Thread: Mind-Reading chip for the disabled

  1. #1
    carry on JaWiB's Avatar
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    Post Mind-Reading chip for the disabled

    http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanhe...1950200543.asp

    I'm continually amazed at the new technologies that are being developed! It's still pretty primitive, but who knows what this could lead to in a few decades...
    "Think not but that I know these things; or think
    I know them not: not therefore am I short
    Of knowing what I ought."
    -John Milton, Paradise Regained (1671)

    "Work hard and it might happen."
    -XSquared

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    I wonder how that works while they're dreaming...

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    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    Maybe we'll get something like Tom Clancy's Net Force someday....that'd be sweet.

  4. #4
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    I don't like it. This kind of tech while good for some things could be sorely misused for very bad things. Technology is not always the best thing. It also takes wisdom to correctly use the technology which is often lacking.

  5. #5
    & the hat of GPL slaying Thantos's Avatar
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    You are about 2 days late

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    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
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    >>I don't like it. This kind of tech while good for some things could be sorely misused for very bad things. Technology is not always the best thing. It also takes wisdom to correctly use the technology which is often lacking.

    I can see your point of view, and I can buy it...but try telling that to the guy who just moved "his hand" for the first time in 4 years.
    PHP and XML
    Let's talk about SAX

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    Registered User hk_mp5kpdw's Avatar
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    Reminds me of that episode of Red Dwarf where Lister has his arm cut off and gets a robotic replacement that is controlled by his thoughts:

    [KRYTEN, LISTER present. KRYTEN has attached a bulky, artificial arm to LISTER's shoulder, which at the moment rests motionless on the worktop which LISTER is seated beside]

    KRYTEN
    Right, now this is a copy of the standard model from the 21st century. Er, comfortable, sir?

    LISTER
    It's fine, yeah.

    KRYTEN
    Okay, now let's recap: the limb is connected to neurons which run up to the left hemisphere of your brain, which controls the right side of your body.
    Now, all you have to do is merely command the arm to do something, and it obeys.
    Now, let's practice.

    KRYTEN
    Right, concentrate, sir. I want you to think: "arm - pick up the ball".

    LISTER
    Okay.

    KRYTEN
    Now just think: "I will pick up the ball"

    LISTER
    I will pick up the ball.

    KRYTEN
    That's right, good, now, concentrate.

    LISTER
    *I will pick up the ball*.

    KRYTEN
    Okay, now *really* think: Hand --

    LISTER
    I will pick up the ball.

    KRYTEN
    -- pick up the ball. That's right, that's right.

    LISTER
    *Pick up the ball*.

    KRYTEN
    Pick up the ball. Hand, pick up the ball! That's right, now *keep*
    going, sir! Pick up the ball! Now, focus down onto that and keep the thought, sir! Hand, pick up the ball!

    <Lister grunts, effort twisting his feature as the hand lies motionless>

    KRYTEN
    That's right, sir, now keep going, now *really think*, now. Hand, pick up the ball! Now let's really get it going, sir! Pick up the ball! *Pick up the ball*! REALLY START TO GO NOW, SIR! HAND, PICK UP THE BALL, NOW LET'S KEEP MOVING! KEEP ON, SIR, YOU *CAN* DO IT! HAND, PICK UP THE BALL! YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE THAT HAND, SIR! YOU'RE *GOING* TO MOVE IT! MOVE THE HAND, SIR!! HAND! PICK UP THE BALL!! PICK UP THE BALL!! YES SIR! YES! WE'RE STARTING TO MOVE, NOW! YES! IT'S DEFINITELY MOVING, SIR!

    <Lister finally grabs the ball with the arm>

    KRYTEN
    YES!! Oh! Bravo, sir!!

    LISTER
    Oh! The sweat's dripping off me!

    KRYTEN
    Oh, that was fantastic, sir! Absolutely marvellous, it worked like a
    dream!

    LISTER
    Is that it?

    KRYTEN
    Well, er, how do you mean, sir?

    LISTER
    Is that the best it works?? In other words, if I ever want to pick up a ball, am I going to have to take the morning off??

    KRYTEN
    It was a *tad* slow, I'm forced to admit.

    LISTER
    A tad? The only thing I've ever seen pick up slower is Rimmer in a disco.

    KRYTEN
    Well, maybe if I adjust the impulse valve it might make it a little more sensitive.
    Okay, let's try again: "Hand, pick up the ball".

    LISTER
    Okay... *hand*, *pick up*, *the ball*.

    <The artificial arm reaches out and punches Kryten in the head>

    KRYTEN
    Okay... right... well, er, let's try again.

    LISTER
    Okay?

    KRYTEN
    Now: "Hand, pick up the ball".

    LISTER
    Hand, pick up the ball.

    <The arm again reaches out and punches Kryten in the face>

    KRYTEN
    I think, sir, there's a lot of anger inside you, and that's what's driving
    the arm.

    LISTER
    I don't *feel* angry..?

    KRYTEN
    Well, you've lost your arm, sir, you've every *right* to feel angry.

    LISTER
    I don't! I promise, I don't!

    KRYTEN
    Ah well, you see, it's subconscious. You're *thinking* "hand, pick up the ball", but your subconscious is saying "punch Kryten in the head; beat the brains out of the demented droid that cut off my beloved arm". Am I right?

    LISTER
    Kryten, that's rubbish!

    <The arm punches Kryten in the head yet again seemingly of its own accord>

    LISTER
    You're right! It's controlled by my subconscious!

    KRYTEN
    It's far too dangerous to let you out with that arm, sir. Two minutes with Miss Kochanski and who knows what you'd be swinging around your head!
    "Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods."
    -Christopher Hitchens

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