Sean Lambert says:
I heard a theory about how the government can "spy" on us by using cable television. somehow, according to the theory, the cable is a 2-way transmitter, and the television, when turned on, can act like a video camera for the government. I do not know ANY of the specifics of this theory, and really find it hard to believe (perhaps because I do not have any more information)...does anyone have any information on this? is this an appropriate inquiry for the cypherpunks mailing?
Its absolutely true. There are also mechanisms that let them listen in on conversations using the lightbulbs in your house -- ambient sound causes the bulb to vibrate, flexing the filament and thus modulating the return current. Placing a simple device on the electrical feeder of the house thus allows complete bugging of the entire structure without having to place listening devices within. The method works whether or not the bulbs are turned on, by the way -- you have to actually unscrew them to get privacy. There is also a well known method for obtaining sonograms of the inside of the building that are nearly as good as video by sending modulated high frequency audio down the cold water pipes -- its quite evil, really. Microwave ovens are a particularly nasty one, however, by comparison to these other methods. Most of them have computers built in that take commands modulated over the electrical wiring that permit them to record an EEG of anyone within 15 feet and return it via power line modulation. These EEGs may be postprocessed by powerful computer equipment into records of the thoughts and memories of the people near the oven. Its also reported that some newer models can transmit mind control signals. Luckily, this only works when the oven is plugged in, so its easy to disable. For maximum safety, especially against future developments, I would remove all electrical wiring and plumbing from my house. Its a bit hard, but it protects you from the fiends. Unedited dissemination of this important information is encouraged. L. Sternwight