I wouldn't describe myself as a Luddite just yet, but color me skeptical about the rate at which we're developing new technology. We just haven't collectively had time to properly assess how many of these recent developments will, and should, intersect with other aspects of daily life.

The latest eerie news: Microsoft is working on software capable of remotely monitoring a worker's productivity, wellbeing, and competence via wireless sensors.

The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism. The system would allow managers to monitor employees’ performance by measuring their heart rate, body temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure. Unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer’s assessment of their physiological state.

Technology allowing constant monitoring of workers was previously limited to pilots, firefighters and Nasa astronauts. This is believed to be the first time a company has proposed developing such software for mainstream workplaces.

Microsoft submitted a patent application in the US for a “unique monitoring system” that could link workers to their computers. Wireless sensors could read “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure”, the application states.

Sounds like something Mike McConnell would like to get his hands on.