Re: Terrorists win if GPS gets shut down!

From: Alan Browne (alan.browne_at_FreeLunchVideotron.ca)
Date: 12/20/04 

Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 19:50:26 -0500

Sam Wormley wrote:

> Alan Browne wrote:
>
>> I think a deliberate shutdown of 3 days once a year would have more
>> benefit in assuring people that they can live without it!
>>
>> I'm much more affraid of missiles than a 3 day GPS outtage.
>
> Tell that to the people collecting data--animal collars, instrumented
> balloons, buoys, rail systems, truck fleets, ships, miners, human
> tracking,
> search & rescue, public transit systems, etc., etc.

Nothing you named will be so affected as to grind society to a halt or cause
injury or death. As I've said before, nothing should be designed or built using
GPS that would put life or limb in jeopardy. And any business that is
absolutely dependant on it will have to wait.

If my new lens is delayed 4 days and 1 persons life is saved, I won't be unhappy
at all. If my new lens is delayed for no reason, I'll pout a bit, but I won't
be that concerned. But I'll bet the real number is closer to one day late even
if GPS goes down for a week.

While this whole thread has been entertaining and sometimes silly, the liklihood
of such action by the US Gov't seems extremely remote. And if it does happen
the liklihood that it will cause major inconveniences for 95% of the US pop. is
near 0 IMO. The other 5% might experience some greater degrees of frustration,
and inconvenience.

My "deliberate shutdown" thought above is just to provoke some thinking. Is GPS
really that ingrained in our lives. And the answer is, really, no. And if you
believe you are at risk, then what are you doing to mitigate your personal risk
(esp. if you beleive that risk is high or likely to cause injury).

Cheers,
Alan 

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