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Scientists Build Mind-Reading Computer

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the strangely-all-the-male-results-looked-like-the-word-sex dept.

An anonymous reader writes to tell us that researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have developed what they are calling a "mind reading computer." Using a panel of nine volunteers, the team built a "profile" of 58 test words based on brain scans taken while the volunteers were directed to think about the meaning of each test word. "'If I show you the brain images for two words, the main thing you notice is that they look pretty much alike. If you look at them for a while you might see subtle differences,' explains Tom Mitchell of the Machine Learning Department, which lead the study. 'We believe we have identified a number of the basic building blocks that the brain uses to represent meaning. These building blocks could be used to predict patterns for any concrete noun,' added Mitchell."

6 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. Words chosen by Intron · · Score: 5, Funny

    The list of words chosen were: funding, grant, tenure, award, patent, contract, ...

    --
    Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.
  2. Excellent! by jimand · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now that a computer can read my mind I'm waiting for the mind-reading 'puter that knows to change the mouse focus when I look at a new window. I hate looking at one window while typing in another, especially when posting to /. while I have a window open with an email to my boss. It turns out he's not interested in the goatse link.

  3. Wonder... by ShiNoKaze · · Score: 3, Funny
    I have to wonder all this work we do towards reading minds, what's everyone gonna think when they figure out how much we really do think about sex? Cuz damn.

    Might be fun to watch the expressions on the scientists face as they realize what's going on tho. "That guy was a fluke, the next will about something else I'm sure!"

  4. I for one welcome our new mind-reading by davidwr · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hold on, just got handed this printout:

    "Thank you, but we already knew you were going to say that.

    Sincerely,

    Your new mind-reading computer overlords."

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
    1. Re:I for one welcome our new mind-reading by Eudial · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hold on, just got handed this printout:

      "Thank you, but we already knew you were going to say that.

      Sincerely,

      Your new mind-reading computer overlords." You forgot to wear your tin foil hat.
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      GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
  5. Slashdot already knew about this submission by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 3, Funny

    By reading his mind, before ScuttleMonkey approved it.

    How do you think that subscribers get that "Mysterious Future" stuff, anyways?

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."