Science decodes 'internal voices'

[dipsydoodle]

Researchers have demonstrated a striking method to reconstruct words, based on the brain waves of patients thinking of those words.

The technique reported in PLoS Biology relies on gathering electrical signals directly from patients' brains.

Based on signals from listening patients, a computer model was used to reconstruct the sounds of words that patients were thinking of.

The method may in future help comatose and locked-in patients communicate.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16811042

[Systematic Chaos]

1. Or it could be used to read one's mind, quite likely.

Just what we need.

[Live and Learn]

2. Just what I was thinking

Of course, the real question is do we withhold the good it could do to keep the bad from happening?

[tinrobot]

8. The bad will happen first, unfortunately.

I'm sure the CIA is already using this to develop new forms of "enhanced interrogation"

[napoleon_in_rags]

10. Hmm. All they need is a new kind of cell phone that has sensors pressed to your head all the time...

To pick of the brain waves. Luckily nothing like THAT on the horizon!
http://www.devicemag.com/2012/02/08/google-glasses-rumored-to-house-smartphone-capabilities/

[Rochester]

11. And if that isn't bad enough,

what will happen when the machines can't just read but also write or erase? (shudders)

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. So we could have proof that Republicans always lie!

[HopeHoops]

6. No - this technology requires brain waves to exist.

[Tumbulu]

7. how do we nominate for Duzzy Awards- that was perfect! (nt)

[HopeHoops]

9. No idea.

[jakeXT]

4. Pentagon is working on silent talk

Now this is some next level army technology.

Silent Talk is the Pentagon's $4 million DARPA (Defense Advanced Resarch Projects) initiative to develop technology that would allow U.S. soldiers to communicate by "computer-mediated telepathy".

No PDAs, Blackberrys, iPhones — or even talking — required.

Just hands-free, voice-free, wireless, brain-to-brain communicado.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/pentagons-4-million-military-telepathy-program-silent-talk

[Javaman]

5. Wearing one of these doesn't sound so crazy now...

[sofa king]

12. Great. Now everyone's going to hear the voices in my head.

You're all doomed.

[LongTomH]

13. I thought this was going to say they had tapped into the voices in Rick Santorum's head

Now, that's a scary thought!