Openness

There is a one-eyed filmmaker who is going to hide a camera in his prosthetic eye. This presents all sorts of privacy concerns, I think. While yes, it would permit capturing people as they really are, and he is saying that he’ll get releases signed after the fact, it creeps me out.

I don’t like hiding. Hiding a camera anywhere presents issues of openness which, in the long run, I think may do more harm than good for photographers and filmmakers, especially documentary ones. While this technology could definitely be used for good, like to capture someone abusing workers, the potential for abuse is huge. The balance will be difficult to achieve.

I’m all for busting abusive employers, dangerous food producers, and the like. However, I don’t want to find out that I’ve been filmed/recorded only when I’m presented with a release. Shouldn’t the public be entitled to some presumption of personal privacy?

Stuff to think about…

Opt out

Google is now targeting the ads it shows you. It does this by tracking your google-related activities. That includes any sites you visit that display google-based ads (AdSense), which is a lot of sites.

Me, I don’t want to be tracked. If you feel as I do, go here to learn how to opt out.