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No Smiles At NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Reader Presto Vivace blesses us with news that the state of New Jersey "has banned motorists from making big smiles [for their license pictures] because such expressions don't work with facial recognition software." Now that passports are by decree grim and glasses-free, I'm expecting the next phase to involve the banning of facial hair, lips, and any hair that blocks the ears.
So... To flip this... does that mean if I smile when doing something naughty, I won't be recognized by the serious computers?
"Never give up, for that is just the time and place when the tide will change." -Harriet Beecher Stowe ^_^
That's not new. No smiles in Ohio, either-- I renewed my license over a year ago, and was quite firmly instructed that smiles were not allowed in drivers license photos because it screws up the facial recognition software.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10249834-71.html
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/states-adopting-no-smiles-policy-for-drivers-licenses/
http://www.webanswers.com/legal/why-can-t-you-smile-in-your-drivers-license-picture-84ffba
http://www.geoffreylandis.com
Picture link. Simple effective fun!
The result: The finished license.
Or not smiling enough. Parkinson’s Sufferer Arrested for ‘Not Smiling’ at Olympic Men’s Cycling Race.
Just come live in AZ. We don't have to renew our licenses until we are 65. Keep your picture for 40+ years.
Now that passports are by decree grim and glasses-free
Yeah...no. That's simply untrue. I went into the post office to get my passport photo taken last month and they didn't have me remove my glasses, nor did the Department of State seem to have any issues with my wearing them in my photo, since I just received my new passport last week.
I think I read that there are some rules against a few particular types of glasses that obscure too much of the face (e.g. chunky frames), but they had no issues with my standard looking thin frames.
This is a great story. And yes, it's on topic for the OP. Take time to watch it all the way through.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
The facial recognition software isn't really to compare with your photos in public, it's primarily so that can check within the system whether you're getting licenses issued for yourself under different names.
Evidence:
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/latestnews/ci_21247064/penndot-computer-catches-fake-id-attempt
http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/facial-recognition-software-used-by-dot/article_dd7d0f7e-dcde-11e1-a6a0-001a4bcf887a.html
Don't lie. Nobody smiles in NJ, because it's NJ...
Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
Apparently the first link is broken now, but here's some text that was there: "A man has been charged with trying to get an identification card from the Pennsylvania DOT under a name not his own. PennDOT's facial recognition computer program discovered the discrepancy. Jose Alejandro Velazquez-Rodriguez, 29, was charged with tampering with public records or information. He attempted to get a Pennsylvania identification card with the name of Steven Huerta sometime between July 16 and 27 at the DMV office in Gettysburg."
Yeah but when I tried they deported me to Mexico for not having ID... I tried to tell them I was Puerto Rican and born in the US but the Sherif was a real dick about it.
Well, who says they can use my driver's license photo to do facial recognition on? I didn't sign up for that.
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
I adopted my son from Ethiopia a few years ago and had to go to a Homeland security office a few hours away from me for an entire day to fill out paperwork and get every single finger, and even my palms printed. Then they took pictures of me from every angle imaginable. I told the homeland security agent "Well I guess going off the grid won't be an option anymore" he laughed and said "Yea, you're definitely in the system now"
On the bright side, I went to buy a handgun recently and the store owner called in my background check to the FBI. He gave them my SS# and then said "Oh... really? Already?" and hung up. He said that what usually happens is they research it and call him back. He's never had them just approve it over the phone in a matter of seconds like that. So I guess when the government has already logged every cell in your body already there are at least some benefits.
NJ = No Joysey?
Ezekiel 23:20
going to be smiling big time when i get my next ID.
Easy fix (sort of).
Just refuse to apply for state ID or driver's licenses.
Yup, and lose your ability to drive, vote, have access to government buildings and services...
Not being arch, just pointing out facts.
If 100's of thousands or millions of drivers refuse to apply for licenses and drive anyway, are they going to shut down the streets and roads? Arrest a large proportion of the entire state's population?
Nah, they'll just turn it into another revenue-generation mechanism and continue pounding our collective asses, just from a different angle.
I'm sick and tired of this emerging police state. You're *far* more likely to be struck by lightning or be attacked by sharks than to be killed by a terrorist attack.
Well, now, that all depends on your definition of terrorism - if we go by the dictionary, then a person actually is far more likely to be harmed by a terrorist than struck by lightning. The catch is, said terrorist will likely be wearing a government-issued uniform, and be imbued with authority by whatever fascist regime is in charge at the time.
Yet the sheep continue to baa for more and rush to hand over ever more of their freedom, give the terrorists in government ever more power to enslave them, and fork over ever more of the people's wealth to pay for the chains.
Strat
Yup, it's truly sickening. Also a good part of the reason I always want to punch anyone who pops off with "you get the government you deserve." No, motherfucker, I get stuck the government you deserve, 'cuz you (collectively speaking) are a bunch of self-centered pussies, too scared of your own shadow to stand up for yourself and your neighbors.
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
When you think of it, with things like the Boston tea party and other disruption, I'm sure all the founding father's would be branded terrorists today.