Surveillance, identity and control

A small prize. Catching speeders without an officer saves some police labour but is a narrow tool.

Who is paid. Road authorities pay, and the cameras are easy to copy, so firms that already hold traffic supply contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Watching a place from afar without being there became the basis of a whole security camera industry.

Who is paid. Firms and public bodies buy cameras to guard their sites, and so many makers can build them that no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Measuring and mapping what cannot be seen by eye changes the costs of travel, mapping and digging, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Transport, mapping and mining firms buy it, and it can be copied, so established instrument makers with factories and customers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A better way to overhear people is a specialist tool for police and spies, not a wide market.

Who is paid. Police and spy services pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A camera in the air sending back pictures from overhead changes what an army or police force can see.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A token carrying a person's whole file is a sturdier identity paper, a convenience for the authority that issues it.

Who is paid. Whoever issues the credential pays, assumed here to be a state, and the firms that already make official papers and registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A better way to overhear people is a specialist tool for police and spies, not a wide market.

Who is paid. Police and spy services pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A better way to overhear people is a specialist tool for police and spies, not a wide market.

Who is paid. Police and spy services pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A better way to overhear people is a specialist tool for police and spies, not a wide market.

Who is paid. Police and spy services pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Finding any wanted object on demand would cut search costs across warehouses, salvage, mining and police work.

Who is paid. Assumes firms with much to keep track of are the main buyers; once built it can be copied, so makers of sensing gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Pictures of enemy land from orbit change what an army knows before it acts.

Who is paid. Armies and spy services pay, and the firms that already build rockets and spacecraft for them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Picking out chosen people by their faces gives reliable identity from the body.

Who is paid. The state pays, and face matching is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying identity systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Seeing inside solid things would change inspection, mining, building and medicine.

Who is paid. Mines, builders, shippers and inspectors pay, and once built it can be copied, so the firms already making scanning and imaging gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Keeping a room or a talk private from listeners is a niche need for those with secrets worth stealing.

Who is paid. Firms and officials guarding secrets buy it, and many makers can build such a blocker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Showing many camera feeds on one screen is a convenience for guards, not a new industry.

Who is paid. Firms and agencies that run cameras buy it, and any screen maker can build it so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Seeing through walls and hulls would change inspection, building, rescue and shipping.

Who is paid. Nothing says it watches people, so mines, builders, shippers and inspectors are assumed to pay, and once built it can be copied, so the firms already making scanning and imaging gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A number inked on every person is an identity paper that cannot be lost, a narrow change to documents a state already issues.

Who is paid. The state pays to mark and register its people, and marking is easy to do, so the firms that already make identity documents and keep the registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Watching activity behind solid barriers would change police raids, spying and war.

Who is paid. The description says it watches hidden activity, so spy and police services pay, and the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Live pictures of nearby places from a beam on the wrist would change scouting, rescue and inspection.

Who is paid. Nothing says it watches people, so firms are assumed to pay; once built it can be copied, so the firms already making imaging gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Reliable identity from the scent a person leaves behind would do for police and border checks what identity from a body sample does, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay to run the checks, and the detector could be copied once made, so existing police and test suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A tiny flying robot that spies on people and places changes what police and spy services can learn.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Seeing inside a sealed container without opening it would change inspection at ports, borders and factories.

Who is paid. Shippers, ports and inspectors pay, and once built it can be copied, so the firms already making scanning gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Sensing living beings nearby helps searchers, guards and hunters, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Assumes soldiers, police and rescue services are the main buyers; the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Seeing inside buried shelters and other closed places under the ground would change digging, rescue, inspection and scouting.

Who is paid. The description names a kind of place and not the watching of people, so like the other see-through beams firms that dig, build and inspect are assumed to pay, though armies would buy it too, and once built it can be copied, so the firms already making scanning and imaging gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A screen of rays against electronic listening protects a private talk, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Firms with secrets to keep buy it, and many makers could build such a blocker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Pulling the truth from a mind would change questioning, courts and spying, as the other mind readers would.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A ring that proves who you are is a convenient form of an identity card.

Who is paid. Assuming an authority issues it as it does a card, the issuing office pays, and the ring is easy to copy, so the firms that already make identity documents collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Finding hidden recorders matters only to the few people and firms who fear being spied on.

