Is the truth overrated? In a new breakthrough, scientists have created software that will soon be able to detect nearly all lies. Could humanity survive if lying were impossible?
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Tech breakthrough signals the death of lying
Is the truth overrated? In a new breakthrough, scientists have created software that will soon be able to detect nearly all lies. Could humanity survive if lying were impossible?
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Is the truth overrated?
Yes: Most people lie as many as three times every ten minutes. We have to be able to conceal information from each other to protect ourselves and others from harm.
No: We spend so much of our time worrying about what people truly think of us. Perhaps if we were more honest about our opinions, we could be more certain of this. Life would be happier and less stressful.
Or... Not everything can be neatly divided into truths and lies. The best way of lying is often to tell a half-truth. Technology cannot help us work out the difference between the two.
Keywords
Tel Aviv University - The largest university in Israel, based in the city of Tel Aviv.
Polygraph - A method of lie detection whereby a machine picks up changes in physiology and records them as a series of lines on a page or screen. The name polygraph comes from Greek words meaning writing and many, after the multiple lines it draws.
Blood pressure - The beating of our hearts keeps our blood at a certain pressure. This pressure can rise when we are stressed, as the heart beats faster.
Pulse - Momentary expansion of the arteries as blood is pumped through them. Like blood pressure, it can be used to tell when our heart is beating faster.
Breathing - When we are stressed we tend to take quicker breaths to increase our intake of oxygen, so this can also be a sign that we are lying.
Tech breakthrough signals the death of lying
A nanotech "tattoo" was developed by Tel Aviv University. © American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) Glossary
Tel Aviv University - The largest university in Israel, based in the city of Tel Aviv.
Polygraph - A method of lie detection whereby a machine picks up changes in physiology and records them as a series of lines on a page or screen. The name polygraph comes from Greek words meaning writing and many, after the multiple lines it draws.
Blood pressure - The beating of our hearts keeps our blood at a certain pressure. This pressure can rise when we are stressed, as the heart beats faster.
Pulse - Momentary expansion of the arteries as blood is pumped through them. Like blood pressure, it can be used to tell when our heart is beating faster.
Breathing - When we are stressed we tend to take quicker breaths to increase our intake of oxygen, so this can also be a sign that we are lying.