Challenging The 'Unbeatable' Polygraph

George Maschke writes "Dr. Louis Rovner, a prominent California polygraph operator, has (through PR Newswire) issued a press release titled, 'Polygraph Unbeatable, Says California Psychologist.' All too often, such publicly-made claims by those with vested interests in the perpetuation of polygraphy (a make-believe science that offers make-believe security) go unchallenged. So, I've publicly challenged Dr. Rovner to support his claim and pointed out scientific research that contradicts it, as well as the examples of several notorious spies and a serial killer who have beaten the polygraph. See, A Public Challenge to Dr. Louis I. Rovner."

What is your favourite color?

[Awestruckin]

Yes. I mean no. I mean... I think I'm not sure. Well but... Maybe... Well if you put it that way... erm. No? *BBBBBBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT* "What is your favourite color?" "Blue! ... No Red!" "Aaaaaaaaaahhhh..."

Polygraphs and plants.

[ForestGrump]

ok, this is a little OT, but i thought it was fascinating enough that i'll post it anyway.

So a few weeks ago, I was driving back to school late at night and was listening to Art Bell (yes, its full of wackos but it's entertaining. Been listening since 7th grade)

Anyway, there was this guest on about polygraphs and plants, yogurt bacteria, eggs, food, etc.

Basically the guest said that if you hook up a polygraph to various "living" things, you can get some sort of reading off of them. If you put stress on/around the thing being monitored, it will react.

For example, if you hook up a polygraph to an egg, and have a dozen other eggs around it. If you take one of the eggs and put it in boiling water, the egg hooked up to the polygraph machine will go crazy.

With plants and yogurt. If you hook up a polygraph to a plant, and have a cup of "live" yogurt beside it. If the yogurt is disturbed (such as stirring up the fruit in the yogurt). This will kill the live bacteria in the yogurt and the plant would react.

Lastly, the guest said that you can't (for the most part) beat a polygraph with anything mjaor (such as if you murdered someone). Why? Because you conscience would get the best of you. The one exception is if you life was in danger. (he didn't elaborate much on what that meant)

And lastly, a link to the show [coasttocoastam.com]

How about paradoxes?

[Free_Trial_Thinking]

I always wondered how a lie detector would respond to the statement:

"I am lying." or "This sentence is a lie."

It's not true or false. ...maybe it would break...

My wife is better...

[hummassa]

She can tell when I'm lying 100% of the time....

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, what's 24 million people between friends?

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

With a population of 6 billion you should be saying whats 240 million people between friends. But hey, whats 216 million people between friends.

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, I was using the British definition of "billion", but hey, what's an order of magnitude between friends?

Re:Don't forget human polygraphs

[AlexeiMachine]

Actually, there called "mothers" and they're a much larger group than previously thought.