From: John Clark (jonkc@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Mon Dec 14 1998 - 22:25:40 MST
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Until machines become smarter than we are I don't think they will be
able to detect deception better than humans already can. We're already
very sophisticated in this because it isn't an abstract game like chess or
solving differential equations which we're lousy at, Evolution would grant a huge
advantage to those who are good at detecting lies and to those who are good
at concealing their lies. Perhaps machines would have senses we don't have
(MRI?, CAT SCAN? PET SCAN?) and detect lies that way but it still wouldn't be
easy and is probably not practical in everyday situations. Another problem is
that the most dangerous and horrible monsters are also sincere monsters.
I don't think it was just an act, I think Hitler really thought Jews were
subhuman and that he was doing a good thing by butchering them.
Sincerity is a vastly overrated virtue.
Certainly in the present day I have no confidence in lie detectors.
Even if I was innocent I'd know that the way I react when they ask
"Did you kill Mr. Smith?" will determine if I live or die, so I'd be trying
so hard to remain calm that my reading would probably go through the roof.
I would only consent to a lie detector test if I was guilty of the crime
and had nothing to lose because there was very good evidence of my guilt.
I've read of a good way to beat the machine, put a tack in your shoe.
They always start with innocuous control questions to get a base line, "Is your
name John K Clark?" I jab my toe with the tack and say "yes", " are you
6 feet 3 inches tall?" I jab my toe with the tack and say "yes", then
they get down to business, "Did you kill Mr. Smith?" I do NOT jab my
toe with the tack and say no. Because of this the first thing I do
every day when I get up in the morning is put a tack in my shoe, after
all, you never know. If you lack my foresight try biting your lip.
John K Clark jonkc@att.net
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