Bruce Schneier* is not only a leading expert on computer security, having written the standard textbook on the subject "Applied Cryptography" - he also writes very well for the intelligent layman, see "Secrets & Lies" (a non-technical book on computer security) and "Beyond Fear" ( general security issues post-9/11). You can read the first few pages of his new book "Schneier on Security" on
Amazon, which should give you a feel for his views on the airport security 'theatre'.
* "The closest the security industry has to a rock star" according to
The Register
The fundamental problem at the moment is that the decisions are being made by politicians as knee-jerk populist moves.
'Twas ever thus - at least, since we started electing our rulers. Many of our politicians (they're not
all stupid) know perfectly well the 'right' thing to do, but are afraid to do it because it will lose them votes at the next election. One advantage of an unelected second chamber (I'm well aware that there are many disadvantages).