Re: Human ID implant to be unveiled soon

From: Paul Hughes (paul@planetp.cc)
Date: Sun Aug 13 2000 - 14:36:22 MDT


Spike Jones wrote:

> > I like it! Although I admit that the hard sell propaganda sounds a wee bit
> > scary. My "guardian," my "protector?" It will bring good things to me?
> > Did these guys ever read _Brave New World_ or _1984_? -Zero
>
> Zero, you and I were among those who were advocating a more transparent
> society. This latest little girl who was kidnapped Thursday and was recovered
> yesterday could be the poster child for open society. How about it, you
> parents? Would you be in favor of ID implants for your kids? spike

The problem here is that such a thing could become compulsory. The problem with a
transparent society are twofold.

One, there is no guarantee that everyone will be equally transparent. I see it as
perfectly reasonable that only the rich will afford privacy, making it instead a
totalitarian nightmare. If it's not equal across the board then its tyranny,
because it gives a select few unequal advantage. The same could be said of guns
(ouch! sorry to bring this up again). If disarmament is not omni-lateral, then
those with the guns make the rules - period.

Secondly, assuming a transparent society becomes completely omni-lateral, instead
of everyone being forced to tolerate everyone else's ideosynchrocies, a backlash
could happen where societies norms are even more oppressive, as everyone is forced
to "behave" in the what was the sanctuary of their once private homes. Imagine
loosing that great job you've had for 5 years when your prudish boss finds you
like a little S&M on occasion.

Until I see proof that transparency fosters a more liberated society, I'm not
buying this crap anymore.

Paul Hughes
http://planetp.cc/



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