[JamesBarney]

The most despicable use of lie detectors I've ever seen was on the Dr. Phil show. Dr. Phil asked a man who cheated on his wife whether he diddled his kids while he was hooked up to a lie detector. He answered no but obviously a question that is as emotionally charged at that will appear as a lie. This man's relationship with his family, friends and probably any future work relationships were all ruined by a stupid magic trick. The man turned to Dr. Phil and the the former FBI agent who administered the polygraph and start pleading and begging for any reason why the lie detector would give a false positive. Dr. Phil and the former FBI agent were smart enough to know why it wasn't working but they continued be evasive as the man's past and future relationships with his children, family, friend, and coworkers went up in flames.

[omginternets]

I hate to say it, but that's what you get for seeking help from a TV psychologist.

You're insane if you think a TV show is there to help you.

[kevin_thibedeau]

He's not a Psychologist or any sort of a doctor at all. Just another modern day Jerry Springer act.

In a real polygraph exam a baseline is established and you review all the questions "before" the test is run so that there is no surprise when they are asked the second time. Even then the nature of the questions can elicit a measurable response.

The best advice I ever got from a polygraph examiner was to never voluntarily take one. Advice given while I was strapped to his machine. Never could be sure if he was being sincere or just manipulating me.

[jdmichal]

> The best advice I ever got from a polygraph examiner was to never voluntarily take one. Advice given while I was strapped to his machine. Never could be sure if he was being sincere or just manipulating me.

I believe he was being sincere. If you think about it, if the best it can do is simply not provide evidence against you. The worst it can do is make you look guilty, whether you are or not. That's a pretty bad deal for you.

[differentView]

Injustice against the ignorant or less intelligent is still injustice.

[omginternets]

No argument here. My point is that bad ideas are still bad ideas (although perhaps my point could have been better-phrased).

[irishcoffee]

Victim-blaming is cool, sometimes? Just not when its a PC issue.

What the actual fuck?

[Karunamon]

If by "victim blaming", you mean "criticizing someone for taking a stupid action that a reasonable person could assume would end badly".

[InclinedPlane]

Don't forget that people who appear on those shows get paid. At least scale wages if not more, plus accommodations, all of which is considerable for people living within ordinary means. Combined with the thrill of being on tv it can b.s. An overwhelming experience, which explains why so many people do it. But much of it cones down to financial and emotional manipulation.

[irishcoffee]

> "criticizing someone for taking a stupid action that a reasonable person could assume would end badly".

Its her fault she got raped, she wore a SHORT SKIRT.

Edit: fuck you.

[omginternets]

People like you never seem to distinguish between (a) pointing out what is unreasonable/imprudent, and (b) claiming that a given misfortune was deserved.

It would be comical if you weren't so unpleasant and rude.

[irishcoffee]

"distinguish"

The subjectivity of this word amuses me to no end. I can distinguish whatever I want whenever I want, as long as facebook and twitter agree with me.

[woof]

Or just plain stupid.