Anti-Seg poster

[cruiter]

Whoever posted the link to a news story of a lady while riding a seg and pushing her kid in stroller across street in front of traffic should take a closer look at the photo. Clearly someone is trying to put segs in a bad light that does not exist. Anyone who downloads the photo and blows it up can see obvious flaws the photoshop attempt to paste the picture in place. If you go to the sight, they have in the comments below the photo a denial from their own tech department as to the authenticity of the photo.

It would anger me if I thought someone on this sight thought it would be funny to portray us in such a bad light.


Jim

[Sal]

Unfortunately, that photo was first posted on a Seattle Blog and spread like wildfire throughout the blogosphere. The "fervor" is dying down, and I bet we won't see much of it any longer.

-Sal

[KSagal]

I know I must be showing my ignorance, or my terminal "Don't get it" attitude, but I don't see what is so wrong here.

I see people all the time with roller blades and a baby carriage.

I see people all the time with dogs on a leash and a baby carriage.

I see people all the time with cell phones and a baby carriage.

I see people all the time with a young but older sibling, pushing the baby carriage.

I see preocupied people driving, walking into things, and doing all manner of other activities in public. SO what?

If I were her, I doubt that I could wear those shoes... Err, I... I suspect that I would pull the carriage rather than attempt to push it. Other than that, I just don't get it.

Just what is the big deal?

[SegwayDan]

If what you're referring to is the pic in this link (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/segway/), and if you read through the dozens of comments, the most common one is "lazy". Typical tabloid-type fare from armchair critics.

While I'll admit that it's far from a good PR shot for Segway (Yikes! They should *both* have helmets, shouldn't they?!), I've personally pushed large metal grocery carts around like that one-handed while gliding. On one hand, the stroller looks like it's pretty easy to steer that way, but things could get dicey if the mother wasn't really good at controlling them both--kinda like rubbing your tummy and patting your head simultaneously.

I'm a photoshop pro and I can't say I see any obvious artifacts in this image, either.

[cruiter]

Dan

Check this blow up below. It's a close up of the four stroller wheels and the Seg wheels and the stripe in the road. Notice the two front stroller wheels and the Seg wheels have shadows. The rear stroller wheels do not (not possible). Also there is a cloning error in the stripe behind the left rear stroller wheel. I don't doubt your photoshop abilities. Since you're active, you probably can manipulate the controls better than I. However many years ago (back in the 60's), as a Navy Photog, I also went to a school for a rating they had then PT (photo interpretation) and learned how to spot anomolys in photographs. This one has a few.

Also, the link http://www.switched.com/2007/05/26/crazy-woman-pushes-stroller-on-segway/ now has it's own denials and admits to image being photoshoped.

Hey, looking for good publicity pix of you delivering Hoagies on your new i2!!!

If what you're referring to is the pic in this link (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/segway/), and if you read through the dozens of comments, the most common one is "lazy". Typical tabloid-type fare from armchair critics.

While I'll admit that it's far from a good PR shot for Segway, I've personally pushed large metal grocery carts around like that one-handed while gliding. On one hand, the stroller looks like it's pretty easy to steer that way, but things could get dicey if the mother wasn't really good at controlling them both--kinda like rubbing your tummy and patting your head simultaneously.

I'm a photoshop pro and I can't say I see any obvious artifacts in this image, either.

[gbrandwood]

If my Seg is about (it usually is) I take the wheelie bin from the end of the drive to the road on my Seg. Some very careful manoeuvring required to do that when the bin is full! I'm quite adept at it now. I better hope there's no paparazzi about!

I don't see the problem with the picture. I'm waiting for "Return of the Living Dead Part IV", with Zombie's on Segways: The Dead Gliding the Earth! Oh how times have changed.

And the photo still looks genuine to me. We should do a poll. Jim, how confident are you it's a fake?

[Desert_Seg]

'Cruiter,

Hats off to somebody in my rating (I'm an ISC (RET)). FYI, the new rating for the old PT is IS and within the IS rating is the PI (Photo Interpreter) sub-NEC. While I'm not doubting your PI abilities I don't see the same anomalies you point out.

