Our last commentary touched on lying, a familiar topic. Today the New York Times magazine publishes a general overview of the science of detecting lies. Author Robin Marantz Henig, reviews the research of catchily coined "credibility assessment" - including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). As we would surmise in this epoch of top-secret government, reliable lie detection technology is coveted but elusive. Since many areas of the brain are involved with different types of lying and the recruitment of different areas is often unique between individuals, no technology so far - however sophisticated - is quite trustworthy enough. In fact they often have the same downfalls as the polygraph, for instance they give results that are sensitive to a variety of emotions or states of mind that aren't always indicative of lying.
There are several agencies in the U.S. government developing lie detection technology including the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute and the Department of Homeland Security. The author discusses some of the implications of using the available technology and quotes the DOD Polygraph Institute research head who notes that they only "develop the science", while "other people" decide how it's used. Cliche and familiar, but also a controversial stance in the evolving theme of science, society and responsibility.
According to the article some regard lying as an evolutionary step to intelligence -- maybe those who can outwit those inside and outside of their clan are more clever. It's an extensive article apropos (naturally) to current events.
