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Brain-Implanted Chips Allow Control of Technology

Posted by Zonk on from the scanners dept.

Nilchii writes "The Guardian has an article about implanting electrodes in the brain, allowing paralyzed people to control various software-integrated devices, such as the cursor on a computer and the channel and volume of his television. From the article: 'The experiment took place a few months ago as part of a broader trial into what are known in the business as brain-computer interfaces. Although it is early days, aficionados of the technology see a world where brain implants return ability to those with disability, allowing them to control all manner of devices by thought alone.'" The BBC has coverage of this as well, and we've mentioned this research before.

5 of 277 comments (clear)

  1. Well by beatdown · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This may sound like a joke, but I'm concerned about the time when the chip is used to control you.

  2. Seizures by TimeTraveler1884 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Controlling the brain is actually pretty difficult. From experiment they have done, they found the human brain does not take well to control. Frequently, tests subjects would have seizures under such conditions. Even just recording a subject's brain waves and playing them back would induce serious seizures.

    Sorry I don't have any links on this, I saw it on Discovery channel a few years ago.

  3. Re:Transhumanism by Metapsyborg · · Score: 5, Interesting
    It's the next step in human evolution. Physically we do not need to evolve anymore, as it's more efficient to evolve our intellectual abilities.

    Cyborgs and, ultimetly, robots are the future of humanity.

    Sure, these "features" (brain controlled computing) will initially be for the disabled, but how long before it becomes acceptable in the general populace to get these modifactions? People will begin seeing them as everyday occurances, and then we will know we've reached the next level.

    --
    (\(\
    (^.^) INFECTED
    (")")
  4. Re:Works in reverse by bytesmythe · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Your finger already controls your thoughts. Just touching the tip of it starts off a flurry of activity in your parietal lobes.

    In fact, controlling robotic limbs will be much easier once the communication goes both ways. Most of what you think your brain "knows" about your body was learned entirely from peripheral nervous system feedback.

    --
    bytesmythe
    Hypocrisy is the resin that holds the plywood of society together.
    -- Scott Meyer
  5. It's okay, they're handicapped by Gigaplex · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Step 1) Put chips in handicapped people
    "It's okay, they're handicapped. It's all we can do for them."

    Step 2) Put chips in normal people to monitor health hazards
    "It's important that we know if granny is in trouble."

    Step 3) Diseases and illnesses like SARS can be stopped in their tracks with these chips
    "We have to use these chips to protect ourselves. Everyone else is doing it and they are fine."

    Step 4) We can now use these to detect terrorists by watching for dangerous thought formations.
    "It's the only way we can stop them. It must be done."

    Step 5) The line between terrorist and criminal is blurred and it's used to stop criminals.
    "We might as well do it with criminals since we are already doing it with terrorists."

    Step 6) These thought-forms can be prevented entirely.
    "If terrorist and criminal thoughts are stopped from the git-go, it will be a utopia. The end of crime forever!"

    Step 7) All unwanted thoughts are filtered out
    "You have to pay a price for freedom. I am okay with slavery. We need it to be safe. What would you like me to do today?"

    See a problem here?!?