Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

An Appropriate Use of Tracking Technology

Sometimes being findable is a very good thing. Here's an article about using GPS beacons in wilderness rescues. While I wouldn't approve of making it mandatory for people to carry locators, it is extremely prudent to do so if you are going on a long trip, into risky terrain, places that are hard to reach, avalanche zones, etc. When considering how to apply technology responsibly, balance the potential for abuse against the potential for benefit. We lose a fair number of people to wilderness accidents -- and some of those are among our boldest and brightest. I'd rather offer them better safeguards than clip their wings.

This lifesaving device is brought to you courtesy of NASA. Your tax dollars at work, doing something that actually does not suck.
Tags: news, safety, science, space exploration
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  • 7 comments
tyskkvinna

tyskkvinna

September 3 2010, 00:24:56 UTC 10 years ago

It is fairly common for long distance runners (at least, in my social circle) to wear a GPS tracker while running.. "just in case". It seems extremely prudent to me as well..