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How GPS Is Killing Lighthouses
sakshale writes "Spiegel Online has an article about the impact of GPS systems on Lighthouses.
They claim that the popularity of the satellite-based global positioning system has led to the closure of lighthouses along the German coast." As the article says, "critics question whether the new system is reliable and safe enough to warrant the closure of these historical beacons of safety."
US Ship: Please divert your course 0.5 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
CND reply: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
US Ship: This is the Captain of a US Navy Ship. I say again, divert your course.
CND reply: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course!
US Ship: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS CORAL SEA*, WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW!!
CND reply: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
failure.
There have been concerns over the increasing trend to use cars instead of horses. Critics worry that these automatic mobiles might be far more dangerous than a traditional thoroughbred. Also of growing concern -- unreliable electric lamps seem to be replacing candles. Now we have one single point of failure for our nighttime safety. And what's worse: the telephone, the most vile of all creations, has degraded all sense of decency. A woman can hear a man's voice on the pillow next to her as she lays in bed. And let's not forget the zipper! Allowing men quick and unfettered access to sin!
(10 points if you know where that last bit was paraphased from).
https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
Suppose GPS is killing lighthouses.... so?
... or the livelyhood of a few hundred who aren't doing anything productive...
Let's see, safety of the many thousands of people at see
Wow this is a toughy....
Tom
Someday, I'll have a real sig.