Is this an invasion of privacy?

Question Technology

Is this an invasion of privacy?

by cyborgmind Posted September 22, 2009 19:39:34

20 answers
Read all 37 comments
+7 raves

google.org
Google PowerMeter/http://www.google.org/powermeter/

"If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it." — Lord Kelvin
How much does it cost to leave your TV on all day? What about turning your air conditioning 1 degree cooler? Which uses more power every month — your dishwasher or your washing machine? Is your household more or less energy efficient than similar homes in your neighborhood?

Its nearly impossible to make informed choices about electricity. This is a problem but also a huge opportunity for us all to save money and help the environment by reducing our power usage. Studies show that access to your household's personal energy information is likely to save you 5–15% on your monthly bill. Even greater savings are possible if you use this information to see the value of retiring your old refrigerator, installing a new air conditioner or insulating your home. The potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting. For every six households that save 10% on electricity, for instance, we reduce carbon emissions as much as taking one conventional car off the road (see sources and calculation).

At Google we're helping enable a future where access to personal electricity information helps everyone make smarter energy choices. Google PowerMeter shows consumers their electricity consumption in a secure Google gadget. Today we are testing the product with utility partners in the US, India, Germany, and Canada.

We think Google PowerMeter offers more useful and actionable feedback than complicated monthly paper bills that provide little detail on consumption or how to save energy. But Google PowerMeter is just a start; it will take a lot of different groups working together to create what the world really needs: a path to smarter power.

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+5 raves Chico September 22, 2009 19:41:33

Answered: Undecided
I use power strips on everything I can

So I can turn them off when not in use (like big screens, etc.)

But I don't want anyone telling me to...............
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+1 raves
beagamer September 28, 2009 17:49:37

Answered: Undecided
If you sign up for it then you would be agreeing to it. Right?
+1 raves
Keen ToJones September 24, 2009 04:59:11

Answered: Yes... Can't wait for it...
I like it. I think that it is an empowering idea.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Keen To... September 24, 2009 15:41:47

I'm sorry to hear that you want to be plugged into the governments smart grid... yes, it's good to have the government in your private business telling you how much you can use... just like climate "change"...

http://www.oe.energy.gov/smar...
Keen To... to cyborgmind September 24, 2009 20:00:03

Yes, well, screw that...I like the idea of knowing how much electricity I'm using and being able to economize.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Keen To... September 24, 2009 21:45:04

This is not what this is... did you go to the link?
Keen To... to cyborgmind September 24, 2009 21:54:28

Busted again.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Keen To... September 24, 2009 21:55:51

And why am I busted? You choose to believe what you want to, not what is reality. Take or leave it. I'm not going to argue with you.
Keen To... to cyborgmind September 24, 2009 21:56:55 (edited)

I meant that I am busted, oh high and mighty.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Keen To... September 24, 2009 21:58:08

Then you should say that. Please do not use a derogatory term to describe me. Thank you.
+1 raves
Torchmanner September 23, 2009 23:05:20

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
My reason for wanting to live off the grid. I don't want tied to anything that can be tracked.
Jim September 23, 2009 21:39:21 (edited)

Answered: Yes... Can't wait for it...
I am amazed at the responses to this question which I read twice. It is advocating for an appliance or gadget that enables the USER to monitor their usage by individual appliances which is a great improvement over the present system.

I have often wondered how much electricity my refrigerator uses compared to my computer for example. How much electricity does my freezer use when it is full versus when it is half empty.

Does that new bulb I paid an arm and a leg for really just pull twenty-three watts while giving me ninety watts of light?

I see nothing in the Google appliance that increases snooping. While I do not believe man causes global warming, energy does cost money and I welcome anything within reason to help me use more wisely.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Jim September 24, 2009 02:27:35

It is an invasion of privacy... http://www.oe.energy.gov/smar...
http://www.infowars.com/smart...