Who is paid. Firms and officials guarding secrets buy it, and many makers can build such a detector so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A single identity card for everyone is useful to the authority that issues it but is only a card.

Who is paid. Whoever issues the credential pays, assumed here to be a state, and the firms that already make official papers and registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A plate that can show a false registration is a tool for moving unseen, useful to a few agents and forbidden to ordinary drivers.

Who is paid. Assuming a spy or police service is the lawful buyer, it pays, and since any workshop could build it the firms already trusted with secret supply work collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Catching speeders without an officer saves some police labour but is a narrow tool.

Who is paid. Road authorities pay, and the cameras are easy to copy, so firms that already hold traffic supply contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Reading number plates automatically helps enforce traffic rules, a narrow public task.

Who is paid. Road and police authorities pay, and the firms that already supply roadside equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Charting the mood of an audience helps those who stage shows, speeches and meetings, which is a niche.

Who is paid. The description says an audience and not a crowd to be policed, so showmen and campaigners are assumed to pay, and such an instrument is easy for many makers to copy.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Finding any chosen person wherever they are would change police work, rescue and manhunts enough to be an industry.

Who is paid. Police and security services pay, and once shown to work others could build it, so existing police suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A chute that sends papers to a furnace is a minor office fitting.

Who is paid. A government office pays, and any builder could fit a chute and furnace so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Keeping every archive in step with what the rulers now say is a records task for the state that orders it, a narrow gain to those rulers and not a new industry.

Who is paid. The state pays, whether its own clerks do the work or a supplier does, just as it pays for the serial-number scheme, and systems for altering records are easy to build, so the firms that already run government records collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A watching screen in every home gives a state sight of its whole people, at the people's cost.

Who is paid. The state pays to fit every home, and screens with cameras are easy to make, so the firms already making them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Keeping a room or a talk private from listeners is a niche need for those with secrets worth stealing.

Who is paid. Firms and officials guarding secrets buy it, and many makers can build such a blocker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Listening into a room from outside is a spy's tool, useful in a narrow set of cases.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Jamming remote listening protects a private talk, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Firms with secrets to keep buy it, and many makers could build such a blocker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Looking inside solid stone would change mining, tunnelling and building.

Who is paid. Mines, builders, shippers and inspectors pay, and once built it can be copied, so the firms already making scanning and imaging gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Spying machines too small to notice would change what police and spy services can learn, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made they can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Miniature flying drones that watch and record people change what police and spy services can learn.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A machine that reliably shows whether someone is lying would change courts, policing and hiring.

Who is paid. Courts and police pay first, and once it works others could build it, so the firms already supplying police and courts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A chip under the skin that reports place and identity cannot be left behind, so it gives a state a full account of where people are.

Who is paid. Assumes a state requires it; the chips are easy to make, so the firms already supplying identity systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Hiding a tracking chip from scanners is useful only to a few who must move unseen.

Who is paid. Assumes hiding a required chip is unlawful for the public, so a spy or police service is the buyer, and the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A living fence that lets through only those with the correct signal is a kind of lock for a boundary.

Who is paid. Assumes landowners and firms buy it; once such trees exist others could grow them, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. An identity card with a full image of its holder is a better card, a convenience for the authority that issues it.

Who is paid. Whoever issues the credential pays, assumed here to be a state, and the firms that already make official papers and registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Knowing for certain whether someone lies would change courts, policing and hiring; the real devices fall well short of this promise.

Who is paid. Courts and police are assumed to be the main buyers, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Defences that fight off burglars are an extra on a home alarm, and the risk of hurting people keeps the market narrow.

Who is paid. Home owners pay, assuming a house system, and it is easy to copy so the security firms that already fit alarms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A trained bird with a camera is a scouting curiosity that flying machines do better.

Who is paid. Assuming scouts or armies are the buyers, they pay, and training a bird and fitting a camera can be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Spying machines too small to notice would change what police and spy services can learn, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made they can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Knowing of serious crimes before they happen would change policing altogether, if the forecasts were right as the story promises.

Who is paid. The state pays and keeps the seers itself; what is bought is the recording equipment, which the firms already supplying police could make.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A police robot that passes for another kind of robot serves undercover work, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Warning a driver who is nodding off is a safety feature within a car, not an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Drivers pay for it in the price of the car, and it is easy to copy, so car makers and their parts suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Finding hidden recorders matters only to the few people and firms who fear being spied on.

