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One Quarter of Germans Happy To Have Chip Implants 170

justice4all writes "If it means shorter lines at the supermarket, a quarter of Germans would be happy to have a chip implanted under their skin. The head of Germany's main IT trade body told the audience at the opening ceremony of the CeBIT technology exhibition that one in four of his countrymen are happy to have a microchip inserted for ID purposes."

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One Quarter of Germans Happy To Have Chip Implants

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  • by kainewynd2 ( 821530 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @06:23PM (#31337706)

    “We just carried out a survey and one out of four people are happy to have a chip planted under their skin for very trivial uses for example to pass gates more quickly at a discotheque for example and to be able to pay for things more quickly in the supermarket,” said Scheer. “The wilingness of the population to accept our technology is certainly given.”

    "Bwa-haha-haha," Scheer continued. "After this, world domination will be within my grasp!"

    Pie and cake were served soon afterwards.

  • by Bill, Shooter of Bul ( 629286 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @06:24PM (#31337714) Journal
    If you would have asked people in the 50's if they would prefer DDT sprayed on their crops to kill the insects, creating cheaper food. They would have said yes. They didn't know the consequences, and were only presented with the benefits. As is the case here. How many of those who said they would be willing fully understand the security issues associated with that choice?
    • Yeah. Did you hear about that idea the Microsoft VP had? A way to improve internet security, you should vote yes!

    • by LWATCDR ( 28044 )

      I think you are assuming way too much ignorance.
      Maybe they just don't worry as much about government interfering in their lives as people in the US do.
      Reminds me of an episode of the Britcom Yes Minister.
      The EU wanted to issue universal ID cards and the Minister was freaking out because he was sure that the people of the UK would never stand for it.
      When he was asked wouldn't the other EU nations put up a stink about it he said.
      "The Germans will love it and the Spanish and Italians will ignore it. Only the B

      • by Aussie ( 10167 )

        Close

        On the EU ID card:

          "the Germans will love it, the French will ignore it and the Italians and the Irish will be too chaotic to enforce it. Only the British will resent it."

    • If you would have asked people in the 50's if they would prefer DDT sprayed on their crops to kill the insects, creating cheaper food. They would have said yes. They didn't know the consequences, and were only presented with the benefits. As is the case here. How many of those who said they would be willing fully understand the security issues associated with that choice?

      I think people aren't completely ignorant of the implications of such a device, nor are they necessarily more likely to carry irrational beliefs that the device is safe than irrational fears of phantom threats. It doesn't matter. People will willingly sacrifice the distant risk of tyranny for day-to-day convenience, and as much as I disagree with that decision, I can't call it an irrational one.

      After all, if I asked you to carry around a device that would let the government track where you are at all time

      • by julesh ( 229690 )

        After all, if I asked you to carry around a device that would let the government track where you are at all times with little more than a warrant, would you accept? [...] It's called a cell phone.

        You can turn a cell phone off, or decide to leave it at home if you're going somewhere you'd rather people didn't know about. You can't turn off an RFID tag, nor can you leave it at home if it's implanted.

        Similarly with your credit card: if you're buying something you'd rather not be traced back to you, you can j

        • Similarly with your credit card: if you're buying something you'd rather not be traced back to you, you can just pay cash.

          At the moment.

          Singapore, anyone ?: the country that is trying to abolish cash. Everything, repeat EVERYTHING, has to be brought on credit cards. At least, that's the story that I've heard, and I'd welcome comment from anyone who has actually lived or visited there.
          Of course, if the Singaporean authorities get their way, but people still want to use cash (when going whore-bashing, or buyi

          • by julesh ( 229690 )

            Singapore, anyone ?: the country that is trying to abolish cash

            [citation needed]

            We're talking about the country that prints the largest denominated banknote in the world. A quick examination of the situation suggests that cash is still legal tender in singapore (i.e. if you owe somebody money, they are legally required to accept it in cash), and not only that but most businesses in singapore will apparently accept brunei dollars (which have equal value to singapore dollars) and vice versa.

