--- Jean-Louis Couturier wrote: > [Sonja wrote] > > Imagine.... You go into the store, pick a few > items, walk out of the store, > > the tags are automatically scanned without you > ever having been in line at a > > check out. You are scanned as well, your data on > the implant are transferred, > > and the amount you owe is directly charged to your > account. It would save a hell of a lot of time. > > I'm not convinced. I need to see the bill to be > sure that I am not charged > for things I haven't bought and that I am paying the > price that is advertised.
This just creeps me out; it's too much like the way we tag our pets (and I wonder what those who worry about the "666" mark are screaming?). What is to stop someone from developing a hand-held device that scans your data and then, using your account info, that someone cleans out your account? What would stop you from being scanned as you went into public buildings (given that we are not yet a 'transparent society'); when someone develops a way to fake your identity-scan, will you be accused of being places and doing things that you weren't/didn't do? (Admittedly the latter could only occur if the practice became widespread, or such a chip was required as part of a national identity program.) I'm a bit of a techophobe (I only got a VCR 1 1/2 yrs ago, I use the computer at work/library, and still don't have a cell phone!) - which is kind of weird for a SF fan, I admit - but allowing someone to tag me like a migrating caribou is *'way* too Big Brother for me. GPS Getting Lost While Driving Is Part Of The Adventure __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Y! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your web site http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
