35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses -Part 3-

by +Cesar Anton 

@reicek

And finally, my last 15 arguments in favor of Google Glass, inspired on Edward Champion's "Thirty-Five arguments against Google Glass". If you haven't read the the previous ones, you can go to the first part of this article.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-ONE

It will turn more strangers into stalkers. "

This is a common concern with geo tag applications like Foursquare, and it could be actually dangerous if used without proper care on who we share the information with, same applies to Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc. Also, just like with Foursquare, you choose when and if you want to share your position.

Foursquare has demonstrated the convenience of this kind of Apps but it takes it to a whole new level... they are great because they allow us to share information about good spots in the city and therefore, it makes easier to find the best places around just by checking the reviews, and since the users are the ones who posts locations and reviews, it is a more reliable way to find "hot spots" compared with regular advertisement. 

Also the ability to help you find your nearby contacts has other potential users, from finding your date on a crowded place to always keeping "an eye" on your children when they are at the mall. Yeah, it is an expensive gadget to give to your kid, but I'm sure there are plenty of parents who would appreciate the possibility to know were they're children are and maybe even what they are looking and hearing, this is priceless to prevent child abductions and abuse! if you are a worried parent, just think about the possibilities. At the same time glasses could provide useful signals for children, warning them not to cross the street, touching something or simply helping them find they're parents, because children also get scared when they notice they are alone and can't see were they're parents are (usually pretty close by of coarse).

One can even develop an App that will help you find potential stalkers! Glasses can recognize people, and they are good to remember peoples faces, so if they see the same person over and over, an App may be created to alert you something like "hey, this guy is always around, do you know who he is?" or if you have already tagged a stalker, it might be able to alert you if he spots him or her.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-TWO

It will create more cyber-bullying and stress. "

Cyber-bullying (and regular, old-school bullying) has always been around, and not only on humans! I have a beautifull 7kg (big and strong) tabby-orange cat called Midi, he is so sweet... with humans and relatives (my other 5 cats) but he is a bully with strange cats! He is very territorial (even though he was castrated a long time ago).

On the other hand, one can use Google Glasses to help you find guidance and/or help if you have problems with a bully, if you are careful you can also use it to gather evidence against him or her and use it to get help, maybe even a restrain order (depending on the authorities criteria).

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-THREE

It could make you more willing to believe lies. "

It all boils down to each individuals criteria, but on the other hand, having a device that allows you to verify data by automatically and manually "googling" everything you see and hear will start creating the habit of always "backing up your statement" or double check information you've just heard or read, and this is a very good thing for man kind in general, we really need to do this more and stop spreading or believing unfounded data, just because you watched it on TV, read on a magazine or heard from someone (even if it is a teacher), I'm not saying that internet it's a 100% trusted source of data, but you can cross-reference data to be make it more likely to be accurate.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-FOUR

It will create more needless distraction. "

Or might help the use stay more aware of his or her surroundings, actually there are plans to make Apps that will use the technology to help blind people be more aware of they're surrounding  using the GPS and by being able to recognize things, it could give sound cues to make them more aware about what surrounds them, also help them avoid crossing red traffic signals and many other dangers to help them navigate safely around the streets, even on places they don't know making tourism a much more comfortable experience.

Google Glass doesn't use traditional headphones but it uses a technology called Bone induction, so it transfers audio directly to your inner ear without blocking your ears so it doesn't interfere with our natural sound source position awareness, this is a great thing for all users.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-FIVE

It will expand the Streisand effect to an unprecedented level. "

The Streisand effect is a curious modern phenomena, the mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto has learned it the hard way, several times (he likes being consistent hehe) creating trending topics on Twitter and other popular social media networks, maybe the worst was in the "Universidad Iberoamericana" incident were in an attempt to manipulate media, students started a national movement callled #YoSoy132, and maybe the Google Glass would open the door to such Streisand effects, but it is up to each person's criteria to consider exposing things like authority abuses or lies a good or a bad thing...

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-SIX

It could prevent people from discovering themselves. "

Or use it to change your life completely and start something new, something you actually enjoy, like a famous video blog. This happened to Shane Dawson, and his story is a great example of how social networks can create new ways for artists to express themselves and make a living out of it, even people close to him like Shanna Malcolm has started a new life thanks you the opportunities this kind of technology opens.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-SEVEN

It will discourage people from seeking unfamiliar viewpoints. "

Or give people the opportunity to see the world from someone else perspective, it could be an artist, reporter, child, teenager, sky diver, rappel professional, etc. Eventually there will be a wide collection of videos from all kinds of people allowing us to see the world from a different perspective, this will help us better understand each other, and it is one more step towards a much more united world.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-EIGHT

It could create another place where advertisement takes over our lives. "

Maybe, but it could choose "useful advertisement", based on our preferences, habits, location... depending on the Apps we use and the information we choose to gave them.  also I'm sure there is going to be "Add-Blockers" for those who doesn't want to be disturbed by publicity (no matter how well chosen it is).

