That&#x27;s an interesting read.  I think the emphasis there isn&#x27;t whether it&#x27;s a pseudoscience or even a useful tool, but whether it should have an absolute veto w.r.t. employment.<p>I had to take a polygraph for a job myself, and when the technician started he asked me to choose a random card.  Then he started going through each card--&quot;was it the Queen of Clubs?&quot; and I would answer &quot;no&quot; to each.  At the end he could tell me what card I had selected based on my responses.  So it validated that polygraphs work <i>in some sense</i>.<p>However, your reaction to a question like &quot;have you ever hurt someone?&quot;, while verbally will be &quot;yes&quot; or &quot;no&quot;, is a lot more loaded with emotion than lying about a card.<p>&quot;Have you ever lied?&quot;<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;<p>&quot;Really?&quot; (looks at me with contempt)<p>&quot;Yes, I recall that I lied to my mother about my college grades when she called me last week.&quot;<p>&quot;Why?&quot;<p>&quot;Because I wasn&#x27;t in the place or mood to have that conversation.&quot;<p>&quot;Ok.  Other than the times you have disclosed, have you ever lied?&quot;<p>&quot;No&quot; (in truth almost certainly, but none that I can specifically recall).<p>At the end he said the tests were &quot;inconclusive&quot; but I got the clearance and the job, so I guess I passed.