before you do something stupid…
It won’t be long before we all have ubiquitous sensors, I believe. As a beginning, I can envision a bracelet or necklace that measures vitals (bloodpressure, heart rate). Aside from the obvious medical benefits, such a device could help our personal lives, too.
Imagine if my bracelet noticed my rising blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temp, and could sense that I was getting angry. I could create a notification that would ring my phone and play me a pre-recorded message as a reminder not to do something stupid while angry. About 50% of the time, this would result in me throwing the phone across the room, but sometimes I think it would work.
One could also envision an electronic “chastity belt” that would similarly call you if it sensed you were about to engage in extra marital relations. Or a diet aid that called you if you were on the verge of ruining your diet.
I think we are all aware that two beings live inside our heads: one that is cool and rational, and one that eats, screws, and yells indiscriminantly. (Or, at least, is much more prone to following emotion). There are certainly times when I would appreciate a call from a past or future self gently reminding me
“don’t do something stupid.”