Who is paid. Firms and officials guarding secrets buy it, and many makers can build such a detector so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Computers that watch every exchange in a city change the cost of governing and policing it.

Who is paid. The city pays, and such systems can be copied, so the firms already running government computer systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A lock that knows its owner by nerve signals is one more kind of lock, a convenience.

Who is paid. Firms and building owners buy it, and a lock that reads the body is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Automatic gathering of evidence at a crime scene saves investigators' time, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Feeling what a distant person feels would be a spying tool of great worth to a state, enough to count as an industry.

Who is paid. Spy services pay, and I assume that once it worked others could build it, so the firms already trusted with secret work collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Sensing hidden living bodies nearby helps soldiers, hunters and rescuers but is a specialist tool.

Who is paid. Armies and rescue services pay, and it could be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Hiding a body from life-sign sensors matters only to soldiers and agents, a niche.

Who is paid. Armies pay, and it could be copied once made, so the firms already holding army supply contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Restraints that lock and open from a distance are a small improvement on handcuffs.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and the device is simple to copy, so the firms already supplying police equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A door lock that checks a handprint is a convenience over a key.

Who is paid. Firms and building owners buy it, and a lock that reads the body is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Judged as the forecasting computer behind it, knowing of crimes before they happen would change policing altogether.

Who is paid. Assumes the thing sold is the forecasting computer; the state pays, and the firms already building its computer systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Spying machines too small to notice would change what police and spy services can learn, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made they can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A small aircraft that follows chosen people by itself changes what police can do, like the other flying watchers.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A system that holds trespassers is an extra on an alarm, and the risk of hurting people keeps the market narrow.

Who is paid. Home owners pay, assuming a house system, and it is easy to copy so the security firms that already fit alarms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A small remote robot for spying changes what police and spy services can learn, like the other tiny spy machines.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A lie detector that truly worked would change courts, policing and hiring; the real devices fall well short of this promise.

Who is paid. Courts and police are assumed to be the main buyers, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A tag fixed to a suspect tracks only those already caught, so it is a narrow police tool.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Finding hidden recorders matters only to the few people and firms who fear being spied on.

Who is paid. Firms and officials guarding secrets buy it, and many makers can build such a detector so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Finding any chosen person wherever they are would change police work, rescue and manhunts enough to be an industry.

Who is paid. Police and security services pay, and once shown to work others could build it, so existing police suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A living insect turned into a watcher is a niche spy tool, since small flying machines do the same job more reliably.

Who is paid. Spy services pay, and the few firms already trusted with secret supply work collect because others could copy the method.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Forecasting what people think from all they have read would be prized by sellers and campaigners, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Firms wanting to sway people pay, and the firms that already see what people read hold the records and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Small machines that tail a person and record them change what police and spy services can learn.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A door that knows its owner's brain pattern is a fancier lock, a convenience.

Who is paid. Firms guarding secure rooms buy it, assuming office use, and once built it could be copied by any lock maker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A lock keyed to a handprint is a convenience over a key.

Who is paid. Firms and building owners buy it, and a lock that reads the body is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Reliable checking of food and drink for poison would be worth an industry of its own to those who make and serve food.

Who is paid. Assumes food makers, kitchens and inspectors are the main buyers; it can be copied, so the firms already making test instruments collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Stopping a fleeing car from afar is a useful police tool but a narrow one.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A toxin scanner small enough to hide does the same work as the larger poison checker, worth an industry to those who make and serve food.

Who is paid. Assumes food makers, kitchens and inspectors are the main buyers; it can be copied, so the firms already making test instruments collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Drones that steer themselves let a few people watch wide areas, which is what makes flying watchers an industry.

Who is paid. Police and armies pay, and such software can be written by many, so the firms already supplying the drones collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Showing many camera feeds on one screen is a convenience for guards, not a new industry.

Who is paid. Firms and agencies that run cameras buy it, and any screen maker can build it so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. The description promises only a sheet carrying sensors, a part for an instrument, and not sensing that spreads everywhere like the sensor dust or sees through rock like the ranging entries, so it is judged as a niche part.

Who is paid. Nothing says it watches people, so makers of instruments and vehicles are assumed to buy it, and since it could be copied the firms that already make sensors and electronics collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A home screen that also films and watches the household is an industry of its own, as home screens already are.

