What is Digg?23 Comments
- Laserena, on 09/06/2008, -0/+7This story is based on a New Scientist article that was chock full of errors, so the author of this story is absolutely correct to be so skeptical. But he shouldn't be taking it out on Stoica. Here are the correct answers: 1) The software does not exist. A test of the concept was done. Manually. And not from a satellite. 2) The research is not NASA funded, in fact, it's not funded. 3) The concept of shadow detection was not meant to ID people, but rather notice unusual movements. Funny that New Scientist mentioned Bin Laden. Stoica specifically told the reporter that the mountains of Afghanistan would not be a good candidate to use shadow technology (if and when it exists) because of the terrain characteristics.
- frontporsche, on 09/06/2008, -2/+9"Satellites simply do not have the required resolution. The highest commercial satellite resolution ..."
I don't think they're limited to commercial satellites. No need to read further. - strictnein, on 09/06/2008, -1/+5Don't get why he's being buried. Both things are true. Lots of money in Global Warming and the War on Terror.
- else7en, on 09/06/2008, -1/+5those bilderbergs make slavery so exciting!
- paker, on 09/06/2008, -5/+9"Are you having trouble with funding? Is your research unable to attract major media attention? Just add Terror"
Or Global Warming. - inactive, on 09/06/2008, -2/+6so?
- GiganticLeopard, on 09/06/2008, -2/+5Yeah, just what we need more ways to be watched because of "terrorist"
- digg1520, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3Yeah, don't read the rest of the paragraph, it will only confuse you.
- inactive, on 09/06/2008, -0/+3The commercial GeoEye set for launch tomorrow has a resolution down to .41 meter. The big boys with their KH series can do much better.
Best point though:
4. Little thing, tiny point, but Dr Stoica does point out that this system will only catch those terrorists whose walking pattern is already on file. Unfortunately, the world's intelligence agencies don't actually have a catch-and-release policy for major terrorists - getting them, measuring them, then setting them loose to see which clever scientist can find them again - so we can expect this to be what we call a "major issue." - stuman77, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2While I'm as against ridiculous pork barrel projects as anyone else on digg, this article fails to really present a compelling case. In regards to the 5 points it makes:
1. I doubt JPL and NASA are using "commercial" satellites (unless the articles use of "commercial" includes military grade satellites). Thus, the resolution is likely higher than half a meter.
2. The image processing would likely be limited to specific areas, informed by other branches of intelligence, reducing the number of frames needing to be processed.
3. Those working on the image processing will likely attempt to account for this bias and/or develop multiple processing algorithms in order to attempt to produce the highest quality results.
4. This is actually a very good point. However, this data could be gathered from things like videos released by terrorist groups, or, on a broader scale (i.e. catching criminals, etc.), data could be gathered from file footage, or say, recorded during a jail term (if they've served time).
5. While the political "terrorist" angle was likely used for funding, it doesn't mean the project is necessarily a terrible one. Creating efficient algorithms for automated image processing, enhancement, and analysis could provide the basis for things like satellites being able to find downed planes in a vast wilderness, or locate lost individuals, etc. - BuddingMonkey, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2I can't wait for google maps to add "people search"
- rheaume, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2Gives the lyrics "walk like an Egyptian" a whole new meaning
- webkami, on 09/06/2008, -0/+2This is at least third submission on front page for same news from different sources.
I am just saying. - inactive, on 09/06/2008, -1/+3dugg
- inactive, on 09/06/2008, -2/+3Nice Python reference
- savagesteve13, on 09/07/2008, -0/+1The space shuttle was designed to loft extremely large spy satellites. The modern keyhole satellite is the size of the hubble space telescope and the Department of Defense is reputed to have six of them in space right now.
- inactive, on 09/06/2008, -0/+1I thought they could read the face of a dime on the ground?
- frontporsche, on 09/06/2008, -0/+1:-|
- inactive, on 09/06/2008, -4/+5it will be a scary day when al qeada and the ministry of funny walks join forces
- LibertyForever, on 09/07/2008, -0/+1You have a problem with NASA contributing to the war on terror? Or with using technology in the national interest?
You don't have a problem with your sisters wearing burkas? - nirvanix, on 09/06/2008, -1/+2Oooh, the "War on Terror", the war that has no definable end. No one in the US has died from terrorism in the last 5 years, but 250,000 die every year from legally prescribed drugs/medical treatments.
- strictnein, on 09/06/2008, -1/+1*Insert line from Monty Python skit with the weird walking department or whatever that I'm too hung over to really recall much about*
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