Can This Be For Real???

[inquiringmind]

What do you think of this?

In the world of new technology, not much can rival a device that would read the human mind. Soon available to the public is such a device, Emotiv’s EPOC. While it currently targets video gaming, it might one day become an indispensable tool in other areas as well.

The device, a streamlined electroencephalographic (EEG) headset made up of 14 sensors, tunes into electric signals naturally produced by the brain. These signals are then interpreted as one of 30 programmed emotions, after the company carefully narrowed and mapped them out. Read More...

But deciphering these signals was no small task. In order to interpret them, the work of both neuroscientists and computer engineers specializing in machine learning and pattern recognition was needed.

Over the last four years, Emotiv recorded thousands of EEG on hundreds of volunteers. Not all gamers, their brain activity was monitored as they experienced virtual scenarios that evoked various emotions, facial expressions and cognitive reactions. About two years ago, the company set out to build algorithms to interpret the apparently chaotic impulses in the cerebral cortex and relate them to common emotions expressed by volunteers.

"Through a large enough sample size," said Emotiv president Tan Le, to Scientific American, "we were able to get some consistency around the population to attain a high degree of confidence that it accurately measures an emotional state."

The result: Emotiv’s EPOC can detect a player’s thoughts, feelings and expression, and connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs. Software development kits are available for game designers who would like to introduce this innovative new technology in their next generation games.

The device can currently be reserved (by US residents only) for purchase in the near future, at a cost of $299 USD. Emotiv is also sending a call out for beta testers of the neuro-headset in San Fransisco, California beginning next month.

While the company does play up the surprising functionality of the EPOC headset, a live demonstration at this year’s Game Developers' Conference told a different story.

“The demo started off smoothly enough, as the headset wearer made a giant animated head on the screen mimic his real-life facial expressions,” wrote Tim Moynihan, of PC World. “But things went awry when the wearer was asked to make an on-screen object disappear, and again when the handlers from Emotiv tried to put EPOC through its paces in an actual game. The device didn't do much of anything.”

Later on, relates Moynihan, Emotiv CEO Nam Do explained that the 2.4-GHz wireless audio visual system at the show interfered with the headset, while it had performed nicely at Emotiv's booth. While this may be an acceptable excuse in this context, it may lead early adopters to reconsider the purchase if their home is riddled with wireless equipment.

To view a live (and overall successful) demo of Emotiv EPOC, see this Scientific American video.

Based in San Francisco and Sydney, Australia, Emotiv is also actively working with IBM to develop new applications for their technology for over a year. IBM believes that the EEG technology can be an important part of a broad range of virtual reality uses for industry, not just for games. Dave Kamalsky, project manager for virtual worlds research at IBM explains on Vroot.com, that about 5,000 people have already used a variety of VR (virtual reality) systems for company meetings. IBM is trying to raise awareness with businesses that some VR systems might be more appropriate for certain business users than others.

"As interactions in virtual environments become more complex, mice and keyboards alone may soon be inadequate," said IBM vice-president of digital convergence division Paul Ledak. "BCI (brain-computer interfacing) is an important component of the 3D internet and the future of virtual communication," he added in an interview with Australian media.

http://gamefwd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27:brain-reading-technology-no-longer-science-fiction&catid=9:technology&Itemid=8

Has anybody ever heard of anything like this before?

(I vaguely remember hearing something about something like it in college, but I can't remember the details.)

Could this be true?

[selek1]

What does this have to do with LDS theology or this board?

[Kerry A. Shirts]

ALL RIGHT! We are continuing to learn how to learn faster and thus increase our intelligence which will only increase God's glory. Since we ain't usin our brains anyway, we might as well get them electrified stimulated.......

[TAO]

Yes, it's real. They are using a similar device to help Steven Hawking with his paralysis, if I remember correctly. It's a very minimal reading of the brain, however, so it's not like they can pick information out.

I am a bit wary of how far we let the technology progress though. Right now, it's fine, but we don't really want anybody developing technology that CAN read information from the brain. That will be a while before that could even be developed, of course. But, it's a possibility, in the future.

Edited July 6, 2012 by TAO

[Kerry A. Shirts]

Yes, it's real. They are using a similar device to help Steven Hawking with his paralysis, if I remember correctly. It's a very minimal reading of the brain, however, so it's not like they can pick information out.

I am a bit wary of how far we let the technology progress though. Right now, it's fine, but we don't really want anybody developing technology that CAN read information from the brain. That will be a while before that could even be developed, of course. But, it's a possibility, in the future.

Technology will always continue increasing. Why be weary of it? It has done so much for the comforts of our lives. And we CAN and WILL do better. I am not leary at all, but thrilled! Besides, remember the mantra we are all supposed to memorize and repeat....."The Lord is at the helm, this is his great work brethren, nothing will stop it." It's all going according to plan, rejoice in it.

[inquiringmind]

What does this have to do with LDS theology or this board?

Why would it have to have anything to do with specifically LDS theology?

Mormons are Christian, aren't they?

Anyway, I don't know if it's in the Bible, the BOM, or the D&C (so I don't know if it has anything to do with specifically Mormon theology), but doesn't it say somewhere that only God can read minds?

If it's possible to tell what a person is thinking or feeling by scaning their brains (and man is developing technology capable of doing this), wouldn't the devil, demons, and angels be able to do the same?

What I would like to know is whether this technology is real, and whether it contradicts scripture (whether standard Judeo/Christian scripture, or specifically LDS scripture.)

