Cyborgs at work: employees getting implanted with microchips

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


James Brooks, Associated Press Updated 3:58 pm, Monday, April 3, 2017





STOCKHOLM (AP) — The syringe slides in between the thumb and index finger. Then, with a click, a microchip is injected in the employee's hand. Another "cyborg" is created.

What could pass for a dystopian vision of the workplace is almost routine at the Swedish startup hub Epicenter. The company offers to implant its workers and startup members with microchips the size of grains of rice that function as swipe cards: to open doors, operate printers, or buy smoothies with a wave of the hand.
 
The injections have become so popular that workers at Epicenter hold parties for those willing to get implanted.

"The biggest benefit I think is convenience," said Patrick Mesterton, co-founder and CEO of Epicenter. As a demonstration, he unlocks a door by merely waving near it. "It basically replaces a lot of things you have, other communication devices, whether it be credit cards or keys."

Read more: http://www.chron.com/business/technology/article/Cyborgs-at-work-employees-getting-implanted-with-11046009.php

[NewJeffCT]

1. Resistance is Futile

you will be assimilated.

[ProfessorGAC]

39. To Use Another Phrase From That Episode

"Your life, as it has been, is over."

[NewJeffCT]

40. I kind of figured things were going that way about 10-11 years ago

I had started a new job and had to walk to my department through a customer service area and everybody there had bluetooth/wireless headsets with microphone attached to their heads and it looked very Borg-like as everybody had nearly the same headset on, and would walk around with the headsets still on their heads.

[luvMIdog]

2. So now instead of stealing your wallet they would cut off your hand?

[cstanleytech]

12. Unlikely as it would probably be awkward to carry around someone else hand, this just

sounds like simple RFID rather than a real cyborg with some sort of direct neural interface that allows complex communication with others.

[milestogo]

3. Really? Is it that inconvenient to use a swipe card

that you would allow a microchip to be implanted in your body? Really?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Yeah. The employees don't know what the chip is tracking. Could be alcohol use off hours, etc. . nt

[snooper2]

41. LOL

Really tracking the levels of oxytocin so your boss knows if you are getting enough sex or not

[truthisfreedom]

4. mark of the beast

[Ilsa]

7. I bet Pat Robertson is really torn over this.

Sure, Mark of the Beast, but I bet he sides with employers on tracking their people.

[vkkv]

9. The "beast" being corporations I presume?

[FiveGoodMen]

26. Think it's a reference to this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_Beast

Revelation 13:18

Christian eschatology

The Number of the beast is described in the passage of Revelation 13:15–18. The actual number is only mentioned once, in verse 18. In the Greek manuscripts, the Book of Revelation is titled The Apocalypse of John[5] where this number is rendered in Greek numerical form as ??ϛ,[6] or sometimes literally as ἑ???ό???? ἑ?ή????? ἕ?, hexakósioi hexēkonta héx, "six hundred and sixty-six".[7][8] There are several interpretations-translations for the meaning of the phrase "Here is Wisdom, Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast" where the peculiar Greek word ?????ά?? (psephisato) is used. Possible translations include not only "to count", "to reckon" but also "to vote" or "to decide".[9]
...
Futurist view

A futurist view of the Mark of the Beast is that the rise of a supranational currency (for example, the euro) could be a hallmark of the End Times and that the mark of the beast will be a sign on the forehead or on the right hand.[52] Futurists (focused on the future) believe that the revelation addresses primarily the Second Coming of Christ and similar events at the time's end (1 ; 19:11-16; 22:11-12). Although many do find truth in these general assertions, this view does not take into account all historical views. (Ch. 2-5; 12:5-16).[53]

Religious difficulties with a world currency currently exist. According to the Futurist view, to overcome the extant difficulties the Antichrist will use forced religious syncretism[54] (i.e. in the name of counterterrorism and world economic stability) to enable the creation of the currency. Some interpret the mark as a requirement for all commerce to mean that the mark might actually be an object with the function of a credit card, such as RFID microchip implants.[55] In Christianity, some believe the implantation of chips may be the imprinting of the Mark of the Beast, prophesied to be a requirement for all trade,[56] and a precursor to the events of the second half of the Book of Revelation.[57][58]

[stuffmatters]

5. Stomach turning

[EarthFirst]

8. Kindly, GFYS!

If this is the condition of employment; (or the ultimate end goal) citizenship...


I'm out.

[Rural_Progressive]

10. Interesting, last I heard about chip implantion in pets and livestock

was an increase in cancer rates. Just did a quick look at my favorite search engine and still looks like there's studies and evidence to support that concern.

My wife is Swedish, she's gonna throw up in her mouth a little bit when I show her this article.

[forgotmylogin]

11. In all fairness

There is quite a difference between an employee voluntarily getting an identifying microchip and a "cyborg" which has robot components replacing normal physical function.

