I am
presenting a far shorter article than before which make me think. Are we in
future going to communicate directly between two brains?
A story
begins more than year ago. Scientist from Harvard lunched research if human can
move rat’s tail. http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/162678-harvard-creates-brain-to-brain-interface-allows-humans-to-control-other-animals-with-thoughts-alone.
And they
did! Few month latter scientist tried connection of two human brains. Read more
what happens.:
Questions:
1. Do you think it is possible to
communicate using only thought?
2. Can we use computer to transfer for
example image directly to our brain?
3. How brain-to-brain communication
will revolutionize society, education system etc?
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity
come to your mind?
5. Is it ethically correct to continue
the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
6. Will you agree to implant electronic
device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
1.Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteApart from that romantic "you are reading in my mind" thingy, i think that remote thought communication could be done. Quite easily!
It just depends on your constrains.
Easy part:
Patient 1 -> Thought -> EEG -> Algorithm that does signal analysis -> Cable -> Motor that acts accordingly to the input -> Patient 2
Therefore Patient 1 can by thought control motor that can physically communicate intention to Patient 2. Therefore communication using thought ;)
Hard part:
Avoiding hacks. Therefore:
Patient 1 -> Thought -> Chip (reader) -> Cable -> Chip (writer) -> Induced Thought -> Patient 2
I believe that deciding upon where and how the chips could work for patients being able to interpret the input/output signals is challenging. Of course, the easy way would be to attach both chips to the motor regions of the brain.
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
I'm doing research about visual regions of the brain. It shouldn't be that hard. It also requires some specyfication. Should it be image as is seen (LGN receiving input) or image to be interpreted by the brain (different part of the brain receiving input).
In case of the LGN - brain works pretty simply. Imagine you turn image into grayscale version. LGN's neurons activate when corresponding input neurons are firing - white parts - firing, black parts - not firing, gray parts - "sort of firing". Just find that part of the LGN that corresponds to the image input/output, place a chip that stimulates appropiate neurons, LGN is connected to V1 and V1 does not see any difference ('where those firings came from?'). Simple stuff.
Think about schizofrenia for example - you see stuff that just is not there. Or gestalt - you see lines that just are not there. Therefore some inner mechanisms introduce those firings where there should be none. You just need to do the same.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
It's hard to say it will. For it to work it requires some messing around under the hood of the human head. I think that it will be prohibited on a massive scale.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
Taking relationships into whole new level. Also - communication and gaming.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
I think that there is nothing wrong in researching that - quite the contrary. It brings a lot of data about how brain functions. We do not know currently a lot about that to be honest. Research does not bring the risk but application of the finding does.
Imagine any corporation inducing thoughts in your head - for example good associations when in touch with their products. Not nice at all.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
If the technology would be open source for me to work with and upgrade - sure, why not. It would be simply awesome.
Thank you for extensive answer. I agree that manipulating with human thought by future corporations and inviduals can be dangerous. I'm keeping my finger cross about you research!
ReplyDelete1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteThe article has proven that it already possible. I depends on the definition of communication though. If we think about communication in the context of thoughts exchange, we are still quite far away from that moment. However, I think that it will be eventually possible.
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
Yes, we would need to extend the prototype demonstrated in the article and have the knowledge how and where our brain decodes images. It cannot be done now, but in the future – in my option – yes.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
The most obvious for me benefit from brain-to-brain communication will be enabling paralyzed and disabled people to communicate with others. The other great benefit would be knowledge transfer directly to the brain. Sky is the limit here.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
Two applications come immediately to my mind. Firstly, situation when you want to share something with the other person but do not know how, e.g. a visit at the psychiatrist’s. Secondly, all situations when you want to share your thoughts secretly. This is under the condition that it will not be possible to intercept thoughts of course.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
This field of research needs to be closely monitored. It is impossible though to stop any kind of research. There will be always someone who will be doing and supporting that. That is why it is better to embed ethical constrains during the research in this field.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
I would agree, however, only if this would be already proven to work technology and safe. My love for gadgets if stronger than any other doubts ;)
I agree that knowledge transfer directly to brain is a very interesting option. Adding for example focus detection can increase enormously our ability of learning.
