Mind-reading systems could change air security

APNEWS.MYWAY.COM ^ | an 8, 6:22 AM (ET) | By MICHAEL TARM

[ransomnote]

CHICAGO (AP) - A would-be terrorist tries to board a plane, bent on mass murder. As he walks through a security checkpoint, fidgeting and glancing around, a network of high-tech machines analyzes his body language and reads his mind.

Screeners pull him aside.

Tragedy is averted.

As far-fetched as that sounds, systems that aim to get inside an evildoer's head are among the proposals floated by security experts thinking beyond the X-ray machines and metal detectors used on millions of passengers and bags each year.

[ransomnote]

Synopsis The introductory paragraphs pose some future airport technology scenario where a terrorist is detected by technology before boarding a plane. Under a paragraph title 'Mind Readers', the article describes the blending of behavior psychology and technology and cites as an example Israeli-based WeCU Technologies. Under a paragraph title 'Lie Detectors', the article gives as an example: Future Attribute Screening Technology, or FAST which it describes as a 'souped up' lie detector being developed by Homeland Security. Under a paragraph title 'THE ISRAELI MODEL', the article describes Israels world renowned approach to airport security which, it notes, the country has been developing since 1956. Under a paragraph title 'Profiling' the article describes some of the issues and quotes an expert saying that it's foolish to refuse to apply any profiling or to overly examine a family that behaves like a family and of which all members have their passports etc. Under a paragraph title 'Privitization', the article explores the idea that security could be handled by the individual airlines or 3rd parties because it would diversify approaches and the mix of techniques in play could make it harder for terrorists.

[ThunderSleeps]

“Minority Report” meets “Airplane”

[dr_lew]

There’s an obvious and fundamental flaw to the idea that the detection of “fidgeting and glancing around” equates to mind reading. Just think how much fidgeting might be induced by the knowledge that fidgeting is being monitored.

[ransomnote]

Don’t people who are afraid of flying fidgit and glance around too?

I think the title for the article is incorrect in that it singles out a topic of one paragraph when the article really covers a variety of approaches - the most worrisome is the hubris of believing we’ll have a) a mind scanner and b)people willing to subject themselves to it.

[stboz]

True psychopaths won’t get caught. Nervous martyr wannabes might....maybe

[ransomnote]

Yes - true psychopaths are the most likely to become terrorists. The religious euphoria of those expecting to meet 72 virgins seems to have put smiles on the faces of some of the 9/11 terrorists prior to boarding as I recall.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

A would-be terrorist tries to board a plane, bent on mass murder. As he walks through a security checkpoint, fidgeting and glancing around, a network of high-tech machines analyzes his body language and reads his mind.

Hey, here's an idea - how about we keep people we know have been to Yemen to meet with Al-Qaida from flying, stop dreaming up futuristic new ways to make grotesque intrusions on the privacy of ordinary air travelers, and implement air travel security with some shred of common sense?

Islamic terrorism has succeeded in making air travel incredibly annoying and obscenely intrusive. But it couldn't have done it without the aid of US government bureaucrats.

[ransomnote]

Agreed. It bothers me that, based on timeframe required for development, the government has been working on this kind of intrusive philosophy since before 9/11...IMHO...and it seems like they are seizing on 9/11 as a handy excuse to expedite it. *adjusting my tinfoil hat so I can still see the keyboard*

[Republic]

Here’s a VERY novel idea-PROFILE people. Require that their religion be stated. Get a little TOUGH with the evil doers and let granny get on the plane without her boobs being subjected to a magical wand.

[SunkenCiv]

At least the ADHD kids won’t be on the planes from now on.