Mind control

March 8, 2006 10:23 AM

Typing with your brain. A new device, picture d here, allows people to type with only their thoughts, though only slowly. Add this to the monkey-brain controlled robot arm (avi), and the soon-to-be commercially available BrainGate implant, [previously], and you've got, well, an interesting future...
posted by blahblahblah (18 comments total)

But will it type out my socially unacceptable secret thoughts?
posted by jouke at 10:27 AM on March 8, 2006

agh! that thing relies on scalp plugs?! That's so ... inaccurate! And slow!
I think the only way you're going to get a decent signal for something like typing fast is with actual electrodes into, say, a rarely used motor area that could be trained to use the tool.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:34 AM on March 8, 2006

I currently type with a device that sits on my head, but I can't wait for this technology to become mainstream. I do a lot of writing. Imagine the stream-of-consciousness work I could bang out. It would totally blow people's minds. Pulitzer Prize, here I come.
posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:39 AM on March 8, 2006

Does it come with spell check?
posted by Ironmouth at 10:48 AM on March 8, 2006

Huh, the braingate product seems to use Internet Explorer (according to their diagram) - I'd favor something opensource for my brain interface device.
posted by deliquescent at 11:00 AM on March 8, 2006

The singularity is getting closer and closer.
posted by bigmusic at 11:02 AM on March 8, 2006

I'm waiting for System Restore.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:05 AM on March 8, 2006

I remember writing a short story about this in Freshman composition in 1981. I feel so precient!
posted by ParisParamus at 11:10 AM on March 8, 2006

/adds precient to oxomoron collection.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:20 AM on March 8, 2006

Actually added to an even more select group: One word oxymorons, (just after Hope and Merritt, for those who live in BC)
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:25 AM on March 8, 2006

Until they hook up those telekinetic monkeys to remote-control sharks, we are still living in the Dark Ages.
posted by schroedinger at 11:35 AM on March 8, 2006

I'd get a headache from banging my head on the keyboard because I only hunt-and-peck.
posted by Gungho at 11:39 AM on March 8, 2006

The could also be integrated into car safety systems by braking the vehicle in response to a driver's thoughts.

Sure. I must not think about stopping. I must n...*rear ended*
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:40 AM on March 8, 2006

PRESCIENT!
posted by ParisParamus at 11:49 AM on March 8, 2006

Why the hell did they make me learn penmanship?
posted by Smedleyman at 11:57 AM on March 8, 2006

Brains are cool.
posted by tentacle at 12:34 PM on March 8, 2006

Until they hook up those telekinetic monkeys to remote-control sharks, we are still living in the Dark Ages.

The sharks of course must have death lasers on their heads.
posted by Rictic at 3:20 PM on March 8, 2006

I've been following the BrainGate story (bit of a GitS fetishist), and the article linked confirms that it's not being offered commercially.

Did I miss something?
posted by butterstick at 5:51 PM on March 8, 2006