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Going Cyberpunk

Posted by michael on from the need-a-brain-for-my-master dept.

goingincirclez writes "Cnet has an article about the development of a "Neuro-chip". This can be implanted in the brain and is currently being researched for medical uses. The article makes a brief mention the composition of pictures on a computer based on signlas receieved from the brain. Couple this development with the information in this Wired article from last October, and I can't help but wonder how far we are from literally being able to record dreams and thoughts?" On a similar note there are stories about a temperature-sensing implantable microchip and a scientist who claims he can tell whether you've committed a crime.

7 of 212 comments (clear)

  1. No reading of minds yet by AntiFreeze · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Quoth the article:

    "For example, you could put slices from brain nerve cells on the chip, apply drugs and see how the nerve signals" and cells react to a particular drug, he said in an interview.

    So reading one's mind is still _far_ in the future. That said, it's still a very cool technology which will allow for more information on how the brain works, and hopefully some serious medical advances.

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    "Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong." --Dennis Miller

    1. Re:No reading of minds yet by blindcoder · · Score: 5, Interesting

      And that's a shame.

      Is there anyone else out there who sometimes when coding has the feeling:

      Dammit... I have all that code in my brain, and now I have to type away hours on the keyboard to put it into my 'puter.

      I really hoped that this feeling would finally be able to subside...

      --
      See my blog for my free opinions.
  2. An upside... by The+G · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You know, I'm glad there are scientists out there who can tell whether I've committed a crime. Because with all these bizarre and incomprehensible laws out there, I sure as heck don't know when I have. Perhaps if I get one of these chip things it will tell me when my code touches a patented technology or happens to break some loser's copy-protection technology from the mid-80s.
    --G

    1. Re:An upside... by CommieLib · · Score: 4, Interesting

      'There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. ... Create a nation of law-breakers, and then you cash in on the guilt.'

      -Ayn Rand "Atlas Shrugged"

      --
      If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.
  3. In the beginning was the THOUGHT by solendril · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Now what REALLY matters is the interface. It's not much good to have a computer wired to your cortex is all you can do is type on your brain's command line.

    What will make this take off is a thought-processor. An interface device that allows the computer to read your mind. The real challange will be in signal filtering; I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I think about a lot of random crap during the day. How to distinguish legitimate commands from my daydreaming about travel or movies or p0rn?

    Whoever invents this will make Einstein look like a small time celebrity.

  4. Why a chip? by joel8x · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Who in their right mind would get a chip implanted in their body? With technology advancing as fast as it does, you would be outdated in a couple of years! A better Idea would be a port that can be easily accessed that can support future upgrades without surgery.

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    Sound waves should be free!
  5. Two questions... by Jack+William+Bell · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Suppose you could get a chip inplanted in your brain that would allow you to control a computer with thought. Two questions:
    1. Would you be willing to be a beta tester?
    2. Would the answer to question One depend on the operating system in ran?
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    Are you an SF Fan? Are you a Tru-Fan?