The spin detection machine

Interesting concept, a piece of software that detects the amount of spin in a speech. The model is based on analysing the frequency of various kinds of words in a speech and professes to be able to detect levels of deception and insincerity in English text. I must confess, I'm more than a little skeptical. I just think there are so many variables, ie the speakers/speech writers proficiency with the English language, different styles of speech writing, different topics, different audience. All of these things change the way we use language and shape what we say.

I guess the ultimate test will come when they decide to commercialise the software and produce a website dedicated to selling it..... and then run the software over the site. I guess this could be seen as an extension of the halting problem.