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY-NINE

It will create needless competition over who has the most worthwhile life experience. "

It is true that people are always finding excuses to compete... and competing about who makes the most out of they're life, might not be a bad thing if done with responsibility and kept positive, encourage people (especially Geeks, who are the first ones targeted to get one) to get out of the couch, go outside and think of new ways to create a worth-sharing moment... Doing exercise, seeing the world and at the same time staying connected just like they want. Even some especial video games could be developed to work on glass and encourage people to go out and do "real-life" quests... finding hidden virtual objects, or performing all kind of things on the virtual world placed on top the real one... much healthier than just staying home in front of a screen, and it has more substance and challenge than anything you could do with any in-door console. Imagine getting enrolled on a game which has hidden virtual clues on the public areas throughout  the city (or even the country). Gyames like this will promote people knowing they're city and going to other city's to try the quests or advance in a national quest, or even international for those who travel a lot far and wide... Everyone wins right?

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY

It will discourage people from striking up conversations with strangers. "

Or connect us all to a whole new level... let's get this pretty far to glimpse the big picture here, currently handouts support 10 people, so you could gather with people from other 9 different country's, start a hangout and each one share something, and they could understand each other thanks to speech-to-text and Google translate, all done live, just like Google+ with the translate app.

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY-ONE

It could discourage companies from hiring people. "

Or allow people to be productive from day 1 on a new job, imagine a salesman who knows all the prices, all the storage inventory, remembers all related merchandise, all the offers, all the policies and even recognizes all the frequent customers name and preferences... now imagine all your employees are like that, even the new ones... This is possible with Google Glass, the right Apps and enough personnel to keep all your customers happy and well attended, yes, Google Glass it's expensive, but it is a great investment for many stores that will pay itself from better employee performance and will also please the customers.

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY-TWO

It will create unfair advantages for online retailers. "

It is more likely to create new ways for online retailers to show they're merchandise, imagine you see something you like, but it is not inside a store or it is not for sale... but you liked it!, well Google Glass may find it for you and tell you the people who are selling it, how far they are and the price of each one.

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY-THREE

It could usher in a new form of vertical integration and that does not compensate talent. "

Living only on what you get out of Add-Sense or YouTube is not easy at all, but there is so many people out there that it is natural that the scene is quite competitive, but the internet is a fast ever-growing source of viewers and it is an always open chance for anyone to show they're talents to the world.

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY-FOUR

It will make driving dangerous. "

One has to be very responsible when using this kind of devices, writing on the mobile phone while driving it's a very bad idea, also changing the radio station, air conditioner, etc, but one can create some "driving" profile, to turn off e-mail and social media alerts and tag you as "busy" or "driving" and start the GPS, also it doesn't require you to stop looking at the road to check the map and signals, also it has voice control and text to speech features, as an added bonus, it is possible to create devices to make your car "Glass compatible" and give you information about your vehicle like the alarm if you are away from it or the current speed and how much fuel you have left, also alert you from engine problems, it is also possible to install infrared and give you proximity alerts, along with the actual distance of the object, maybe even a rear camera... there are endless possibilities for car accessories made for Google Glass users.

- " ARGUMENT THIRTY-FIVE

It could attempt to erase people in need from existence, as well as serious problems that we cannot ignore. "

There are lots and lots of people around the world who feels that no one understands they're point of view, no one knows who they are, etc. Google Glasses can open new ways for this people to conect to the world, to meet others and to express themselves in new ways using networks like YouTube, Google+, Facebook and having Google Hangout. This could make some people realize how valuable they are and how they can contribute and connect to the world.

This are just a few examples of how this technology could benefit a lot of people and help to make even deeper positive changes in society, arts, science, healthcare, sports, journalism, government and people all around. It will be very exciting to see all the unexpected uses people find for this to push the reach of the technology even further.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much a I enjoyed writing it, and I really want to thank Edward Champion for inspiring me and I hope that people who share his fears find some insight between the lines of this article, I also hope they inspire other developers to help creating more Apps that will enhance the applications for this device in everyone's benefit.

Good day everyone, and thank you for your time.