I wore a dangly card around my neck on a lanyard for 12 years at a company to swipe through doors. Some people might overblow that into saying I was "collared" if they really wanted to.

[AtheistCrusader]

14. I would trade this flimsy fucking plastic piece of shit for a chip in a heartbeat.

Odd this is premiering in Europe. They have VERY high worker protection rules in most states in the EU. Their vacation and 'DO NOT CONTACT EMPLOYEES DURING OFF HOURS' rules are VERY stringent.

[forgotmylogin]

16. I think the trick is...

They're offering it to workers *voluntarily* as an option. They don't have to get it, but those who do are finding it convenient. Yeah, never leave your badge at home again... If you can buy food with it, you can leave your purse or wallet at home as well.

I'm sure it gets removed if they leave the company.

Also, I'm pretty sure in a worst case scenario, I'd have no trouble digging a grain of rice out of my hand myself.

[AtheistCrusader]

19. In certain circles that would be viewed as coercion.

When convenience swings too far toward the chip, that can be considered prima facie evidence they are moving to 'require' it.

Removal could be painful I guess.


I'm for it, but I'm also for the Government issuing me a SSL certificate to digitally sign my shit, etc, and that's just not going to happen because fuck the future and you can't have a flying car either, apparently.

[Achilleaze]

13. Only pointy-headed libtard free thinkers resist official republi-chips*

Docile, submissive Trumplican FOLLOWERS will gleefully line up to be MARKED as obedient KGOPee Symps.



* manufactured in Russia to keep costs down

[Coventina]

15. Ick. No thanks.

[LisaM]

17. I was just thnking this morning how we have a generation pretty much willing to forfeit privacy.

At what cost, I wonder? At some point, they just won't be used to having it or think that it's a right. The first instance I remember of people being "tracked" was those grocery store loyalty cards, which have essentially replaced coupons in my neck of the woods. It turned out one of the stores had all the information stored, and sure enough, was asked to produce a list of what someone had bought as evidence in a lawsuit. Chilling.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. Target was able to demonstrate the ability to selectively identify users that were pregnant

before they even knew. By purchasing habits.

I don't have a problem with this. I like the 'No Secrets' sort of thing, where I don't care how much of my data isn't private. But it needs to be equal to work. That means I need to be able to see who is wining and dining my senator, and for how much, for instance.

[LisaM]

23. I have a huge problem with it. I think it's an inherent right, but more to the point...

some people might have legitimate reasons to need to exercise privacy. What if they are taking birth control but what to hide it form an abusive partner, who might have the same phone number for a loyalty card? What if they're trying to escape a situation and someone can see if you've bought a plane ticket? What if you're going to interview for a new job, but your employer could tell if you'd gone to another company's premises? What if someone used your phone number to get a store discount and bought things that you never would?

I could think of a million more scenarios. What if you just want to be by yourself for a few hours?

[AtheistCrusader]

24. In those cases I opt not to use those services.

Same thing where your hypothetical abuse victim might use highly inconvenient but fungible cash for that birth control, rather than risk it being a purchase on a credit/debit statement.

It's not perfect, but my solution at least has level-set expectations, rather than the illusion of an expectation of privacy.

[LisaM]

30. So you really don't believe in an inherent right to privacy (as an individual)?

My mind can't wrap around that.

[AtheistCrusader]

33. Yes and no.

I have ways of forcing and maintaining privacy, but they aren't the most cost effective nor the most convenient way to live.

I accept the convenience trade-off, but I ALSO recognize that the more people like me, the fewer options will remain for people who desire or need privacy. I can't do much about that.

I basically just don't care what people know about me. I can't control what other people think about me. I can't control where and how my information is used, because some of that info is increasingly collected in public where I have no legal expectation of privacy.

Since I can't control it, my fallback position is to just not care. Observe me too closely, and someone is going to be uncomfortable. (Not it)

[WinkyDink]

18. So much for "Liberal" Democracy. "Community, Identity, Stability."

BNW.

[yuiyoshida]

20. So tell me, what happens if the tracking device

has the same frequency as some Scientists use for tracking wildebeests in the wild?

"What? Why are they suddenly showing up in Stockholm???"

[Thor_MN]

27. An implantible rfid chip has a very short range.

Opening a door lock would be very impractical if they worked at wildebeest tracking ranges... Every time someone moved their hand in the building the door would unlock.

Turn it around and if you have to be a couple inches from the wildebeest to track it, what's the point?

Basically, it's a mini card key that's implanted it your hand.

Leave the company and all they have to do is unauthorize your ID number.

[yuiyoshida]

36. or....

terminate you.

[Thor_MN]

38. Huh?

If that were the case, corporations could, right now, use the bolt guns they use to put down cattle in a person's exit interview. HR departments would have a body disposal division.

Implantable microchips aren't going to change that. Not that I am in favor of getting one, but I would not be afraid of one.

