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Chicago Adding Sensors For Public Monitoring

Posted by timothy on from the keepin'-eye-on-yous dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A research project dubbed the 'Array of Things' will add sensors for public monitoring throughout Chicago. The project is being started by a collaborative effort between the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratories. The goal of the project is to build a permanent data collection infrastructure to monitor things that might help government officials, researchers and companies better understand the city environment. Sensors will examine various attributes such as air quality, wind, light, sound heat, precipitation, and of course cell phone data. Eventually the researchers would like to see the sensors exist as a public utility throughout the entire city to help public, private and academic partners learn about the city. Researchers say there is nothing to fear about privacy because the sensors will only count people by observing cellphone traffic. With such assurances from researchers working in a shining example of transparency and democratic freedom like Chicago, what could possible go wrong?"

66 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. It's Chicago by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

    They could just count voters.

    No, wait. Forget that.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
    1. Re:It's Chicago by stox · · Score: 1, Funny

      That is why sensors will be installed in all cemeteries. One of the reasons I love Chicago, I can stay active in politics after I die.

      --
      "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
    2. Re:It's Chicago by Dutchmaan · · Score: 1

      Sometimes I forget that Slashdot is considered a "liberal" site...

    3. Re:It's Chicago by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I'll wait for at least CTos 2.1

    4. Re:It's Chicago by PPH · · Score: 1

      One has to be able to laugh at one's own faults.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    5. Re:It's Chicago by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 1

      It would be an interesting graph, showing how many users here are on the liberal/left side or conservative/right side of various topics here.

      But even liberals can make jokes about Chicago's reputation. Especially if they live(d) there.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    6. Re:It's Chicago by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Sometimes I forget that Slashdot is considered a "liberal" site...

      Just because a place is run by Democrats does not mean there's anything "liberal" about it.

      Chicago Democratic politicians are some of the most illiberal people you will ever meet. Especially our mayors. The last liberal mayor we had was Harold Washington, who was a really decent guy and a great mayor. Before him there was Jane Byrne, who was also really good for the city. Much of what's good in the city today had its start during Washington's administration, and you can trace most of the rot to the past two scumbags. The current mayor Rahm and his predecessor, Daley, are nothing but corporatist tyrants. It's why the bankers and Chamber of Commerce and corporate leaders all love them.

      Here's a rule of thumb. If bankers and Wall Street support a politician, forget about their party label. They are scummy authoritarian fascists whose only agenda is the upward redistribution of wealth. You can count our current president and congressional leadership among them.

      I'm not saying the two parties are the same, but their differences are completely trivial. It's why we see fundamentally the same policies no matter who gets elected.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    7. Re:It's Chicago by pete6677 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Chicago residents have zero interest in individual rights and freedom. In fact, the very idea frightens them. They would much rather have the government take care of them and tell them what to do. This is why every Chicago incumbent (all Democrats) gets reelected as long as they are interested in running. People here have no desire for reform, as they are either getting something from "the system" or think they will be too.

      Once I realized this, a lot of things that were previously a mystery all of a sudden became clear.

    8. Re:It's Chicago by mysidia · · Score: 2

      Install sensors in Abraham lincoln's grave. As he turns in his grave; the direction he chooses to turn will indicate the vote; Aye or Nay.

    9. Re:It's Chicago by pslytely+psycho · · Score: 2

      "Install sensors in Abraham lincoln's grave. As he turns in his grave; the direction he chooses to turn will indicate the vote; Aye or Nay."

      Oh please, he'll be spinning so fast in the 'nay' direction to be pointless.... ....however, hook a generator up to him and he should be able to power a fair portion of the city...... :)

      --
      Donald Trump, on a crusade to make Nixon look respectable
    10. Re:It's Chicago by Enigma2175 · · Score: 1

      I figured with your sig you would realize there is a lot more to the political spectrum than just the left/right false dichotomy that the US system presents. The voting system ensures that the system will never change from 2 dominant political parties, but it would be nice to at least get a better party than the two shitfests we have now.

      --

      Enigma

    11. Re:It's Chicago by currently_awake · · Score: 1

      It would be an interesting graph, showing how many users here are on the communist/left side, liberal/MIDDLE side, or conservative/right side of various topics here. FTFY.