35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses -Part 2-

by +Cesar Anton 

@reicek



Let's continue (hopefully) having fun with my 35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses, inspired on Edward Champion's "Thirty-Five arguments against Google Glass". If you haven't read the first 10, you can read the first part of this article.

- " ARGUMENT ELEVEN

It could be hacked. "

Even though this is possible, same applies to your mobile phone, digital camera, laptop, email, Facebook, etc... It is also important to note that Glasses, so far, don't store data like your mobile, it is more a broadcasting system, and it is possible to intercept and decode a Bluetooth transmission, but it would be much more useful to go for your mobile instead than intercepting your camera feed and GPS location. And hacking the service won't be any different that stealing your Google account password, I use the word stealing since it's almost impossible to hack Google in a traditional way, with a creepy guy watching letters of code on a second screen and running a program the "deciphers your password number by number" this is movie stuff, usually a hacker or a cracker (very different things by the way) would trick you into making YOU give him your password by asking you to register into something else or with a fake sign-in page.

- " ARGUMENT TWELVE

It will discourage anonymity. "

One of the first things I always hear about using Google Glasses as a camera is "but I won't appear on the pictures!" and one can always log-in using a Nickname and you choose which things you choose to share. Also, the current social trend is trying to escape from anonymity, this is a very competitive era for most professionals who are trying to stand out above the rest, since it is now possible to work online, artists and professionals now need to face international competition so they have to be creative and show they're talents to the world. Also, the popularity of the social networks shows that lots of people doesn't want to stay in the shadows, they want the world to notice them (for good or bad).

- " ARGUMENT THIRTEEN

It isn't distinct enough from the body. "

If I go visit my grand mother wearing Google Glasses, the first thing she will notice right when she sees me at the gate, is that I'm wearing some Glasses, and close, she will notice the weird looking glass over it and the camera on the side and will definitely ask me what is that all about...

Google Glasses are designed to be comfortable I imagine James Bond trying to use Google Glasses as a hidden camera and expecting no one to notice it... especially for the red blinking light. Still, if you feel that your Glasses are not obvious enough, you can always make a shirt that says something like "Check it out! My Glasses has a camera and I am broadcasting live on YouTube" on the front and the back, that should do it. Or maybe you want to please "Stop the Cyborgs" and put something like "Warning! Cyborg broadcasting live on YouTube" you can even add some blinking lights on it... damn, now I want Google Glasses AND a cool "Look, I am a Cyborg" shirt... if you have kids, chances are that they will LOVE the idea or RoboDad or CyberMom.

- " ARGUMENT FOURTEEN

It could give the police far more details about you than you can possibly know. "

Besides what I already post on YouTube, Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc... police has access to my public records and that's from your personal address all the way to criminal records, and more if a judge asks for it. Also, most people are not wanted criminals who needs to keep what they are doing (and themselves) hidden in the shadows.

On the other side, you can use them to show the police illegal activities, and help make your living hood a safer place. I live in a Mexico, and I know a lot of people who would wear them to be more protected from police abuse, like the people from the movement #YoSoy132 who would love to get the chance to use Google Glasses as a tool to expose authorities, and there are many other counties with social problems (like Egypt) that could be frighted in part by simply exposing what can be seen on the streets.

- " ARGUMENT FIFTEEN

It will discourage kindness and respect. "

It is true that some people can be rude with they're cameras, paparazzi's are a great example of a somewhat irrespectful use of a camera, and I usually understand artists complaints, and sometimes I feel they deserve some of the aggression they receive, but not everyone is like that, I remember having more trouble with strangers trying to appear in the photo than people getting mad at me because I am taking photos or videos. Again, there are places to do so, it is forbidden to take pictures and/or videos at some public places and there are signs posted on the walls. Also filming you inside your property without permission might be illegal in some places.

On the other hand, Google Glasses are an extension of the social media, which it's breaking lots of boundaries like social, geographical, cultural and even language (Google translate currently supports 64 languages) all this is bringing people closer than ever before, opening the path for a more pacific and united future for humans.

- " ARGUMENT SIXTEEN

Artists will be held more accountable for material that “offends.” "

Artists are (or trying to become) public figures, and as many have learned the hard way, they must be very careful about what they do in public and specially what they do on-stage. Also, in any kind of artistic expression, chances are that some people will find your work offensive. Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel was once found offensive and he had to censor his work because the pope had a different point of view. Even today, you will find a lot of people who will find it offensive, but that doesn't mean it's wrong.

On the other hand, artists can find many ways to express and share they're art with the introduction of this new device, just like the camera did, and the video camera, and even mobile phones with cameras are a basic tool for modern artists who explores new ways to create art, a clear example would be Shane Dawson who is very skilled at producing some of his very popular content for YouTube simply using his iPhone.

