Interview Research Paper on Drones
Blake Bates
Inver Hills Community College

There are many different viewpoints that individuals have about drones. The findings of the interviewees express different viewpoints; however, there is some consistency that is found in the viewpoints. Six separate interviews were conducted to learn and to seek clarity on their viewpoints. The first interviewee is Kyle Shape. Shape is 18 years old and is currently a full-time student at Inver Hills Community College. Shape was interviewed directly face to face at Inver Hills Community College. The second interviewee is named Taylor Johnson, who is 19 years of age and a full-time student at Inver Hills Community College. Johnson was also interviewed at Inver Hills Community College in person. Brittany Wicklund was the third individual who was interviewed. Wicklund is 23 years old and is a full-time student at the University of Minnesota. Wicklund was interviewed over an internet video call. The fourth person interviewed was Wendy Bates. Bates is unemployed and was interviewed over a phone conversation. Lincoln Purfeerst was the fifth interviewee. Purfeerst is employed at a feed mill in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Purfeerst was interviewed via phone-call. The last person interviewed was Ryan Long. Long works at Empire Buckets in Hudson, Wisconsin as a drafter. Long was interviewed over the phone. The viewpoints below are acknowledging three different topics that were focused on during the interviews. American ignorance was a reoccurring theme throughout the interviews. Every interviewee stated they believe the majority of the population in the U.S has a lack of knowledge on drones. When Shape was asked what he believes other U.S citizens know about drones he responded, “I believe the average U.S citizen is a little out of the loop on what is being done with drones but I believe many European and Middle Eastern countries are well aware of what they are being used for.” A portion of the interviewees admit they are lacking knowledge about drones. Wicklund stated, “I, myself, am uneducated about drones. I would guess the majority of the U.S population is.”
The interviewees do have one common belief about drones. They all believe that drones are used primarily in the U.S military. When Long was asked about what he thinks the U.S military is doing with drones he stated, “The [U.S] military uses drones to keep an eye on terrorists in the Middle East.” Only two interviewees express knowledge about non-military use of drones. When asked about commercial use of drones, Shape stated, “I am ok with drones being used for mail services but I am fearful it will put many out of jobs.” It becomes clear that the interviewees do, in fact, have basic knowledge about drones but still believe they, and the average U.S citizen, lack in-depth knowledge on drones. It felt implied through these interviews that the interviewees feel that there is a bigger picture to drones that is being masked.
When informed about non-military use of drones, all six of the interviewees were concerned with violations of privacy. When Bates was asked about her feelings about anyone being able to purchase a drone she stated, “I am afraid that people would watch me in my house. Anyone could watch anyone. That is a very scary thing.” Purfeerst was asked how he felt about private use of drones. His response was, “I can see a lot of issues coming up concerning people’s privacy.” Shape replied to the same question by stating, “I am more concerned about police being able to use drones. There could be some serious violations of human rights if the necessary steps are not taken.” Shape worried, “Police would be entering properties with drones without search warrants.” Johnson is afraid there could be “Peeping Tom’s” who would be buying drones and spying on people. Privacy concerns were the most freely discussed topic through these interviews. It became quite clear during the interviews that the