    12. Re:It's Chicago by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 1

      Of course I do. I just didn't want to drag the point out too much.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    13. Re:It's Chicago by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 1

      That's something I've asked about on other forums as well as here before.

      What separates the left, especially the European version of left, from the American concept of left/liberal?

      Is it really just ownership of land and business? Because it seems the American left wants all things that the European left does - wage parity, paid college education, national health care, abortion rights, environmental regulations, banking regulations, other business regulations, etc.

      So what sets the far left so much apart, other than simply the fact that the American left believes in home ownership, and communists don't? (Or at least it's very curtailed.)

      Honest question, and I'm open to all answers.

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    14. Re:It's Chicago by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      For a start let's stop considering those who choose to corrupt politics and democracy as being either liberal or conservative, clearly they themselves do not believe in either only seeking to use them for purpose of camouflage and masquerade as they seek to defraud the people who trust them. As for monitoring cell phone traffic and claiming it as a service, yep, sure a service to big brother and the panopticon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P... and only those in power can be trusted and the rest of us are all criminals. Why is it all of these systems of monitoring some how seem to miss those who are most likely to cause the greatest problem by being corrupt. New law is required, those who accept and run for public office should be subject to 24/7 public monitoring for their term in office, after all if they don't like they can always quit.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    15. Re:It's Chicago by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Chicago residents have zero interest in individual rights and freedom. In fact, the very idea frightens them. They would much rather have the government take care of them and tell them what to do.

      Is that so? What a fascinating insight into us.

      People here have no desire for reform, as they are either getting something from "the system" or think they will be too.

      Sounds like your describing our current flavor of capitalism. Emphasis on the "think".

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    16. Re:It's Chicago by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 1

      What separates the left, especially the European version of left, from the American concept of left/liberal?

      Left=pro-worker=socialist, though that word has been poisoned by a century of Red Scares here.

      Right=pro-aristocrat=capitalist. (When you have a hereditary class of state-backed "owners" who control the economic resources, that's an aristocracy.)

      Left/right has nothing to do with social issues like abortion rights, gay marriage, etc., nor does it have to do with the size of government. It's about who the economic system should benefit.

      The Democratic party is thoroughly capitalist, with only a relatively minor disagreement with the Republican party as to what degree of exploitation of the proles by their feudal lords is best.

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    17. Re:It's Chicago by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      The Democratic party is thoroughly capitalist, with only a relatively minor disagreement with the Republican party as to what degree of exploitation of the proles by their feudal lords is best.

      You better tell that to their leadership. Well, that or actually listen to them and change your comment to match reality. Unless you consider the elimination of private profit thoroughly capitalist. That is a stated goal of the socialist party that most of the democratic party including Pelosi and I think Reid are members of (Reid, I'm not so sure about).

    18. Re:It's Chicago by davester666 · · Score: 1

      " Researchers say there is nothing to fear about privacy because the sensors will only count people by observing cellphone traffic"

      Yes, because there is nothing in cell phone traffic that uniquely identifies the phone, and there is no way to link the phone to an individual. You might have lent it to anybody.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    19. Re:It's Chicago by pete6677 · · Score: 1

      That's right. Since 2008, the Chicago Way has gone national. I'm sure I don't need to explain why.

  2. Splunk log by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    2014, Jun, 20 22:15:47 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 enters establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'
    2014, Jun, 21 01:42:15 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 exits establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'
    2014, Jun, 21 03:19:02 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 exists alleyway behind establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'

    1. Re: Splunk log by reiter.john · · Score: 1

      Lol, o god.

  3. Fuck 'em by Chas · · Score: 1

    Guess the only way I'm going downtown is with a backpack full of jamming equipment.

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
    1. Re:Fuck 'em by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      bullshit, lots of people commute and walk around Chicago with back packs. do you have any idea how many colleges and universities there are? and half the people who go to work wear them

    2. Re:Fuck 'em by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 2

      Or, you could just 'early adopt' one of those sensors for your own projects.

    3. Re:Fuck 'em by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 1

      Isn't that the gov's core business these days?