Who is paid. Households buy it, and screens with cameras are easy to copy, so the firms with brands, factories and broadcast networks collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A mark in the hand that shows a person's age limit is an identity scheme, useful only to the state that runs it.

Who is paid. Whoever issues the credential pays, assumed here to be a state, and the firms that already make official papers and registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A home alarm that frightens intruders away is a niche addition to ordinary home security.

Who is paid. Householders buy it, and the firms that already sell and fit home alarms collect because it is easy to copy.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A drone that passes for a bird can watch without being noticed, like the other flying watchers.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Telling people from artificial copies matters only to the few who hunt such copies.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Sensing hidden living bodies nearby helps soldiers, hunters and rescuers but is a specialist tool.

Who is paid. Armies and rescue services pay, and it could be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A camera tough enough to be dropped from orbit serves explorers and surveyors, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Nothing says it watches people, so survey and exploration bodies are assumed to pay, and a rugged camera is easy for many makers to copy.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A recorder that judges whether speech is honest would change courts, policing and hiring, as the other truth readers would.

Who is paid. Courts and police are assumed to be the main buyers, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Reading the thoughts of whole crowds would give a state a power worth an industry, though only a state would use it.

Who is paid. The state pays for a single great machine, and I assume its usual defence suppliers build it and could be replaced by others.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Spying machines too small to notice would change what police and spy services can learn, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made they can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Seeing in the dark matters to guards, soldiers and police, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Assumes soldiers and police are the main buyers; gear sold to them goes through the firms that already supply them.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Dust-sized sensors scattered to watch and listen in secret change what spy services can learn.

Who is paid. The description says it watches covertly, so spy services pay, and the firms already supplying them collect since it can be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Warning that a crowd is growing loud enough to riot is a minor aid to policing.

Who is paid. City authorities pay, and a sound sensor is simple to build, so the firms already supplying police equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Finding any chosen person wherever they are would change police work, rescue and manhunts enough to be an industry.

Who is paid. Police and security services pay, and once shown to work others could build it, so existing police suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A tag on identity papers lets the holder be followed only while the papers are carried, a narrow addition to documents already issued.

Who is paid. The state pays, and the tags are easy to copy, so the printers that already make identity documents collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

No prize. It is done to a person without their say, to hurt them, break their mind or override their will or body, which no one may lawfully buy or use.

Who is paid. Assuming it is outlawed for everyone, governments and employers included, nothing is sold.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Watching all use of a nation's networks changes what a state can know about its people, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. The state pays, and the firms that already build and run its computer and records systems collect, since others could build the same.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A disguise that passes its wearer off as a pet serves a very few investigators.

Who is paid. Assuming a spy service is the buyer, it pays, and since a skilled maker could copy the disguise the firms already trusted with secret supply work collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Quick, sure identity from a body sample would reshape police work, border checks and hiring, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay to run the register and the checks, and many laboratories can make the machines, so existing test suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A handheld recorder of depth footage is a specialist tool for police watching suspects.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and it could be copied, so existing suppliers of police equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A sheath that hides who the wearer is serves a few undercover agents.

Who is paid. Assumes police running undercover agents are the buyers, as in the story; the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Hidden cameras sending sight and sound to secret watchers are a recording tool for a narrow use.

Who is paid. Assumes a spy or police service is the buyer of hidden cameras; the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Measuring and mapping what cannot be seen by eye changes the costs of travel, mapping and digging, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Transport, mapping and mining firms buy it, and it can be copied, so established instrument makers with factories and customers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A mechanical bird that spies from the air changes what police and spy services can see.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Having outsiders watch the home for trouble is the core of a home security industry, unlike defences that merely add to an alarm.

Who is paid. Households pay a regular fee, and cameras are easy to copy, so the security firms with watch rooms and trusted brands collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Spotting lived-in homes from their power use is a narrow trick for investigators.

Who is paid. Assuming police are the users, they pay, and such software is simple to write, so the firms already supplying police systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A mark too small to see helps makers prove a product is theirs, a niche use.

