In Oak Park the tradition is to have a block party on each block over the course of the Summer. A sub-tradition, which occasionally happens, is live musical performances by denizens of the block. My friend Ed is a keyboard player in addition to his many other accomplishments. He performed with a block party band that had him, two guitars, bass, drums, and FOUR girl singers (OK, grown-up women), one of whom played harmonica. They were way better than I expected them to be. Soon after the performance I compiled a lengthy email suggesting songs they might perform at future performances. The email with videos is below the fold, for anyone who might be interested.
Video
The Real Drone Future
It may not be DHS/EPA flying a big Predator over your farm or subdivision and drawing the attention of thousands of voters. (People will learn how to spot those things even if they’re at 60k feet.) More likely it’ll be small, cheap technology in the hands of individuals. For good or bad? Probably both like every other technology. Right now the most obvious use is by people making videos, but that will probably change.
The equipment used to make this video (via Guy Kawasaki) probably cost in the low four figures at most. It will only get cheaper. It’s probably only a matter of time before inexpensive video links for flying these devices remotely will be available, if they aren’t already (were the guys who made this video using one? — it looks like they may have been). And all of the equipment will get smaller with time.
You couldn’t have made this video with any technology available a few years ago.
(More videos here.)
Connie Smith, Once A Day (Live) (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN5XDwsj0TI&feature=related