[Mr.Coffee]

Alright so here's the story. My family and I went out for dinner, and the topic of emergency wristbands came up (don't ask). I'm pretty sure you'll all know what I'm talking about. Emergency wristbands, or those Medi-bracelets that you can wear around your wrist, indicate to a paramedic or medical official something about you that they need to be aware of- such as an allergy, history of heart problems, diabetes, whatever.

Somebody mentioned the idea that you should be able to get computer chips implanted under the skin, that can be scanned, that will come up on a computer instead of having to wear a wristband. This way people who forget their medi-bracelet will always have it with them, and doctors, nurses and paramedics will always be able to diagnose more accurately.

I then stated that this didn't seem like the best idea, because it provides government agencies with the ability to just monitor everything about you- and that this kind of tagging ability is a slippery slope with the potential to be abused.

That argument was countered with the fact that we are already monitored so much as it is, so what's the difference? Credit cards, debit cards, purchases, taxes, laws, rules, everything is monitored and if the government wanted to know they would be able to know. Whats the difference if its a chip in your body?

At that time I couldn't think any good comebacks... and told them I'd get back to them (that's where Calgarypuck comes in hopefully). I just have this weird feeling that chips under the skin are a really bad idea and will lead to bad things. Am I right? Wrong? Discuss.