Who is paid. Manufacturers pay to mark their goods, and many firms can do such marking so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A drifting camera over public spaces changes what police can see, like the other flying watchers.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Telling people from manufactured copies matters only to the few who hunt such copies.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Sorting large crowds quickly helps at borders, camps and checkpoints, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Assumes a state runs it at borders and checkpoints; the firms already supplying such posts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. Chips that force workers to obey are forbidden, so no one at all may buy or use them.

Who is paid. Nothing is lawfully sold, so no one pays and no seller collects.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Hiding a body from life-sign sensors matters only to soldiers and agents, a niche.

Who is paid. Armies pay, and it could be copied once made, so the firms already holding army supply contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Blocking every kind of electronic listening protects a private talk, which is a niche.

Who is paid. Firms with secrets to keep buy it, and many makers could build such a blocker so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A single number for each citizen is an identity scheme, useful to the state that runs it but simple.

Who is paid. Whoever issues the credential pays, assumed here to be a state, and the firms that already make official papers and registers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. The trail left by purchases is a by-product of paying, not a technology anyone buys.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold as such, so no one pays and no seller collects.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. One gadget in place of several cards is a convenience, since the cards it stands in for already do the paying and proving.

Who is paid. Whoever issues it pays, assumed here to be banks more than the state, and the gadget is easy to copy, so the firms that already run payment networks and make cards collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. An implant that reacts when an agent dies serves a small number of people on dangerous work.

Who is paid. Spy and military services pay, and it could be copied, so their existing suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Tiny machines that gather traces at crime scenes speed up one part of police work, a niche.

Who is paid. Police laboratories pay, and the machines could be copied, so existing suppliers of police equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A handheld fingerprint reader gives reliable identity from the body, which changes police and border work.

Who is paid. Police and border services pay, and such readers are easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A register of lost people searched by likeness helps in a few searches.

Who is paid. Assumes police keep the register; gathering such pictures is open to many, so the firms already building police records collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A holographic licence card is a harder-to-forge version of a card people already carry.

Who is paid. Licensing offices pay, and the card is easy to copy, so the printers that already make identity documents collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Glasses that show where tracking beacons are help a few investigators follow suspects.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A floating wall of guard machines would change the cost of protecting borders and whole districts, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay for such barriers, and many firms could build the units, so those already holding security and defence contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Dots that help cameras capture a face are a tool for performers and film makers, a niche.

Who is paid. Studios buy them, and marker dots are simple for anyone to make so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Measuring and mapping what cannot be seen by eye changes the costs of travel, mapping and digging, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Transport, mapping and mining firms buy it, and it can be copied, so established instrument makers with factories and customers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A small hovering camera over an area changes what police and guards can see, like the other flying watchers.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Spoiling recordings of your own voice is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. It is worn by a person and not fitted to a room, so ordinary people are assumed to buy it, and any maker could copy it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A film sprayed on any surface that sees, hears and shows pictures would put cameras and screens anywhere.

Who is paid. Nothing says it watches people, so firms are assumed to be the main buyers, and once made others could copy the film so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Quick, sure identity from a body sample would reshape police work, border checks and hiring, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay to run the register and the checks, and many laboratories can make the machines, so existing test suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Reliable early warning of deadly germs or poisons would protect whole cities and is worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Governments pay for public safety, and several firms could make such detectors, so those already supplying health and defence agencies collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Recording and sending out all a person sees is a life record, which many people would want if it worked.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it for themselves, and the firms that already make implants and carry the pictures collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A better way to overhear people is a specialist tool for police and spies, not a wide market.

Who is paid. Police and spy services pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already supplying them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Working out what kind of person a user is from their browsing changes how selling and advertising are done.

Who is paid. Advertisers and sellers pay, and the software is easy to copy, so the firms that already hold the browsing records collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Dust-sized sensors that link up and report on their surroundings would change how farms, factories, buildings and cities are watched over, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Assuming general use and not only spying, firms buy them to monitor their own sites, and since the sensors could be copied the makers that already own factories for tiny electronics collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Checking a hand at a cash machine is a lock on an account, a modest gain over a secret code.

Who is paid. Banks pay because the description puts it on a cash machine, and many makers can build handprint readers so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A handheld sonar for divers is a tool for a niche trade.

Who is paid. Diving and salvage firms pay, and it is easy to copy, so the firms already making diving and marine gear collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Identifying passers-by by their eyes without their knowing gives reliable identity from the body across a whole city.

