I think it is pretty safe to say that if you poll your friends (about the Google Street View concept) they will be split 50-50.
Go ahead try.
Many people are in the “So what, who cares, it is kind of cool” camp. Like, I will be the first to admit that the application has some uses.
Quite a few folks are adverse to having their privacy invaded.
Some folks will say… “If you have nothing to hide then you won’t mind if we take a quick peek up your kilt…”
Which is essentially what Google Street View is working on – as they prepare to deploy on the streets of Canada.
Google street view should know one thing – Canadians are not Americans… and they are not Brits.
Brits are so accustomed to being preyed upon by a impertinent and overly prying government that they ignore that they are observed, on average… 64 times a day.
Not so much in Canada.
Personally, I like the feeling of walking alone – or with my wife… on the streets of Victoria – sometimes on a Friday… or on a day off – and the feeling of being somewhat on the lam. Even if it is my own personal illusion.
And I like to be able to maintain my personal freedom from observance – especially when I am such a well behaved citizen.
So a message to Google Street view… no, a promise:
If I see a Google Street view camera cross my path… and there is a rock or a stick within my reach… I promise you that I am going to aim it squarely at the Google Street view vehicle…
with a curt “Get out of my face Google street view”
Get out. Of my face. Or else.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Colin Newell is a Victoria resident and a writer of words – normally friendly when watered and well fed, the Newell can lash out when it encounters foolishness or bad behavior
Comments
4 responses to “Spring forward – out of my face Chapter one”
You’re paranoid. Do you throw rocks at tourists taking pictures that happen to capture you in the background? If google starts monitoring Victoria on a regular basis, then yes, I mind. But a single vehicle, driving around once, taking pictures? Not a problem. Just one more tourist.
Your chances of being ‘caught’ by Google are pretty dang small. I bet that you, like myself, are probably in a dozen Japanese photo albums as we speak…
Thanks for that thought…
but wait!
Identify yourself at once!
🙂
Oh, this is so funny. Not street view itself, but the Japanese camera angle. My girlfriend and I were having lunch in Old town San Diego and were hailed by a couple of Japanese tourists who wanted to be photographed with us!
Hey. I can assure you. If I am walking down the street and some business is going to take a picture of me or my house – for their profit, I assure you that I am going to react – or more likely act out !