[n2doc]

22. Gives "Talk to the Hand" a whole new meaning n/t

[duncang]

25. The normalization of chipping people to me is one major problem.

Even having chipping parties to through positive re-enforcement to sell them seems wrong. At what point if ever do people accept as normal for companies to chip every employee? Will it lead to chipping so you can have that credit card chip with you all the time? Rfid doesn't truly turn off. It is triggered. At some point do they become so ubiquitous that it is completely normal? You go to a store and tracked down the aisle and tagged with what purchases you make. That sign on your shopping cart or along the aisles flashing how about "X" brand cereal. Web tracking would have nothing on that.

Next there will be the possibility of people having their chips duplicated. Next hacking problem someone being able to take your ID just by faking chip signals.

[Thor_MN]

29. How would this be different than the card keys most of us are carrying around right now?

I mean other than it's implanted in your hand. My work card key is in my wallet, so it is with me whenever I am out and about with my wallet. Similar ranges, so nothing different there. To my knowledge, there are no stores sniffing for your work card keys to do tracking - the fact that the operating range is on the order of a inch makes indiscriminant tracking highly impractical.

It's got a creepiness factor to it, but I suspect that it tracks very closely with how a person feels about needles or piercings.

[duncang]

35. The begining of normalization was my concern

Not just this particular instance. What is a oddity now will probably turn to norm after time. At this and later points it does become a philosophical question as to how much tracking is to be normalized or accepted. The present chip cards do need to be in close proximity but that probably won't be the case forever.

I carried a card for years, everything from a simple id badge with picture, to one also having a magnetic strip, and lastly to one with a chip also. And that didn't bother me. I accepted that along with the background check my employer ran on me and the back ground check when I got my TSA card as conditions of employment.

[Thor_MN]

37. Like you point out, we are past that point.

Many, if not most of us, carry RFID card keys to open doors. They probably have greater ranges than the implantable chips - range being a function of antenna size. A card key has a copper wire coil sized on the order of a quarter. The implantable chip fits inside a large gauge needle.

If normalization is the concern, the horse is out of the barn. If someone was interested in tracking these, they already could track what is out there. The proximity required is very limiting.

[DRoseDARs]

28. The Neo-Luddism here is laughable. This is voluntary, by a private company, in SWEDEN.

No one is being forced to submit to the Dark Prince, or even being forced to choose between getting chipped or getting a paycheck. And it's fucking SWEDEN. It's a voluntary convenience for those employees who choose to have a needle stuck into their skin so that they don't have to fuddle with keys to open locked doors or pull out their wallet to buy a bagel.

I've a strong aversion to pain, which is why I don't have piercings or tattoos so duh I'll pass on this, but for fuckssake get a grip people. Legal protections need to play catch-up to cover new developments, like they always fucking do and have for centuries, but the pearl-clutching here is obnoxious.

[BumRushDaShow]

31. Idiocracy

[oldcynic]

32. Do you want to get off this planet?

I want to go back in time to a country village with feathered horses and brown cows but it ain't gonna happen. Sci-fi fairy tales ain't gonna happen either, no matter how much fun. No prime directives or cross-galaxy peace. If humans are involved it will be just like it is today.
Our future as a species is most likely establishing breeding populations on yet unspoiled planets. One difficult problem with long term space travel is radiation. It is essential we learn how to adapt fragile organic bodies to that and a multitude of other dangers. The most sensible way is to replace them.
We are already well on the way...thought operated prostheses, implanted sight, brain creation and replication are just three instances. I hypothesize we will eventually be Borg with better PR. Don't laugh, look what the orange hairball did with publicity. Start assimilating warm and cosy. It is becoming increasingly possible to make a self robot. The specialists are busily building it and our job is to accept it.
As for privacy concerns, if we lived in a village everyone would know everything good or bad about you and your entire lineage and you would know the same about them. They still do, except you no longer know who "they" are. The important thing is not a chip in hand, it's
bureaucracies in the bush that you have to worry about. Don't like being tracked? Take control of the systems that are doing it. Otherwise it's only gonna get worse aboard that long haul ship.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/18/first-almost-fully-formed-human-brain-grown-in-lab-researchers-claim

[randome]

43. Here, here!

I'm also sick of having to put up with wires. I'll be the first in line when they can give me an ear implant that lets me listen to my music whenever I want.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]All things in moderation, including moderation.[/center][/font][hr]

[vkkv]

34. Yeah, it SEEMED like a good idea at the time...

[malthaussen]

42. In one of John D. MacDonald's dystopian rants...

... he visualized a future in which government employees would go through hospital nurseries, tattooing an ID number on one infant's arm, and his ATT number on the other. But that was 1965 technology.

-- Mal

[hunter]

44. No fun when some joker clones your chip.

Getting these things removed isn't so easy as getting them installed.

[FakeNoose]

46. They probably think this will save their jobs

Who knows, maybe it will.

When it comes time to lay off workers, will the company layoff the people who got the implants?
Probably not.