AngryScotsman

These "nanny devices" are, again, easily defeatable... and more importantly, ALREADY EXIST. Some cars have had speed governers for decades.

This is the same fear mongering that existed when:
Seatbelts were proposed and mandated.
ABS was proposed and mandated.
Traction Control was proposed and mandated.

If it comes, oh well. Some company will develop a device that'll defeat it in a matter of seconds and the whole outrage that's being posted here now will seem comically pointless.

To be fair, many of you are garbage drivers who likely have never set foot on a track.
I don't need some idiot who thinks the election was stolen and the Earth is flat, doing 160mph in a 4500lb sled with zero performance driving experience while I'm out grabbing groceries.

streborx

Prior art -- notably Minnesota's "snitch on your neighbor" during covid -- would likely invalidate the patent.

streborx

Re-coding automobiles is becoming more difficult. A software "upgrade" issued by BMW last year prevents some user coding capabilities -- such coding changes need to be verified with the BMW "mothership". BMW is gradually moving toward total lock-out of owners being able to customize their automobiles. Other manufacturers will follow.

täglich

I need this bumper sticker.

Everyone complaining in this thread is welcome sell their modern car and buy an old Buick from the 60’s. Have fun eating that pointy dashboard when a minor collision folds the car like a tin can.

MB2timer

Is that you being fair?
How in the WORLD could you possibly know what many of the forum members have done?
You already assume they are garbage truck drivers.
Please tell us, in your esteemed and well informed opinion, how any of that is fair.
I will tell you one thing, in my many decades of experience, the guy putting everyone else down, is the worst example of what he is complaining about.

täglich

The funny (and unfortunate) part is: even without saying the name, we all know exactly who you are talking about.

Baltistyle

Sounds like a good idea to stay away from that brand and support those that support us, until they don’t. Fortunately choice is allowed.

Baltistyle

um, no, computers are not easily defeatable. To think the standard citizen can reprogram a computer as easily as they can choose not to wear a seatbelt is quite ignorant. Abs does not report me to the police. Traction control does not wind me up in jail without my knowledge.

If you think I’m a flat earther and whatever other dribble you typed, you could not be furthur from the truth. Like you’re outter space far away from reality and making up your own accusations to have a conversation that befits your agenda. And to only think people that are politically nuts care about these devices is quite divisive thinking. Who cares what you think politically, do you want these items shoved down your throat? Do you just accept it being shoved down your throat?

You do you understand what a slippery slope is?

if an American citizen, do you know the difference between someone peeping in your windows if your shades are open vs closed?

Do you know why Dracula had to be invited in? Do you know why police need reason? Do you understand that a crime is not always a crime and circumstance matters?

Do you understand this writing? It’s a very famous poem.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.“


No, the sky is not falling, and nobody here mentioned flat earth, but the newer in charge types are using tech to slowly erode and remove our freedoms. Not perceived freedoms, but the founding fathers original words, that need to be interpreted by people with a brain and something of value to lose like life, liberty, or property (originally). You do you. It’s fine to be ignorant of politics long reach up your bum. I like my free speech and privacy.

I will not sign away my rights for access to tech or efficiencies or monetary gain.

Freedom is an American value above all others. Perhaps due to the history of our people we really stand behind that value regardless of individual demographic. Nobody wants to pay another fine or tax, or go to jail or interact with police, which is what many of the techs implemented in cars that we worry about, will do. Buying a device is not the answer (it’s a tax) and there becomes penalty for that as well.

If you’re happy to give away something as valuable as your rights (legally interpretable), please send me anything else you don’t value as well. I like nice cars, art and furniture I also like social security numbers, credit card numbers and your mothers maiden name.


It’s really a shame when people don’t understand choice, free will, or the reality of repeating mistakes throughout history. We all look at it a bit differently but the framework is there, at least in the US.

täglich

LOL. Mercedes won’t even perform recalls if your car was originally sold in Canada and later moved to USA.

täglich

Alright everybody, whose turn is it?

C’mon, I did it last month.

Don’t just sit there. We agreed everyone would take turns.

Sigh. Okay. Fine. I’ll do it. But next time is Diane’s turn.

Baltistyle, my friend, you already have.

