For years, we have implanted our pets with microchips, as well as millions of consumer goods. For those of you who dismiss this as science fiction, the technology already exists; read the whole article.

I think it's usually animals, then prisoners then everybody else isn't it...

i don't think it has to be about the creep from prisoners etc into the mainstream, if you make it timesaving and convenient enough (eg bypassing queues, automatic entrances, payments, operating appliances etc) to outweigh most people's vague privacy concerns, people will sign up of their own free will. then soon, it becomes so integral to everyday life that everyone will be forced to sign up in order to function in regular society. no mass implantations or forced uptake necessary

It's something the military could implement.

The Clinton Administration already set up the infrastructure. Its called Echelon. The Bush administration was going to fight it, but did not because of 9/11. It is in place right now and is used to monitor practically every electronic device. So what Bush did instead was to sunset his initiatives in The Patriot Act to fight Islamofascism. If the Patriot Act or Echelon is used by a corrupt leader ( no I do not mean Hillary Clinton), it could be a catastrophe for our democracy. This is where the political left is correct, where they are wrong is who would abuse it.

Very bad in the hands of a dictator, Wilhelm.
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~pspoole/echelon.html
Imagine this technology falling into the hands of a dictatorship along with every citizen requiring to be chipped. The potential is amazing for evil.

I agree in general, but in practicality I don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Well,
Despite many surveillance benefits, there is a potential for a dark and dangerous side to this kind of technology. Although it is impractical to monitor every individual, the fact that we already have technology in place that has been used to target those who expose corrupt government activity for example shows a desire not just to monitor, but to control.

I can see the good things; catching criminals, no checkout lines, no shoplifting because everything would just be automatically creditted to your account as soon as you walk out the shop doors. But there are bad things too. There would be no need for cashiers f.x. anymore equalling loss of jobs. There's also a huge risk of abuse, monitoring, surveillance profiling and other creepy stuff. In the wrong hands or for the wrong motives, this could be very dangerous technology indeed.

Think about how many times a day you make a call on a cell phone, log in to the Internet, use an EZPass to get through a toll booth, or use a credit card. In some ways, no additional technology is really necessary.

Sure! But I can walk out the door leaving all that tracking stuff behind. You can't do that, with an imbedded chip. It's not something I'm EVER gonna get voluntarily THAT's for sure! Regarding credit cards: I make my withdrawal once a month and deal in cash. That's just the way I like things. The less surveillance and tracking and snooping, the better.

Have you clipped that Echelon clip debbyski? It really needs to be clipped. If not, then I'll do it, if you like. I've got one called "ECHELON buzzwords" The list leaves no-one 'unsnooped' that's for sure!

Just clipped it anyway. You can't put too much information on this issue out there.

I'm starting to see the wisdom in stashing away cash in a safe.

Re the cell phone thing: see this article from the NY Times.

Orgu, we can't tell anyone about this fire making trick of yours.

But why, Goblurp?

Because, you idiot, someone will surely set my beard ablaze and burn down the Magic Happy Pole.

Hmmm....good point, Goblurp.

Very interesting indeed Enbar!