Last spring, I gained a minor amount of interest from my posting about Google's StreetView feature. In brief recollection, a fury of complaints were hurled at Google about the supposed invasion of privacy. Of course, there was also a good amount of humor about what Google inadvertently captured: people leaving stores of ill-repute, practicing hygeine rituals best suited for private, standing clothless in windows, and so on.
Mostly, I was amused. I did have a bit of concern over the debate of what is private and not (my home is entirely visible to anyone who drives by, but do I want a permanent, digital print of my home available to anyone for no amount of effort?).
Who was I to judge? My home was not yet canvased by Google. Of course, being in Google's hometown, I knew my day would come. And yesterday, I found out it did.
As feared, my yard is something of a mid-spring (last year, based on the status of the new roses) mess, with blooming and out of control roses. Interesting, as far as I can tell, the photo was snapped before the big controversy, so I never would have had a chance to sell the rights to print an ad on my house. Thankfully, there is nothing embarrassing going on, nor too personal. What is interesting is the car wash supplies in the drive--a historical moment, given this is a once or twice a year happening. Disturbing, such that it is, is a full view of the license plates of both cars, not immediately readable but certainly capable of being zoomed and likely read by someone who cared enough. More sadly, no cute cats are gaining celebrity in the window, my biggest disappointment.
