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
...go 4 levels up... Expand
ionotter

Re: Well...

ionotter

September 4 2010, 16:37:37 UTC 10 years ago

Oh yes. The Gods are *very* close to the surface in Hawai'i.

Any time I'd go into the wild places, I'd always make an offering of water. Water is sacred in Hawai'i, and the very name of the place translates directly to "Law of Water", with the meaning that all water is to be shared equally.

When I'd hike at Kaena Point, I'd give water to the Four Directions before and after. When I visited Haleakala on Maui, I made sure to offer water before taking any pictures. (There's a funny story of the Gods giving me a reminder about that.)

As a direct result of my paying such respect, I always got warnings of danger, and protection when I was being less than smart about some things.

Funny story?

At Haleakala, I was being more careful than I was on my visit to Mauna Kea. At Mauna Kea, I was still a stupid haole, so I brought no water and somewhat insufficient clothing. I took all kinds of pictures, but almost none of them came out. The camera malfunctioned, the film broke, the back of the camera popped open? UGH!

At Haleakala, I borrowed a fire-fighting jumper from the ship-with permission of course-along with gloves and a hood. I also brought LOTS of water to offer.

I was getting ready to take a picture, and adjusting my handheld light meter to get the right exposure, when the needle swept all the way to the right. I re-adjusted, and it went all the way to the left. I blinked, as this was odd. I twiddled and fiddled, and *zoop!* All the way to the right again. This stopped me in my tracks, as this was NOT normal at all. Not in the slightest.

A few seconds later, realization dawned and I apologized to the mountain and made my offerings.

*bing!* Right in the middle, on the proper reading and settings for a perfect picture.

"Right! Got it!" I said out loud, giving the sky a shaka.
ysabetwordsmith

Re: Well...

ysabetwordsmith

September 4 2010, 17:57:06 UTC 10 years ago

>>Water is sacred in Hawai'i, and the very name of the place translates directly to "Law of Water", with the meaning that all water is to be shared equally.<<

Ah, I didn't know about that part! So cool, thanks for sharing. The language of Hawai'i is among the ones I've explored, for writing and spiritual purposes. And it's one of the big success stories in language-revival.

>>Funny story?<<

*chuckle* That's a good one!