Moral Backpacking

I propose that we create a device that secures to a person with the following abilities: audio recording and voice recognition, visual awareness (perhaps using a camera that nestles near the child's ear?), and a vibration sensor capable of virtually mapping all bodily motion (it may be necessary for the device to have monitors that extend over a person's arms and legs). Above all these things, the most important, and, at the current moment, least possible, is a computer that is able to make sense of all this.

The idea is that the device gives immediate feedback on every action you chose, although it could be set up to only intervene with negative actions. This device would help in teaching children morals, recording misdeeds, and giving advice in questionable circumstances. Ideally, though impractically, the device would be able to tell if you were about to do something and give you feedback which may adjust your actions and responses. In theory, the people wearing these would agree to it with the assumption that it would help them easily deal with moral issues.

The programming would have a lot of different functions involved in it. Some things would be simply one-to-one connections--for instance, if you say a recognizable curse, the device will tell you that such a word is inappropriate. Building onto this, the device could record how often you use such language, or other similar language and may restrain from or amplify it's message of distate. Obviously, all such descisions are ultimately up to the programmer. Similarly, the device could sense if you gesticulate in a manner considered rude, perform violent actions, or use items that are discouraged.

One of the most difficult things to program would be interpersonal relations. As a bit of a copout, the device could merely sense things such as anger, sadness, and disgust and advise avoiding such things, though perhaps in a helpful manner. For instance, you and your friend could be in an arguement and screaming at each other. The device picks up that two you and another person are yelling and suggests that you should both settle down.

Each eventuality would need indivdual programmed in both recognition and response. My suggestion for creating such a thing would be to initially have a team of people suggest everything they could think of and put it in. Then, monitor some people living out their lives (obviously with their permission) and add any cirumstance that appears to be missing. Further addition could be done even after product debut via wireless updates.