FDA Approves Use of Chip in Patients.

[Roy Mustang]

I don't like this one bit.

http://www.comcast.net/News/HEALTHWELLNESS//XML/1700_High_Tech/9eabfc6f-8c77-4dfd-bbc0-0e9160c79722.html

I can see it now. Goes up to a bar code scanner and it does't work.

run hand over it again. Buzz!

Does this over and over for hours.

Beep!

as I fall to the floor from trying to get this thing to scan my chip.

And have a PA system say, Sorry! doctor hours are over now. Please come back tomorrow!


Wingzero22

[skynes]

Next on the line! Your chip accessing your bank account! Allowing you to pay for goods and food WITHOUT PHYSICAL MONEY!!!!

Of course without one of these you cannot buy or sell anything....



Why does all this make me think of the Mark of the Beast?

[Mithrandir]

Every few years this kind of thing comes up. I don't really think it's all that big a deal. You can't sell your stuff in the major US markets without a UPC code on your products. Is that the mark?!? If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I'd be a rich man. I'd probably also have cavities from all the Dr Pepper I would drink, since I would use the nickles to buy stuff because, hey, who want's to have a pocket full of nickles all the time? But that's not my point.

My point is, currently it's much more simple to buy stuff with a credit card than to use cash. Even checks are easier. Are THEY the mark of the beast? What about thumb print scanners and retnal scanners??? On the one hand, I think it's smart to keep your eyes/ears/mind open for this kind of stuff. On the other hand (you have 5 more fingers, unless you're mickey mouse, then you have 4) there are still people who think Jesus was comming the last time Haley's commet came through. Perhaps a better way of saying it is this:

"Don't be so caught up trying to find Jesus in a bar code that you walk past him on the side walk, huddled shivering in a corner sipping on a bottle of Albertson's brand spiced rum with a glazed expression that speaks of better times long ago."

Kekkyoku, you are allowed to disagree with me, but please don't start a fight. These kinds of threads have a tendency to do that from time to time.

[Ingemar]

This bothers me, but not for eschatological reasons.

Such a tool would be perfect for a superstate with globabl aims.

[agasfas]

I see. I agree with both sides. I don't like the idea for a chip implant for obvious reasons. It's just the next step :::waves his fists::::
But oldphilosopher also has a good point:

Don't be so caught up trying to find Jesus in a bar code that you walk past him on the side walk

It's always good to be aware and know what to do if something does go down, but living your life in fear isn't good as well.

[desperado]

the military is already doing it. there is a base near here and we have seen people running there arms under the scanner. for fun someone i knew tried it it didnt work the person said "oh your not one of "them" please pay normally" so yeah the military is already doing it

[Nate]

Hey, I remember reading this in Weekly World News about a year ago! And people say that it isn't a reputable newspaper!

Just like the giant slingshot the Mexicans are using to get over the border! And the clone of JFK that's going to run for President in 2008! And the clone of Hitler that Osama bin Laden recruited! HA HA HA HA HA!

*Gets dragged away by the men in white coats*

[Roy Mustang]

Hey, I remember reading this in Weekly World News about a year ago! And people say that it isn't a reputable newspaper!

Just like the giant slingshot the Mexicans are using to get over the border! And the clone of JFK that's going to run for President in 2008! And the clone of Hitler that Osama bin Laden recruited! HA HA HA HA HA!

*Gets dragged away by the men in white coats*

Mommy, make the crazy talking man going away, he is scarying me!

I don't think its a big deal that they want to do this, but I sure don't want a chip in me.


Wingzero22

[Shinja]

im not a fan of the chip, its somthing that can easily be abused. and i fear the day it becomes mandatory. persoanlly i also am not big on plastic, i keep it for emergentcies and online purchases only, everything else is cash.

[desperado]

agreed i see no good coming from such implants in the future. though there is a good future ahead of (it looks like) ocular implants (well the ones that help your eye not those stupid put stuff in the sides of your eye one) and prostetics. but this is crazy. its weird to see someone in a military uniform ring up there arm to pay for stuff at the local gas station.

[Heart of Sword]

I'm not getting any chip... o_O ...