However, I'm not too worried about all the fluster. As Karl has said, there are lots of things that folks do that don't seem "right" but which have no real meaning in the grand scheme of things. Yes, some folks are getting their panties in an uproar over this but I've seen some positive comments too.

All in all, a non-deal if you ask me.

BTW, we are just going to have to get together and swap sea stories. I even have some great pics of BDA during the Iran - Iraq war....BDA caused by us and some by others :).

Steven

[SegwayDan]

Dan

Check this blow up below. It's a close up of the four stroller wheels and the Seg wheels and the stripe in the road. Notice the two front stroller wheels and the Seg wheels have shadows. The rear stroller wheels do not (not possible). Also there is a cloning error in the stripe behind the left rear stroller wheel. I don't doubt your photoshop abilities. Since you're active, you probably can manipulate the controls better than I. However many years ago (back in the 60's), as a Navy Photog, I also went to a school for a rating they had then PT (photo interpretation) and learned how to spot anomolys in photographs. This one has a few.

Also, the link http://www.switched.com/2007/05/26/crazy-woman-pushes-stroller-on-segway/ now has it's own denials and admits to image being photoshoped.

Well, yeah, it does look kinda funny. But whether or not this is a real photo, the main point seems to be these weird "anti-Segway" attitudes amongst the unwashed masses. Weird because they're reacting to things which are somehow merely triggered by the Segway--not the Segway itself. They can't actually *see* the Segway--only what's conjured up in their minds by it: "lazy", "I'd fall!", "rich people", "geek".

Hey, looking for good publicity pix of you delivering Hoagies on your new i2!!!



Yes, I know! I intend to set up a situation shot of some sort. Just have to make the extra effort to make it happen! Hey, I've only been on the job three days! ;-)

BTW, my rating was AC, air traffic controller. I was on active from '69-'73, stationed at NAS Barber's Point (now closed), HI. Great duty--best I could have hoped for during the Viet Nam era.

[Desert_Seg]

... BTW, my rating was AC, air traffic controller. I was on active from '69-'73, stationed at NAS Barber's Point (now closed), HI. Great duty--best I could have hoped for during the Viet Nam era.

Barber's Points, The "Crossroads of the Pacific". Home to FICPAC (Fleet Imaging Center, Pacific) and various P-3 Squadrons and, as a 20 year airdale, there really was no better place to be stationed except NAS Bermuda...ah, those where the days!

Steven

[SegwayDan]

Barber's Points, The "Crossroads of the Pacific". Home to FICPAC (Fleet Imaging Center, Pacific) and various P-3 Squadrons and, as a 20 year airdale, there really was no better place to be stationed except NAS Bermuda...ah, those where the days!

Steven

Hmm. FICPAC could have been in our very same Flight Ops building! Not only P3s: there was a USCG station with C130 and helos, Marine C130s, F4s from Kaneohe MCAS, F4s, A6s, A4s from carrier fly-offs, foreign training squadrons, etc. etc. We even had a B52 do a t&g on our main runway. He barely fit!

NAS Bermuda! Musta been real skate duty! But I sincerely think NAS Barbers PT would have stood up well in comparison.

[Desert_Seg]

FICPAC was originally in Flight Ops but then in late 80's or early 90's got their own building.

As for Bermuda vs Barber's Point, no contest. There might be more to do in Hawaii but I'd take Bermuda any day....and yes, it was skate duty but valuable the the Navy mission ;)

Steven

[SegwayDan]

Aha! So that's what those geeks were doing in there! I left in '73.

Yeah, I can see your point about Bermuda. I was there briefly in '74. Quite beautiful.

[SEGsby]

So it's a fake? Grrrr.

SEGsby

[JohnM]

So it's a fake? Grrrr.

Yeah, and did anyone else notice the shadowy figures on the grassy knoll in the background? Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep........

If someone were going to go to the effort of attacking Segways thru doctored pictures they could do so much better than this. Say, a phony clip of Segways on a trampoline or something equally outrageous.

[SEGsby]

We doctor images all the time at work; it's called advertising.

It can take suprisingly little effort and time to pull off... The trick is to do it perfectly.

