Thus the title of an article in the current issue of The Economist. A part of its quarterly survey of technology, the article is about high-tech security systems that rely on detailed measurements of the human body—that is, biometrics. Used for identification and verification of identity, the systems will soon become ubiquitous in the global struggle against terrorism. From face and hand geometry to voice patterns and body temperature, all kinds of biometrics are being feverishly investigated for reliability and cost. Many governments are now considering incorporating them into documents such as passports and identity cards. Three whole pages are dedicated to this topic, but the article’s title stuck to my mind like a scab. As I read along, every few paragraphs I reassured myself: “No, I will not!”