Hacker News discusses Google's new Android XR smart glasses, drawing comparisons to earlier ventures like Google Glass and competitors such as XREAL Air and Meta's Ray-Ban glasses. Concerns about privacy ("glasshole effect") are prominent, particularly regarding constant recording and data collection, especially given existing CCTV networks and doorbell cameras. Users debate the potential for distraction and safety hazards caused by AR overlays in traffic. Some argue that society is already desensitized to privacy erosion, while others fear the normalization of constant surveillance. The integration of Gemini AI is seen as a potential advantage, while the practicality for prescription glasses wearers and the potential for advertising integration are also debated. Some comments even touch on the implications for democratic government and the protection of citizens. Ultimately, the discussion revolves around whether these glasses represent a useful innovation or a step further into a dystopian future of constant surveillance and distraction.