8, 2024

The NY / Dublin portal is one of the greatest exhibits ever

Every single video has me feeling emotional or laughing. Dublin has the exact right energy for this - from the talented and wholesome to the mad characters 🍀💗 pic.twitter.com/jhk3L2mvFU

— anxiety chronic, ass iconic (@lambrinimami) May 11, 2024

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

https://t.co/aWGmMolHgA pic.twitter.com/24FvHpmu62

— Absolutely Hammered (@ah_pod) October 18, 2024