Microchips in Humans - was this always going to happen?

[truthpaste]

With "Neuralink" and other similar advances causing plenty of debate, it seems certain that we are heading towards a future of chips with everything, even us.
Today, more than 50,000 people have elected to have a subdermal chip surgically inserted between the thumb and index finger, serve as their new swipe key, or credit card. In Germany, for example, more than 2,000 Germans have opted to receive these implants; one man even used it to store a link to his last will and testament (article).

As we get used to paying with our phone, our watches and other wireless methods, the world has changed so much even in the last five years; ancient writings (from AD90) spoke of a time when the hand and the head would become THE means of all transactions, so was the writing already written 'on the wall' - and if this is the fulfilment of chapter 13 of Revelation (the last book of the Bible), then where is this all leading?

[truthpaste]

Microchip implants – the wallet of tomorrow?

Potential users
What is the target group for the implant? A 2021 survey conducted as part of the European Payments Landscape 2030 report found that 51% of consumers in Europe would consider having a payment microchip implanted in their hand if it met certain criteria, particularly around safety and privacy issues. The survey also revealed that the most positive reactions to the technology were from respondents between 18 and 24 years of age. This may lead to the conclusion that the new wave of contactless payments will be spearheaded by Generation Z, typically defined as people born from 1997 to 2012, who have grown up with access to the internet and portable digital technology from an early age - RedCompass Labs

[Gofer Blue]

All part of the Brave New World that's coming I suppose. I won't be around to see it but I worry for my grandchildren of course. As I approach my 80th in a few years time (God willing!) I am so grateful that I was born and grew up in the immediate post-war era that I did. A much simpler, uncomplicated time, a time full of hope and optimism for the future.

[JamesWales]

All part of the Brave New World that's coming I suppose. I won't be around to see it but I worry for my grandchildren of course. As I approach my 80th in a few years time (God willing!) I am so grateful that I was born and grew up in the immediate post-war era that I did. A much simpler, uncomplicated time, a time full of hope and optimism for the future.

I'm half your age more or less, and increasingly jealous of people who grew up at such a time.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I'm half your age more or less, and increasingly jealous of people who grew up at such a time.

I think the golden lifespan was being born around 1950 and dying just before Covid hit. Free university education, apprenticeships, experiencing the relative liberation of youth in the 60s, the associated music of that period, easy access to mortgages (and when endowment mortgages were profitable in the main) and easier access to major sporting occasions (before they were considered to be fashionable), less surveillance, a state retirement age at 60 etc.
Of course there were drawbacks such as recessions, negative equity, lower life expectancy, limited choice, less car ownership, more sexism and a lot else - but it wasn't a bad timeslot in general.

[Gofer Blue]

I'm half your age more or less, and increasingly jealous of people who grew up at such a time.

Although it wasn't my fault that I was born in the 1940's, I do feel a certain guilt when I look around and see the situation facing the millenial generation today. TBG's response sums up it very well. University education was free in the 60's but of course far fewer youngsters went to university back then. I was the first in the whole of my extended family to do so and was very grateful for the opportunity. We didn't have a car and I used my bike to go places, being a lot fitter then - maybe that's how I have survived this long! No home telephone either - yet we managed somehow. When I was in uni in London my girl friend had to go to the local phone box near her house, book a "trunk call", wait a while for the operator to call her back (meanwhile hoping and praying that no-one else would come along to use the phone box) and put her through to the phone in the hall of residence where I was. Of course I had to hope that no-one else was using that phone either, but it all worked out well most times. Letter writing of course was the norm.

It has been said that every generation believes that it had the best music when they were young but, and you know what I am going to say of course, the 60's was a very special time in that regard. Yes there were quite a few "one-hit wonders" but a lot of the music is timeless, easy to sing along to, and whistle along to (which is the acid test I think!).

It has been said that if you remember the 60's you weren't really there, such was the drug scene (LSD especially) and the free love culture at the time. As a conscientious pharmacy student these things passed me by, so I can say I well and truly remember the 60's!

[Gofer Blue]

I think the golden lifespan was being born around 1950 and dying just before Covid hit. Free university education, apprenticeships, experiencing the relative liberation of youth in the 60s, the associated music of that period, easy access to mortgages (and when endowment mortgages were profitable in the main) and easier access to major sporting occasions (before they were considered to be fashionable), less surveillance, a state retirement age at 60 etc.
Of course there were drawbacks such as recessions, negative equity, lower life expectancy, limited choice, less car ownership, more sexism and a lot else - but it wasn't a bad timeslot in general.

Pretty well spot on there with your summary!

I didn't do very well on the mortgage front as I didn't get married until the early 70's by which time property prices had sky rocketed in Essex where we living at the time so we could not get a mortgage, so we rented a flat. When we moved back to Wales prices here had gone up too but not so much, so I was able to borrow 4.5 x my salary which was unheard of then! Mind you the interest rate was around 15 - 17% at the time.....!

It was a much more innocent time then somehow - maybe it's the rose-tinted glasses effect but for example I was never afraid to walk anywhere in London at night when I was a student. Thankfully there was no "social media" which although it has some benefits, on balance I believe it is a curse rather than a blessing and does not bode well for the next generation i.e. my grandchildrens'. How I would have loved a mobile phone though, to keep in touch with my girlfriend who was so far away.

[Hilts]

Got to laugh. Things were so much better in the day. Moaning about Social Media on Social Media on a device unheard of during the 50s.😂😂😂

Switch off the TV , phone , ration the food , tune into the wireless may cheer you all up.

You will all be nostalgic for outdoor toilets next.

Post war Britain sounds a pretty grim place.