If we, collectively, don't want a true national ID, then federal regulations on state-issued IDs should be available (something roughly akin to ReadID, but with the ability to use the ID as a proof of age or other attribute as needed).
We'll get there eventually, but not before we try everything else first.
"They can already send a drone to watch you and track your cell location and, and, and, why does it matter if they also slap up a million AI powered cameras?"
The comprehensiveness of the system matters.
This is Chesterton’s Fence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._K._Chesterton#Chesterton's_...
What attributes should require proof? Where do you draw the line?
Age?
Gender?
Race?
Religion?
Political party?
Citizenship?
> We'll get there eventually, but not before we try everything else first.
We got here by trying everything else first.
The “good old days” are now. Thousands of years of progress and blood delivered our liberal societies. Don’t give it up so easily.
Really, the broader point is I'm tired of giving away massive chunks of my PII (SSN, DL copies, etc) instead of just having something from the government that will say "Yep. He is who he claims."
If we, collectively, decide we need age-gated websites, then let's enable that properly. I shouldn't have to give NYT a scan of my DL and my SSN to gain access.
We haven’t decided this.
> having something from the government that will say "Yep. He is who he claims."
You’re literally trading liberty for convenience.
I understand your position. I just fundamentally disagree that the tradeoff you are so eager to make is worthwhile.