Slashdot Mirror
The Internet Meets the Neural Net
orangesquid writes "OpenEEG is a system for getting data from your brain to your computer. Recently, work was resumed on scEEG, a soundcard-based system which may one day make home EEG systems very cheap (they currently cost a few hundred US$ to put together; there are, though, some potential cheaper alternatives). But, what research is being done into getting data from your computer to your brain? There have been some systems that inject optical signals into your eyes, but, what about direct neural interfacing? It seems EMF and light are one option; playing with neurotransmitters may be another. What do /.'ers foresee coming in this field? What research have you seen being done? Particularly, is any of this to the point where homemade, low-cost systems are feasible? Where can I find out how to inject signals into my head? Combining this with openEEG might lead to some exciting new levels of Internet addiction."
Gaming will benefit from this technology -- that much is true. But what else is true is that the use of brainwaves in an Open Source setting will help us all to better understand the vulnerabilities of our brains over time (and there are likely plenty). Technology can therefore be developed to ensure our safety, without any future Dieboldesque security/functionality problems. Not to mention what we can learn about piles of different minds, perhaps even working together in unison.
While gaming will prosper from this tech, it's important to note that gaming will also lead this technology further than any other field, because of the fierce competition in the global gaming market. The rest of the world is going to play catch-up to gamers.
Controlling rendered environs in space using our brain, must be the first step towards perfecting the human-computer links we'll need to explore the deepest parts of space. I believe that Einstein predicted that we will need to eventually embrace a future where computers and human beings coexist and evolve together (and we're already doing that), but what Alan Watts, the famed Buddhist, said was that we should be utilizing the systems at our disposal to make our lives easier. Watts said that fears be damned -- we must find a way to free every human being from the slavery of the 9-5 grind. Don't think Watts was a fringe guy -- he was very insightful and grounded. If you haven't read anything by him, I suggest picking up
This kind of technology, if kept in the Open Source realm, can lead to greatness, in time.
The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
It's more likely that we'll be able to use brainwaves to say, move a cursor, or input text to a computer than it will be to go the other way around. I really doubt that we'll be able to input data from computers directly into our brain anytime soon - the human brain is very complicated and varies from individual to individual. Would everyone have exactly the same input regions, for example?
...but does anyone else find this to be creepy? I like having a physical separation between me and my net connection. If we had direct brain interface, could you imagine what the script kiddies would come up with? You'd open an e-mail attachment by mistake, and end up poking yourself in the eye for hours...
When taping wires to your scalp at home, be sure to use a battery-powered device, kids. When taping a PC and its sound card to your brain, don't forget that 110 volts is getting rather close to your neural tissue. A lightning strike a few blocks away could give you a few more brainwaves than you bargained for, and if you alleviate that problem by using an off-grid UPS to power your 110 volt EEG, don't forget that it's still a 110 volt EEG.
:D
I'll stick with the low-power battery operated EEGs, thanks, but I'm all for hearing about other's hair-raising experiences with 110 volt devices. Truly macho geeks with no fear whatsoever might even want to build 220-volt powered EEGs!
Optimistic: I don't forsee any development reaching the consumer level in the next 20 years
Pessimistic: well... >20 years...
You can copy over a persons memories, heck their whole lives. The problem I forsee is you can't transfer their essence. What makes you..well you! Think of it like a play, take Hamlet for instance. Go see it acted out. Watch the pure essence of the story, the emotion of the actors, the grandness of the sets, etc. Now read the story in a book. Sure it's the exact words of the actors, it tells you what they're supposed to be saying, doing, feeling, but it's never quite the same. Sure it's the same information but it's not what made Hamlet...Hamlet. So yes technically you would be immortal in what you experienced, but you would still be dead because everything that made you wasn't transferred over, just the video to your life.
Give it a few decades, it'll be as safe(and not nearly as gross) as do it yourself body modification.
LK
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
Unless you're a genius, please don't attempt homemeade devices to input anything directly into your brain. That sounds worse than creepy, it sounds like mail-order courses on open-heart surgery. The only thing I can think of for less that $100 that interacts directly with the brain is the standard drill. Leave the rest to experts and people who know what they're doing.
"Someone can spend years learning something that could be transferred in minutes. Where is the fairness in that?" Someone can spend a life time discovering something that can be learned in a day. Where is the fairness in that? Its not about scholastic "fairness" it is about progress. If the time to learn can be cut, then the contribution to research naturally increases. Likewise intelligence becomes of greater importance, unlike the current education system that favors memorization ability.
I have to disagree. What is your essence other then your collective thoughts, memories and feelings?
In the beginning the universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry and is widely considered as a bad move.
Someone can spend a day to walk 20 miles that could be driven in half an hour. Where is the fairness in that? Of course, people who just download stuff into their brain and don't bother to actually use their brains to learn and study are much more likely to have their brain degrade on them over time, just like people who drive everywhere are much more likely have their muscles degarde on them over time.
Having a neurological disorder myself, I actually
do consider this a useful research topic.
Both of my optic nerves, and the touch sensitivity
in my fingers, have both degraded.
If I had a way of overcoming these problems, it
would be very useful to me.
Remember, not everyone has the same level of physical ability!
--
mefster
You're dead wrong. The porn industry has not made use of any current 3d animation to any effect worth mentioning (other than Anime which is largely hand drawn or computer generated -- yet not really 3d animated), and they will clearly *not* make any use of this tech until it's at least production stable. Who do you think is going to carry this tech meanwhile? Gamers.
The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
"Vaccine" to prevent getting high from cocaine: Think of the potential for abuse! Keep your fascist, controlling technology away from me, you pleasure Nazis!
Pumping information directly into the brain: Sweet! Lay it on me! What could possibly go wrong?
I wish that my inferiority complex were as good as yours.
-RenderHead