            • Ah, you read the Wikipedia articles too. Well done.
              Yes, citation is needed, which is why I asked for information from someone on the ground.
              I've heard rumours over the years from various sources, but nothing particularly authoritative. I suspect that it's one of those ideas that were talked about in the past, but got quietly dropped in the Asian Financial Crises of (IIRC) 1998-2000.
              Does /. have any Singaporean correspondents?

              • by julesh ( 229690 )

                Ah, you read the Wikipedia articles too. Well done.

                Also searched for legislation, which is a good basic approach to take in English-speaking countries. :)

    • "They didn't know the consequences, and were only presented with the benefits."

      What fucking German hasn't heard of World War II, the last time they thought a totalitarian state was a good idea?

    • by GNT ( 319794 )

      Considering that DDT was in point of fact not harmful and had wiped out malaria, I still say Yes!

    • by EdIII ( 1114411 ) *

      How well does it do nerves? Print me a new foreskin, please!

      I think it was actually an informed choice and the question was just poorly worded. They said 1/4 of Germans said they were okay with something being inserted into them. Maybe they just did not say what?

      According to my research on the Internet, that percentage is probably much higher.

  • someone snatch up the black and white movie rights.
  • Well, hey... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by pushing-robot ( 1037830 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @06:29PM (#31337780)

    Those tattoos and armbands were bloody handy.

    ...

    ...

    OH NO, IT'S GODWINZILLA! AIEEE!

  • 70 years ago... (Score:1, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward

    ...much, much more than a mere 25% of Germans were quite eager to carry their era's form of identification and "go along with the crowd". /end-of-thread, Godwin invoked.

  • Really, I don't see any benefits in using chip implants in humans. Yes, it makes sense for cattle who can't positively identify themselves, for pets who slip out of their tags, etc.
    • by plopez ( 54068 )

      Since most people tend to behave like cattle, it all starts to make sense. As for the benefit, it may make identifying your burned and mutilated easier to identify after you are killed in a terrorist attack.

      • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

        As for the benefit, it may make identifying your burned and mutilated corpse easier after you are killed in a terrorist attack

        (fixed that for you) A false-flag terrorist attack perpetrated by the same government that implanted your chip. In-fact after analyzing your movements they found a high probability that your position would be at the aforemention attack and concluded you are expendable and your death is acceptable collateral damage. Meanwhile, the other cattle like yourself believe this an authentic terrorist attack and therefore call for the government to enact more degrading laws in the name of "security". Furthering

        • Life will be so much easier... Except when you break the law (everyone invariably does because there are so damn many).

          People always talk about politicians 'making a lot of laws so that everyone becomes a criminal,' and that was Ayn Rand's theory, but in reality no dictator needs to go through all that trouble. After Hitler got elected, he killed his political opponents. No trial or anything, just assassinations. This isn't an exception with dictatorships, it's standard procedure. Monseigneur Romero in El Salvador was shot by a government agent in front of an entire congregation as he was delivering Mass. Everyone knew

    • There's not really much benefit. The major upside is that you can't ever forget your wallet, and it's going to be a bitch to steal your card. (If the guy in front of you is trying to pay with a stump, then it's probably stolen.)

      However, electronic tracking of people does have its place. [projectlifesaver.org] (I wrote the code for those transmitters.) Some people will wander away and be unable to ask for help or even realize that they are dying of exposure.

  • Yeah, I kinda figured that was the case. But for a second there I was about to be very upset that Germans had become cyborgs before we even had the option.

    But now that I think of it, if they already had chip implants but only 25% were happy about it that'd be kinda disturbing. I mean why'd they get them then? Overhyped marketing claims seems plausible. Another option would be government coercion. Which then raises the question: Why didn't they design the chips to alter the recipient's mind so that the

  • At least the Germans weren't stating an opinion on whether they should forcibly implant microchips into people of OTHER nationalities.

