Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Software advancements allow us to collect and convert huge volumes of printed data into visual coverage maps and charts. Software gives us the ability to "stand" on the edge of a building and look in all directions around us without ever leaving the comforts of our offices. We can take the bills of our myriad customers and, thanks to software, find out median ages, airtime usage and other demographic and psychographic details with little more than some point-and-click action. The power of software has reduced some of wireless carriers' most time-consuming and tedious projects to mere seconds. But then there are software applications that should give us all pause.

Recently, while browsing the Internet, I ran across a company that has taken the power of software to, let's just say, different heights. A Brooklyn, NY, firm is offering a PC-based lie detector, which allows you to seek the truth in real time. This technology, originally designed and used for the Israeli military at border crossings, (why are these products always from the Israeli military?) measures microtremors in your voice. The software picks up stresses in your voice and identifies deceptions through the changes in the frequency of your voice.

According to the company, the technology will enable you to pinpoint the cause of stress and "know" if it is caused by a lie, excitement, exaggeration or apprehension.

Imagine the potential this software might have for so many segments of this industry.

Human resource departments most certainly could benefit in detecting lies and half-truths of job candidates. "I used to be the president of a little-known wireless carrier up north. Where? Way north."

Salespeople could use it to determine the enthusiasm in the voices of their prospects. "Yeah, maybe I will get another battery for my Couldn't-Be-Smaller phone. Why don't you call me in a couple of years."

Customer service surely could pick up that overstatement in a flash. "I know I mailed that bill weeks ago."

Supervisors could use it to evaluate the apprehension in an employee's voice after receiving a reprimand. "I swear I will not download any more X-rated Internet material on my office computer and distribute it to all of my buddies."

>From a metaphysical point of view, maybe this type of software isn't meant for this industry. After all, our very existence is based on communications between two or more individuals. If we begin relying on software to interpret meaning from simple human interaction, then don't we cease to be a little less human ourselves? And if we are going to rely on software to give us the true story in real time, will it be long before there will be software that tell us what someone else is or will be thinking?

Stepping down from this philosophical view to something a little more practical, remember that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Available for the low, low price of $149.95, what is to stop your customers from giving it a go? And perhaps they will use this software on you. "Yes, this phone will work anywhere. Not only that, but it will provide you with the best coverage and the clearest signal."