Surveillance Microchips

[Lunar_Lander]

Hi everybody,

I just read a discussion at Yahoo Clever, which was quite frightening. It was about implated microchips for humans (in the future) and the possible abusal of them. The frightening thing was, that somebody said, that there might be a time, where every baby gets one implanted right after birth. The next member said in his post, that such a time WILL come.

So, how real is that? Everybody who knows Kevin Warwick's experiment, knows that we could have chips as some kind of identitiy card/electronic key. But you could surely find out, where somebody is.

What frightens me most is the thought of some kind of link between nerves and chip, making the "controllers" of the chip able to see and hear through ones eyes and ears. But that kind of technology is not available yet, am I right? Most shocking to know (or even not know) that somebody else could see what you see. (I know that there are chips which make blind people see, but I mean a device that transmits this images somewhere else)

What do you think about that microchip thing? As long as there are Human Rights, I hope that there will be no rule by law to have a chip, maybe an option to get one. After all, we lived 2 million years without that kind of electronics in us. And I don't think we need it in the future.

 

[ar81]

You may know if you have such an implant if you ever have lithium leak from the battery...

 

[Andy44]

This sort of thing is very scary in today's security state environment. Back when they started implanting chips in pets I figured it's only a matter of time before people are, if not required to get them, compelled to get them, the same way an American today is not required to have a driver's license or a social security number, but can hardly function without one.

As long as there are Human Rights, I hope that there will be no rule by law to have a chip, maybe an option to get one.

If you are relying on the same people who want to implant you with a chip to protect your rights, your rights are worthless. You have to be active on your own behalf.

On the other hand, technology itself is not something to be afraid of. There are plenty of good uses for this tech, it's a matter of making sure you use it wisely. For instance, having cameras all over public streets for cops to watch you is scary, but with cell phone tech almost everyone can carry a video camera around to tape the police when they are misbehaving, so they can't deny it later when it's on youtube. Tech works both ways.

 

[Kaito]

While the possible abuses of this technology are very scary, GOOD things will come from it. I'll give some examples:
-Being able to identify your body if disfigured (just scan the chip, no DNA sample required)
-If linked with nerves and GPS, could tell an ambulance EXACTLY where you are if you were, to say, fall of a cliff and broke both your legs and pelvis.
-If wired to nerves, could "override" some basic human impulses. Example: You only use 10% of your muscle fibers at one time. However, if in REAL need, you can use all of them. However, resulting power could rip muscle from bone. If the chip is wired properly, you could use, say, 20% of the muscle power if need be.

However, very bad things could result. I'll give a few:
-Sexual Harassment. I sure as hell don't want anyone knowing EXACTLY where I am at ANY given time (I'm a guy, but still).
-Anyone can find personal information about you.
-If it was active (transmitting signals, IE: GPS), someone could "hack" into it and change information. If it was wired to the nerves...*shutters*


While I feel that this is coming, eventually we probably will be required to have passive tags put in us (Passive meaning they dont transmit a signal unless a specialized scanner is close. Then the scanner can read it). Just another way for our Government to control us.

 

[Andy44]

However, very bad things could result. I'll give a few:

You forgot:
-suppression of dissent. The government notices you congregate with political dissidents or at a forbidden church. You and everyone you meet with are arrested.

 

[Kaito]

True, very true.
However, when this starts to develop, I'm sure a HOST of new laws will come into our society, limiting a bunch of this

 

[Andy44]

However, when this starts to develop, I'm sure a HOST of new laws will come into our society, limiting a bunch of this

I know "freedom isn't free" has become a cliche of the chickenhawks, but there's truth in it. You can't just assume that your freedom will be secured.