- " ARGUMENT SEVENTEEN

It may kill off what remains of the movie-going experience. "

Recording movies at the cinema is a criminal offense in most places, and chances are that the cinema won't let you use Google Glasses while inside the movie. Also it is not a very good idea since it might distract you from the movie. Of coarse some people doesn't care and do annoying things like using mobile phones while the movie is playing, even texting can be annoying for other people since the screen is very bright and the cinema is very dark.

Oh the other hand, if someone is going to be reading things from a mobile phone inside the cinema (which is rude), it is way better to do so using Google Glasses since the light probably won't bother the rest of the audience, or at least, not so much.

- " ARGUMENT EIGHTEEN

It will create problems with consent. "

This again falls back in the user's responsible use of the device, and the same applies for pretty much anything, even a rock on the floor could be used for the wrong things. But Google Glasses, just like most cameras, has a red blinking light that let's other people know when the device is broadcasting. Again, if you don't like being taken on video, avoid public urban areas, they are filled with cameras! stop signs, ATM's, malls, streets, mobile phones, helicopters... (and some of them are even fed directly to the police). Maybe better stay indoors, some satellite with a high resolution camera might be looking your way, no wait! some what about IR satellites in surveillance planes? Hmm... go deep underground, remember simple holes on the ground are not good hiding places anymore... if someone had just warned Saddamn Hussein about it.

- " ARGUMENT NINETEEN

Cool places will be outed by boors. "

I don't think Google Glasses will attract poorly educated individuals to cool places at all, but some of the people who goes to cool places might be wearing a Google Glass and share the view to the world, it might be used to show the beauty of some natural places to help spread the importance of protecting it's beauty without the need to carry heavy equipment. The people at National Geographic might find it really useful.

- " ARGUMENT TWENTY

It will discourage people from paying attention."

Most people are very bad observers and can be easily distracted by less imporant things, Magicians use this human quality all the time. Machines on the other hand, are really good at paying attention, and Google Glasses can help you notice relevant spots and find useful information about your surroundings, especially when you are at unfamiliar places, so they might actually help people pay more attention on the details that might otherwise pass ignored.

The final 15 arguments will be discussed on " 35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses -Part 3- "

35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses -Part 1-

by +Cesar Anton 

@reicek

I remember when I saw (on YouTube) the live presentation of Google Glasses I was marveled at the ability to broadcast a hangout from a skyfall... I was even more excited when I heard about it's advanced enhanced reality system, giving you information about the things around you by just looking at them.

As a Google developer I was even more excited about the API that would allow me to use the Glasses power for my own Apps... All kinds of stores could benefit from it in so many ways, from security guards being able to spot "known thieves" automatically just by looking at them to sales people getting instant information about products just by holding them, allowing for much faster and accurate service.

The platforms possibilities are endless... I'm sure mobile real-world based Game Apps will find it really appealing and I can't wait to see the ideas that emerge... But it's impossible to please everyone, and people will always find (or make) reasons to complain about new stuff, and by creating an even more globally connected community it's normal to scare globaliphobics and related...

One of such groups created a campaign against the use of Google Glasses! (for the joy of the competition) called "Stop the Cyborgs", inspired by Edward Champion's "Thirty-Five arguments against Google Glass" and I had so much fun reading them, that I want to share my view about this arguments:

- " ARGUMENT ONE

It could destroy whatever shreds of privacy we have left."

Unless you or someone you invite to your home wears Google Glasses, you're privacy will be intact, privacy on public places it's an odd concept, for it implies that you accept been seen by the people who happens to be physically there but not the rest of the world, somehow complaining about being "too public" on a public place. I'm not against it, I just find it odd, if you feel uncomfortable you can go away from people with Google Glasses, just like you would with a place with too much people, an scenario or any place with cameras (like malls, stop signs, ATM machines, schools, tourists, etc.)...

What Google Glass does is to allow people to store (or share if they find appropriate precious private moments that might fade otherwise.

- " ARGUMENT TWO

It will turn the United States into a surveillance state."

First, Google Glasses are not only sold in the United States of America, and as far as I know, there are plenty of public and private security cameras in most major cities of that country, I don't see how this will make a bigger impact than the mobile phones with embedded cameras and Internet access, or any camera or video recorder whatsoever.

By allowing the average person to do live broadcasting it's possible to enhance social security in many scenarios by making possible to have lots of other persons from around the glove as witnesses and even saving the information in a secure place, even if the device is taken away and broken. This partially protects the user in abuses from authorities or other civilians. In Russia it has become a necessity to install a camera in the car to have evidence in the case of an accident to over come reckless driving problems, such videos are very popular on YouTube, I don't know about the rest of the world, but Russians will certainly appreciate Google Glass.

