Starship Asterisk*

Redbone wrote:
I'm on the map!

rstevenson wrote:Yes, light polution is a problem. But the same lights that cause the problem also help prevent vandalism and other crimes. So the solution is not to turn off the lights. As is often true, a problem created by technology requires a more subtle technological solution. We need to find a way to light our nights without obliterating the night sky.

Chris Peterson wrote:

rstevenson wrote:
Yes, light polution is a problem. But the same lights that cause the problem also help prevent vandalism and other crimes. So the solution is not to turn off the lights. As is often true, a problem created by technology requires a more subtle technological solution. We need to find a way to light our nights without obliterating the night sky.

While the subject has never been tested rigorously, there is strong anecdotal evidence that darkness reduces crime, not increases it. Criminals generally prefer to work in the light, like everybody else. It is also very likely that street lighting produces more accidents than it eliminates. And the evidence is solid at this point that human exposure to light at night is unhealthy.

• Does More Lighting = More Safety?
  Today’s streetlamps are dumb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventure_of_the_Six_Napoleons wrote:

• The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

“I wish to call your attention very particularly to the position of this house in the garden of which the bust was destroyed.”

Lestrade looked about him.

“It was an empty house, and so he knew that he would not be disturbed in the garden.”

“Yes, but there is another empty house farther up the street which he must have passed before he came to this one. Why did he not break it there, since it is evident that every yard that he carried it increased the risk of someone meeting him?”

“I give it up,” said Lestrade.

Holmes pointed to the street lamp above our heads.

“He could see what he was doing here and he could not there. That was his reason.”

“By Jove! That’s true,” said the detective. “Now that I come to think of it, Dr. Barnicot’s bust was broken not far from his red lamp. Well, Mr. Holmes, what are we to do with that fact?”

Chris Peterson wrote:While the subject has never been tested rigorously, there is strong anecdotal evidence that darkness reduces crime, not increases it.

rstevenson wrote:I'll see that anecdote and raise you one. When I stopped turning off our front house lights when I went to bed, the minor acts of vandalism that had been damaging my garden, the front of my house, and my car, ceased. At least our local idiots don't like light. (Probably they fear the increased light would allow them to be identified on video, which is, I hope, true.)

rstevenson wrote:

Chris Peterson wrote:
While the subject has never been tested rigorously, there is strong anecdotal evidence that darkness reduces crime, not increases it.

I'll see that anecdote and raise you one. When I stopped turning off our front house lights when I went to bed, the minor acts of vandalism that had been damaging my garden, the front of my house, and my car, ceased. At least our local idiots don't like light. (Probably they fear the increased light would allow them to be identified on video, which is, I hope, true.)

http://www.gadgetshack.com/motion-activated-lighting.html wrote:

Flood Light Motion Light Adapter

<<Often times, the easiest solution is the best solution. This is definitely the case with our Flood Light Motion Light Adapter. Simply screw the socket into your existing flood lamp, attach the motion sensor to the wall, and screw in a bulb. It really is that easy!

Our Flood Light Motion Light Adapter can use a flood light up to 150 Watts in power. It allows you to select how long a light remains lit and also has a day/night sensor, which saves you electricity when you do not need a light activated.

Having continuous security lighting around your home or business can be costly and inefficient. Adding our motion-activated lighting will allow your security lights to turn on automatically only when they are needed.>>

Chris Peterson wrote:Do you think the vandalism you experienced was completely random, or directed specifically towards you or your neighbors?

rstevenson wrote:

Chris Peterson wrote:Do you think the vandalism you experienced was completely random, or directed specifically towards you or your neighbors?

Not random, but not personal either. The sidewalk out front is a commonly used one, so it's more a matter of opportunity. I'm going to look into the sort of motion-activated light that Art mentions above. A light that turns on suddenly is probably even more of a deterrent, if I can localize the area that is being sensed.

Rob

StargeezerJack wrote:Appropriate. One day after Darkened Cities, an artist's view of nighttime over large cities, the APOD is a real image of nighttime Earth: overwhelming light pollution and a sky few people see anymore. Thank you APOD editors for showing us two possible futures. Ah, but which one will we choose? I choose dark skies and starlight. You? Will we learn in time to save the Milky Way? Or will we allow the corporations and the money-mongers amongst us to dominate and control us all? Ask questions. See Answers. Earth First In Things, Thoughts, Deeds, Decisions.

http://www.darkskyinitiative.org

Bill C wrote:Just below the Tidewater lights are the lights of Kitty Hawk where one century ago man first left the Earth in flight.