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Beware of the thought police - they are coming to take you away...
I do not believe that science will ever be able to read a human mind, but the belief that science can read minds could be a very serious threat to freedom on thought -- Beware of the thought police--
FYI-
Michael E.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/living/article6898177...
From The Sunday Times
November 1, 2009
Psychic computer shows your thoughts on screen
Chris Gourlay
Scientists have discovered how to “read” minds by scanning brain activity and reproducing images of what people are seeing — or even remembering.
Researchers have been able to convert into crude video footage the brain activity stimulated by what a person is watching or recalling.
The breakthrough raises the prospect of significant benefits, such as allowing people who are unable to move or speak to communicate via visualisation of their thoughts; recording people’s dreams; or allowing police to identify criminals by recalling the memories of a witness.
However, it could also herald a new Big Brother era, similar to that envisaged in the Hollywood film Minority Report, in which an individual’s private thoughts can be readily accessed by the authorities.
Jack Gallant and Shinji Nishimoto, two neurologists from the University of California, Berkeley, last year managed to correlate activity in the brain’s visual cortex with static images seen by the person. Last week they went one step further by revealing that it is possible to “decode” signals generated in the brain by moving scenes.
In an experiment which has yet to be peer reviewed, Gallant and Nishimoto, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, scanned the brains of two patients as they watched videos.
A computer programme was used to search for links between the configuration of shapes, colours and movements in the videos, and patterns of activity in the patients’ visual cortex.
It was later fed more than 200 days’ worth of YouTube internet clips and asked to predict which areas of the brain the clips would stimulate if people were watching them.
Finally, the software was used to monitor the two patients’ brains as they watched a new film and to reproduce what they were seeing based on their neural activity alone.
Remarkably, the computer programme was able to display continuous footage of the films they were watching — albeit with blurred images.
In one scene which featured the actor Steve Martin wearing a white shirt, the software recreated his rough shape and white torso but missed other details, such as his facial features.
Another scene, showing a plane flying towards the camera against a city skyline, was less successfully reproduced. The computer recreated the image of the skyline but omitted the plane altogether.
“Some scenes decode better than others,” said Gallant. “We can decode talking heads really well. But a camera panning quickly across a scene confuses the algorithm.
“You can use a device like this to do some pretty cool things. At the moment when you see something and want to describe it to someone you have to use words or draw it and it doesn’t work very well.
“You could use this technology to transmit the image to someone. It might be useful for artists or to allow you to recover an eyewitness’s memory of a crime.”
Such technology may not be confined to the here and now. Scientists at University College London have conducted separate tests that detect, with an accuracy of about 50%, memories recalled by patients.
The discoveries come amid a flurry of developments in the field of brain science. Researchers have also used scanning technology to measure academic ability, detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative conditions, and even predict the decision a person is about to make before they are conscious of making it.
Such developments may have controversial ramifications. In Britain, fMRI scanning technology has been sold to multinational companies, such as Unilever and McDonald’s, enabling them to see how we subconsciously react to brands.
In America, security agencies are researching the use of brain scanners for interrogating prisoners, and Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor, is reported to have studied the possibility of scanning brains at a distance.
This would allow an individual’s thoughts and anxieties to be examined without their knowledge in sensitive locations such as airports.
Russell Foster, a neuroscientist at Oxford University, said rapid advances in the field were throwing up ethical dilemmas.
“It’s absolutely critical for scientists to inform the public about what we are doing so they can engage in the debate about how this knowledge should be used,” he said.
“It’s the age-old problem: knowledge is power and it can be used for both good and evil.”
=^..^=
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
FYI-
Michael E.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/living/article6898177...
From The Sunday Times
November 1, 2009
Psychic computer shows your thoughts on screen
Chris Gourlay
Scientists have discovered how to “read” minds by scanning brain activity and reproducing images of what people are seeing — or even remembering.
Researchers have been able to convert into crude video footage the brain activity stimulated by what a person is watching or recalling.
The breakthrough raises the prospect of significant benefits, such as allowing people who are unable to move or speak to communicate via visualisation of their thoughts; recording people’s dreams; or allowing police to identify criminals by recalling the memories of a witness.
However, it could also herald a new Big Brother era, similar to that envisaged in the Hollywood film Minority Report, in which an individual’s private thoughts can be readily accessed by the authorities.
Jack Gallant and Shinji Nishimoto, two neurologists from the University of California, Berkeley, last year managed to correlate activity in the brain’s visual cortex with static images seen by the person. Last week they went one step further by revealing that it is possible to “decode” signals generated in the brain by moving scenes.
In an experiment which has yet to be peer reviewed, Gallant and Nishimoto, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, scanned the brains of two patients as they watched videos.
A computer programme was used to search for links between the configuration of shapes, colours and movements in the videos, and patterns of activity in the patients’ visual cortex.
It was later fed more than 200 days’ worth of YouTube internet clips and asked to predict which areas of the brain the clips would stimulate if people were watching them.
Finally, the software was used to monitor the two patients’ brains as they watched a new film and to reproduce what they were seeing based on their neural activity alone.
Remarkably, the computer programme was able to display continuous footage of the films they were watching — albeit with blurred images.
In one scene which featured the actor Steve Martin wearing a white shirt, the software recreated his rough shape and white torso but missed other details, such as his facial features.
Another scene, showing a plane flying towards the camera against a city skyline, was less successfully reproduced. The computer recreated the image of the skyline but omitted the plane altogether.
“Some scenes decode better than others,” said Gallant. “We can decode talking heads really well. But a camera panning quickly across a scene confuses the algorithm.
“You can use a device like this to do some pretty cool things. At the moment when you see something and want to describe it to someone you have to use words or draw it and it doesn’t work very well.
