Dear Sir/Madam,

All this talk of ID cards does not go nearly far enough for my liking (Public backs ID cards but balks at £40 fee, poll says, 8 September 2003). I'm sick of living in a society in which 99.99% of people are complete strangers to me and where I have no way of knowing whether my neighbours or those I deal with are cheats, fraudsters, criminals, asocial elements or even terrorists - until it is too late! 

Civilisation has provided us with many benefits, but the alienation and anonymity that goes with it is a huge downside (at least, for most of us), which until now we had no choice but to accept. However, recent advances in technology mean we no longer have to put up with it; if we so choose, we can create a society in which we know, or can easily find out, who our neighbours and those we deal with are, and whether or not we can trust them.

For example, surely people have a right to know who is moving into the house next-door to them, and to object if they are known to be "neighbours from hell". We all hope to God that it doesn't happen to us (and if you live in an affluent area the chances are perhaps remote enough not to worry about), but why should it happen to anyone? Asocial types have got to live somewhere, of course, but let them live amongst themselves, well away from the rest of us.

What we need is a National Personal Identity (NPI) databank based on biometric data such as DNA profile, finger scan and iris scan.

Except for convenience, there would be no need to carry an ID card with you, since all you would need do is provide your name and a finger or iris scan, when required by a competent authority (e.g. the police), which would then be able to verify your identity on a centralised computer and obtain the information relevant to their authority. The huge problem (and business) of forged documents would be done away with. No need to remember your passport: an iris scan is much more reliable, and cannot be forged. Everyone entering and leaving the country would be known. That will put the wind up a lot of people, of course (illegal immigrants, criminals, terrorists etc.) - and quite right too! 

Now we have the means, let US (those of us who want it; no one can or should be forced) create a transparent, or "nonymous" society, whose members are open and honest about who they are, and - here's the rub - are prepared to have the information THEY provide independently confirmed.

Exactly what information an individual provides will be up to them; thus, between the extreme poles of complete secrecy and complete openness there will be a wide spectrum of choice.

Each part of the spectrum will merge into its neighbours, of course, but  distinct "colours" will emerge, and be freely selectable.

It will be a huge and challenging project, one which will transform society, providing the best hope we have of creating a humane, prosperous and sustainable future for our children and coming generations.

The sooner WE make a start, the better.

I shall make a start by putting up information about myself here on my homepage (Data for VID databank). Obviously, I cannot provide "independent" verification. That is something for others to organise.