I have, thus far, managed to avoid reading any review about Google Glass — mostly because I think the product is *fucking horrible* on many levels. But, for what ever reason, this article by [Jan Chipchase was in my queue][1]. In the article Chipcase poses this interesting thought (then he digressed and I stopped reading), but he says (in the beginning):
> As a product that is both on-your-face and in-your-face, Glass is set to become a lightning rod for a wider discussion around what constitutes acceptable behavior in public and private spaces. The Glass debate has already started, but these are early days; each new iteration of hardware and functionality will trigger fresh convulsions. In the short term, Glass will trigger anger, name-calling, ridicule and the occasional bucket of thrown water (whether it’s ice water, I don’t know). In the medium term, as societal interaction with the product broadens, signs will appear in public spaces guiding mis/use1 and lawsuits will fly, while over the longer term, legislation will create boundaries that reflect some form of im/balance between individual, corporate and societal wants, needs and concerns.
Debate? We need to debate this? Give me a fucking break, there is *no* debate. Here’s how you know when Glass is inappropriate: anywhere you would not feel comfortable whipping out an SLR to take a photo without permission, is a place where Glass is inappropriate.
Yeah, I see you, guy in the corner trying to take a sneaky picture of the hot girl at the bar with your iPhone — put that shit away. Oh you are so clever pretending to take a picture of your friend, but really taking a picture of that hick wearing the ironic t-shirt. In both situations you don’t want to get caught, because you know what you are doing is socially not acceptable — maybe illegal.
With Glass, Google gives stealth photo ability to any [idiot][2] with $1,500 to burn.
The only debate to be had is if we wait for the product to flop, or make it illegal right now. My vote: pass a law that would force Google to have a red LED on the damned things when the camera is active — I mean you already look like a douche wearing them. ((If you like Google Glass, please stop reading my site.))
[1]: http://allthingsd.com/20130412/you-lookin-at-me-reflections-on-google-glass/
[2]: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/32540-robert-scoble-wears-google/
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