I have read this book. It is great! The idea that Humanity is revolutionized by the fact that no one can lie anymore without getting caught. Considering the advances in medicine, computer technology, and bio-diagnostic technology since the book was written, Is something like a 100% accurate Lie Detector possible with today's technology?. It would be interesting to see what Halperin would think. at http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/promo/truthmachine/tmpoll.cgi They have put up a Poll that asks some questions like: Let's say the truth machine was developed and in use. Would you favor or oppose a law requiring that presidential candidates, including incumbents, undergo truth machine testing? The transparency question is related, in that if one wants the Truth( or Transparency) from another, one has to be subjected to the exact standards. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In an interview on the same site it quotes : "Do you think a truth machine is technologically possible? a. Of course it is! It's only a matter of "when." Under current economic conditions, it might take 50 to 100 years to develop and build, but probably not if people in government and industry realized how valuable a truth machine would be. For example, the fax machine was actually invented during the 1800s, but didn't become financially viable until the last decade. On the other hand, when the space race against the Soviet Union made it politically popular to put men on the moon, NASA accomplished that feat in 1969 using less computing power than the average office worker today has on her desk. With THAT kind of effort, we might have a truth machine within a decade or two. " Brin never discussed(as far as I know) the posssiblity of a Truth Machine in the near future. How does the Truth Machine affect Transparency? I think that it would allow privacy as a safe alternative. If no one can lie openly without getting caught, then there is no need for Transparency. Nerd From Hell > -----Original Message----- > From: Ray Ludenia [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 4:55 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Truth Machine: (was Re: discrepancy between > Presidential polls) > > > "John D. Giorgis" wrote: > > > Anyhow, averaging the results of all available polls, my > analysts and I > > believe that Bush has a 3-4% lead, > > According to Halperin in "The Truth Machine" (written in 1995), Gore > wins. I enjoyed many of the little press reports at the beginning of > each chapter, setting the scene as time went by. He says that in the > 2004 election, Sen Travis Hall defeats Sen Audrey Whitcombe. I presume > both are real life people. > > Interesting book, at least in the main concept of the effects > a reliable > Truth Machine would have on society. Very much related to Brin's > Transparent Society discussions. I enjoyed it. > > Haven't had much time to contribute lately, but with the volume being > fairly manageable, have been keeping up with my lurking at least. Was > going to write some more, but have just watched ST: First > Contact on TV > by accident (it wasn't the film advertised). Is the Borg the > ultimate in "transparency"??? > > Ray Ludenia > >