ReplyDeleteI am adding Bibliography which I forget to attach:
ReplyDeleteScientific American Mind, "When two brains connect", Volume 25, Number 6, November /December 2014
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteQ1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteWe got to know that scientist move the rat`s tail through the brain-to-brain connection. Frankly speaking they stimulated "a very specific region of neurons in the rat’s brain using an ultrasound signal" generated by another brain. So, it seams that they are ready to do the next steps. In my opinion, the brain maps of different activities is needed to stimulate them. The way how they should be stimulated is another question. In my opinion, the communication using only thought will be achieved in the next 100 years. But we need to know that there are many hazards connected with the idea. Look Q5.
Q5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
ReplyDeleteThe scientists stimulated a very specific region of neurons in the rat’s brain using an ultrasound signal. What if they stimulate wrong brain`s area? What if the ultrasound signal has to much power? In my opinion it`s extremely dangerous scientific area.
Q2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
ReplyDeleteIf we get to know brain`s map, the place where images are stored, the input/output brain system of communication probably we will be able to transfer images directly to our brain.
Q3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
ReplyDeleteFrankly speaking I am not able to imagine brain-to-brain communication. It seems to futuristic for me. I am afraid that people would not have a conversation any more and behave like a vegetables. The education system would function like a coping information from one mass-storage device to another just connecting a cable sticking from our head to the net. We would pay only for an access to the online education system.
So I can imagine reality like from films Cloud Atlas or Matrix. I hope we can manege to set up rules of using that technology because evolution of this system is vastly fast.
DeleteQ4. What APPLICATION of brain-to-brain CONNECTIVITY come to your mind?
ReplyDeleteI haven`t heard about any brain-to-brain application. The only thing that comes to my mind is Matlab Brain Connectivity Toolbox. You can read about it here https://sites.google.com/site/bctnet/
It's my mistake. Intention of my question was to ask what application of brain-to-brain connection comes to his mind.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteQ6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
ReplyDeleteI am too old fashioned and I`m sure that I will not.
1/// Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question directly, I say yes, but he basically has universal laws which must be respected in our world said carbon. These are particularly related to the intrinsic workings of the personality, the ego and the mind which are counterparts of consciousness that should in no way interfere in the fact telepathic with anyone or anything.
2// Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
One of the greatest challenges in this area is the process of finding a way of communication between the computer and the parts of the brain. The easiest and simplest way to think about is the use of electrode, which is an electronic tool scientific name (electroencephalography) and abbreviated (EEG) This electrode is possible to read brain signals and send signals.
Yes, we can do that.
4/// What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind.
for be honest with you I don't know so much about application of brain-to-brain connectivity, but I know Brain MRI Atlas is a FREE app that allows you to navigate through hundreds of labeled brain structures. It is designed for all healthcare professionals as an interactive study and reference tool.
5/// Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
It is very difficult to judge in this matter. But for me it's good to continue research in this area.
6/// Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
yes but only in my dreams :)
Well you are right. Even now we can capture video in our mind. I found few articles about that. Take a look:
ReplyDeletehttp://gizmodo.com/5843117/scientists-reconstruct-video-clips-from-brain-activity
http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2011/09/22/brain-movies/
1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteIt's more like hacking the brain because there are no natural inputs and outputs to do this. It also depends what we mean by thought, is it a simple signal? Or a whole sentence?
