Similar to "Color my thoughts" thread, here is an article describing how scientists using customized FMRI scanning can tell what a person is looking at - not just the direction they are looking, and not what they are looking at based on the direction of their gaze, but actually the content of their sight.

Quote:

Earlier decoders could only tell whether someone looked at a general type of image -- at a dog, for example -- but couldn't identify more specific photos, such as a small dog eating a bone. They've also been incapable of predicting what thought patterns an image would provoke. The Berkeley model overcame both those limitations.

I think the system uses statistical probability as well as FMRI patterns, but it's still impressive. And, as one of the scientists says, "One day it may even be possible to reconstruct the visual content of dreams." But, the article points out that it might be used in the future for such things "as marketing campaigns crafted for maximum mental penetration or invasions of mental privacy mounted in the name of fighting terrorism and crime."

Technologically fascinating. Governmentally frightening.

"at a dog for example" ...... ???

SICK, these people are SICK! How did I get stuck on this planet, anyway?

- NonE

Just to be accurate, by "sick" you mean the use of this by government (or anyone) in a manner that invades personal liberty, right? You don't mean that it's sick that this technology is being invented, do you?

Nothing to do with government or technology, it's this endless and mindless fawning over the canine species that is causing me to lick out all my fur! I'm choking on hairballs here. Enuf is enuf already!!!

- NonE

Ah. I didn't even think of dog-obsession as an option for your repulsion. If it's any consolation, I think you can replace all mentions of "dog" with "cat" and the article will still be correct, the technology will still be impressive, and the government will still suck.

Heh, heh, heh... I think you're right.

- NonE

didn't gordon lightfoot write that?

"...you know that ghost is me..."

Man. 38 years does add up, doesn't it!

- NonE

"and you just can't get it back....

- NonE