Edited July 6, 2012 by inquiringmind

[Calm]

I am a bit wary of how far we let the technology progress though. Right now, it's fine, but we don't really want anybody developing technology that CAN read information from the brain.

For those who are unable to communicate in any way, I could see this as being a good thing. Plus it would make diagnosis of certain mental illness much easier as well as learning disorders, etc., especially in the young, even infants could be 'read' and treated before it became a serious problem.

But I can see why the caution applies as the last sure privacy would be gone.

[ERayR]

Why would it have to have anything to do with specifically LDS theology?

Mormons are Christian, aren't they?

Anyway, I don't know if it's in the Bible, the BOM, or the D&C (so I don't know if it has anything to do with specifically Mormon theology), but doesn't it say somewhere that only God can read minds?

If it's possible to tell what a person is thinking or feeling by scaning their brains (and man is developing technology capable of doing this), wouldn't the devil, demons, and angels be able to do the same?

What I would like to know is whether this technology is real, and whether it contradicts scripture (whether standard Judeo/Christian scripture, or specifically LDS scripture.)

You obviously have not met my wife.

[Calm]

If it's possible to tell what a person is thinking or feeling by scaning their brains (and man is developing technology capable of doing this), wouldn't the devil, demons, and angels be able to do the same?

Assuming this is a valid future, they would have to have access to technology that can do that. Since any angel that could have the technology would be obedient to God's wishes, s/he wouldn't be using it. Remember Satan and his group don't have physical bodies. Could they control machinery?

Unless you are saying that Satan, etc. would piggyback on to efforts of men and read people's brains alongside humans doing it....

[Calm]

I personally don't think if it happens, it will be precise enough to read all the little details. From my understanding of how the brain develops, there is too much uniqueness in brain structure at the level that thought is created/reflected. Unique pathways of neurons created, etc.

[ERayR]

Assuming this is a valid future, they would have to have access to technology that can do that. Since any angel that could have the technology would be obedient to God's wishes, s/he wouldn't be using it. Remember Satan and his group don't have physical bodies. Could they control machinery?

Unless you are saying that Satan, etc. would piggyback on to efforts of men and read people's brains alongside humans doing it....

Satan has a pretty good grasp on the use of current technology and plenty of willing mortal human helpers.

[Kerry A. Shirts]

Satan has a pretty good grasp on the use of current technology and plenty of willing mortal human helpers.

I wonder if God will catch a hint...

[inquiringmind]

Delete.

Edited July 6, 2012 by inquiringmind

[TAO]

Technology will always continue increasing. Why be weary of it? It has done so much for the comforts of our lives. And we CAN and WILL do better. I am not leary at all, but thrilled! Besides, remember the mantra we are all supposed to memorize and repeat....."The Lord is at the helm, this is his great work brethren, nothing will stop it." It's all going according to plan, rejoice in it.

Technology has also caused problems.

I'm worried about brain-interface technology that can be used without permission.

[TAO]

For those who are unable to communicate in any way, I could see this as being a good thing. Plus it would make diagnosis of certain mental illness much easier as well as learning disorders, etc., especially in the young, even infants could be 'read' and treated before it became a serious problem.

But I can see why the caution applies as the last sure privacy would be gone.

Yes, it could. That is one of the best possible ways the technology could be used. That's why it's being developed.

What it means however, is that a device could be used to extract information from a person whom might not want to divulge it without their permission. Again, it's a long ways away till the technology gets that advanced, but I will worry when it does. =0

I mean, we might in the US, be able to ban it's use. But what about in cases of torture? And what about those countries that don't have the moral qualms we do. That is why I am just a bit wary of it. Not know, of course, but of it's future.

Edited July 6, 2012 by TAO

[inquiringmind]

Assuming this is a valid future, they would have to have access to technology that can do that. Since any angel that could have the technology would be obedient to God's wishes, s/he wouldn't be using it. Remember Satan and his group don't have physical bodies. Could they control machinery?

Unless you are saying that Satan, etc. would piggyback on to efforts of men and read people's brains alongside humans doing it....

I'm saying that if different areas of the brain light up when we're feeling certain emotions (which is what I think I was told in college, and what this technology seems to be based on), and if man can invent machines capable of detecting this brain activity, it's reasonable to assume that spirit beings could detect this same activity without human machinery.

A closed circuit televission camera could have picked up Joseph going into the woods, stopping at the grove to look both ways before getting down on his knees and trying to pray vocally for the first time in his life.

But if we accept Joseph's account, the devil was able to see all this without a human machine.

If we accept the Gospels, and 19th century accounts of Joseph's exorcisms, demons can even enter and leave human bodies (and brains?)

So if the devil (who has no physical body) could enter the woods of up state New York and see what was going on around him (without a man-made camera), why could he not enter a brain and see what was going on around him (without a man-made monitor)?

Edited July 6, 2012 by inquiringmind

[Calm]

He must have some way to read something, otherwise he wouldn't know who to tempt for what unless such weaknesses were externally expressed.

[inquiringmind]

He must have some way to read something, otherwise he wouldn't know who to tempt for what unless such weaknesses were externally expressed.

That would explain a lot.

But does it actually say that only God can read our minds (somewhere in the Christian Bible, the BOM, or the D&C), or is that a misconception on my part?

[Calm]

At the moment nothing is coming to mind though I am getting a vague memory (brain not firing up as strongly as it should right now), so until someone comes up with the scripture reference that gave you this impression, I couldn't say.