The same GPS technology used to track vehicles is now being used to track cows.
But Agricultural Research Service animal scientist Dean M. Anderson has taken tracking several steps further with a Walkman-like headset that enables him to “whisper” wireless commands to cows to control their movements across a landscape—and even remotely gather them into a corral…
The commands vary from familiar “gathering songs” sung by cowboys during manual round-ups, to irritating sounds such as sirens and even mild electric stimulation if necessary to get cows to move or avoid penetrating forbidden boundaries.
The concern should be obvious. Will we ever have a government that uses this technology – on us?
> “Will we ever have a government that uses this technology – on us?”
Yes and no. It will through our cell phones.
It will mostly be wanted to find missing persons and for victims/bystanders during crime-in-progress situations.
While reading this article I got visions of Kobe cows doing some drunkin four step. Yes, call 911 on a cell phone and the policia know approximate area and who owns the phone in less than 5 minutes. Some larger police departments have access to cell phone tower logs without a warrant. Calling 911 makes that privacy exchange void. When one says it is the Government who is tracking you, the big G has many little G friends who do not subscribe to such high regard civil liberties.
Cows with walkman-like headsets? Ear buds would be less expensive and much more fashionable.
Thank goodness for term limits.
If Dumbya could steal a third election, he’d amend the Patriot Act to allow for warrantless control of iPods and bluetooth headsets, and turn America into the Night of the Living Dead.
The concern should be obvious, as should the answer. It’s a government, of course they will. Embedded into us as children (for our “safety” in this dangerous world) to start. In pet’s now. Not far from simple gps to something that can give instructions also. So..not only will they..we will clamor for them to do it..(as long as they promise only to use it when asked..and not all willy-nilly on the whim of some bureaucrat)…
After all..why should you worry about it if you are not doing anything illegal? (When was the last time you got through the day without doing anything illegal?..and remember..ignorance is no excuse..so they say…)(May apply in US only..though I suspect not).
I welcome our bovine overlords.
#5 Shin
“After all..why should you worry about it if you are not doing anything illegal?”
You make a great point. This is the old bate and switch statement from government to citizens who are about to lose their freedoms. Sounds good at the time except for the fact what is legal today is not necessary legal tomorrow. Still the technology remains in place.
Will we ever have a government that uses this technology – on us?
WE’RE DOOMED !!!!
I don’t think the Government will ever use those techniques … DAMN !!! I just got shocked !!!!
Get ready for Invisible Fencing for people.