Just because we have the tech to do something doesn't mean we should do it. If there are significant concerns that we can't deal with this as a society, then perhaps the most ethical thing to do is not do it. Doing something simply for its own sake is not always a noble endeavor.
Keeping in mind that this is a Katz post I don't think I'll get too alarmed. I don't see machines making humans obsolete.
I'm guessing most people in the world still haven't even seen a computer.
Some of the other posters have a point: barcodes are very easily forged. However, just the fact that someone would patent such an idea seems to be a sign of the times.
The Mark will probably not be a barcode. There are more reliable ways of sticking an ID on a person. But I don't doubt something like this will happen, and probably sooner than you think.
Slashdot Mirror
Just because we have the tech to do something doesn't mean we should do it. If there are significant concerns that we can't deal with this as a society, then perhaps the most ethical thing to do is not do it. Doing something simply for its own sake is not always a noble endeavor.
Keeping in mind that this is a Katz post I don't think I'll get too alarmed. I don't see machines making humans obsolete.
I'm guessing most people in the world still haven't even seen a computer.
CT
It's quite obvious that you don't understand Christianity. Likewise, the first two replies don't understand the nature of heaven and hell.
CT
Some of the other posters have a point: barcodes are very easily forged. However, just the fact that someone would patent such an idea seems to be a sign of the times.
The Mark will probably not be a barcode. There are more reliable ways of sticking an ID on a person. But I don't doubt something like this will happen, and probably sooner than you think.
CT