I guess I should have saw it coming. There are devices for sale that target teens to prevent them from loitering. How could argue with that? Break up the teens and prevent crimes, right? Everything is better.
I beg to differ.
The problem lies in how the device operates. It uses sound to annoy and drive away people who can hear high frequencies. Generally, only younger people can hear the noise as humans lose the ability to hear the higher frequencies as they age. This allows a device to emit a frequency low enough to be heard by the young, but high enough to be unheard by the old.
So why do I dislike this device?
It assaults anyone who can hear it indiscriminately. Teens, surely, but also those in their 20's and children. What about those who work in the areas? Or what if someone lives nearby? What are they to do? You cannot walk around with earplugs in all the time if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing.
Using this device at all times and indiscriminately is bad policy. Using it for specific purposes and at specific times I can support. Here are examples of using this technology correctly and incorrectly:
An example of using this technology incorrectly:
An apartment complex has an issue with loiterers. This device is installed so that the loiterers will disperse. However, young people live in this apartment so when ever they go outside they are subject to this device, even though they live there! Bad use of technology indeed!
An example of using this device correctly:
A parking lot has an issue with loiterers after a nearby stadium finished its sporting events. It has a device installed that is turned on after the completion of the sporting event. Once the parking lots has cleared or mostly cleared the device is turned back off. A good use of technology.
You can see that the biggest issue between the two examples is that the technology is used either indiscriminately or used discriminately, using the device to achieve certain results in certain situations.
Blanketing areas with high pitched sound to assault everyone with ears sensitive enough to hear it is wrong. Using technology to prevent crimes and enforce laws is fine. Lets not let technology rule over us in an attempt to gain safety or protection. Use technology correctly and we will all live better.
And for some of us, it will be a little bit quieter.
Read more about the situation here:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/23/teen.be.gone.ap/index.html
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1 comment:
As an audio engineer by profession, I rely on my ears to make a living. I thankfully have yet to lose the upper (20 KHz) range of my hearing. If I hear one of these on public property ever, I am going to a judge to get a cease and desist order. People can do whatever they want on their own property, but if I have to hear one of these in public, there WILL be hell to pay.
Failing that, I will just rip/shoot the damn thing down.
I feel strongly about this.
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