Writer calls for bar-coding everyone at birth!
LONDON, England (PNN) - May 22, 2012 - This week, science fiction writer Elizabeth Moon argues that everyone should be given a barcode at birth.
“If I were empress of the Universe, I would insist on every individual having a unique ID permanently attached - a barcode if you will; an implanted chip to provide an easy, fast inexpensive way to identify individuals. It would be imprinted on everyone at birth. Point the scanner at someone and there it is.
“Having such a unique barcode would have many advantages. In war, soldiers could easily differentiate legitimate targets in a population from non-combatants. This could prevent mistakes in identity, mistakes that result in the deaths of innocent bystanders. Weapons systems would record the code of the use, identifying who fired which shot and leading to more accountability in the field.
“Anonymity would be impossible as would mistaken identity, making it easier to place responsibility accurately, not only in war, but also in non-combat situations far from the war.”
Ed. Note: Such a system only works when governments are staffed by just and moral people. Otherwise, lack of anonymity always leads to tyrannical abuse of the existing system.