Baltistyle

taglich, not sure I understand your sarcasm about all of us conversing. This is how civil conversation goes. Is there something not ok, you don’t have to participate, your choice, theme of the thread. Are we all supposed to have the same opinion?


“Baltistyle, my friend, you already have.”

As little as possible and in this instance exemplifying a choice that keeps me out of the easy pickings. Choices like cash, not using certain types of socials, not using certain types of payment systems, not registering or using certain services, they are all choices. If those options no longer become choices and then are mandated, well perhaps we should have collectively spoken up sooner.

Some things we don’t have choice. Others we do. The more people making bad choices due to their ignorance, the more we all lose.

And as far as warranties not transferring to different countries, I’m sure we understand that all countries do not have the same laws because the people don’t have the same values. This is why people get upset when immigrants that don’t understand American values or laws start to change the laws our forefathers fought so hard to protect. “I don’t like it here I am going to leave, hello new place, this isn’t the way we did it back home so let’s change it…..and then fragility caves.

Another famous quote paraphrased is that “the government is there to do for us what we cannot or will not do for ourselves” so in the simplest sense, these technologies in cars are not for everyone, because some of us don’t want or need it and it’s not written in the constitution (as silly as that sounds) If you are ever on the receiving end of a raid, and you witness the abuse of authority that can throw you in a cage, you will value every technical freedom of choice that you have a choice to make and you will learn why you never ever concede your own interpretation of your rights.

Is there anyone in the thread that actually wants these technologies? Or are we just each defending our positions against. Do you want this in your car today?

The thread ultimately comes down to choice and values, and are you the type of person that wants to bend over on day one vs those that will defend those that cannot do so for themselves (physically or mentally)

hyperion667

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

As much as I enjoy feisty conversations, there is a chance, as I said, that Ford is trying to patent the technology in order to keep it from seeing the light of day. However, you can't patent an idea in the US. Which means someone else could come along and do the same thing.

I do believe the bigger issue is the potential for government to encroach upon our derived, if not explicit, rights to privacy. I know there is no legal expectation to privacy for things done in public, but technology blurs that line between public and private behavior. I particularly do not agree with my personal property being co-opted to support government action, i.e., use of my car to report someone else speeding.

AngryScotsman

Fair or, statistically likely?

Well, to be fair, I'd be shocked if the number of Mercedes owners that are garbage truck drivers is above 1%.

I'm definitely the worse driver to have ever existed . It's why I don't care about my street car being able to do an ungoverned +160mph.
We can do a quick poll:
If you're whining about the speed limitations being implemented, have you ever driven on a race track by yourself with other cars?
Have you ever raced wheel-to-wheel?
Won any competitive trophies? I'll even accept local autocross venues where you took first in class, where it was you and one other competitor.

If ANY of the "aahhh maaah freeeedooommss" group can answer yes to all of those, let alone one of them, I'd be pretty surprised.



Are you intentionally being obtuse or accidentally?
This thread is about manufacturers having speed limiters on newer vehicles.
To that point, no, I do not want nor expect the standard citizen to undo a speed limiter so they can do double/triple/quadruple the speed limits on the street.
For those who race their cars, they can easily defeat those software limitations.

Yes, because I choose to buy cars that have those devices.
I choose ​​​​​​​to have a car with ABS, TC, an automatic, that can park itself in very specific situations.
Otherwise, I would choose ​​​​​​​to buy a vehicle that doesn't. That's what freedom is about... The ability to choose .

Or, do what the folks did when they bought RX7s, Supras, 300zxs that were sold with speed governors and remove it.

Have we moved to the mental gymnastics part of the thread now?

Congrats, your freedoms are not being infringed by your choice of buying into products that advertise they will transmit your info to x, y, and z.
You trying to align your ability to drive 180mph on a public street to what the founding fathers had in mind is comically overreaching.

Then don't. Don't buy a newer vehicle, since they sell your driving data. Don't sign up for any site, since they sell your user data.

Also, enjoy reading this site on a pc/laptop.
If you're browsing on a modern mobile device, you definitely signed away your rights for monetary gain, just not your own.

You definitely did by buying into the Mercedes brand, because they are absolutely storing all of your driving data for a time period and need be, will use it to protect their product and brand.

hyperion667