Flock Surveillance System, Lowe’s Checkout Chaos, and Death by Roller Coaster | Ep 841 Recap
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In episode 841 of The LOTS Project Morning Show, I sipped on a strong cup of Light Colombian from Food Forest Farms and dove into a lineup of topics that hit everything from Orwellian tech to our side hustle. A breakdown of the Flock surveillance system, a wild death coaster idea, a Lowe’s self-checkout rant, and woodworking updates.
Flock Surveillance System — “It’s For Your Safety”
I started the episode by digging into something that’s quietly showing up in neighborhoods across the U.S.—Flock Safety, a private license plate reader (LPR) system. It made the news here in Tennessee when a car flagged by the system triggered a full highway shutdown near Jackson.
Here’s the deal: Flock systems photograph every vehicle, scan the license plate, note make/model/color, and store all that info for over a month. It’s not just law enforcement using this tech—HOAs and private neighborhoods are buying in too.
That’s where I get fired up.
These private entities are building their own surveillance networks with zero oversight. ChatGPT even flagged this as a major civil liberty concern. Data is being collected and retained, and you have no clue who’s seeing it, for how long, or why.
It’s creepy. It’s intrusive. And honestly, it feels like one step closer to normalizing constant surveillance.
The Euthanasia Roller Coaster — Yes, That’s a Real Concept
This isn’t satire.
Designed in 2010 by a Lithuanian artist/engineer, the Euthanasia Coaster is a conceptual roller coaster designed to literally end your life “elegantly.” It climbs 500 meters, drops, and runs through seven loops that apply enough G-forces to blackout, then kill.
The creator claims it’s a euphoric, humane way to go out.
I say… that’s messed up. Like really messed up. There are better ways to handle end-of-life care than turning it into a theme park attraction. I’ll pass on that one. I’m pro-dying-in-your-sleep, not pro-being-centrifuged-to-death.
Lowe’s Self-Checkout Rant (With Bonus Conflict of Interest)
Let me be blunt: I hate self-checkout.
We stopped at Lowe’s over the weekend, and instead of anyone running a real register, there’s just an employee standing there hovering over the self-checkouts. I had to scan everything myself while someone watched—and when I didn’t move fast enough, she reached into our cart to scan an item herself.
When I asked why she couldn’t just run a real register, she told me it would be a “conflict of interest.”
Excuse me, what?
You work there. You’re literally being paid by the company. And somehow doing your job is a conflict? I was so baffled I just checked out and walked away irritated… and then told the whole story to you all while still fuming.
Fun times at Lowe’s.
Woodworking Side Hustle Update
On the brighter side, Kori and I are making big moves on our K&B Kustom Built woodworking side hustle. We’ve been creating and testing:
- Child-size picnic tables (now stained chestnut and sealed)
- Floating wine bottle holders
- Tealight centerpieces
- Rustic seasonal decor (mountain scenes, candy corn cutouts, etc.)
Recently, we picked up a compound miter saw and a benchtop belt sander. As a result, things instantly became easier—especially for Kori handling the finer sanding tasks.
Our long-term plan includes local sales. In addition, we plan to ship small items via Etsy and eBay and hit up craft shows and farmers markets once we build inventory. If you want to follow along or place a custom order, check out K&B Kustom Built on Facebook or TikTok.
Sponsor Shoutouts
Blockstream Jade & JadePlus
The new Blockstream app just launched (formerly Green Wallet), and to celebrate, they’re offering a massive discount:
Buy a JadePlus, add a regular Jade to your cart—get it for just $21. That’s a wild deal for anyone needing a backup or gifting setup.
Use my affiliate link: store.blockstream.com and code TheLOTSProject for 10% off (if it stacks—if not, I still appreciate the click).
ComfreyRoots.com
Don’t forget to check out ComfreyRoots.com for Bocking #4 comfrey root cuttings. Whether you’re building a food forest or a healing garden, it’s a powerhouse plant—and yes, you can still plant in June.
Final Thoughts
Between private surveillance, dystopian coaster designs, and corporate retail weirdness, this episode really covered a lot. But balance is key—so it was nice ending on a positive note with our DIY projects and growth in the shop.
👉 Got thoughts on surveillance, euthanasia tech, or self-checkout rage? Drop them in the comments or join the conversation in the Telegram Chat.
Thanks for tuning in. See you next Monday!
