Politicians should build trust by using truth serums
(alcohol or sodium thiopental) while connected to
biological analysis and theatric outputs. We would put
them in an fMRI, connect them to a polygraph, and use
eye-tracking and voice stress analysis. We would process
all these inputs and connect
control theatrical outputs. If
we were more confident they were lying, we would turn
down the lights, turn up the ominous music, increase the
echo, feedback, and distortion in their voice.
WHY?
Democracy would benefit from reducing dishonesty from
elected officials.
Political lies harm democracy.
We should use technology to draw attention to lies from
politicians.
Confronting lies in real-time is the only way to encourage
honesty from our politicians.
Politicians know that they can get away with dishonesty.
Correcting politicians by pointing out their lies, after the
event, is ineffective. The correction never receives the
same audience as the live event. The media loves the
drama and will repeat what politicians say, even if it isn't
true.
Watching debates would be more entertaining,
educational, and informative.
We should support candidates that are completely
transparent with us.
Politicians don't have a right to lie to us.
There is no reason, other than national security (which
we can make exceptions for) for politicians to be
dishonest with us.
HOW?
Lets brainstorming and use trial & error to find the best
way.
When a statement is flagged as a potential lie, they
could be given a chance to clarify.
Politicians could be connected to lie detectors whenever
they speak in public, just during public debates, or
periodically (monthly/weekly/daily).
They could periodically report to a facility with a lie
detector & answer questions.
Reporting
1. Direct reporting with computer software.
2. Voting knob used by polygraph experts with a
computer averaging their score.
Indication
1. Altering the lighting. Less flattering light color & more
shadows when they are lying.
2. Altering visuals. The nose could grow or shrink on an
image of the politician behind them.
Examples from Popular Culture
1. Johnny Carson Lie Detector Politician
2. Meet the parents
3. Moe on the Simpsons.
Do politicians lie?
Bill Clinton: I did not have sex with that woman.
George HW Bush: Read my lips, no new taxes.
Obama: I will close Guantanamo.
Do lies that politicians tell us to cause problems? Or
would our world be better if politicians were more
honest?
What are the biggest problems resulting from politicians
lying? I think one of the biggest problems is us choosing
the wrong guy.
I'll give you an example: there are two candidates, & one
of them is more qualified to be president. The other guy
says all the stuff that we want to hear, & so he gets
elected.
However, he never believed any of the stuff he said, he
was just saying things to get elected. The harm done to
society is we picked a less qualified guy, & so our nation,
as a result, used more of its money in worse ways. The
harm is that we were less competitive against other
countries.
Our citizens made less money, fewer people were
employed. We go to bad wars, etc.
Another harm to the country is we don't face the real
problems. Every politician knows that our country should
do certain things that aren't popular. Potential these type
of items including reducing our dependence on foreign
oil, & not stabilizing social security. Social security is the
"3rd-rale" or the electrical issue that you get killed for
trying to touch.
We could come up with some way to use technology to
evaluate if politicians are lying to us.
I think the above are self-evident, & don't need to be
argued. They can just be used as a given. However, I was
wrong.
If these are true, then we should. Even the threat of lie
detectors will stop dishonest people from going into
politics, or force them to be honest. Also, if it doesn't
stop all of the lying, it will serve the same purpose as
the radar gun. People drive slowly, knowing that they
might get caught.
Potential Questions that may be periodically be asked of
politicians
Perhaps a panel of retired judges would approve 3
questions from the media that the judges feel are
relevant.
1. Are you supporting this bill because you believe it will
help or just because it is popular?
2. Will you balance the budget?