4 ms·

There's simply not enough information in this story to tell what really happened. It could be a peeping tom who got busted. Or it could be a guy flying his new

There's simply not enough information in this story to tell what really happened. It could be a peeping tom who got busted. Or it could be a guy flying his new radio-controlled toy at the local park (they mention being next to Miller Playfield). And there's conflicting information -- the guy refused to stop flying, but the police wouldn't come because he left? That kinda sounds like he stopped flying. These things have a max battery time of 20 minutes, and 10-12 minutes is more typical. It doesn't sound like it was an extended confrontation.

sosuke 13y ago
The premise in the title seems be pulled out of thin air after actually reading the piece. You're right there just wasn't enough information to say anything either way.
- jack-r-abbit 13y ago
  right. I had heard about this before and thought this was like a follow up about him refusing to stop. But really it is just the same story. And now I see the original story is hardly anything more than a police blotter type blurb without any real meat.
- evo_9 13y ago
  So you would be ok with someone doing this at your home? I'm asking both of you this question. I think there is plenty in the story to know that this behavior is asking for trouble. Where I'm from this would not have resulted in a friendly chat with the fellow on the street.
  - rhizome 13y ago
    What "behavior" are you talking about, and did it actually occur?
    - evo_9 13y ago
      Yeah you are right, nothing odd about this behavior (of flying a drone near someones house without permission and then claiming you are doing research). In fact, if anyone wants to try similar research at my home, please email me, I would love to film my response. :) Imagine 4-5 V for Vindetta mask wearing hockey players approaching you quickly and aggressively to get an idea of what would happen. I'll be the guy on the porch filming and laughing.
      - rhizome 13y ago
        So is it at all possible to fly a drone "near someone's house" without permission for research purposes, or does it all simply deserve a beatdown?
  - asynchronous13 13y ago
    First, I make unmanned aircraft as my day job. I'm comfortable with the technology, and my windows have curtains. So I have no problem with someone flying one of these on my property. (For the record, I do not think it's OK to fly on someone else's property without the property owner's permission.) Second, I do not believe the story happened as the person claims. The details just don't add up. A guy takes his radio-controlled aircraft to a local park with a huge soccer field and chooses to fly in someone's side-yard instead? I think that's unlikely. Also, the interaction between the husband and the pilot? That sounds heavily weighted to make the husband seem uber-nice and the pilot seem like a dick. I'd bet the real interaction was different than described. Of course, there's not enough info to know, so my interpretation is only speculation.
- jerrya 13y ago
  If you thought the Atlantic's premise thin, here is the Raw Story: Are Creepy Dudes Now Using Drone Technology For Their Nefarious Ends? http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/14/are-creepy-dudes-now-using-drone-technology-for-their-nefarious-ends/ http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/14/are-creepy-dudes-now-u... Which takes what one human on the planet has done, and projects his behavior, his terrible attitude onto all men.
princess3000 13y ago
I agree, this story as written doesn't have nearly enough information but as this technology gets cheaper and more prevalent it's not difficult to imagine that this scenario, or something very similar, could occur. This exact thing or something very much like it will probably end up in court in the next few years.
pseut 13y ago
> And there's conflicting information -- the guy refused to stop flying, but the police wouldn't come because he left? That kinda sounds like he stopped flying. I read that as, "the guy refused to leave when asked but left after he was told that they'd call the police."

sosuke 13y ago

The premise in the title seems be pulled out of thin air after actually reading the piece. You're right there just wasn't enough information to say anything either way.

jack-r-abbit 13y ago
right. I had heard about this before and thought this was like a follow up about him refusing to stop. But really it is just the same story. And now I see the original story is hardly anything more than a police blotter type blurb without any real meat.
evo_9 13y ago
So you would be ok with someone doing this at your home? I'm asking both of you this question. I think there is plenty in the story to know that this behavior is asking for trouble. Where I'm from this would not have resulted in a friendly chat with the fellow on the street.
- rhizome 13y ago
  What "behavior" are you talking about, and did it actually occur?
  - evo_9 13y ago
    Yeah you are right, nothing odd about this behavior (of flying a drone near someones house without permission and then claiming you are doing research). In fact, if anyone wants to try similar research at my home, please email me, I would love to film my response. :) Imagine 4-5 V for Vindetta mask wearing hockey players approaching you quickly and aggressively to get an idea of what would happen. I'll be the guy on the porch filming and laughing.
    - rhizome 13y ago
      So is it at all possible to fly a drone "near someone's house" without permission for research purposes, or does it all simply deserve a beatdown?
- asynchronous13 13y ago
  First, I make unmanned aircraft as my day job. I'm comfortable with the technology, and my windows have curtains. So I have no problem with someone flying one of these on my property. (For the record, I do not think it's OK to fly on someone else's property without the property owner's permission.) Second, I do not believe the story happened as the person claims. The details just don't add up. A guy takes his radio-controlled aircraft to a local park with a huge soccer field and chooses to fly in someone's side-yard instead? I think that's unlikely. Also, the interaction between the husband and the pilot? That sounds heavily weighted to make the husband seem uber-nice and the pilot seem like a dick. I'd bet the real interaction was different than described. Of course, there's not enough info to know, so my interpretation is only speculation.
jerrya 13y ago
If you thought the Atlantic's premise thin, here is the Raw Story: Are Creepy Dudes Now Using Drone Technology For Their Nefarious Ends? http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/14/are-creepy-dudes-now-using-drone-technology-for-their-nefarious-ends/ http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/14/are-creepy-dudes-now-u... Which takes what one human on the planet has done, and projects his behavior, his terrible attitude onto all men.

princess3000 13y ago

I agree, this story as written doesn't have nearly enough information but as this technology gets cheaper and more prevalent it's not difficult to imagine that this scenario, or something very similar, could occur. This exact thing or something very much like it will probably end up in court in the next few years.

pseut 13y ago

> And there's conflicting information -- the guy refused to stop flying, but the police wouldn't come because he left? That kinda sounds like he stopped flying. I read that as, "the guy refused to leave when asked but left after he was told that they'd call the police."