Would you host a microchip under your skin?

[Nik]

If you thought bio-metric id doc-s were excessive, then microchips is a bigger step forward. As I understand from this and similar reports, implanting microchips is gaining momentum:
http://www.businessinsider.com/swedis...
Would you implant a microchip, so, for example, not to carry a key to your house or id tag to work? For other purposes? What do you think?

[Graeme]

The obvious example is 'paywave,' replacement allied with a fully digital currency.

The problem is that you could be switched off, by some petty bureaucrat who wants to screw with your life because his just ended an unhappy love affair with someone in HR....

It's real 'mark of the beast,' crap - and I'm not religious.

The opportunities for hacking and abuse are legion.

Dumbest advance on the planet and people will flock to it because it'll offer some momentary convenience.

[Ian]

Another problem is that these microchips do not work forever. Horatio (my cat) has one, and has had one for about six years, and each year the vet checks to see if it is still working. The question then is, what happens if your chip ceases to work? Especially if it is the way to open your house doors and you are outside. Not good for certain scientists either - if you work with large magnetic fields your chip, and your access to home, money, whatever, could be erased. Then, as Graeme noted, there is the problem of hacking, and digital vandalism (erasing/modifying your chip.) It might make identity theft easier too.

[[deleted user]]

For me, the answer is: NEVER! Unfortunately, lots of people will fall for it, either because they want to be part of the latest fad, because they are lazy and are attracted to what could apparently make some things easier for them, or because they don't think further than their noses. To those who will accept to have microchips implanted in their bodies, I say: don't come crying to me afterwards it it gets you into trouble.

[Holly]

Not for me. Since I occupy my body 24/7 I prefer to operate it manually.......don't need those autopilot options.

[Scout]

NO. Laziness and apathy are the enemies of a free society. Let's add stupidity to that.

[Nik]

Wonder why ppl use implants for esthetics like increasing breast, but for comfort - shouldn't? -:)

[Terence]

What else could be embedded - could it include something I wouldn't be comfortable with?

[Graeme]

Terence. Could load a chip with a neurotoxin next to your brainstem and then fire it if you failed to conform.

[Terence]

Graeme wrote: "Terence. if you failed to conform."
A down-vote with payload.
Oo-er!
:-)

[Nik]

Hope a titanium rod in my hip can't be hacked

[Ian]

Nik wrote: "Hope a titanium rod in my hip can't be hacked"

You have a titanium rod in your hip? I have whole titanium joint, which will probably be interesting when I go flying later this month for the first time with it.

[Nik]

Ian wrote: "You have a titanium rod in your hip? I have whole titanium joint, which will probably be interesting when I go flying later this month fo..."

Yes, and metal detectors usually don't detect it, only rarely...
Enjoy the flight and being at the destination -:)

[Leonie]

I have a couple of large staples, a cancellous screw, and an endo button in my leg :)

We are a battered mob, aren't we?

[Nik]

So it seems. Can easily organize Paralympics -:)

[Graeme]

Cyborgs unite!

If we're swapping scar stories, I've got a mechanical aortic heart valve. Replaced the original dodgy unit about 5 years ago.

[Ian]

If metal detectors miss this, I am not sure they are worth the trouble.

And yes, it seems we are a battered lot.

[Scout]

A battered lot. I like that.