Actually, I was employed in the biometric/security industry back in 2013, but video didn't mean that much to me in those days. (It does now.) So it was primarily due to curiosity that I wrote the post Sometimes it's OK to be a Luddite (Shotwell's vs. Scoble). Here are a few relevant points regarding that 2013 post:
First, at the time, Google Glass was a big thing.
Second, there was (and is) a bar called Shotwell's Bar in San Francisco, just up the road from Google headquarters. Therefore, there was a pretty good chance that a Google Glass-wearing person might wander into Shotwell's Bar.
Third, it turns out that this did happen, prompting a Facebook post from Shotwell's that wasn't that complimentary of Google Glass.
This resulted in an Atlantic article and some angry comments from Robert Scoble - whom, you may recall, was photographed in a shower wearing Google Glass, referencing his previous book Naked Conversations. Here is a line drawing representation of that moment, taken from a patent application.
Excerpt from Robert Scoble's angry comments:
[S]oon I'll be directed to the best bars by the Google Glass and if the bartender doesn't like me wearing them I'll change the review so that people get guided to go somewhere else!
So, if you are a bartender, you better watch out. Those of us who will be wearing Google Glass are often influencers, rich, and willing to change OUR behavior when it comes to spending our money, time, attention. Hint: I tip well and drink a lot of expensive Scotch (although I'm trying to cut down, which the Glass will help me with too).
So what happened after 2013? Well, Google Glass didn't become the next great consumer item. Robert Scoble stopped drinking, but didn't use Google Glass to do it.
Oh, and one more thing happened. China happened.
Chinese police have begun using glasses equipped with facial recognition-enabled cameras to spot fugitives traveling through train stations. Though Chinese police have said the glasses will spot people using fake IDs or traveling to avoid a warrant, many are concerned about China using the tech to target political advocates and minorities. China has been accused of using face recognition tech to “fence in” the Muslim Uighur minority in northwestern Xinjiang.
I won't get into my personal views about this whole thing, because I have a story to tell. It's a story that you won't hear anywhere else. (Blatant hint.)
Because you see, Tom Madonna, owner of Shotwell's Bar in San Francisco, reportedly has a sister - Lady Madonna. Using some San Francisco connections, Lady Madonna traveled to Shanghai to open up an East Coast (Chinese East Coast) version of Shotwell's Bar. She's managed to make ends meet so far, but she ran into trouble one day when two undercover police officers walked into the bar.
Lady Madonna offered this comment on Chinese social media.
Two people just walked into the bar. Looked me square in the eye, and acting as if everything was normal they ordered beers.. Oh did I mention they wear wearing AR glasses! In public! In A BAR!
Seven minutes later, someone whom Lady didn't know added a comment:
Please delete the comment above.
Well, Lady's like her brother Tom, and can be a little feisty at times.
When you buy a new phone, it's in your pocket, but this, you're wearing something on your face. Anyone that cares what they look like is not gonna wear AR glasses. That's my opinion. If you are super nerdy and you like to show off that you're in tech and smart and all those things, I can see you probably wearing AR glasses, but you are probably in a bubble.
Seven minutes after that, the mysterious commenter showed up again.
Please delete the comment above. The two persons who visited your establishment are charged with maintaining public order. You would not want a criminal element patronizing your establishment.
Lady continued the conversation.
Hey, it wasn't just me. Everyone thought the two people looked ridiculous!
Seven minutes later, health inspectors were knocking on the door of Lady's bar.
