Google Earth isn’t just for kicks anymore: FP reports that governments around the world are using the service to catch everyone from tax evaders to marijuana growers. Amateurs are getting in on the act as well. Aided by Google Earth, a Ph.D. student at George Mason University has led a massive effort to create “the world’s most authoritative annotated map” of North Korea. Google’s Street View service also continues to be controversial, prompting recent challenges and concessions in places like South Korea and Germany.[%comments]
Google Earth as Big Brother?
and 
. You can also watch it on 
In Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita”, the demon Woland has a globe which works just like a real-time version of Google Earth, and allows him to observe and enjoy all the evil in the world.
Then again, it’s easy to have a little fun with that aspect of it. The local TV news today carried the story of a teenager, who upon seeing the Google Truck coming, kicked her shoes into the gutter and made like a corpse on the pavement. Just imagine the massed ranks of North Koreans lining up to spell out rude messages to the Imperialist Lackey satellites…..
Because of severe energy shortages, only Critical Facilites and the Homes of the Elite get the Luxury of Nightime Electricity. This highlights all critical targets and persons for Bomber Command and puts it on a Silver Platter. Is that a Predator overhead circling?
Just like Accountant Maxim “Follow the Money…..
Follow the Electricity to find the Dictator.
….. His Blow Dryer will betray him.
There were recent reports on some town’s government and zoning going after people who installed pools in their home’s backyards but did not apply for zoning or pay extra improvement taxes on the pool via Google Earth/Map satellite.
I think Google Earth is a great example of what happens when you make information available to everyone. Evil abhors the light of day.
This is a great argument for making all kinds of information searchable online, including SEC filings, for example.
Greg,
All SEC filings are searchable online.
http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html
Do no evil; nobody sees any evil.
I still say we need to carpet bomb NK with packages of rice, cell phones, DVDs, Gummi Bears, those yellow marshmallow “Peeps” I get for Easter, $2 buck chucks, MacDonald’s cheeseburgers, popcorn, Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Coca Cola, Oodles of Noodles, etc…..just keep doing it until the government collapses.
Maybe nighttime cargo balloons would work.
It wouldn’t take long.
And in Puebla, Mexico: http://lauramartinez.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/beware-paisanos-google-maps-is-the-new-big-brother/