Moooltipass

After reading an article I was reminded that not only do I need to renew my passport, since it expires next year, but that I should plan on renewing it sooner than later. Seems our government aims to have all newly issued passports contain RFID devices containing a number of personal identification tidbits. There's a lot of brouhaha regarding these devices, mostly concerned with security, invasion of privacy, and big-brother type stuff. When it comes to the other uses for RFID that companies and such have planned, I don't care enough to comment. I can imagine some nice uses for them... inventory and whatnot. But there is one point about putting it in my passport that I find a bit disturbing: the idea that someone with the proper equipment can aim an antenna at me and read my personal information and probably without my knowing; or as a corollary, scan the vicinity (like my neighborhood) and know I'm there. I'm sure the information would be encrypted somehow (or am I that sure?) but even then it's nearly guaranteed that it will be cracked at some point or even leaked out. No. I think it's a bad idea right now.

For some reason I'm actually not completely looking forward to getting a new passport. I mean, I need to, it's practically full, I hate the picture in it, and it's a bit frayed causing some extra inspection by pass control officers at times. But, I like my collection of stamps, visa's, and work permits. I've carried this current one with me to about 13 countries. Somehow I want to keep adding to it and not have to start over with a blank one. Silly I know. Oh well, no choice in the matter. Just as well I retire it now since I don't do all that much traveling anymore; at least not anywhere new.