Just now, reCAPTCHA asked me to point out the chimneys.

Earlier, it was the motorcycles.

If anyone sees a news report about 3 chimneys and 9 motorcycles spontaneously combusting somewhere, let me know. I'll feel appropriately guilty.

You see, I always feel like in some old Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episode when I'm pointing things out to reCAPTCHA. Am I selecting targets? If so, I demand to be paid for my time. I'm cool with selecting targets. I think chimneys attract Clauses, and people on motorcycles are purposefully living on the edge as it is. Sometimes I have to point out a school bus, and that's okay, too. Just pay me.

SHOW!

ME!

THE MONEY!!!

I have heard that these things were used to training software in robot cars, which is why they are mostly traffic related. I have seen a couple recently that were not, like your chimneys, so yeah, maybe drones and missiles.

I think they were using the data from them to train Google Photos as well. Have you noticed that in the last few years you've been able to search the photo gallery on Android phones by content? Like you can search for photos of busses and it does pretty well. Makes it so much easier to find an old photo you're looking for.

Maybe the things it asks you to identify are based on what people have been searching for.

Lately when I have been posting, I tick the "I'm not a robot" and I can submit my post without seeing a Captcha. What gives.

edit - happened again for this post too.

Lately when I have been posting, I tick the "I'm not a robot" and I can submit my post without seeing a Captcha.

From what I can tell, it depends on how many posts you've made within n amount of time.

I think they were using the data from them to train Google Photos as well. Have you noticed that in the last few years you've been able to search the photo gallery on Android phones by content? Like you can search for photos of busses and it does pretty well. Makes it so much easier to find an old photo you're looking for.

Ugh.

Have you noticed the .face folder in your Android? (If not, go into My Files, click on the "⋮" at the top right , go to Settings, and select "Show hidden files". SPOILER: It's the facial recognition files created from all the pictures in the phone.)

You had to live – did live, from habit that became instinct – in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every moment scrutinized.
G. Orwell

I have heard that these things were used to training software in robot cars, which is why they are mostly traffic related. I have seen a couple recently that were not, like your chimneys, so yeah, maybe drones and missiles.

I don't have a chimney; so, I'm cool.

...but I would do my best to shoot down a missile with my trusty Daisy (no compass in the stock), if I were to see one heading towards a neighbor's chimney. (Maybe a drone, too, if it made me feel threatened. I think I can "stand my ground" against hostile drones.)