Thread: Internet of Things and chips in humans?

The internet as we currently know it as far as I understand it would be considered an internet used by humans. The "Internet of Things" appears to be something on the horizon where any and/or virtually any object on the planet would have a digital identifier or an "RFID" Radio Frequency Interface Device chip. There's more of the info HERE

Is anyone here tracking the progress and the theoretical scope of this technology? Is it going to be good, bad, both?

I Googled a little bit of this stuff and found that RFID chips have already been implanted in humans for various reasons (probably old news?); apparently some speculate that the implantation of RFID chips in humans could be mandated by the government or even globally at some point in the future. Also, apparently many Christians are believing that such practice, if mandated would be absolutely straight out the Book of Revelation as the "Mark of the Beast"??

I don't read Sci Fi stuff, my conspiracy theorist level is low and I'm not up on nano-technology, but all of this sounded pecululiar and interesting to me.

Chris L

RFID isn't new by any stretch. in my industry, it's been standard practice to be on a rfid-leash for at least 5-6 years. without my rfid-leash, i can't open doors, i can't use elevators, etc. pretty standard in a hardened, secure work environment.

they've been putting 'em in pets, too, which is cool, but still kinda expensive next to a collar. don't think they'll ever be mandatory.

but credit cards aren't mandatory, either. just incredibly convenient. so we'll see. i don't think people will ever go for something that they can't disable at will. the nice thing about rfid now is that it's VERY short range and you can completely jam it by putting it in an improvised faraday cage. (read: wrap it in foil and it quits working.)

Your RFID is actually implanted then? Sounds all "Total Recall". If you quit your job, would you have to pay for having the RFID removed or would you just have to grab one of your straights and make a virtually painless cut?

Chris L

no, it's a leash. it goes around your neck.

I think it would be pretty awesome to have an RFID implant. Imagine never having to carry around any work ID, driving licence, credit cards, even your own house keys.

A shame it would be so open to abuse. Bear in mind that even now RFIDs in consumer goods are being used to build databases of people's spending habits etc.

Maybe if your implant could only send a hash code to confirm your identity (given by an external device that you can turn off/leave at home etc.?) that would solve the problem.

RFID isn't new by any stretch. in my industry, it's been standard practice to be on a rfid-leash for at least 5-6 years.

Haha, tailgating has standard practice for years too, nobody takes notice of that rule unless it's enforced by a turnstile system.

The BBC had a mini series recently based on that precept. Not a bad show. Here is a synopsis.

Originally Posted by Chris L

Also, apparently many Christians are believing that such practice, if mandated would be absolutely straight out the Book of Revelation as the "Mark of the Beast"??
Chris L

It seems to me that will always be a branch of Christianity (and no offense meant to the sane ones) who are willing to believe that just about anything is a sure sign of the apocalypse. How many "reincarnated Jesuses" have we seen in the last few decades? How many History Channel specials on Bible Codes and Nostradamus are we going to have to see? I for one am not in any hurry to sell off all my worldly possessions in preparation for the end of days. If you want to sell your razors off though, let me know.

RFID, as jockeys said, is pretty weak. And if I recall correctly, there are a pretty massive number of variables with RFID, but not nearly enough to have one distinct tag for every human in the US, much less the world.

That's not to say they can't/haven't already just come up with something better...

I for one, don't think I'd put up with any kind of involuntary electronic monitoring. Cell phones are bad enough. I think I'd have to go Arnold's route in the aforementioned Total Recall and get rid of that thing. Hopefully not through the nose.

BTW- the internet of things is called a Database. I've been investing (in part) in database building companies in anticipation of this becoming a pervasive tech.

We'll see.

-Rob

My dog is "chipped". It cost me $40. The system is that whenever a new dog is taken to a vet, the vet scans the dog to see if it is chipped. If so, the vet sees instantly who owns the dog. Of course that doesn't work if some knucklehead steals my dog and doesn't take it to a doctor.

Originally Posted by icedog

My dog is "chipped". It cost me $40. The system is that whenever a new dog is taken to a vet, the vet scans the dog to see if it is chipped. If so, the vet sees instantly who owns the dog. Of course that doesn't work if some knucklehead steals my dog and doesn't take it to a doctor.

A local news show did a piece about chipped pets, most of the time the vet assistant couldnt find the chip in the animal. It seems to move thru the body. As for myself being chipped, no way.