'Cause I'm afraid of shots, and a needle that thick is NOT entering my arm! (Not unless the doctor wants to vaccinate someone for rabies too... *childhood memories return*)

If it is mandatory, though, and the chips are causing too much trouble, I'll certainly be one of the first to get a knife out and dig the thing out. (Sure it'll hurt, but it's fun finding money on the ground and going "I'm rich!", right? Speaking of which, anybody ever dig around under swingsets? My grandma once found about fifty dollars or something like that...)

So I really hope it's not mandatory. I don't want that chip...the last thing I need is people watching my every move, like for instance, knowing when I go to the bathroom, when I go to the mall, knowing how anime-crazed I am...I see trouble.

[Roy Mustang]

Here is something that I was wondering and is somewhat of a silly question.

Will or could the chip not work if you have any form of implant in you?

Can it short out if you have a pacemaker or something like that?


Wingzero22

[valdrianth]

Next on the line! Your chip accessing your bank account! Allowing you to pay for goods and food WITHOUT PHYSICAL MONEY!!!!

Of course without one of these you cannot buy or sell anything....



Why does all this make me think of the Mark of the Beast?

Well, if Kerry wins the election. . .it very believe that it is the mark of the beast. For I strongly believe Kerry is the spirit of the Anti-Christ.

One too many hurricans . . . .Mt. St. Helens keeps acting strange. .
watch Califonia falls off soon. . yea could very well be the Mark of the Beast.

[Technomancer]

It's an intriguing technology, but there are many practical issues that would need to be overcome for it to be of real value. Privacy is the obvious question, since anyone with a scanner could theoretically access your records and whereabouts. How easy would the scanners be to access, and what would prevent their unauthorized use? Long-range monitoring (like a tracking device) is really just fiction at this point, since the transmitter is not going to have enough power to broadcast beyond a couple of metres (and probably quite a bit less). Moreover, assuming these things were widespread, there would also be spectrum access issues for long range use.

Issues in science and technology, like public policy should be evaluated on its own merits, and not on the basis of eschatological fantasies.

[Ssjjvash]

hmm, this sounds exactly like endtimes. *shiver* I hate that creepy feeling!

[Mithrandir]

...i see no good coming from such implants in the future...

You're joking, right? NO GOOD at all? That's quite an absolute statement. I may not be "for" the technology, but I really can't stand it when people say thinks like this.

Scenareo: What if your child was alergic to a common anathesia? Suppose he get's hit by a truck and goes to the hospital. The doctor's are about to put him under, when the scanner brings up that anathetic as a fatal alergy? Then the technology just saved your child's live.

I'll stop at one scenareo, but PLEASE think before making absolute statements. Christians get enough flack for looking like unthinking beings without adding to it.

For I strongly believe Kerry is the spirit of the Anti-Christ.

Whatever. DO NOT POST THINGS LIKE THIS ON CAA!!! We don't want to hear it and it starts debates/fights. Read the FAQ far crying out loud. Not everyone subscribes to ultra-conservative views, and posting things that combine politics and religion are BEGGING for fights/trolls.

... anyone with a scanner could theoretically access your records and whereabouts...

I'm pretty sur the article says that there is not data whatsoever in the chip. A "scanner" would get you access to the public key, and maybe the ID number (with enough time, say 10,000 years or so for 5120benc) but not to the data. The data is stored in a main medical DB that the hospital would querry against using the enc string of the ID. At least that's how I would do it. MD5 the string and do a text comparison.

[Fireproof]

I don't see the fuss. This could save lives. By getting information about a patient faster, doctors could treat problems with less time needed to find what's wrong. Besides, even if some nutjob gets ahold of a scanner, is it really that threatening if they know what health problems you have? Also, it's well within possibility for them to kill your chip if you wanted. I think people are just overreacting.

[Kisa]

My cat had one.... better than a collar.
My dad is in the military and doesn't have one....
I dunno, the whole thing about all your info right there, not comforting.
The whole mark of the beast thing, this si possible, it is also not for sure, we don't know what form that will take... it will be in foreheads or hands though.....