  • So take anything the Germans want with a grain of salt http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58G5GS20090917 [reuters.com]
    • Heh (Score:3, Interesting)

      by Rix ( 54095 )

      That's mostly West Germans who don't want pay for rebuilding East Germany.

      Cheap Germans? That's unpossible.

    • So take anything the Germans want with a grain of salt

      yeah no shit, me too! Several grains in fact - that is some of the blandest food in Europe, and that's saying a lot.

  • I am having a hard time finding the original survey questions (probably for good reasons)
    Even so, this smells like bullshit.

    The only (apparent) quote I could find: "Jeder vierte Deutsche (23 Prozent) würde sogar einen Computerchip im Körper tragen, wenn es ihm bestimmte Vorteile verschafft"

    ~ "every fourth German would even carry an "Computerchip"(e.g. an integrated circuit/microprocessor) in their body if that would result in certain advantages"

    Like anyone would refuse to wear a pacemaker with a i

    • by Nikker ( 749551 )
      “We just carried out a survey and one out of four people are happy to have a chip planted under their skin for very trivial uses for example to pass gates more quickly at a discotheque for example and to be able to pay for things more quickly in the supermarket,” said Scheer. “The wilingness of the population to accept our technology is certainly given.”(emphasis mine)

      It really reveals the parts of the communities that apparently agree with this to likely be young people (discothe
    • Re:This is bullshit (Score:5, Informative)

      by gerddie ( 173963 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @07:32PM (#31338638)
      There is a presentation [bitkom.org]. The secons slide on page two sais:

      Question: For which advantages would you carry a computer chip inside your body?

      • 72 % never
      • 23% for certain advantages (total)
      • 5% don't know

      ----

      • 16% faster rescuing
      • 12% increased security
      • 5% more comfortable shopping
      • 4% access control
      • 6% unspecified advantages
      • In other words, 72% of the people asked refused to be chipped, no matter what benefit you would offer them.

        It's all in the wording...

    • Someone hand that guy an insightful mod: This thread is worthless without the original question.

      How about "do you think it would be a good idea to have a chip implanted, e.g. to pay in the supermarket or to open your home doors?"

      If that's the wording, 25% sounds like an awfully LOW turnout. Appearantly 75% of the people are still smart enough to notice that being cattle-tagged is not something they'd want. And that means that even half the people with an IQ below 100 could identify it as a DUMB idea.

  • by plopez ( 54068 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @06:41PM (#31337962) Journal

    I suspect even a greater percentage of Americans would agree to be chipped. Or have their children chipped to prevent their kidnapping by the ever present child molester.

    Man, I have become really cynical.

    • Better yet, how about a chip to constantly measure the levels of alcohol, THC, and narcotics in their children's bloodstream. I'm pretty sure we have the technology to do this now... first they'll mandate it for parolees, then parents will insist on it for their minor children, pretty soon anybody that doesn't have one will be considered a Unabomber-like Luddite. On the bright side, geeks will pretty quickly hack a remote reader for these chips, so they'll know exactly which girls to attempt to pick up at p
      • Better yet, how about a chip to constantly measure the levels of alcohol, THC, and narcotics [...]

        If the chip could actually deliver the alcohol, THC, and narcotics to the bloodstream... it would really be a hit.

        • Hmm... they currently have the technology to implant a pump that keeps the insulin levels in your bloodstream at a steady level... it shouldn't be too hard to adapt this technology to other substances. My alcoholic girlfriend was actually highly functional with a constant level of alcohol in her bloodstream... it wasn't until she got jaundice and wound up in the hospital, where they cut off her alcohol supply, that she started experiencing DTs and hallucinating. Likewise, I believe heroin addicts function f
    • Why do you think you'd get asked if your kids should be chipped? They're already collecting their blood for DNA samples without even telling you, what gives you the idea they'd ask you whether you want to have your kids chipped?

