Technology and Ethics. Are drones potentially dangerous?

2015-04-28T15:32:06-04:00

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/here-come-the-drones/

With a lot of technology, the issue of security and privacy invariably come into question and so with cheap and easy to use Drones, will there be legislation on how and when a person or country can use these?

What is your take? Do robotics and AE pose real concerns?

Here Come the Drones

These popular, unmanned aircraft will eventually fall into the hands of hostile nations and terrorists

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made Apr 28 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-04-28T15:33:46-04:00

Depends on who owns them, when and where they are used and by who or whom.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-04-28T15:34:24-04:00

I see issues and some of them will be serious ones, relating to ethics.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 28 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-04-28T15:35:59-04:00

Um. Yes.

We own heavily armed ones, and have used them half a world away.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 28 at 2015 3:37 PM

2015-04-28T15:37:55-04:00

Observation/Intelligence drones are generally not dangerous unless they fall on-top of you, accidently or intentionally cut overhead wires, etc.
Drones which can be fitted with offensive weapons - guided or kinetic are definitely dangerous.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-04-28T15:45:16-04:00

I think there will have to be definition in many areas such as private and commercial use.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Apr 28 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-04-28T15:47:38-04:00

Almost everything we own can be potentially dangerous. Guns, knives, cars, electricity, and even heavy furniture if you drop it on somebody from your window. Just because something can be used for evil by a minority of people, doesn't mean that we should deprive the rest of the population from its positive use.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 28 at 2015 3:48 PM

2015-04-28T15:48:37-04:00

Drones and Ethnics?

http://southpark.cc.com/clips/e8sol1/unarmed-civilian-drone

It's because my drone is black isn't it?

As for the intended question, yes I feel they are ethical as they are only machines. It is up to the persons using them to determine ethical behavior.

Unarmed Civilian Drone

After police shoot down Randy's Neighborhood Watch drone, the town holds a candlelight vigil.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 4:02 PM

2015-04-28T16:02:11-04:00

Regrettably, we are going to need to regulate them . . . because they are being treated like toys . . . flown by underage operators and irresponsibly . . . but have capability to take out aircraft engines on their own . . . and do more serious damage if loaded up with some explosives.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 28 at 2015 4:05 PM

2015-04-28T16:05:03-04:00

There is a difference between a remote controlled airplane for recreation, and a system designed for surveillance. While that difference may be obvious to most of us, it has come to the point where we may need a definition legally emplaced and strict limits on both private citizens and especially the Government's ability to use surveillance systems on fellow citizens.

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 28 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-04-28T16:06:16-04:00

Yes, it's totally a possibility, but that is the case with almost everything that can be purchased or used in today's technology driven era. There are already documented cases of privacy abuse and corporate espionage associated with civilian drones. The problem is the two regulating agencies are both conflicted on how to act toward restrictions and regulating them. FCC and FAA... Neither can fully provide a complete answer to this dilemma.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Apr 28 at 2015 4:10 PM

2015-04-28T16:10:05-04:00

Drones, just as firearms, are a tool. They will function exactly as the person WEILDING THE TOOL directs them to.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-04-28T16:12:15-04:00

Drones definitely pose a security concern. As do knives, satellites, cars, and pretty much everything else. I see our skies filling with drones as inevitable. They're getting cheaper and more useful all the time. We'll simply have to deal with it. I remember years ago farmers and the like threatening to shoot any drone they find over their property, and I don't know if this is legal, or right. But I know that farmer's going to have an uphill battle, and is probably going to lose.

The future is now!

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Apr 28 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-04-28T16:27:20-04:00

Any powerful tool is dangerous if misused. These will definitely be misused. Also, some dumbass is going to hurt people while trying to shoot one out of the sky, forgetting that bullets have to come down somewhere.

Response by SSG Paul Lanciault made Apr 28 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-04-28T19:31:10-04:00

Depends on who's at the controls

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 28 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-04-28T20:12:18-04:00

These tools have been used to kill American citizens without trials as a matter of policy, they aren't potentially dangerous, they are factually so.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 11:46 PM

2015-04-28T23:46:55-04:00

So, this brings me back to the great Radio Shack theory of one of my old bosses that is no longer with us that I now take up on his behalf.
Radio Shack is a front for the CIA. I mean who has ever bought more than 1 thing at a Radio Shack? The store is 1/4 the size of the actual space available. Anything you ever ask about is in the back. You never see anyone actually buying anything of value there. Everyone is a manager. They ask for all the personal information that they can get. They are in malls and strip malls with high traffic to try to get the most people possible.
Okay, now that I have thoroughly lost everyone, I will say that drones just like anything else have the potential to be dangerous. We are a civilization as a planet that is growing closer together whilst also growing farther apart.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 2 at 2015 2:45 PM

2015-05-02T14:45:34-04:00

Very Appropriate Query in this day and age. I would have to say depends on who is using it and for what? I've seen the Camera work my Son-in-Law has done with these flying ROV's with a camera strapped to it and I am impressed but I can see the potential for abuse.