Adam Savage's RFID implant activates, orders him to change his story
By Nilay Patel 
posted September 4th 2008 1:14PM
posted September 4th 2008 1:14PM
It's no secret that RFID isn't the most secure thing in the world, so we mostly took Adam Savage's story about Discovery telling the Mythbusters to back off an episode exposing the tech's flaws after a conference call with various cred card company lawyers as a bit of laughable corporate insecurity, but it looks like Adam got himself in a bit of trouble by sharing -- Discovery's now sending out a release in which he basically retracts the whole thing. "There's been a lot of talk about this RFID thing, and I have to admit that I got some of my facts wrong... Texas Instruments' account of their call with Grant and our producer is factually correct [and] the decision not to continue on with the RFID story was made by our production company, Beyond Productions, and had nothing to do with Discovery, or their ad sales department." Sure, that doesn't explain why he said that Tory "still gets a little white" when he remembers the phone call, or why he said RFID was "on Discovery's radar," but we're guessing it has more to do with simple exaggeration than devious conspiracy. At least we hope so.
Actually, Mythbusters is known for not divulging sensitive information like that. They always obscure an important part - they've made bombs, for example, but haven't ever revealed all the ingredients involved in the process.
Did anyone consider the implications of the government to tag everyone with an RFID chips sometime in the future? Hate to conspire, but there may be more to it than just some credit card companies worrying about their business; consider how much the CIA edits Wikipedia page on RFID, how much the government it's self is a business (who's members all wear business suits), how dumb down education is becoming, how the government knows that it is much easier to control a mindless crowd, things like the patriot act (people wanting less rights?), etc...
So, I guess the flesh-eating-soul-stealing-corporate-lawyer myth has been CONFIRMED.
BUSTED
yeah, you would, Gaius.
I feel so bad for him. He's an awesome guy who was answering questions and entertaining people and he was probably threatened with lawsuits for breaking the catch-all in his contract. I'm glad this got a ton of coverage though... take that evil credit card crap heads!
I say Mythbusters should go independent, put their show on the web and keep all that add revenue for yourselves!!
Screw advertising money.
And people think America is uncensored.
I reject your retraction and substitute my own!
If we could get affordable RFID zappers into stores by the time the banks have all our asses chipped, everybody should be fine. But we won't.
But didn't the fact that the whole thing was pulled indicate that rfid IS weak? Isn't it:
Myth: Confirmed (by lawyers)
Some full stops and paragraphs would be nice.
:)