I read a disturbing article in Newsday the other day and have been meaning to post about it. "Homeland Security Exploring Mass-scanning System" describes the federal government's efforts to design a technological means to identify someone who is THINKING of committing a terrorist attack! I don't know if you saw the movie, "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise. It envisioned a future in which, through a combination of science and psychics, they could predict if someone would commit a crime in the future, and arrest them before they did it. I thought it was a pretty laughable movie...that is, until I read this article. Here is an excerpt:
Tools to fight terror?
Federal Homeland Security officials are exploring how technology can help screeners identify people entering the U.S. with "hostile intent" through two different programs:
FUTURE ATTRIBUTE SCREENING TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PROJECT SENSOR FUSION
Seeking a system that could detect deceptive behavior through physiological and behavioral cues including heartbeat, respiration and facial expression. Technologies used could include thermal imaging, infrared cameras and audio and eye-tracking.
PROJECT HOSTILE INTENT
Monitoring facial expressions and other behavioral, speech and physiological cues through video monitors to identify people "involved in possible malicious or deceitful acts" before they commit a crime. Would work in real time and be "non-invasive," without disrupting the flow of passengers.
And did you know this?:
"Behavioral detection is already used by specially trained officers in the Transportation Security Administration - with 273 arrests made as a result since June 2004, said spokesman Christopher White. That detection is done by individuals trained to recognize subtle facial expressions. "We're very encouraged by the program and we plan to expand it," White said."
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
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1 comment:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie. I don't like Tom Cruise at all, but THAT movie was GREAT-I've seen it like, a million times. I love where he gets an eye transplant to foil the ID thingy.
Here's one that kind of goes along the same lines...read in the paper this morning that "they" are now capable of drug testing sewer water in towns and communities. Yep. Just a teaspoon and they can ascertain which drugs are problems in which areas.
Now, I can see where this would be useful, but I couldn't help thinking just how SCARY that really is when I read it.
And I am afraid, Toni, very, very afraid.
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