The first link is from the government... the second link is from an American who knows the agenda.
Jim to cyborgmind September 24, 2009 20:28:48

and your point is?...
(Actually, I don't care what your point is.)
cyborgmind to Jim September 24, 2009 21:45:56

You already made your point by writing me an email.
+1 raves
Civic_Minded September 23, 2009 02:27:04

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
I can think for myself and decide best how to spend my money. The "do-gooders" of the environmental religion need to get their own facts straight about CO2 and global warming and stop trying to steal us blind!
+1 raves
Azrael-In GOD we trust September 23, 2009 02:22:00

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
Beat it, mutt!
+1 raves
zyledr September 23, 2009 02:20:26

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
As long as I pay my bill they need to shut up. If they were truly concerned about things we would have had nuclear power going on a massive scale years ago. This is nothing more then a power grab. No pun intended.
+1 raves
1oct1 September 23, 2009 01:34:00

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
Don't need them.
turn off everything when I'm not home.
Turn off light when not in room.
I recycle just about everything.
I don't do this to be more green, I do it cause it just makes sense to me.
+1 raves
Ahrtal September 23, 2009 01:06:05

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
Gee, I'm a college graduate, and can read my electrical usage in my monthly bill. I think I know what to do to conserve energy. I had one mother; I don't need another.
+1 raves
Beccy September 23, 2009 00:32:27

Answered: Yes... Can't wait for it...
Energy bills are skyrocketing, I can use any help I can get.
cyborgmind to Beccy September 23, 2009 03:23:12

I'm sorry to hear that you want to have the government help you.
Jim to cyborgmind September 23, 2009 21:43:02

She never said anything about having the Government help her. She merely read the article with understanding and responded wisely.

Maybe you should read it again yourself.
cyborgmind to Jim September 24, 2009 02:28:33 (edited)

You sure are a chicken... sh*t.

I don't need the government telling me how much electricity I am supposed to be using. That's most of the problem in this country... whatever happened to self-reliance?
Jim to cyborgmind September 24, 2009 20:31:48

The article you posted which I read twice does NOT say anything about the Government regulating how much electricity you or anyone else uses. It does however advocate for informed users via the new Google appliance.
You really do get overworked many times and run off half cocked.

I usually pass those up and am sorry I stopped here. De-fog your brain.
+2 raves
IndyLinda September 23, 2009 00:30:59

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
+1 raves
retarded idiot September 22, 2009 23:53:05

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
i do not use that much power compared to other people who have electricity
+3 raves
sadie100~In God we trust~ September 22, 2009 23:17:55

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
Stay out of my life, I don't need it...go away!!
+1 raves
Red Branch September 22, 2009 22:31:18

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
It is none of their business. Besides how much more would that gadget measure or record.

Count me out.
+2 raves
Dagon September 22, 2009 22:26:05

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
I pay for what I use, and more than it is worth. I don't want anyone telling me what to do.
Redsoxfanforlife September 22, 2009 20:48:22

Answered: Undecided
If you want to check on your own energy efficiency, you can ask someone to come into your house to help you get efficient. If that is truly what you need and you can not figure it out on your own. Ugh! Google is a total part of this whole NWO and they already invade privacy with the street view. They think they own us and you know what? They do.

I am sure many people will think this is just so wonderful and we all need to jump on the bandwagon because it will help the global good.

I say, buckle up, we are in for a ride. They are totally taking over and the masses are not waking up.

Just look at the "mind control" that is happening with "think green", "go green", "green this" green that. It is so pathetic that we fall for this crap. But then again, what can you do. Years of fluoride intake at least once sometimes twice a day, and then in your water and watching the propaganda on tv. Oh and how can I forget the "indoctrination centers" called the public school system.

This is just "soft" tyranny. The real stuff is coming.
+2 raves
proudtobeanAmerican September 22, 2009 20:09:44

Answered: No... Get Out Of My Life...
I'm to the point now that I have no trust in the Democratic agenda. There's an alterior motive everywhere they turn! I also conserve. I don't mind some suggestions, but I think it should be voluntary for us to be monitored.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to proudto... September 22, 2009 20:21:34

This has nothing to do with the political parties.., it's called 1984 run amok... the Federal Government.
+3 raves
Mike September 22, 2009 20:01:18

Answered: Undecided
I am conservative with the energy I use, but I don't need to be told. I do it because I see the need.
+1 raves
cyborgmind to Mike September 22, 2009 20:21:56

They have you already...
Mike to cyborgmind September 23, 2009 21:24:12

No they don't have me........I just do it to save money
cyborgmind to Mike September 24, 2009 02:29:29

FYI - there is no shortage... as far as money, wait till they really start charging you for CO2 usage.
+5 raves
Chico September 22, 2009 19:41:33

Answered: Undecided
I use power strips on everything I can

So I can turn them off when not in use (like big screens, etc.)

But I don't want anyone telling me to...............