Ship’s Log: Smart Glasses, Privacy, and a Little Common Sense

October 11, 2026 | Stormy Sailors Maker Lab

A New Pair of Eyes on the Quarterdeck

There’s a new piece of technology aboard Stormy Sailors Maker Lab: a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Yes, those glasses. The ones with cameras, microphones, speakers and an AI assistant built into the frames. Judging by some reactions online, you’d think I’d installed a surveillance satellite on my face.

Everybody calm the fuck down. Let’s talk about what they do, why I bought them and how I plan to use them.

Why Smart Glasses?

Technology should solve problems, help us learn, and occasionally be fun simply because it’s bloody cool. I want to use these glasses for hands-free electronics demonstrations, first-person tutorials, technical documentation, accessibility experiments, and eventually recording parts of my Return to Sea adventure. Both hands free, no tripod to fuss with, and viewers can see what I’m seeing.

Let’s Talk About Privacy

Yes, they have a camera. So do our phones. What matters is how we use it, where recordings go, and how we treat the people around us.

I’ve disabled the media-storage option available to me, and my intended workflow is to import captures to my phone, transfer anything worth keeping to my computer, and delete copies I no longer need after transfer. That’s how I plan to manage my own media — not a claim that every Meta service is offline. Some AI features, app communications and diagnostics can still involve Meta systems, and I’m going to keep examining those settings.

The Camera Isn’t a Licence to Be an Asshole

Recording a project at my own workbench is one thing. Recording people in private conversations or meetings is another. I’ll ask permission when appropriate, respect requests not to record, and leave the recording indicator alone. Privacy, consent and common courtesy matter.

Sea Trials Ahead

I’ll be testing recording quality, battery life, audio, voice controls, accessibility and how these glasses fit into my Linux-based editing workflow. I also want to learn what can be done without unnecessary reliance on cloud AI. Some features will be brilliant; others may drive me absolutely bonkers. Either way, I’ll share what I learn.

Final Thoughts From the Captain

Concerns about cameras, AI and corporate data practices deserve serious discussion. But assuming everyone wearing smart glasses is an undercover surveillance operative doesn’t help either. Ask questions. Understand the technology. Set boundaries. Respect privacy. And maybe save the pitchforks until someone actually does something wrong.

I’ve got projects to build, technology to explore, and an ocean to get back to.

Fair winds, following seas, and keep your bloody cameras pointed where they belong.

— Captain Stormy
Stormy Sailors Maker Lab
Think Like A Captain. Play Like a Pirate.