17 January 2003

Science Hobbyist: Traffic waves - physics for bored commuters On the nature of traffic jams, and preventative action 4:21:58 PM     comments

RFID tags: Big Brother in small packages It becomes unnervingly easy to imagine a scenario where everything you buy that's more expensive than a Snickers will sport RFID tags, which typically include a 64-bit unique identifier yielding about 18 thousand trillion possible values. KSW-Microtec, a German company, has invented washable RFID tags designed to be sewn into clothing. And according to EE Times, the European central bank is considering embedding RFID tags into banknotes by 2005. That raises the disquieting possibility of being tracked though our personal possessions. Imagine: The Gap links your sweater's RFID tag with the credit card you used to buy it and recognizes you by name when you return. Grocery stores flash ads on wall-sized screens based on your spending patterns, just like in "Minority Report." Police gain a trendy method of constant, cradle-to-grave surveillance. It's the darker side of the IP-everywhere-lets-you-find-your-socks-when-you-lost-them story. [via Charlie Stross, sci-fi writer] 4:18:45 PM     comments