jwalsh

Let me try to explain better what I meant when I started this topic. After the expense of the GPS receiver, a person can geocache as often or as seldom as they like, 24/7, all for free. The idea that the general population can use a commodity on a continuing basis (GPS satellite signals) to do an activity that is entertaining (Geocaching) without having to pay a subscription or fee is problematic to certain people in authority. The only way revenue could be gotten is if geocaching were declared illegal. But how do you do this? In and of itself, geocaching is harmless and if you cache in and trash out, it is environmentally beneficial. However, if even 1 in 1000000 geocachers is killed, there will be an argument that geocaching is dangerous and should be made illegal. Once geocaching were made illegal, then geocachers who were caught would simply pay a fine and be on their way much like a speeder who is caught on the highway. The revenue would not be as good as making every geocacher subscribe to the GPS signals but it would be better than nothing. I realize that this makes me sound paranoid and maybe I am. Time will tell.

I was reading in the newsletter today about two dangerous/extreme geocaches, TMA-1 in California and Tube Torcher in North Carolina. I'm not sure these are good for geocaching. While I can understand the thrill and challenge of these caches for people that are properly prepared for them, in the United States, governments, both state and federal, have a tendency to make laws to protect the absolute dumbest members of the population from themselves. The first time some ill-prepared person gets killed trying to go for for a geocache, the politicians will hear only one word, "geocache". There will immediately be bills before the legislature to make ALL geocaching illegal. I don't think we want political intervention.