Here's the topic for today - please share your thoughts in a comment!



NOTE: A memory tap is an electronic device that locates and displays the memories of the subject for others to see/hear, and also records such.

Assuming that the process was, in its entirety, non-harmful, the main problem with this is the usual: it being abused to extract data that has nothing to do with illegal acts. We unfortunately always have to be mindful of the balance between security and freedom means giving up some of both, and the line may need to move from time to time. A “memory tap” reads the memories of the subject, and presumably does it accurately, and therefore can be used to determine not only guilt but other information that can be used to protect people (associates, plans, locations, etc.) and it's hard to say that has no place, but the abusability factor is immense.

If you're trying to sell people on this kind of thing, it makes sense to immediately go to law enforcement applications. Because, hey if you or one of your loved ones were murdered, wouldn't you like to know right away who did it? And if you're against it, then what are you up to that you're trying to hide?

However, the use and scope of this kind of technology goes way beyond that. Information is power, and someone who has access to all of your memories and possibly even thoughts as well has a tremendous amount of power over you. The presence of this kind of technology would put us in a world where you can face any number of debilitating personal or professional consequences simply over an errant thought or statement you made 25 years ago. Since no human ever led a perfectly angelic life, you would be handing over the power to denounce anyone at will to whomever could obtain this device.

You may have done something ostensibly awful once, but for very complex reasons which made it the best possible choice with the best outcomes, but it will look monstrous when magnified under public scrutiny. This is the great myth behind the statement “The Camera Doesn't Lie.” It may not literally lie, but it certainly doesn't tell the whole truth. You only see what's within the frame, for a limited duration of time, with no context.

Also, while the device may or may not create accurate recordings, such recordings can always be faked. That's opening up a whole new Pandora's Box. I'm sure for anyone living in the United States right now, it's not hard to imagine a circumstance in which politicians trot out uncorroborated “memory evidence” against someone because it suits their immediate political motives.

I can see where this would appeal to someone who has a fascistic penchant for absolute power and control, but for most people the dangers would outweigh any possible benefits. I know it sounds like a nice “Easy Button” problem solver, but any problem you'd need this solution for, is probably one you don't need to solve to begin with. But on the other hand, it can and will destroy people's lives. Not worth it.

Considering how unreliable memory is I can't see any benefit to it for law enforcement. It would probably end up like polygraphs, only us f by trashy daytime TV shows about cheating spouses.

Memory is constantly rewritten and reinterpreted in the brain. In order for a memory tap to be useful it would have to be done immediately. Confabulation also can occur quickly and the person will believe it and it will not be a lie to them. For that reason polygraphs are useless.
Hypnotism can help someone focus and recall details. However even that can lead to someone using their imagination to fill in the requested details. The study of UFO abductions and the “recovered memories ” hoax really showed all this.

So would a memory tap cut through all of this? Only if done immediately by properly trained personnel. And then there will have to be studies and legal precedents established.

What I wonder about is if physical memory is more stable than the active recollection of it. I envision “memory taps” as being direct engram readers, like reading off a hard drive. If the data is there, it can be read; it's just a matter of time before we figure out how.
If the above is true, memory taps are likely to be able to pull more accurate data than the person themselves can remember, and also avoid at least some attempts to alter it by that person using certain techniques.