      Why wouldn't you? It's for their safety! You do not want your kids to be safe? What kind of parent are you! You are unfit, so the CPA has to step in and declare it a good idea. Now shut up and you may be allowed to take your kids home with you.

    • Or have their children chipped to prevent their kidnapping by the ever present child molester.

      He must be one busy guy!

    • Wow.

      It took more than 10 threads to get to the "I have no proof but think the US would be worse"
      thread.

      People were showing some real restraint, today.

    • I suspect even a greater percentage of Americans would agree to be chipped.

      I doubt it. Quite a lot of Americans have superstitious objections to this kind of thing. Mark of the beast and all that.

  • by BJ_Covert_Action ( 1499847 ) on Tuesday March 02, 2010 @06:44PM (#31337996) Homepage Journal
    Seriously? If we're going to be inserting something under our skin, can we at least get some super powers out of it too? I don't need to have invasive surgery to buy the latest copy of Cosmopolitan quicker. I do need to have invasive surgery to shoot fire out of the palms of my hands.

    Raise your standards Germany. Have some dignity!
  • I've also heard that the next generation of chips will be able to keep track of how many freedom points you have generated by working...
  • I'm a little unclear on this concept. Why exactly would I want to have an ID chip implanted in my body for that I couldn't get from one that's in my pocket?

    I suppose it would make it harder to steal, lose, or forget. But really? I haven't had any of those things happen to me in over 15 years.

    And sometimes, I *want* to leave my ID at home.

  • 50% voiced strong opposition to being chipped.

    The other 50% is undecided.

    The undecided responded to the question with a "Meow" before returning to her nap, but since it is neither yes or no was counted as "No Opinion".

    See how much fun statistics can be! Learn to manipulate public opinion for fun and profit, ask me how!
  • I Would Be Happy to Have an ID Chip Implant...

    If I could reprogram it to identify me as anyone I wanted to and to not respond at all when I didn't want it to.

  • How much do you want to bet that this is the same percentage of
    the population that's living on the governments dime?

  • Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear. This seem like a high tech ver of that.

  • Seriously, this number is likely not characteristic for the Germans, but more likely a characteristic of larger groups of randomly selected people. I seriously doubt that most of the agreeing people do even begin to understand the implications.

  • ...but given the fortuitous context, I have to trigger Godwin's Law here.

    If it means shorter lines at the supermarket, a quarter of Germans would be happy to have a chip implanted under their skin.

    It would have meant shorter lines at Auschwitz, too.

    Honestly, I'm not altogether opposed to implants, though I'm much more interested in stuff that's not yet possible, like having a fully-functional computing environment directly interfaced to my nervous system with all the usual transhumanist trimmings. But even there, before the first implant goes in, much less millions of them, we need a comprehensive legal framework to define how t

  • >25% of people (not necessarily just german people) are idiots.
  • He sells the stuff, so he says he would be willing to have a chip implanted. Then he asked three other people and they told him "fuck off, you pervert" and punched him in the face. At that point he gave up and claimed 25% agreement.
  • The amount of time I spend locking the time of the cashier (and therefore the line) is minimal. Simply, do the whole prepay procedure (swipe card, enter code) while the cashier is going through your goods. Once it is time to pay, all you have to do is press a single button.

    The problem is not with current technology. It is with people who aren't using it efficiently, such as those who wait to swipe the card and input the code until after all the goods have been processed. Of course, if you can't do it like m

  • I know it is highly offensive to some people.

    One day I was commenting on technology, and this sort of thing, and at the same time the inability of me to remember my Social Insurance Number when ever I needed it. I also could not think a a cool significant thing to get a tattoo of that wasn't lame, that I would likely regret in later years.

    Anyway musing aloud, I said, maybe I should just get my SIN tattooed on my arm, as it isn't ever going to change, and it would be useful, particularity as an identifying m

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