#666 Yahweh to Hell

This is “America Ya Gotta Love It” essay number 666. So naturally, my thoughts have turned apocalyptic.
There was once a great thinker who said something like we would not be beaten into giving up our freedom we would volunteer.
The trade off would be security, he said.
I think the trade off will be nothing more than sacrificing freedom to the god of convenience. Kind of a Yahweh to Hell.
The Book of Revelation talks of the mark of the beast. It is widely thought to be some variation of the number of the beast, which is 666. By this mark will other minions of the beast know one another. These minions are not necessarily overtly bad. They are just the unthinking go-along-to-get-along types. Your basic fall-guys that always end up paying the price for the evil of others.
I’ve always maintained, at least since there was such a thing, that the mark of the beast will be a Universal Product Code. Perhaps tattooed on everyone’s forehead. We can “boop” our I.D. and get stuff charged to our life.
I underestimated technology.
I hadn’t expected the RFID. The RFID is a little radio transmitter with a number in it. It functions passively, and is only activated when a reading device is nearby. There is a glowing website dedicated to the wonders and convenience of RFID at discoverrfid.com.
It’s scary.
They are implanting RFIDs in groceries and other products. The goal is for a person to be able to walk through a checkout line with an entire cart full of groceries and have it instantly and completely totaled. You then flash your RFID thingie—which you volunteer to carry with you—at a cash point, everything is deducted from your bank account and off you go.
Never mind that a central database now knows what private goods you bought.
The RFID is also used in “family friendly” amusement parks. Children are equipped with RFID wristbands. The child has only to wave his or her wristband at a reader, and get on rides or get an ice cream or whatever, and it’s charged to the family account.
So how many juniors are going to get the equivalent of junk food room service? Family friendly indeed. As Las Vegas casino comp chargecard people know, the less cash you have to actually drag out as cash, the more you spend.
Still, the RFID is touted as a “safety” device. Any parent or any older sibling can go to any computer in the park and find his kid or kid brother.
There may be a RFID in your cellphone right now. Your big brother may be watching out for you.
I feel so safe.
Cause, you know, I trust the government and all. They always make completely wise decisions...
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Device.
Or possibly it really stands for Revelation Fall-guy Idiot Detector.
America, ya gotta love it