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Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

popularmechanics.com

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Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#321
post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This implies that Tesla can view the vicinity and location of your car at any time. Is that true? That would completely destroy any desire to own one.

> This implies that Tesla can view the vicinity and location of your car at any time. Is that true? I don't think the cars have the bandwidth to stream it in realtime, but they do upload bits of camera and telemetry data to help train Tesla's self-driving software. The car has settings that let you opt out of this data sharing. Regarding location data: That's true for most cars sold today and it isn't particularly ne…

Where I live, ANPR is unlawful except for Law Enforcement, so I don't generally worry. I've never had a car whose navigation system pulled directions from the cloud - always on-board maps. I can also turn off my phone or leave it behind. All new cars sold in the EU have an eSim for eCall, but it's prohibited from sending telemetry except in the case of a crash and can be permanently disabled at the fuse box. Dash cams are regulated.

> Privacy is dead. Most people just don't know it yet.

It certainly is if you accept it.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depends where you live. Where I’m living it’s also the Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker. Here every 1/2/3 years (depending on the age) you need to get your car inspected and they give you a sticker if you pass. People steal the stickers to drive cars that either rail inspector or know it won’t pass. Last year someone broke my driver side window and manage to remove my sticker.

Do the stickers not have identifying details like the car’s plate number?

Someone needs to look closer than they actually would to check that level of detail. If you have the right color for this year you are good unless they really want to get you for something else.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#323

If the author had a Ring doorbell (and looked at their crime reports), or participated on NextDoor, they would know that theft from parked cars is the number one problem in most neighborhoods. An alarm is still a good deterrent for people who do not park their cars in a garage.

I don't get what people are stealing from parked cars? You can't remove radios anymore. What are they taking? Surely nobody's leaving a laptop or a purse in a car?

Unfortunately, people seem to be willing to break into cars for a few dollars of value to them.

Of course, people do similar when shoplifting.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#324

Last time I got car insurance (a year ago?) I believe they still asked if it had an alarm, implying they still give a discount for it. Do insurance companies think it actually matters? Or do they just get kickbacks from alarm companies?

Mine still asks about "daytime running lights"

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anyone ever take you up on the offer of a hot meal?

Yeah. One time it was an older lady with her daughter. They stayed with me 3 days until they managed to sort something out with social services. I think they're in San Diego now. They had a dog along who crapped in my living room, and they ended up cleaning my house top to bottom as an apology. Just because someone's homeless it doesn't mean they're on drugs or stuff like that!

Are you still in touch with them, by chance?

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#326

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It amazes me that, in wealthy countries, there are significant homelessness problems due to economic displacement. I consider it an existence-proof of the idea that a free market cannot solve all problems. I think homelessness due to other causes-- mental health for example-- are more complex but similarly demonstrate fundamental flaws in the framework of society. Only once was I able to give a homeless person a meal…

Why would you need evidence to refute the idea that 'a free market can solve all problems' That would be an insane thing to assume in the 1st place. Where would you even get that notion from?

I know many people who hold onto the idea of free market like it's a religion. They call their religion libertarianism (I don't know if this is accurate of libertarian thought leaders)

I do have to refute that idea. I'm not sure how much their opinions matter and if my time is well spent trying to change them, but they're in my life so I collect the evidence.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#327

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It amazes me that, in wealthy countries, there are significant homelessness problems due to economic displacement. I consider it an existence-proof of the idea that a free market cannot solve all problems. I think homelessness due to other causes-- mental health for example-- are more complex but similarly demonstrate fundamental flaws in the framework of society. Only once was I able to give a homeless person a meal…

Why would you need evidence to refute the idea that 'a free market can solve all problems' That would be an insane thing to assume in the 1st place. Where would you even get that notion from?

High school econ class, for one

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s actually illegal in Washington State as well. I’m sure that’s fairly common in a lot of states and countries. But of course it’s also not enforced here.

> It’s actually illegal in Washington State Woah, didn't know this. It's not like it really changes anything when someone lays on their horn while passing me on my bike. But at least I can feel some righteous indignation now.

> righteous indignation

That's just the default for me while cycling.

Re: Why do they still make car alarms? (2015)

#330

If you have your car at the mall or are in a big city parking garge, sure it doesn't do much. If you live in the rest of the United States, which is spread out and some quite rural, a car alarm can quickly notify you someone is messing with your car. My town has a population a little over 300 people, we have one resident that is... not well... that rides his bicycle around even int he dead of winter and pounds on peo…

Man, there sure is a lot of crime for a town of 300. I’ve lived in a big city for 20 years and never had anyone mess with my car.

The bulk of the incidents weren't in this town, my wife and I have only lived here since November. The bulk of the events were in Indianapolis, IN and Greendood, IN. One year in Indy someone even stole a bunch of copper from Gleaner's Foodbank damaging the refrigeration system spoiling 464k USD in food https://www.dispatch.com/article/20070731/NEWS/307319840

Crime is everywhere, crime is random, and just about no person/business/charity is safe.

The bike guy is here in the small town, and on the town Facebook group since early November we've seen a dozen encounters with him, several of which have resulted in property damage. A car alarm is a nice thing to me with this guy pedaling around because it's quiet enough us and the neighbors would wake up to a car alarm, find it highly out of the ordinary, and start looking out windows.

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