Journal #7

"Google Spy" by Michael Agger

This article discusses the latest Google technology, Google Street View, which allows people virtual visual access to major cities across the United States. This technology has created quite the uproar. People are expressing concern that the photos taken by Street View are revealing too much personal information, but Google feels differently. Google defended itself by explaining that these photos are taken on public property and not in real time. Google seems to feel that no damage can be done as long as they take down any photos that are offensive. I think differently. This article had hyperlinks to several of the photos and allowed the reader to get a sense of what Street View was capable of. Several of the photos that were supposed to be taken down were still accessible on this site. Granted what I saw wasn't anything incredibly shocking, I couldn't stop thinking what happens next with this technology? I have to admit. I have heard of this technology before. In fact I've even used it without knowing what it was. Even worse I did exactly what I am afraid everyone else is going to do. Spy on other people. I don't know about you, but I like my privacy. Sure I would love to spy on other people, but if that means they can spy on me as well, then I'm out. Have you read 1984? Obviously live photos will be next and that's just taking it a little too far for me. I think this technology is getting close to crossing the line. At the end of this article the author discusses how he would like this technology to give him access to international locations without having having to leave the comfort of his home. While this does sound nice there is nothing like the real thing, and for me there is nothing like being in the comfort of my own front yard knowing that someone from Ohio can't see what I'm doing.

Question 1

Do you see any positive effects of this technology?

Yes. Quite often I go to mapquest for directions and find myself wishing I had some sort of visual reference, but I've managed to make it this long without Street View, I'm sure I can continue to make it on my own.

Question 2

What is the worst thing about this technology?

That this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think we are going to have a lot of issues like this come up in the future as our society becomes more technologically enhanced. Just because we have the capacity and the technology to do something like this doesn't mean we should do it. One of those ethical, social, human issues we discussed in class.