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
I don't know, but I doubt it's possible. The image representation is too complex, it's not a simple bitmap like on a computer. Just altering the image in some way is more likely to be possible.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
It would be great if we could load all the information we need all at once but it's probably not possible because it takes time to reorganize the connections inside our brains.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
It would be useful whenever there's a need for real time synchronization between two or more people in different locations for example on a battle field or in team based sports.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
This research could help many people who suffer from brain dysfunctions, so I think it is ethically correct. The risk is that we could be prosecuted for "thought crime", for example as a political dissident.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
If it is reversible then why not? It depends how useful it would be.
Can you imagine football much when every player run as a one spirit connected to your couch and fans on stadium. For first glance it would look the same but imagine what can you feel when you buy a ticket and feel player effort when you watch match.
DeleteYou introduce term "thought crime". It is one I fear most when I talk about this technology. Can You imagine more cases connected to that crime?
The worst case scenario would be having someone forcefully access your thoughts during interrogation. Then, if they don't like what you're thinking, you can be guilty before you had a chance to do anything. Now you have the right to remain silent, with this technology you couldn't keep anything secret (for example to protect someone else).
Delete
ReplyDelete1. I think that in the future such communication will definitely be possible.
2. I think that it would be an interesting solution to education but could also have negative effects - too much information.
3.To to change the world but it could have to take people's sense of privacy.
4. Applications were many:
- Control of various machines thoughts - avatar :)
- Fast learning.
- Watch movies without using the eyes.
5. If the test does not harm a living creature that I think need to be continued.
6. I will never agree to any implant!
Not only too much of information but imagine if someone want to "implant" you data you don't want to watch, feel or hear! Exactly I am afraid of this.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteIn the future, such communication will certainly be possible question is that what it will have a consequence:)
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
It seems to me that the bigger problem will be how to make the image will be proper interpreted by our brain and not the transfer of the image
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
It can be faster way to collect informations:)
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
Fast learning like in Matrix :)
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
To be honest I do not have an opinion on this topic
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
Certainly not.
Thank you. And definitely Matrix rulez! ;)
Delete1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteA:/> Since they did it, I don't think I can say no.
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
A:/> I remember the virtual dreams years ago. Who knows what's next.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
A:/> End of the cell phones etc.... I'm more curious about the card games we were playing at summer time.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
A:/> Summer time card games.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
A:/> As long as somebody doesn't read my brain, I'm totally cool with it.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
A:/> I honestly don't know what would I do when we reach to that kind of era.
Thank you for your answer. Can you explain me what is this card game?
Delete1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteThere are already some projects that try to read thoughts like this one. I haven’t heard of any project that would try to put an information into our mind through wave manipulation though. So currently we might have some partial communication.
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
As suggested in the answer to the previous question, there are no methods for this yet. Maybe in the future it will be possible.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
I would be afraid it would be used in an improper way, to read peoples thoughts. This is the most private thing a person can has.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity comes to your mind?
It could be used for any activity involving passing of information, from simple conversations to learning.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in these fields? What risk is it takes?
The risk is that your thoughts can stop being your own, and it could violate your privacy.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
I would need to know how it works at first and to what parts of your thinking process such device has access to or can manipulate.
1. Do you think it is possible to communicate using only thought?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it’s possible now, but it will probably be possible in the future.
2. Can we use computer to transfer for example image directly to our brain?
I don’t think this can be done now, but I hope it will be possible some day.
3. How brain-to-brain communication will revolutionize society, education system etc?
I think our society will mostly benefit from this technology in libraries, cinemas, theatres, classrooms, generally places where talking on the phone or texting is frowned upon.
4. What application of brain-to-brain connectivity come to your mind?
It may be strange, but I can think of more useful applications of brain-to-computer than brain-to-brain connectivity.
5. Is it ethically correct to continue the research in this fields? What risk is it takes?
I like the idea of brain-to-brain communication, as long as we’re in control of what’s being communicated.
6. Will you agree to implant electronic device to your brain to make communication this way to other cyborgs.
I think it would mainly depend on the size of this device. I also would probably prefer something less permanent - like a hat.