The Canvas

The world around is changing so rapidly that it is really hard to keep track of the technology that is getting obsolete every second. The societal and communal changes it brings to our lives are sometimes very minute and unnoticeable, while sometimes very profoundly confound that it takes a sharp and alert mind to realize their implications.

A.C. Grayling is a philosopher from England who is interested in tackling such problems and how some of the newer technologies are degrading the value of life and personal space. In one such controversial question about how ethical identification devices are, he states that a part from breaking into one’s personal information space, there is a huge chance of creating a criminal industry that will thrive (and in some places it already is) on stealing and exchanging personal information to individuals that might lead to disastrous effects to them, physically or financially.

Making “identity recognition” a precious commodity will create a huge new criminal industry dedicated to stealing, forging and manipulating identity cards/devices. Remember BMW’s thumb-print security for their cars, and how thieves simply cut the thumb off the owner in order to drive away his car? We are destined to become a nation of Van Goghs so that thieves can access our bank accounts and votes. [Link]

Of course there are a lot of braw backs and misuses to these latest technological aids, he mention those in this article too. It’s a short, interesting read.