Will RFID-guided robots rule the world?

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Take the good...

Erm.... Technology usually has the opportunity to threaten civil
liberties, but you can stop panicking, it's not like this is a new
thing.

Cars are more dangerous to drive than carriages. They are also
more identifiable due to their number plates, cause significant
air pollution now related to deadly diseases, and we are more
dependant on corporations when we use them. However it is
widely considered that the good of cars outweighs the bad (a
tough call for many, me included), and here we are. The
technological shift from candles to electric lighting had similar
pros and cons, but for my dollar we are way better with the
candles only for emergencies.

The Internet too makes us more susceptable to identity theft
and fraud, but again, the good outweighs the bad.

RFID tags can be used in ways that harm individuals and society,
but those ways are largely criminal ways, which you have already
identified

RFID tags do enable buinesses to have tighter stock control, thus
reducing spoilage and theft and lowering business costs. This
improves the company cost competitiveness, and the bottom
line is that customers get goods at LOWER prices. Just look at
Wallmart; they wouldn't pump 3 billion into research to make
their products MORE expensive - as you seem to fear. Believe it
or not, the company that sells the highest priced commodity
item loses money. Look no further than the VHS Vs. Beta wars
for an example of that, but history is littered with similar cases.

The one that can profit from offering the lowest prices leads the
field. When Walmart reduce their sales costs by massively
investing in IT, we all benefit. The margins for commodity goods
are razor thin. A few cents saved on getting a tube of toothpaste
or a ceramic cup to the customer can be make or break for
businesses like Walmart.

Put me down for a massive yes vote for 5cent RFID tags on
everything, so long as we are told.

Humanity will benefit as will each of us.

Posted by: Octothorn   Posted on: 10/04/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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