How to waste a billion dollars in one easy step.
March 6, 2012 6:59 PM   Subscribe

This post was deleted for the following reason: This truly is a MeFi Two Minutes Hate collision with a single link blog op ed post. Interesting technique but very sign-my-petition-y. Maybe make a bigger better post that doesn't seem like just an excuse for collaborative outrage? -- jessamyn



 
From the comments: Twice the radiation and twice the time, and would require software adjustments. Not to mention there are other exploits: this is just the one I chose to publish.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 7:10 PM on March 6, 2012


Demand of your legislators and presidential candidates that they get rid of this $8B a year waste known as the TSA and privatize airport security. Ask for their commitment to our rights in exchange for your vote.

Right, because privatizing airport security will immediately reduce waste and ensure a heightened commitment to protecting civil rights.
posted by googly at 7:14 PM on March 6, 2012 [2 favorites]


Come on, now. You didn't really think the porno-scanners were ever about keeping travelers safe, did you?
posted by Trurl at 7:14 PM on March 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


If only there were a technology that could detect metal, was inexpensive, and well understood. If only.
posted by Llama-Lime at 7:14 PM on March 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


"...and privatize airport security..."

Yes! Let's privatize our airport security...so the already poorly paid government security screeners who could really care less about my security can be replaced by even more poorly paid private security sector screeners who could care less about my security, but at least those private sector employees won't have their unions so they won't live like kings and queens at my expense!

Seriously though, we should get rid of the TSA. It is bloated security theater. But privatizing? Race to the bottom your secruity? Ok...
posted by jnnla at 7:14 PM on March 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


We all know the backscatter scanners weren't about keeping us safe. It was about keeping people scared while giving the company that made them a shitload of money.
posted by dunkadunc at 7:15 PM on March 6, 2012 [2 favorites]


Demand of your legislators and presidential candidates that they get rid of this $8B a year waste known as the TSA and privatize airport security.

Huh? That doesn't follow. *scrolls back up*

I’d like to thank: [...] Legislators who have stood up to the TSA – especially Dr. Ron Paul & Sen. Rand Paul

Ahhhh.
posted by brundlefly at 7:19 PM on March 6, 2012 [3 favorites]


Why again do we have to argue against the TSA on their own terms? It isn't that it is or is not effective, or is or is not economical, or is or is not securing our nation. All those arguments are made within the TSA itself. They are having meetings right now about whether or not something is economical, effective, or securing our nation. They got those arguments covered.

When they say "yea-huh", and we say "nuh-uh," they'll only just say "nuh-uh" and read off their script. But, we can say something else.

We could also say, "This is beside the point. I say no, sir, not because you are an unnecessary expenditure, not because you are an ineffective bureaucracy composed of make work positions that amount to no real security, I protest because the very mission, intent, and purpose of your organization, conduct, presence here today is an offense against the stated values of our nation. And so, I say to you sir, I say no." And what could they possibly say to that save that guttural noise: nuh-uh.
posted by TwelveTwo at 7:19 PM on March 6, 2012 [5 favorites]


It's interesting that the millimetre wave radar machine with auto threat detection didn't pick up the metal object either. Since there is no human operator analysing the image - the computer automatically detects potential threats and displays the relevant area on an avatar so a security officer can pat you down - that technology is not vulnerable to the black on black spoof that this guy is demonstrating. But he still got through.

It's very concerning - there is no public information on the effectiveness of that specific technology. But there is anecdotal evidence (like this video) that the false negative rate is high. Germany and Spain (IIRC) ditched the tech for that reason.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:20 PM on March 6, 2012


Oh no, the TSA vs. privatization! It's a MeFi Two Minutes Hate collision!
posted by strangely stunted trees at 7:23 PM on March 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


"...and privatize airport security..."

Wait a minute ... as I recall, there was a political party (the one that skews toward college-educated people like scientists) that after 9/11 said all our problems would be solved by turning privatized security employees into public-sector employees.

Call me cynical, but I'm starting to wonder if who they work for maybe isn't the real problem.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:25 PM on March 6, 2012


Do the US ones not do the bit where you step into the chamber and the sensor rotates around you?
posted by jaduncan at 7:26 PM on March 6, 2012


This seems fixable. Not sure how the technology works but must be some way to differentiate the background from non-background. Since you have full control over the background. Key is to make it so it's not pitch black. Perhaps warm it up a little with an electric current.
posted by stbalbach at 7:27 PM on March 6, 2012


jaduncan: The ones at Cinncinnati do.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:28 PM on March 6, 2012


I wrote the TSA a letter and said they should offer commemorative prints of your scan. This would pay for the program over and over again. I'd pay $20 for a scan of my equipment. Then I could accost strangers on the street and show them what I have to be proud of!

Yeah, so I live a different life than you. Get over it.

Also, look at my scan!
posted by cjorgensen at 7:30 PM on March 6, 2012


'Keeping America safe from short toenails for 11 years.
posted by onesidys at 7:31 PM on March 6, 2012


Also, look at my scan!

Why, what, how are there two?
posted by TwelveTwo at 7:33 PM on March 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


« Older Bright lights, big galaxy.   |   Welcome to my nightmare / I hope you like it Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments