(BTW, if I caught someone recording me in that way, I’d go further than Damien’s stated course of action. I’d consider it an infringement of my personal space and I’d act accordingly.)

Some of those reading these comments miss an important point–at the IIA Net Visionary Awards, I did not record any conversations. I recorded the announcements of the awards ceremony by placing a recorder with its red light on next to my plate in full view. Behind the scenes, the IIA also recorded the entire event from the front of the audience. The IIA has used its recording for public release without asking anyone in the room and I think that’s alright. I’ve used my recording to cull 45 seconds of applause. I think that’s alright.

When Maryrose was asked a question by another person at the table who requested a comment for record with a mic extended, she first started with a reply and then reconsidered. That celebratory moment has been made into me bugging the Net Visionary Awards.

I don’t mind this outcome because as Treasa suggests, it gives me plenty of elbow room at tables.

On my own blog, I kicked off a wind-up exercise that no one has noticed until Damien fanned the fires of awareness. Here’s the wind-up: I record the daily passing of events all the time around myself in all public places. Here’s the reality: I wouldn’t have the time or inclination to deal with all that sound.

In another life, I was a professional aircraft accident investigator. My findings, forensic and material, were as rigourously gathered as those gleaned by investigative journalism. I gathered cockpit tapes, interviewed aircrew, and dug into the personal lives of those directly associated with major mishaps. I carried a CSI toolbox because I was an investigator with a purpose.

In the same decade, I requested, analysed and gathered electronic intelligence for use by compartments of the US government. When I arrived here 10 years ago, I knew no one in Ireland had my experience. I believe the Irish government would be concerned if someone with my three colours of passports were detached on Irish soil because the temperatures rise with simpler things like CIA planes landing to refuel.

I don’t mind being categorised as the “bloke with a recorder who likes to record other people unawares with the hope of catching them saying something news worthy” because that’s more complimentary than what you could say about analysts who track, gather and catalog your life with impunity.

I think that’s the real issue–who is watching the watchers watch you?

Although there’s probably more closure pointing fingers at me for something that never happened.

Just wondering…

It appears strongly, to me, that this comment is directed at you and as such, it is potentially quite a damaging comment.

Maybe I’m mis-reading it and the comment isn’t aimed at you. Still, I’d try to get it clarified because, as it stands, it makes you look bad.

Bernie – I’ve just asked myself the following two questions:

1) Would I mind if someone recorded my conversation at dinner? and
2) Would I mind if someone took my picture at that dinner?

Leaving aside the following criteria of where the dinner takes place, or with what group (obviously I might not want the world to know that in fact, I hang out with, say the North Dublin Association of Allotment Gardeners, Cabbage specialists) the relatively simple answers are

1) Yes, damn right I would mind if somone recorded my conversation. I’d consider it the height of rudeness; and
2) No, particularly if it was a nice photograph.

It would take an essay for me to explain why I don’t mind photographs but do mind recording devices.

Moving swiftly onwards – I don’t think that it’s a viable argument in favour of what you tend to do in terms of recording stuff to suggest we should worry more about what the state does. It’s a strawman. What the state does will not abdicate you of any responsibility here.

It’s also not justifiable by saying “lots of people did it to me in a previous job”.

Put simply, if you are out socially with people, even if there is some semi-business aspect of it (say an awards dinner) it is still impolite to tape record proceedings without asking if anyone minds. Actually I think it’s rude to do it anyway (put simply people like looking at photographs but have no great interest in listening to recordings of conversation).

Having read quite a lot of your pieces on the subject over the past couple of years, I’d venture to say that I’d be reluctant to sit at a table with you for the reason that I’m not entirely sure that you wouldn’t be recording proceedings. I hate having to admit it, but there you have it.

Mary – regarding what your blog is about doesn’t change the fact that up front, you felt strongly enough about this matter to write about it on that blog. Damien’s point is fairly clear here – if you open a can of worms, which excites people’s concern, it is difficult to put a lid on it. If it was so irrelevant to the blog, why bring it up? The point is few verbal discussions stay limited in scope – online discussions are little different in that respect and they do spill onto other blogs (QED we’re now on mulley.net) and they bring your blog’s name with them.

The first is working from a supposition that a particular person or persons are doing something worth engaging in hidden recording. The supposition is supported by some facts or information. What’s the justification for the second?

Your second point is saying what? That because big brother has you under surveillance is it ok for Joe soap in the street to do the same? Or is it that if people are so up in arms about Joe Soap surveillance then shouldn’t they be equally up in arms about big brother. Last time I looked the authorities are controlled by elected people. Who elected you? Having to check my phone for Bluetooth signals before sitting near you….that is possibly the most farcical thing you have said to date.

As for doing sensitive work, so what? Join the club. In many instances the resulting security dossier has resulted in me being able to work in installations with minimal clearance time. When I signed the official secrets act it was explained to me what the possibilities were. I also read the bits where I could be put in jail for an indeterminate length of time pending a decision to prosecute with the option to detain me indefinitely without a prosecution.

It’s the norm and if you don’t like it don’t sign the documents.
I think what amazes me the most about this whole topic is the ego involved. Comparing yourself to investigative journalists. Comparing yourself to government surveillance.

Your not.

You’re a bloke with a recorder who likes to record other people unawares with the hope of catching them saying something news worthy.

Verbal Voyeurism.

If you did it with a video camera what would we call you then.