Week 7 Writing Assignment

Dear Professor Brooks,

Although it appears that we're still a few years away from flying cars and robot servants (which in turn will become robot masters), the future that all those sci-fi writers thought up isn't so unimaginable when considering radio frequency identification. As the name suggests, RFID is an identification system that harnesses radio frequencies to identify things. What things you might ask? Lots of things. With RFID, Information is transmitted by a tiny microscopic tag when read by an RFID reading device. The data is processed, and depending what the chip was programed for, some sort of reaction will ensue. It sounds broad because RFID can conceivably be incorporated in most aspects of every day life.

Currently, the most practical use for RFID is tracking. As you know, RFID tags can be surgically implanted into pets. When they stray too far from home, all someone would need to do is scan them with a reader to determine its owner. Of course, a cheaper way to keep from losing your cat would be to just put a collar on it, but that's hardly as cool as a microscopic chip embedded in its shoulder. The same type of tracking could be used with consumer products. In lieu of a serial number (who remembers those anyway?), an RFID chip could be placed inside the product. This way, if someone stole your TV and tried to pawn it, the shop keep could immediatley determine that it was "hot." You'd have your TV back and the crook would be in jail. Sounds good to me.

The last time I was in Chicago, the 7-Eleven by my brother's house had one of those paypass devices for credit cards. I bought so much crap from that store just so I could use it. Of course, this is also a form of RFID technology. Eventually, it will get to the point where you can just grab an item and walk out the store. Through RFID, your credit card (which will probably be a chip embedded in your skin) will automatically get charged when you leave the store. Think of how much faster our lives will be when we don't have to stand in lines.

Of course, along with such advanced technology comes some concerns. With RFID, there is the potential for privacy invasion. Anyone with an RFID reader could find out exactly what is held within your house. This is good news for career thieves, who could target houses that contain expensive electronic equipment. Burglars aside, through tracking your whereabouts, RFID could lead to a "Big Brother" dystopia. I like to keep my tracks covered; I sure don't want someone aware of all my whereabouts. I'm also not too keen on getting a computer chip surgically put into my skin. However, the idea of being able to walk up to my door and have it unlock is pretty cool.

In some ways, the privacy issue doesn't bother me too much. Surely a line will be drawn, and if the government or a corporation should choose to cross that line, they would have to prepare for some heavy duty lawsuits, as privacy is protected by the 14th Amendment.

Love,
James