Posted on 01/16/2005 1:24:11 PM PST by nickcarraway
The old excuse 'I've left my wallet at home' will soon no longer hold when it's your round. A nightclub is about to offer its regulars the option of having a microchip implanted in their arm that will obviate the need to carry cash or plastic.
Queuing for entry or a drink at the bar would also become a thing of the past when the 'digital wallet' is introduced by Bar Soba in Glasgow. The chip is already proving popular with VIP members at two nightclubs in Barcelona and Rotterdam.
While the concept strikes critics as Orwellian, others believe that, as we stride ever-closer towards a cashless society, it is only a matter of time before the chip becomes a method of fraud-proof common currency.
Brad Stevens, owner of Bar Soba, said his motivation for introducing the technology was to be cutting-edge and to reward loyal customers. He said he had received a surprisingly enthusiastic response from regulars.
'There are a number of advantages from instant access to one of our many exclusive DJ and VIP nights and not having to carry money or credit cards to letting bar staff know a customer's name and favourite drink. By the time you walk through the door to the bar, your favourite drink is waiting for you and the bar staff can greet you by name.'
However, he also recognised the risks. 'There is a danger that, if a person's not carrying cash, they could just keep on drinking. But we're looking at ways of setting a limit on how much can be spent.'
The VeriChip is the size of a grain of rice, does not set off airport scanners and contains no power supply. It is encased inside a glass and silicone cylinder and implanted by a medical professional, under local anaesthetic, between the layer of fat and skin on the upper arm.
The chip, which has a life span of about 20 years, lies dormant until a scanner is passed over it, sending out a low-range radio frequency. It responds to the signal and supplies the scanner with its unique ID number. How that number is used depends on the database the scanner is hooked up to. In the case of Soba, it will be the balance on a person's bar account.
Steve van Soest is one of more than 100 people who have been 'chipped' at Baja Beach Club in Barcelona since it became the first to offer the procedure in March.
'The main benefit is that you can go out without having to carry a wallet, which can get easily lost in a nightclub,' he said.
He said he had no reservations about having the chip implanted, adding that he can only feel it when he stretches his arm.
'It would be great if this catches on and you could put all your personal details and medical records on it. If I was involved in an accident, doctors could simply scan me and find out my blood group and any allergies.'
The chip is similar to more than 25 million already embedded in animals across the world acting as 'pet passports'. Before being used in humans, it has undergone stringent tests and doctors say it is extremely safe.
But critics regard this technology as a growing threat, giving potentially dangerous new power to businesses and government. A recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union said: 'Scarcely a month goes by in which we don't read about some new high-tech way to invade people's privacy, from face recognition to implantable microchips, DNA chips, and even brain wave fingerprinting.'
I've known way too many people I would love to implant with this.
For health reasons, a national ID chip probably becomes a good idea here...if you frequent a bunch of places like this, how many chips do you want in your arm?
I'll pass.
Could not the same level of service be gotten via other means? Store a photo of each customer with their account, and offer them a prox card. When they show up, if they have the card, their account will come up automatically and the staff can confirm the photo. If they forget their card, they give their name and the staff can still confirm the photo. So what's the benefit of the implant?
One step closer to the mark of the beast
ping
Dateline 2008 ... Engineers have finally tracked down the problem with the chip in Patrick O'Malley's arm. It turns out that each time Mr. O'Malley took his usual power walk past the Shamrock Pub, the brisk motion of his arm ended up buying a round for the house. Mrs. Kathleen O'Malley is still not convinced and has since filed for divorce.
You and me both.
Although, I can see where some liberal will put forth a bill mandating all bar patrons have a chip embedded to monitor blood alcohol level, and send a signal to the bartender to cut the person off if they drink to much.
Even worse, some RINO will co autho the legislation.
How about if we tatoo a barcode of our SS# on our forehead?
What you said.
cute
When one is compelled to get an implant to facilitate their drinking, I think it's time to evaluate the drinking, not the implant.
I don't think so. The Mark of the beast will be knowingly accepted by those that are openly at war with God. It will not be something that is deceptively imposed on the lesser informed Christian. My 2¢
that may be true, but i'm still very uncomfortable about an implanted chip for buying and selling.
I have to agree otherwise we may have already taken the mark with the SS#. Plus it is given to children when they are born.
So when it does come what will happen to children with parents who implant one in them at a early age to find them when they are kidnapped or for medical reasons.
The world is going to become a much more dangerous place including the USA. All the illegals and the muslims who are in a holy war against all of us all the time will become more bold. America will resemble Mexico where cops and politicians can and will be bribed easily. Kidnappings will become a "easy" way for third world thugs to obtain money. We are headed down a dangerous path.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1321624/posts
After reading this Post I dont think this a good idea for the British.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.