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This blows my mind!

brainwords.bmp
From Gizmodo:
“Computer science is definitely reaching the danger zone when actual words can be spotted using MRI scans. In the image above, researchers from the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh predict what the words “celery” and “airplane” look like when someone thinks of them, and then they compare the prediction to actual brain scans, with frightening similarity. The study was “calibrated” with nine students, each thinking of 58 different words. Tom Mitchell, one of the lead researchers, told Reuters the goal is to determine how the brain organizes information, but how do we know Dr. Mitchell won’t abuse this newfound power by, say, winning a billion dollars on Jeopardy? We don’t, is my point. [Reuters]”
I’m amazed. I can see this researching turning into an interface to the internet in 2025!
Stephen

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Posted on: May 30, 2008, 2:13 pm Category: Uncategorized

4 Responses

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  1. Jason said

    This is scary! Talk about reading someone’s mind.
    Then again, No more need for those pesky Psychics..
    Yay.. getting excited!!

  2. I don’t agree that computer science is reaching a “danger zone” as stated in the quote from Gizmodo. Here’s a clear explanation of what they’re actually working on at CMU:
    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529141354.htm
    — I do agree with Stephen: we will see this evolve into an interface in the very near future!

  3. WOW. incredible!

  4. Thank goodness there is work being done in this area. I can’t wait for the day when I can just think things up, and don’t have to tell others about them before they can do the follow-up.
    I suppose you think I’m joking? 😉