Who is paid. The state pays, and eye matching can be copied, so the firms already supplying identity systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Crawling robots that sweep a building and check who is inside change what police can do in a search.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A full record of a person's life would be wanted by a great many people as memory, proof and protection, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ordinary people pay for it, and since recording is easy to copy the firms that already own the storage networks and devices collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Machines that know faces at a checkpoint change the cost of guarding borders and buildings, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay for checkpoints, and face matching is easy to copy, so firms already holding security contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. An implant that helps, records and talks for its wearer would replace the personal devices most people carry, though many would refuse surgery.

Who is paid. Ordinary people pay, and it could be copied, so the firms that already own device brands and networks collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cheap flying watchers change the cost of policing, border watch and scouting enough to be an industry of their own.

Who is paid. Police forces and armies pay, and since many firms can build such craft the money goes to those already holding security and defence supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Joining many streams of data so that any person can be watched closely changes what a state can know about its people.

Who is paid. The state pays, and the firms that already build and run its computer and records systems collect, since others could build the same.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A tool for breaking into cars is useful only to a few agents and investigators.

Who is paid. It is unlawful for the public, so a spy or police service is the buyer, and the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Stopping a fleeing car with sticky material is a narrow police tool.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and it could be copied, so the firms already supplying police equipment collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A shared store of police recordings and evidence saves officers time but is a narrow piece of office software.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and the software is easy to copy, so firms already supplying police systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A full record of a person's life would be wanted by a great many people as memory, proof and protection, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ordinary people pay for it, and since recording is easy to copy the firms that already own the storage networks and devices collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Assuming it is used for spying, a flying machine too small to notice would change what police and spy services can learn, enough for an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made they can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Drones that follow a person by scent would change what police can do in a search, like the other flying watchers.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. An identity check from the pattern of the tongue promises reliable identity from the body, the same gain as the fingerprint, eye and face readers, and each such reader is judged as if it were the reader that was built.

Who is paid. Assumes a state runs the checks; such readers are easy to copy, so the firms already supplying identity systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A handheld test for dangerous germs protects whole populations from outbreaks and attacks.

Who is paid. Health and defence bodies pay, and the firms that already make test instruments for them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Cameras that know people by their walk change the cost of watching streets and stations, enough for an industry.

Who is paid. Governments pay for the camera network, and the matching is easy to copy, so firms already holding security contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A snake-shaped robot that gathers information unseen changes what spy services can learn, like the other small spy machines.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A tool that finds and seizes other people's implants is a covert weapon wanted by a few services, and a crime in anyone else's hands.

Who is paid. Assuming a spy or police service may buy what the public may not, it pays, and since others could build the tool the firms already trusted with secret supply work collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Clothing that confuses camera software is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and such wear is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A living insect turned into a watcher is a niche spy tool, since small flying machines do the same job more reliably.

Who is paid. Spy services pay, and the few firms already trusted with secret supply work collect because others could copy the method.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A state store of records on every citizen changes the cost of policing and tax work across a whole country.

Who is paid. The state pays, and data stores are easy to build, so the firms already running government computer systems collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A chip that identifies and tracks every carrier would replace papers and cards and reshape policing across a country.

Who is paid. The state pays to chip its people, and the chips are easy to copy, so firms already making identity documents collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Software that tracks where every resident should be gives a state a new kind of control over a whole population.

Who is paid. The state pays, and the firms that already build and run its computer and records systems collect, since others could build the same.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Glasses that name the people you see are a convenience for most wearers and a work tool for a few.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy them, and since pictures of faces can be gathered by many, the firms that already hold large stores of named pictures and sell devices collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A wearable that stops cameras knowing your face is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and such wear is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. An insert that defeats identity tests serves only the few agents who must pass as someone else, and is forbidden to everyone else.

Who is paid. Assuming a spy service is the lawful buyer, it pays, and since others could copy the insert the firms already trusted with secret supply work collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Flying robots that watch crowds and calm them would change how a state keeps order in public places.

Who is paid. Police forces pay, and gear sold to them goes through the firms that already hold their supply contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A crawling robot that watches where flying ones cannot changes what police and spy services can learn.

Who is paid. Assumes it watches people for a state; once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Hiding your face from cameras is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and a face covering is easy for any maker to copy so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.