I think someone who's meanspirited is probably motivation enough. And I suppose you've never run into anyone like that in your entire life?

SEGsby

[dale@thecoys.net]

OK, so was the Photoshop composite made from TWO images, or THREE?

[ian purvis]

Baby carriage? I thought it was a new 'frontal collision' protection device to protect my valuable seg.

[KSagal]

If the picture is real, it means nothing.

IF the picture is not real, it means even less.

In many cultures, the value of a warrior can be measured in the quality of his enemies. If this is the best anti-seg attack we have to deal with, then the steet is ours... If this is a fake, the more debate we give it, we can chock one more up for the forces of the 30-40 or more something or other that lives in mom's basement, and has no life. The more we debate this as an issue, the more it starts to be one...

This is nothing. If we think or worse, act, like it is something, it lessens all of us...

[SEGsby]

Karl--

You forget the power and persistance of propoganda...

Ever heard of the "Protocols of Zion"? There is a whole race of people who wish that crap was never made up and printed in the 1800's.

Perception shapes our world and there are many who are willing to shape it for you.

You're essentially right though: it doesn't matter if the image is real or not. But the negative influence of the image and the "moron-fest" of hand selected responses to generate more Jerry Springer stle drama, only help entrench negative views of the Segway. And that is quite real.

SEGsby

[KSagal]

Karl--

You forget the power and persistance of propoganda...

Ever heard of the "Protocols of Zion"? There is a whole race of people who wish that crap was never made up and printed in the 1800's.

Perception shapes our world and there are many who are willing to shape it for you.

You're essentially right though: it doesn't matter if the image is real or not. But the negative influence of the image and the "moron-fest" of hand selected responses to generate more Jerry Springer stle drama, only help entrench negative views of the Segway. And that is quite real.

SEGsby

You are quite right. But only if you allow it.

I am a dinosaur. I have never seen American Idol. I have cable and 100 channels to watch, but I stay tuned into the news and old movies...

I do scan newspapers and some media sources, not to find out what is happening, but rather to find out what the manipulators are trying to push...

It is true that the rabble will babble. What is not true is that it means anything. Peer presure is important to teenagers. They want to fit in... Those who get stuck keeping up with the Jonses, sometime get hung up there as well...

I believe that even though it is real, it needs to be realized for what it is. It is the shiny car that does not work, the teeth whitening for the person who has no sense of humor, the hair plugs not for the person who wants hair, but for the person who wants a better life...

Who is acting more the fool, the person who believes that a photo like that indicates anything of value, or the person who allows that first person's view to rule their life?

I believe that the weak will be easily manipulated. That is true. Luckily, they also have a short attention span, so that impression will soon be replaced with another. If we work on providing good impressions, they will soon replace the negative ones that those who would diminish the future are trying to do...

I honestly believe that the technology of the Segway is sound enough to weather the future. More than that, I believe the concept of the PT to be worthy to play a role in not only my future, but that of society. I really am not worried about those who cannot see what I see.

By the way, I am aware that my view is rather anti-social in the true sense of that word. I do not care. Conformity has never been my strong suit...

[SegwayDan]

I think it's very interesting how much you and I agree in our views about these various issues which have come up on this forum. Neither of us is "following" the other. We just happen to concur.

"Anit-social" (to use your sense of the term) warrior-brothers I'd say.

[Five-Flags]

Dan

Check this blow up below. It's a close up of the four stroller wheels and the Seg wheels and the stripe in the road. Notice the two front stroller wheels and the Seg wheels have shadows. The rear stroller wheels do not (not possible).


I have to disagree. It is not a very sunny day (Seattle, what a surprise!) so the shadows are not very distinct. The sun is nearly overhead, resulting in very short shadows ahead of the wheels. The front wheels and the Seg's wheels are in the clear, so are casting relatively distinct shadows, but the rear wheels are in the shadow (pun intended) of the body of the stroller itself. You can see that shadow under the whole stroller, but since it (the body) is higher above ground level, its shadow is lighter and less pronounced. Very close examination of the area in front of the left rear wheel shows a slight shading as would be expected when it is being masked by the stroller body.

Dan
Also there is a cloning error in the stripe behind the left rear stroller wheel.