- " ARGUMENT THREE

It will hold more people needlessly accountable for easily pardonable activities. "

The law it's clear and mandated, and only an authorized public authority can decide the penalty of each fault or grant a pardon. Like it or not, it is implied by the Social Contract you acquire by living inside some nation. If this device will help reduce criminal behavior It means that just by wearing it, you are helping to make your city a safer place!.

- " ARGUMENT FOUR

It is remarkably easy to steal a pair of glasses. "

And stealing it's against the law, and its also easy to steal a purse, mobile phone, wallet or even a car if you know how... But that still, most people find it very convenient to possess (and actively use) purses, mobile phones, wallets and cars... In the case of Glasses, most people wears them because they need them for medical reasons. Same could apply for some future Google Glasses users as well.

Apps could (and will) be created to aid people with certain illnesses, E.G. people with certain levels of Asperger could benefit from a device that would help them notice certain body, face and voice cues that would be otherwise ignored by the user, helping them integrate better into society.

- " ARGUMENT FIVE

It gives Google far more personal information than it needs to know. "

You choose when and how to use them, and you can read the Service Agreements of the Apps that are going to run inside the device and decide to accept them or not. If you decide to broadcast a public hangout the next time you get diarrhea, you will be giving the world more information than they even want to have, even then, it will be up to the world if they decide to watch such broadcast. And hey, if you have the right App, Google Glasses may help you find and order the right pill or get you in contact with the right kind of doctor. Again, it is up to you how and when to wear the device.

On the other hand, it allows smart advertising based on were you are and/or what you see, so instead of just pointless (and sometimes annoying) adds, you will get useful data in the form of publicity like the menu and prices of the restaurants in the area or to help you spot a nice shop that sells stuff you like.

- " ARGUMENT SIX

It will open new possibilities for online sexual extortion. "

Sexual extortion its another criminal offense, and there are authorities to deal with it, and there is very little difference between this and a phone with an embedded camera. If you choose to engage sexual intercourse with someone wearing such an obvious device you can infer what's going on, worst case scenario, there are laws to handle this as well.

On the other hand, it may protect a person who is victim of sexual harassment by exposing the aggressor in fraganti.

- " ARGUMENT SEVEN

It may increase violence. "

Web-enabled video cameras may inspire criminal thoughts for some people, it is up to those people if they succumb to those thoughts and usually authorities get involved shortly afterward. If you get this kinds of thoughts too often or they are starting to get overwhelming, please refer to a professional psychiatrist as soon as possible to help you before it becomes a problem that may affect your personal liberty and other peoples well-being.

Actually cameras are used to decrease violence in most public places. Having cameras on everyone's head, statistically promises less violence.

- " ARGUMENT EIGHT

It will discourage personal risk. "

Actually it may encourage some people to take unnecessary risks just to show-off, but if you read the author's reasons he mentions a experiment on 2011 that proved that security cameras discourage students from cheating... Bad, bad cameras... those poor students may not have studied well enough for the test and may now have to face the consequences... If they had just read that essay... Nah, it was the cameras fault... right?

Certain high-risk activities could be shared by professionals via YouTube and Hangouts so other's could see the experience, and a new-comer to extreme sports could benefit from watching this kind of shows, so when they go for it, they will have a better idea of what to expect (and hopefully do).

- " ARGUMENT NINE

We have no idea what health problems Glass will create."

Google Glasses, just like any other licensed product need to be approved by the FCC, and its build using proven technology. Here is the link to the filling of Google Glasses in the FCC. One can read about the technology involved in making the device work and the RF exposure information that comes with the documentation.

On the other hand, Google may assist health service personnel, medicine students and even general public by providing valuable information to the user as needed, or one doctor could start a hangout with many other specialist so they can all see and work with a patient without being all gathered around him or her (which could be bad for the patient's health).

- "ARGUMENT TEN

It may increase violations of doctor-patient confidentiality and attorney-client privilege. "

If a professional publishes a video or photo about sensitive information using glasses, they will be published by his or her name, and will be a very strong evidence to support a demand that may cost the professional license of the aggressor.

On the other hand, just like doctor's could benefit from Google Glasses in so many ways, lawyers could also think of ways to get valuable evidence that may be used to facilitate justice enforcement.

I decided to split the 35 arguments in a series of 3 posts, the next 10 arguments will be discussed in "35 arguments in favor of Google Glasses -Part 2-"