Several countries are miffed at Google right now. Its new service Google Earth makes it possible for any Joe Blow to obtain satellite pics of say…the layout of a military installation. The Register reports:
The recent news that South Korea is to take the US to task over Google Earth images which expose its military installations to close Commie scrutiny has provoked a mini stampede of other peace-loving nations eager to protect their assets from prying eyes.
Enter stage right Thailand, which says it may ask Google to “block images of important state buildings vulnerable to attack”. Armed forces spokeschap Major General Weerasak Manee-in told Reuters: “We are looking for possible restrictions on these detailed pictures, especially state buildings. I think pictures of tourist attractions should do, not crucial places which could threaten national security…”Manee’s Sri Lankan counterpart, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake, admitted it was a “serious concern if anyone could get detailed images of sensitive installations and buildings”, but added: “This is a new trend, we will first have to see whether, in this day and age, if this a considerable threat to national security…”
India agrees. Reuters quotes an anonymous security official there as confirming that “the issue of satellite imagery had been discussed at the highest level but the government had concluded that ‘technology cannot be stopped’…” [Link]
I love that last line “technology cannot be stopped.” It has a very Terminator-esque quality to it. I however agree with all of the above sentiments but for selfish reasons of my own. You see, I have been using satellite images for over FIVE years now. Websites like Globeexplorer.com have been making satellite pics available for those that wanted them for years. I’ll tell you what, there is nothing that will make a girl take you more seriously than emailing her a satellite picture of her house the morning after your first date. I have done this after more than one date. Seriously. Also, why do you think we chose an underground complex for our Sepia Mutiny world headquarters in North Dakota? It certainly isn’t because North Dakota is safe. It is in fact anomalously perilous. No. We chose it so as to avoid prying eyes. Your prying eyes. Our Los Angeles Bureau offices on the other hand can easily be spotted from the sky (in case anyone wants to keep the LA Bureau Chief company).
For five years now I have found all sorts of wonderful uses for satellite imagery. Now I am miffed that everyone will have the same easy resource as me. Quick, by a show of hands, how many of you enjoy watching fireworks on the National Mall during the 4th of July festivities in D.C.? You always have the same problem right? Where do you meet your friends in that large blob of people. Here was my solution back in 2002:
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Yeah, yeah yeah. I know what all you nervous nelly’s are thinking. “Is it wise to put an ‘X’ on the Whitehouse lawn?” People, there are already plenty of files on me. This ain’t gonna’ hurt things much. At least now you guys know where I will be next 4th of July.
in case anyone wants to keep the LA Bureau Chief company
depends on who your LA Bureau Chief is !! Names and a nice pic will do…a.k.a cicatrix style pics will be more than appreciated…!!!
Abhi, I hope you will be able to blog from Guantanamo.
Seriously, were there ever any second dates?
Also, anyone know if it is possible to get higher resolution sattelite photos of places in India (like Kerala’s hillsides, or even Bangalore)? Google Earth seems to only have high resolution for the area around Taj Mahal. I would love to see my grandparent’s houses with the same resolution that I can see my apartment.
And curiously, Google Earth doesn’t seem to have high resolution for some places in Marin County, in California. I wonder why and how such a highly populated area got excluded.
Najeeb, So do I. If they use certain tactics though I may break.
Yes actually. Women are intrigued by dangerous men. 😉
lol @ comment #2 from najeeb
Doesn’t that seem an absurd way to deal with the problem? Won’t blocking images of a particular area make it obvious that sensitive installations exist in those areas?
And Abhi, send me your cell # from Guantanamo and I’ll send you a card. Better yet mark your spot on a satellite image.;)
Ha! I just looked it up. The pictures aren’t hi-res enough that you can make out Camp X-ray but I can see the main roads leading up to it.
abhi, are you crazy? dont post stuff like this. you goin down boy. get ready for gitmo
Abhi, I suggest you go through files and change some of your references to your geography–unless, perhaps, you are being deceptive about LA headquarters. Unless, of course, you really want some company–there are dangerous women as well.
I guess the only 2 places in South Asia with a reasonably good resolution are Delhi (incl. suburbs Noida et al.) and Karachi. my relatives freaked when i emailed “sat images” of their houses! that got my parents wondering whether i work in an IT company or CIA!
another piece of info – the delhi images were taken on Jan 26th (year-???) so you can check out the Republic Day parade on Raj Path too (…barely, though!)
…and huge palaces in UAE in the middle of nowhere!
abhi, i remember when you sent this out back in 2002 to all of us. geez, i can’t believe it’s been that long. everyone on SM, these satellite images actually came in very handy when we went to DC for july 4th especially when you are trying to coordinate masses of brown people in one area. good times abhi. i totally commend you for using technology to your advantage even if it rats you out of your LA hideout. nice post too.
Incidentally the New Delhi edition of TOI has the satellite image of Rashtrapati Bhavan on its front page.
I wish it could be downloaded for mac.