Remember CNN’s “groundbreaking” hologram reporters during its election night coverage? Using green screens and high-definition video, a reporter from Chicago was “beamed” into the New York studio to talk to Wolf Blitzer.

Groundbreaking? We thought it was creepy.

But a recent Time article showed us the potential positives of hologram technology. According to Time, the Pentagon is soliciting companies to develop a holographic concept. Provided a company can supply the technology for a reasonable price, the Department of Defense is interested in creating a program that would provide virtual parents which could serve as a comfort to kids whose parents are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. These virtual parents would have an artificial intelligence that would allow them to carry on simple conversations, responding to phrases like, “I love you” and “Good night.”

Although the benefits of this are obvious, the program could also backfire in unpredictable ways. But we’ll leave the psychological analyses to the experts. Let’s take a minute to consider what the rest of us could do with this technology.

In our Editorial Board meeting, imaginations ran rampant when we discussed the possibility of holograms in everyday life.

Instead of the standard “Pulp Fiction” or John Belushi “College” posters we have on our walls, we could have holograms. A hologram would even top those silly Fathead wall graphics!

But let’s not be selfish. Let’s think of the kids. Sally wants a kitten, but she’s allergic? Get her a holo-kitty! Jack sneezes every time he sees a dog? How about a puppy-gram?

And why limit the virtual parents to military families? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to have a mom whose preset vocabulary doesn’t include the words “Clean your room?”

Actually, the parent conversation got a little too exciting for one member of the Editorial Board, who exclaimed, “Angelina Jolie can be my mom now!”

An awkward silence filled the room.

“Why would you want her to be your mom? Do you have an Oedipus complex?”

Moving on, we thought back to the original CNN holograms.

“Didn’t they beam in will.i.am?”

It’s true, they did. None of us are sure what kind of political expertise will.i.am possesses, but his name brought to mind the doors holograms could open in the entertainment field. Can you imagine showing up to a party and seeing Lil’ Wayne rapping as the guest of honor? Just ignore the blue haze outlining Weezy’s body and it’ll be just like the real thing.

And then, of course, there’s the obvious clincher for college students. Hologram professors. Just beam them into your bedroom for those morning classes and you’ll never have to crawl out from under that fluffy comforter.

OK, maybe these suggestions are kind of silly — but they’re probably not that far off. Holographic parents — if the idea comes to fruition — could be a great comfort to military kids. But in all of the situations discussed, especially in the case of family, there’s just nothing like the real thing.