The trouble is I have real problems listening to your arguments when you suggest that cameras are ineffective because they did not prevent the London bombings. It's pointless and weak argument.

Blanket camera installations don't prevent terrorist attacks. They are being sold to the public as a method of preventing terrorist attacks, at which they are ineffective. Welcome to the slippery slope. Where is the weak argument?

You don't have to listen to my arguments. That is your right. I'm not forcing them on you, but I will express them.

There are inherent problems with large scale video monitoring. Even small scale video monitoring has issues. Camera operator fatigue is the big one. Studies have shown that an operators effectiveness in catching suspicious activity or materials when watching monitors starts to trail off drastically after about 15 minutes. This is why they constantly rotate x-ray operators at airport screening points.

You previously said that you don't have a problem with a police officer on every corner. Neither do I. This would be more effective. It is not subject to the same fatigue problem. A human sitting on a corner being observant has a much longer fatigue cycle than a human sitting watching several monitors. A police officer on every corner and a bank of cameras on every corner is not the same thing.

RE: Boing Boing: NYPD installing lots of surveillance cams -- but don't snap back.