    4. Re:Fuck 'em by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

      cool. I'll bring the bread and peanut butter. we'll have a great picnic!

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    5. Re:Fuck 'em by currently_awake · · Score: 1

      That would actually ID you rather well, if only you are doing it.

    6. Re:Fuck 'em by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      yes, I work in downtown Chicago. I see Willis tower every f'ing work day. People with back packs loiter everywhere around the former sears tower. people with back packs go to work in the former sears tower. People with back packs shout slogans and pass out pamphlets near the former sears tower, and I walk by them wearing a back pack.

      do you even have a point, you ignorant shit head?

    7. Re:Fuck 'em by Dins · · Score: 1

      Glad to see I'm not the only one having a hard time letting go of the name "Sears Tower". Willis Tower just sounds...wrong.

    8. Re:Fuck 'em by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      Maybe he better pack a purple dildo, a six pack of Vaseline and a spatula in their too. When the cops stop him, he can just say he's going to a party and hope they don't ask what the spatula is for.

      Without that, I'm thinking he would be labeled a terrorist and if anything innocent could get you a one way ticket to Club Gitmo, noise makers,smoke bombs, a strobe machine and a backpack full of jamming equipment would.

    9. Re:Fuck 'em by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      the only meaning "Willis" has to me is the character played by Todd Bridges, with the voice of Gary Coleman asking a certain question.

  4. How To Tell You Live In A Dictatorship by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    see "public monitoring"

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    1. Re:How To Tell You Live In A Dictatorship by Nidi62 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The best test is can you openly criticize your government. If the answer is yes then congratulations, you don't live in a dictatorship.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    2. Re:How To Tell You Live In A Dictatorship by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

      >> can you openly criticize your government. If the answer is yes then congratulations, you don't live in a dictatorship

      And if a government body (like the IRS) singles your group out for harrassment (like auditing the hell out of all your associates) after critizing the government, then "yes, you can" live in a dictatorship too.

    3. Re:How To Tell You Live In A Dictatorship by Lovin1t · · Score: 1

      The US is an Oligarchy. You can't prove me wrong.

    4. Re:How To Tell You Live In A Dictatorship by judoguy · · Score: 1
      Wrong. The fact that you have permission to do something (for now) has nothing to do with whether you love live in a dictatorship, or more properly, a police state.

      The police state simply hasn't come after you, yet.

      Don't confuse permission with liberty.

      --
      Peace is easy to achieve, just surrender. Liberty is much harder get/keep.
  5. Watch Dogs? by soren42 · · Score: 1

    I read this, and thought, "Wait, I'm currently playing this in simulationâ¦" It's sad that this is manner in which life has chosen to imitate art. It also raises the question, "Did the researchers see the game and decide to try it? Is the game really a covert proof-of-concept? Or is this *really* just a coincidence? (Go away you nutty conspiracy theorists!)"

    --

    "Adventure? Excitement? A Jedi craves not these things."
  6. Fuck 'em by Lovin1t · · Score: 1

    You forgot noise makers,smoke bombs and a strobe machine.

  7. Sigh by LookIntoTheFuture · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The goal of the project is to build a permanent data collection infrastructure to monitor things that might help government officials, researchers and companies better understand the city environment.

    The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

    --
    Brave Sir Robin ran away. ("No!") Bravely ran away away. ("I didn't!")
    1. Re:Sigh by Krishnoid · · Score: 1

      I read this, and thought, "Wait, I'm currently playing this in simulationâ¦" It's sad that this is manner in which life has chosen to imitate art. It also raises the question, "Did the researchers see the game and decide to try it? Is the game really a covert proof-of-concept? Or is this *really* just a coincidence? (Go away you nutty conspiracy theorists!)"

      The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

      Or in this case, with unintentionally accurate simulations.

    2. Re:Sigh by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

      I used to think that, now I think it's paved with people with good intentions, by people with bad ones. Cue the trampling.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Sigh by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 1

      The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

      The new, Federally funded "Congressman Asshat Bypass" is faster!

