Lethe wrote on Sep 27
th, 2007 at 4:28am:
Paradiddle, here is the basic conversation we're having, though I don't think you'll be honest enough to either (1) admit it or (2) correct the record.
ME: Isn't it true that knowing how a polygraph exam works can negatively impact the results?
YOU: No, that is not true. What an examinee knows about the exam can't possibly impact the results.
ME: Well, then, why do polygraphers go to so much trouble to trick examinees?
YOU: Oh, well, there are two types of polygraph exams. One type doesn't work very well if the subjects knows how it works, the other is uneffected by a subject's knowledge; it is the later type that we now chiefly use.
ME: Oh, that's good news. How does this other type of exam work?
YOU: Do you want all of our wives to be raped and our children sodomized?! How dare you ask that!
ME: What? What are you talking about?
YOU: I can't tell you how those other exams work.
ME: Why not? Doing so can't impact the accuracy, you said so yourself.
YOU: I've changed my mind; telling you could imperil their accuracy after all.
So, those other exams which you say are so great, does knowledge of how they work negatively impact their accuracy or not?
If not, then the only reason you're left with for not telling us about them is that "we don't need to know." That is a claim of such profound asininity that I hesitate to answer it. First of all, it is arrogant of you to presume that you know what I need to know, since you haven't the slightest idea who I am or what my circumstances are. Second, if you eliminated from your head everything that you didn't absolutely need to know in order to eat, sleep, work, and procreate, your mind would be an impoverished and desolate place. I rather seriously doubt you follow your own advice and avoid learning anything that you don't "need to know." There are other points that could be made, but I think this deals decisively with your pathetic attempt at evasion. If that is the sort of thing they teach in polygraph school, I'll save my money and be glad that I got a proper education, thanks.
You; So, Iam interested in large retail store security.
Me; Cool, that's my business, my specialty---it is quite interesting how sytems have advanced to address the growing numbers of secure-savvy interlopers.
You; Could you tell me if your state of the art security apparatus works, even if the customers and/or potential criminals are aware of it's workings?
Me; Well, since we installed the systems, we have caught more thieves, assaults, and sex crimes both in the store and in the parking lots----even though we have posted signs everywhere in and out of the stores.
You; Great...but can you tell me how it works?
Me; Yeah sure...we use motion sensors, magnetic tag detectors, infrared cameras with 18 phase autozoom with audio, and axis points of manned 2-way mirrors.
You; huh. Interesting. But can you tell me how they are managed and how do you know they work?
Me; Sure. They work very well as we have seen a substantial increase in crimes caught, and a dramatic decrease in inventory shrinkage. If you go to the technical school which teaches you the basics, then get employed with a secretive and/or elite institution---you will learn many of the nuanced tricks of the trade.
You; Right, but can you tell me why this incredible system works even if the criminals see the cameras, the doorway magnetics, the motion detectors and the two-way mirrors?
Me; Well, they just work very well. I hope that was helpful.
You; OK, but how can you catch the bad guys if they know about the stuff-----and how do you monitor the good guys too----what kinds of software do you use----how many security staff----what kinds of hours do you security staff work-----who holds the combination to the cash safes....
Me; Hey buddy, I answered your questions----there
is the aspect of business trade secrets here and...
You: Oh, if they are such secrets, than they must be weak. Tell us oh retail giant how you run this super de duperdy new security apparatus?
Me; Uh hang on a second. You are beginning to seem well...kinda put off. What is it that you do? Are you a forensics or security specialist---we could use good people.
You; I don't want to work in the field of security---it's not my business----I just want to know details and trade secrets of the security apparatus.
Me; As you have indicated, it is none of your business sir, literally and figuratively speaking.