I imagine an authentication system in which a user is presented with a randomly generated Rorschach inkblot and asked a few questions about it. What kind of emotions does it evoke? What was your first reaction? Each would have a finite number of answers to select from, and a response in parallel with the user's personality would admit them. A password could be given instead or in addition for added verification, or just in case their results don't match up (hey, everyone has a bad day once in a while).

Upon receiving an account, the user would have to take a lengthy therapeutic session studying various inkblots and analyzing them. The computer would create a neural network of sorts, mapping the responses and their correlations to the algorithm used to generate the image and creating a digital representation of the user's personality. Later, these results would be matched up against their responses to future inkblots.

What are the advantages to this? Well, none. It'd be cool to see, though, and it might provide some benefits at the workplace. For instance, workers might appreciate a minute or two having a little therapeutic break before starting or returning to work. On the other hand, it could give employers insight into peoples' personalities, such as if they gradually become violent, depressed, or unmotivated. Corporate mind-reading for the 21st century.
-- rgovostes, May 26 2005

20Q.net http://20q.net
An adaptive neural network for analyzing the results of simple questions about an object. [rgovostes, May 26 2005]

Rorschach Inkblot Test http://skepdic.com/inkblot.html
An explanation of the test and how it is analyzed. [rgovostes, May 26 2005]

Online Inkblot Test http://web.tickle.c...s/inkblot/index.jsp
An online, 56-page inkblot test. (Free registration required.) [rgovostes, May 26 2005]

That's cute. My password is 3, 4, 5, 6, duck, two people having sex, ribs, and butterfly :)
-- phundug, May 26 2005


This would be quite useful for people with poor memories. Assuming, of course, one sees the same thing in an ink blot every time.
-- Worldgineer, May 26 2005


Let alone each time you log in...
-- rgovostes, May 27 2005


\\What are the advantages to this? Well, none.\\ nice.
-- zeno, May 27 2005


Although well thought out and creative, this is a dumb idea. Half baked? The yeast isn't even rising. Jeez, guys.
-- MauiChuck, May 27 2005


//Although well thought out and creative, this is a dumb idea// Belated "Welcome to the HB, [MC]".
-- coprocephalous, May 27 2005


Although well thought out and creative, this is a dumb idea. +
-- DrBob, May 27 2005


Thanks, copro for the welcome. Try to do what I can to keep the world more or less sane. You guys are a good start.
-- MauiChuck, May 27 2005


//Try to do what I can to keep the world more or less sane// In that case, "we don't want your sort around here".
-- coprocephalous, May 27 2005


Would you not have different responses depending on your mental and emotional state at the time? If so, this would totally compromise the effectiveness.
<aside>A Freudian slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.</aside>
-- angel, May 27 2005


Moods change and personalities are flexible, so I don't see this as a strong identification system. But perhaps it could be used to keep mentally-ill people out of a critical system.

But how do you know someone is giving honest answers? You don't. So I give this [-].
-- njivy, May 27 2005


I'm sure a properly written proposal to DARPA would be worth a couple million dollars in development cash on this one.
-- Soterios, May 27 2005


DARPA would use your thesis for toilet paper.

[MC], hit the road, AH!

Haha! just kidding, I like you pissing me off.

[Angel], I laughed today because of you. Thanks!
-- daseva, May 27 2005


[Pa`ve, Unabubba], in my outfit we all took psych profile tests as part of a training program, and we all agreed to post our profiles on our intranet in the interests of learning how best to communicate with our fellow whackos.

It was pretty interesting - the test results note things like "the participant chose more socially acceptable answers than are usual. This may mean the person truly is that way, or wishes to be perceived that way, or it could reflect a desire to manipulate the results of the test".

I work with engineers and sales persons, so there is a liberal sprinkling of head cases. Great fun to read the results.

Mine? I was skewed all the way over to the end on "forthright". I'll tell you what I'm thinking regardless of whether you care or not.
-- normzone, May 27 2005


//it usually means they're going to ask you to kill people, on their behalf, at some point.// It's called geriatric nursing, also known as social death, ie, you're as good as dead once you start, and so are the people once you go in there. (Sorry about my cynical view on OAPs and such, I've read too much Crap Jobs, I just hope that I will be nice enough to throw myself out of a window when I'm 60.) Kidding.
-- froglet, May 27 2005


//I see no further reason to share that with any employer//

So instead, you post your Myers-Briggs results to public forums? Hehehe.
-- Shz, May 27 2005


OK... but what happens during THAT time of the month?
-- Dog, May 28 2005



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