      --
      You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  8. Scratch the cell phone monitoring, and by Nutria · · Score: 3, Insightful

    it would also be darned useful to non-fascists.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  9. Splunk log by Lovin1t · · Score: 1

    2014, Jun, 20 22:15:47 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 enters establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'
    2014, Jun, 21 01:42:15 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 exits establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'
    2014, Jun, 21 03:19:02 - Person with SSN 352-79-3492 exists alleyway behind establishment 'Marla's Marvelous Massage'

    Why you posting my personal data yo?

  10. Re: Cell Phone = National ID by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Am I the only one who thinks this is cool as hell, and wants this made open access for all?

    Why is it ALWAYS with the fear mongering about the privacy you already don't have, and no one ever talks about the better decisions we could be making if everyone knew what the elite already know?

    Sensor networks are interesting for their potential to tell us things we'd never think to ask. About ourselves.

    Quit trying to hide like cowards and chase the power to watch the watchers, you mis'rble bastards!

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth
  11. Re:sound heat? by rmdingler · · Score: 1

    What is sound heat...

    and how do you measure it?

    Heavy breathing in your ear by a quality mating applicant.

    Vicariously.

    --
    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

    Ernest Hemingway

  12. Interesting sociological experiment by Nutria · · Score: 1

    An anonymous contributor submits a link-free Oh Noes 1984!!!!, and the End Of All Our Freedoms comments just flood in.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
    1. Re:Interesting sociological experiment by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 1

      A quick googling shows several articles that match up with what the AC described. Including the one in the Chicago Tribune. It's not hard to check on this sort of thing, really.

      --

      "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
  13. Re:sound heat? by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

    With a microphone thermometer?

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  14. of things by iggymanz · · Score: 1

    those who think they are witty appending "of things" to a technology noun should be beaten to death with the femurs of those who use "in the cloud"

    1. Re:of things by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 1

      What do you suggest we do for people who say "in the cloud of things"?

      --
      If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
    2. Re:of things by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

      Tip them out of their wheelchair and beat them on the head with their femurs?

  15. No way by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    Fuck the 'Array of Things' , and Fuck Chicago. I used to like it as a kid, then I grew up.

  16. And Watch_Dogs just came out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Looks like somebody thought it was a good idea.

    1. Re:And Watch_Dogs just came out by ButchDeLoria · · Score: 1

      Well, Ubisoft IS the Templars. Even Abstergo Entertainment's offices in Assassin's Creed 4 were directly modeled after Ubisoft Montreal's.

    2. Re:And Watch_Dogs just came out by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Even Abstergo Entertainment's offices in Assassin's Creed 4 were directly modeled after Ubisoft Montreal's.

      They have cells in the basement?

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    3. Re: And Watch_Dogs just came out by Trinn · · Score: 1

      They're just implementing E.A.'s industry-leading worker compliance measures ;)

  17. Re: Cell Phone = National ID by khallow · · Score: 1

    Why is it ALWAYS with the fear mongering about the privacy you already don't have, and no one ever talks about the better decisions we could be making if everyone knew what the elite already know?

    Experience and reason. As the other replier noted, why would the elite share this with us?

  18. goolge is observing cellphone traffic for maps by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    goolge is observing cellphone traffic for maps so why send the cash on this when we need other things done with more and longer CTA lines.

  19. How Prophetic... by vomitology · · Score: 1

    I just finished playing Watch Dogs.

    --
    ~Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
  20. Re: Cell Phone = National ID by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 2

    The planet where the elite want you to talk about chasing the wrong dream, and I'm fighting against that influence in every debate on this subject.

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth
  21. Re: Cell Phone = National ID by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 1

    You carry personal computers everywhere you go. It's not a matter of capacity, but collective will.

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth
  22. "better understand the city environment" by epyT-R · · Score: 1

    Now if that isn't newspeak.. fuck the surveillance state.

  23. Re: Cell Phone = National ID by khallow · · Score: 1

    The "collective will" favors the elite.

  24. WATCH_DOGS? by kainewynd2 · · Score: 1

    Isn't this the complete premise to WATCH_DOGS, including the freakin' city?

    --
    I just don't get... eh, ugh... never mind. This post wasn't worth the research I put into it.