Actually, I think that's a pavement error, not a cloning error. If you look at the stripe under the Seg's wheels, it is very torn up a few feet to the the rider's left. Also, there is a similar patch missing on the second stripe behind her, of nearly the same size and shape.




Dan

Also, the link http://www.switched.com/2007/05/26/crazy-woman-pushes-stroller-on-segway/ now has it's own denials and admits to image being photoshoped.



All I saw was a comment that Gizmodo was admitting it was photoshopped. However I didn't see any such admission on gizmodo.com

Overall, I'd say it's real. And I think it's fine. I see many far more hazardous sights daily, usually unsecured children in cars. I guarantee if one of these mothers ever had to respond to an accident where the mother had an infant on her lap and ended up fatally crushing her child into the steering column, they would NEVER fail to use a child seat/seatbelt again. Unfortunately, that's "too shocking" to be reported in the news, so it will continue unabated. [:(!] [:(!]

[SEGsby]

I'm not the one that needs to be convinced; it's the majority of our population that hates Segway's without ever having seen one in person their entire lives.

The majority makes and reinforces mainstream culture. And whether you accept it or not-- we are all undeniably influenced by it. This image is proof.

If it was truely as meaningless as you say, no one would bother to write and react to it.

SEGsby

You are quite right. But only if you allow it.

[KSagal]

I'm not the one that needs to be convinced; it's the majority of our population that hates Segway's without ever having seen one in person their entire lives.

The majority makes and reinforces mainstream culture. And whether you accept it or not-- we are all undeniably influenced by it. This image is proof.

If it was truely as meaningless as you say, no one would bother to write and react to it.

SEGsby


I may have mis stated my position. I should not say it is meaningless, I mean to say it is valueless. You are right, there are many people who are swayed by these manipulations...

I also stated too starkly that I do not care. I care. I want to be accepted like everyone else. It is all a matter of intensity. I will not let the loss of acceptance from those whom I do not respect as having enough impact to sway my actions. That is all...

I also do not mean to diminish those who do care. I am not saying that other people should have as thick a skin as I try to have when it comes to the slings and arrows of public non-acceptance, I am just stating how I value things...

Many times I have seen public opinion sway 180 degrees by one person speaking, with passion. I have seen this with my own eyes. Unfortunatly, that passion is sometimes not swaying the masses in the right direction. I have seen otherwise reasonable people get whipped up into a frenzy, for a false cause, and they do not know it till later...

There is an old quote that says it is important to stand like a man, where there are no men. Going along with the crowd is not a bad thing, unless the crowd is going the wrong direction...

One other quote that I will offer here, I am sure did not come from the source that I will offer, but I heard it in one of my kid's cartoon movies... In that movie, a father was telling his son, "A strong man stands up for himself, regardless of the cost. A stronger man stands up for others."

I offer what strengths I have found in life as good paths that I strive to take. I offer these as good alternatives to following the crowd.

I have also found as Robert Frost did, these paths are usually the ones less traveled, that that does make all the difference...

[Timezkware Tim]

You might find a picture of someone on a bike or razor scooter pushing a stroller, but obviously that's not how most people use bikes and strollers. With Segways, most people don't know how they are really used, so it makes the Gizmodo photo funny, backed up by the caustic article. I thought it was hysterical. That is what Gizmodo does; it's a humor ezine in disguise.

Tim

[SEGsby]

I'm glad you found humor in it (the Onion is far better!), but it smells more like Seg-Bashing Propoganda to me.

SEGsby

You might find a picture of someone on a bike or razor scooter pushing a stroller, but obviously that's not how most people use bikes and strollers. With Segways, most people don't know how they are really used, so it makes the Gizmodo photo funny, backed up by the caustic article. I thought it was hysterical. That is what Gizmodo does; it's a humor ezine in disguise.

Tim

[Timezkware Tim]

I'm glad you found humor in it (the Onion is far better!), but it smells more like Seg-Bashing Propoganda to me.

SEGsby

True, Gizmodo's anti-Segway stuff perpetuates the "Lazy People" myth, but it won't be very funny once people realize that Segs replace car trips, not just Sunday strolls.

Tim