Brain-Computer Interfaces for Manipulating Dreams

A first-generation commercial brain-computer interface (BCI) is being released by Emotiv Systems later this year.  What does the future hold for BCI?

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Posted by ethtech  on  03/30  at  07:34 PM

I know you're writing primarily about dreams, but the BCI seems to me to be the first step on the path to developing what William Gibson called wetware (in "Neuromancer") -- an interface for loading software directly into the brain.

I love Gibson, and I like the Matrix too -- both predict a direct-to-brain device (although Gibson's is much more realistic). There is no doubt that this will eventually be possible. I just wonder if it will come to pass by 2060 (when I - hopefully - expect to die of natual causes (barring the advent of the Singularity))

OK, OK, yes, I read a lot of science fiction. How else to know the future?

-ethtech

Posted by Brian Hetzel  on  11/10  at  04:41 AM

I came across your article researching patents for a digital dream recording device. You bring up a good point concerning the regluatiion of the technology that would undoubtedly be associated once any kind of commercial production begins. I cringe thinking about dream sequences being regulated by the FCC. I believe that the most intersting time will be at the early stages of development, when it is available mainly as a indulgence for the affluent and those involved in research. The geneal population will most likely only be able to acquire a dumbed down TV-14 version that will leave most savoring the images they experience in thier natural dreams. I am hoping that the technology to direct record will be available within twenty years. You never know, I'm still shocked that Obama won. There may be hope yet.

Posted by Frank Brown  on  03/10  at  02:34 PM

The current progression of nanotechnology assumes that we will have nanobots capable of this technology by 2025. This all depends on how fast we will be able to completely reverse engineer the brain. Kurzweil suggests this will occur somewhere around 2015-2020. I look forward to be able to record and analyze dreams...but I guess for now I will have to focus on remaining lucid in them!

--
Frank B.
Immigration lawyer

Posted by don keith  on  10/10  at  06:00 AM

I'm ready for my brain to be wired up for researching "digital dream recording" as my dreams are incredibly lucid and entertaining. Upon awakening from a dream, I can't scribble fast enough or record into my Sony, bedside recorder. All my senses are up and running in my dreams and very, very vivid. Beats most tv and films I've seen 'cept for "the Bundy family". dk

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