Banapana » Stars of CCTV

Pictures of Pictures

Russell Warner — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:38:27 +0000

This is one of the funnier incidents of media serendipity I’ve seen in a while. Of course, I love to cover events when people spy on the government or the government spies on people, but here we have regular old people “spying” on regular old people. Robert Palmer, a graphic designer who’s been making some noise with his revamp of the Republican Health Nightcare Chart, also happened to spot some kids from his Hilton hotel room taking a picture of their cars. And then, in a way that could only happen in the 21st century’s media mania, he found the pictures they were taking. I just feel like it’s worth mentioning because it helps me to hone my sense of just what banapana is.

The Watchdogs Get Distracted By T-bone Yet Again

Russell Warner — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:17:17 +0000

It can never be underestimated how much the US media, driven by profit motive and not ethics, can fail to see the point in a story that they are reporting simply due to the fact that the real point is not the point that gets ratings. I’m a little behind the curve on this story as I am across the pond and my access to US news (and Internet connections) is infrequent. Nonetheless, with regard to the arrest of Henry Louis Gates and the “beer” diplomacy engaged by the administration, it would seem that a significant matter has been lost in the chatter. As always, Christopher Hitchens has the real thread of the matter at hand and I have to second and third the point that he makes in his editorial on the matter that (regardless of his color) Gates’ constitutional rights were infringed upon. The media has utterly failed to see this in a post-racial fashion—surprise, surprise. And moreover, we as a people, have been so saturated with police shows and crime dramas, lauding all police everywhere as heroes, defending a fictional right of the police to do what’s necessary to fight crime that we have rolled over when it comes to what they have no right to do.

About nine months ago, I posted an important lecture from an excellent lawyer on how to deal with the police. It is simple. Do not talk to the police. If you are guilty do not talk to the police. If you are innocent it is even more critical that you DO NOT TALK to the police! They are not on your side, no matter how much they assure you they are. It is their job to clear up the facts of the case, through evidence, not hearsay, and not your obligation to help them. You’re merest utterance can and will be used in court against you—a mistake of the facts, a matter of confusion, the police getting wrong what you said. You have the right to remain silent and you should. Personally, if the house belonged to Henry Gates, I think he would have been better suited simply not talking to the police. It’s not to say that you don’t have the right to speak your mind on your on property, but you are better served by letting your rights speak for you. When a police officer asks you anything about your person, your belongings, your occupation of a certain house, ask them what is their probable cause for asking. Or, better yet, say nothing! They cannot insinuate a crime—well they might, but what would sound better in front of a judge?—The suspect was testy and or belligerent? Or, the suspect said nothing? You have rights. Trust yourself to them. Do not talk to the police.

All I Want Is A Joovc Lookvuda Tuv

Russell Warner — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:00:58 +0000

What’s the problem with that!? Well, for anyone out there just no dipping their feet into the warm waters of advanced video watching technology, here’s a hint: don’t pronounce all the acronyms. You will drive your otherwise friendly sales help to madness.

Do Not Talk to the Police

Russell Warner — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:00:45 +0000

In lieu of my recent posting on brain scans and the 5th amendment, I’d like to post this great video that will give you several good reasons (from an attorney) as to why you should never talk to the police and why your 5th amendment right may be your most important in this century. In short, there are so many federal codes, so many laws, you cannot know when you are incriminating yourself. It takes a lawyer. Professor James Duane, “Everything you tell the police can be used against you. It cannot be used for you.”

Next on Trial: Your Brain

Russell Warner — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:00:33 +0000

Ran into this story regarding using brain scans in court as evidence against criminals via io9. SFgate has a bit more on the story and the general consensus is that techniques such as fMRI and new lie detection will be admissible in court within the next five years. What I don’t understand is why in neither of these articles is the 5th amendment to the Constitution even mentioned. For a fun civil rights lesson, let’s review it.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Did you notice that little part there about “nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” Can someone explain to me how a picture of your brain—namely, you—can be used as evidence against you and not be considered self-incrimination? The science is sketchy at nest at this point, but that it violates people’s 5th amendment rights is beyond the pale.

Who Will Watch the Watchers?

Russell Warner — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:30:35 +0000

The inevitable (and naive) question raised when new surveillance technology makes itself available to the public sector, is “Well, what’s the harm—surveillance just makes everyone safer.” And yet, just as inevitably, every time one of these technologies is implemented it turns out that there is some clever way to abuse it that never occurred to anyone. For instance, the cameras being installed at intersections around the country that capture the license plates of cars running red lights; how could a government abuse this simple and seemingly reasonable safety precaution? Well, why shouldn’t a municipality shorten the length of time that the yellow light shows and increase their revenue? Why not, in fact, shorten the interval of the yellow light to a length of time that is against the law and causes more car wrecks? Oh sheep, when will you learn. You cannot trust the government.

Security system? Ha. I’ve Got Balloon

Russell Warner — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:50:33 +0000

Never have the foibles of modern technology been made so obvious than with artist William Lamson’s piece—a carefully placed balloon in front of a CCTV camera. (found via Boingboing)

Long Awkward Poses

Russell Warner — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:29:54 +0000

It’s the longest moment, isn’t?—trying to hold a pose for someone that’s not too quick with the camera? But what if they are taking the picture—the entire time? There are many more to laugh at over at buzzfeed.

In Response to Radar & Robert Lanham

troped — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:45:35 +0000

I could really take a hatchet to this utter whinefest, this gooey-mass-of-over-generalizations of an editorial by Robert Lanham. But I’m just going to say one thing in response to his statement that the Millenials, “[are] always doing stupid shit, but rarely getting called on it.”

Are you ready, Mr. Lanham? Good. George W. Bush. ‘Nuff said.

Stop Looking At Me or I Will Set You On Fire!

admin — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:51:23 +0000

It looks like some folks in the UK have had enough with the CCTV surveillance. The UK has the highest density of surveillance cameras of any western nation, with 1 for every 14 people. And there are special ones just to catch you speeding with the cute colloquial nomenclature of gatso. So, Motorists Against Detection (MAD) is having at it and taking the gatsos out—in some cases even resorting to dynamite.