“You could use this technology to transmit the image to someone. It might be useful for artists or to allow you to recover an eyewitness’s memory of a crime.”
Such technology may not be confined to the here and now. Scientists at University College London have conducted separate tests that detect, with an accuracy of about 50%, memories recalled by patients.
The discoveries come amid a flurry of developments in the field of brain science. Researchers have also used scanning technology to measure academic ability, detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative conditions, and even predict the decision a person is about to make before they are conscious of making it.
Such developments may have controversial ramifications. In Britain, fMRI scanning technology has been sold to multinational companies, such as Unilever and McDonald’s, enabling them to see how we subconsciously react to brands.
In America, security agencies are researching the use of brain scanners for interrogating prisoners, and Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor, is reported to have studied the possibility of scanning brains at a distance.
This would allow an individual’s thoughts and anxieties to be examined without their knowledge in sensitive locations such as airports.
Russell Foster, a neuroscientist at Oxford University, said rapid advances in the field were throwing up ethical dilemmas.
“It’s absolutely critical for scientists to inform the public about what we are doing so they can engage in the debate about how this knowledge should be used,” he said.
“It’s the age-old problem: knowledge is power and it can be used for both good and evil.”
=^..^=
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on -
Thanks for the post. My 16 yr old son thinks it's great, exclaiming, "It will help blind people!", while I cringe in Orwellian style.
Well, Michael, I do see this as just one more opportunity for hypnosis! People will be lined up at our doors wanting to learn how to disguise their thought patterns from the evil doers (and I include McCrappy's in that group)...You watch, a whole new genre of "Mind Self-Protection" will be born as an adjunct to this technology.
Best wishes,
Kelley
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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on
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In case anyone is really concerned, you can make your own Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie! Instructions are here: http://zapatopi.net/afdb/
Actually, my son did an experiment recently and did make and wear such a beanie. The sense of peace was noticeable while he wore it, shielding his brain from the constant onslaught of microwave currents from cell phones and other invisible energies.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Shannon The-Hypnotist.com on -
It's funny you mention "mind self-protection", I run a site on that very topic! http://www.ScientificMindControl.com
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Permalink Reply by Celeste Cole on -
"allowing police to identify criminals by recalling the memories of a witness."
I'll take it one step beyond that. Show a suspect photos of the crime scene, and then observe how their memories automatically fill in the details. Think of the benefit of getting the actual perpetrator rather than someone wrongly accused under circumstantial evidence. The innocent would have no memory to fill in the blanks.
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Permalink Reply by Alex in England on -
surly the power of suggestion would be used against the innocent, what would happen if the person you've got is precog?
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Permalink Reply by Ricky Strode on -
but then again you can change the way you see things in the matter of seconds with alittle practice you can change your own mind and you can temporaily forget things you do it all the time. They would have a hell of a time making some software to get through any of that
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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on
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LOL Actually, yes, Paul...minus the pointy tip! My boy wants to market some knit beanies with aluminum foil liners...
Mr Green said:Kelley Woods said:In case anyone is really concerned, you can make your own Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie! Instructions are here: http://zapatopi.net/afdb/
Actually, my son did an experiment recently and did make and wear such a beanie. The sense of peace was noticeable while he wore it, shielding his brain from the constant onslaught of microwave currents from cell phones and other invisible energies.
Kelley, lol, was it something like this...?
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Permalink Reply by Alex in England on
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I agree that it would be hard to make software that could implant thoughts - but we are working on it..
Nikola Tesla a genius of the first order was terrified when he saw the effect that stationary waves produced by his Wardenclyffe Tower had upon the local population. This form of research has led to technologies such as H.A.R.P. Mind control is real and no mere beanie can protect you from it.
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Permalink Reply by Alex in England on
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In good spirit, do you believe that there is a possibility in remote mind control?
Mr Green said:Tell him I'd buy one.
It sounds like great fun, and maybe this technology will have a great purpose pretty soon...
Kelley Woods said:LOL Actually, yes, Paul...minus the pointy tip! My boy wants to market some knit beanies with aluminum foil liners...
Mr Green said:Kelley Woods said:In case anyone is really concerned, you can make your own Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie! Instructions are here: http://zapatopi.net/afdb/
Actually, my son did an experiment recently and did make and wear such a beanie. The sense of peace was noticeable while he wore it, shielding his brain from the constant onslaught of microwave currents from cell phones and other invisible energies.
Kelley, lol, was it something like this...?
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Permalink Reply by Alex in England on
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Yes makes me think of pleading the 5th amendment (as if the UK would allow that). As far as society goes if this thing ever makes it to the civilian police state then, surly it would be useful to rig the Prim minister’s head up to one of them during any public interview – we could show them pictures of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and see what they ‘remember’.
Personally I believe that both these forms of civilian hardware only add to the high levels of intellectual self censoring that is strife in our society.
in good spirits
Alex
Mr Green said:Having seen the technology used in an MRI scan and other hardware used (some by hypnotherapists) to follow and invoke certain patterns within a persons brainwave,
I can't see how certain aspects of the technology is not used.
I think immediately of anti- Teenager devices that are used in the UK around shops and hang out areas.
The black box sends out a low (or high) frequency sound that is mostly picked up by the hearing of a teenager.
The sound is to annoy and send them on there way, as it were, so not to hang around the shops causing trouble etc. (I always wondered why my dog didn't like being tied up outside the shop, maybe he could here it too..)
And when you consider why certain people literally hate being in shopping centres etc, it makes me wonder what other influences are at hand..
While this may not be remote mind control as is being discussed here, it certainly is a part of it.
In good spirits... Paul~
Alex in England said:In good spirit, do you believe that there is a possibility in remote mind control?
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