[Technomancer]

I'm pretty sur the article says that there is not data whatsoever in the chip. A "scanner" would get you access to the public key, and maybe the ID number (with enough time, say 10,000 years or so for 5120benc) but not to the data. The data is stored in a main medical DB that the hospital would querry against using the enc string of the ID. At least that's how I would do it. MD5 the string and do a text comparison.

It would probably be valuable to have at least some minimum data (such as drug allergies, etc) on board so that it could function in a fashion similar to a Medic-Alert bracelet. Something like that would be desireable in areas where network access is limited. It would also be of value to paramedics. I do agree though that storing a cryptographic key would resolve most of the privacy issues.

[Stephen]

Eh..if its optional...thats cool. Personaly...call me weird or a whacko or whatever...but I would not feel right about having a barcode on me or a chip in me. I suppose we could justify a lot of things in the name of science and health. *shrug* Everyone will have there own opinion on this I suppose.

[Fireproof]

Indeed. Everyone will have their own opinions.
Edited for angriness and questionable political content. Sorry. Please don't ban me.

[Ashley]

Easy guys, this thread is already strayed off into the political-theological touchy realm, and if escalates any further it will be locked.

[Fireproof]

I'm very sorry for getting upset. *Walks away sadly*

[Ashley]

It's alright, that wasn't directed at you personally so please don't take it as such. I just wanted to remind everyone to keep it civil, not calling you personally out on the rug or anything.

[Scribs]

Me, well, I'm not too concerned. This is why-

1. the bible says that Jesus will return like a thief in the night. Therefor...
2. no one will see it coming. If that is true then...
3. A group of people will not see the signs of the times coming, cause if they did it wouldn't be a surprise.
4. hence, this is probably not the mark of the beast.

I think that we will only see the signs of the times after it is too late to do anything about them, so be prepared! Jesus could come five minutes from now or five million years from now, but that dosn't matter. What matters is that when he does come, we are ready.

That is my take on the issue, I welcome and respect yours.

Edit: Sorry, I guess that was a little more in the theological realm than would be acceptable. Once more Sorry

[Stephen]

Wow Piloswine....did you not read Ashleys post?

this thread is already strayed off into the political-theological touchy realm

Stick to the topic at hand or this thread will be locked. (not saying this to anyone person in target)...but this is the last warning this thread will get. If it gets any more in to your views on the Tribulation....or more Theological...stuff...its gonna get canned. Carry on.

[Technomancer]

For those concerned about surveillance, keep in mind that this device is of little to no value for anyone interested in tracking implanted indivduals over long distances. The current device is entirely passive, and is without a power source other than the impinging radio waves, and so has very little power available for transmission. Batteries or other power sources may increase this, but the transmitted power would still be very weak. It should also be remembered that the received power falls off according to the inverse square of the distance, limiting the range by quite a bit.

Any hypothetical transmitter would also be broadcasting/receiving at short wavelengths (ie. <~1 cm) and are thus limited by line of sight. Add in multipath effects, and you're looking at some serious signal loss. Of course, the device would be fairly easy to beat either by outright removal or by the simple expedient of being in a parking garage (lots of metal), or even wearing tin-foil (which does stop radio waves).

If you want to do the calculations yourself, feel free.

[Azier the Swordsman]

Hey, I remember reading this in Weekly World News about a year ago! And people say that it isn't a reputable newspaper!

Just like the giant slingshot the Mexicans are using to get over the border! And the clone of JFK that's going to run for President in 2008! And the clone of Hitler that Osama bin Laden recruited! HA HA HA HA HA!

*Gets dragged away by the men in white coats*

SOME of the stories, (NOT ALL) in Weekly World News are correct. (As I have read some of their articles on respectable news sites). It basically takes common sense to tell which is which.

As for the chip, it's not something I would readily consider using myself. Especially since with it being fairly new they might not even have all the bugs ironed out.

[Madeline]

Oooooooh! That REALLY creeps me out!
Mark of the beast...

[Madeline]

Just like the giant slingshot the Mexicans are using to get over the border! And the clone of JFK that's going to run for President in 2008! And the clone of Hitler that Osama bin Laden recruited! HA HA HA HA HA!

Oh wait, this was in Weekly World News? ._.
Sorry to double post.