Direct Brain-to-Game Interface Worries Scientists-Wired 9/5/07

[MilesColtrane]

Your brain might be your next videogame controller.

That might sound pretty awesome, but the prospect of brain-controlled virtual joysticks has some scientists worried that games might end up controlling our brains.

-snip-

Companies including Emotiv Systems and NeuroSky say they've released BCI-based software-development kits. Gaming companies may release BCI games next year, but many scientists worry that users brains' might be subject to negative effects

http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2007/09/bci_games?currentPage=1

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When I started reading this I was sure that this was an overhyped non-story, (especially given the cheesy photo accompanying the article)
but there appear to be legitimate concerns, and some of the hypothetical scenarios about how this technology may develop were chilling given the increasing authoritarian bent of the government.

[azurnoir]

1. There was a an episode of

Star Trek TNG about something like this, it's here already

[Tesha]

3. What me worry?

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/The_Game

[Occulus]

11. Stargate SG1, also

Teal'c was stuck in a chair connected to a virtual game. The hook of the episode was, Teal's was such a great warrior that the game kept adjusting the difficulty level upward, because he wouldn't give up and let the game kill him.

They shut it down, but I forgot how.

[ContraBass Black]

2. Do we all run the same OS?

Color me skeptical.

[Tesha]

4. Don't be skeptical; the basic science is sound.

Don't be skeptical; the basic science is sound and
already in use. Blind people are on the verge of
having vision restored through brain implants into
their visual cortexes. Amputees already control
their artificial limbs through myoelectric controls.

It's just a question of putting it all together and
adding violent video games and/or pornography to
properly commercialize it. :(

Tesha

[MilesColtrane]

7. If you've ever been seriously into a video game...

...you know about the "zone" that you go into after an extended period of play.

Current games reward the speed and accuracy of your hand to eye coordination.

Imagine a game that rewards the ability to alter your own brain's state.
I can certainly see how a person could condition themselves into a state of reduced beta wave activity if they start associating this with endorphin release.

[Occulus]

13. Probably. n/t

[DaveJ]

5. It's a transitional technology

I don't think any 'brain interface' will ever evolve into what they made up in the Matrix movie. My prediction is that all they will ever accomplish is using the nervous system as another input device into the computer (brain is output-only).

We are still stuck with 5 senses as input. The way BCI's may be detrimental may have something to do with psychological effects. Given the fact that we know little about thoughts-as-output leading to immediate input, I understand their concern. It's a double edged sword though in that this technology could also lead to thereputic applications (like in Clockwork Orange) if it has any effect at all.

I do think that in about 50 years, give or take, humans will start migrating totally into VR since it will be a more enjoyable place to live. I just don't think this will be the main technology involved, but instead a sophisticated, probably nano based, force feedback system.

[MilesColtrane]

8. "We are still stuck with 5 senses as input."

Not strictly true.

Researchers have induced emotions and experiences using strong magnetic fields from outside of the brain.

Susan Blackmore describes her experience in a New Scientist article:

"I was wide awake throughout. Nothing seemed to happen for the
first ten minutes or so. Instructed to describe aloud anything that
happened, I felt under pressure to say something, anything. Then
suddenly my doubts vanished. "I'm swaying. It's like being on a
hammock." Then it felt for all the world as though two hands had
grabbed my shoulders and were bodily yanking me upright. I knew I was
still lying in the reclining chair, but someone, or something, was
pulling me up.

Something seemed to get hold of my leg and pull it, distort it, and
drag it up the wall. It felt as though I had been stretched halfway
up to the ceiling. Then came the emotions. Totally out of the blue,
but intensely and vividly, I suddenly felt angry - not just mildy
cross but that clearminded anger out of which you act - but there was
nothing and no one to act on. After perhaps ten seconds, it was gone.
Later, it was replaced by an equally sudden attack of fear. I was
terrified - of nothing in particular. The longterm medical effects of
applying strong magnetic fields to the brain are largely unknown, but
I felt weak and disoriented for a couple of hours after coming out of
the chamber."

http://www.skepticfiles.org/skep2/abdinmnd.htm

Obviously it will be a long time, if ever, before a game can alter your perception like this.

[DaveJ]

14. Interesting article

I'm not sure this proves the existence of another sense though, just the fact that emotions can be controlled by internally triggering the existing senses.

What's cool about computers used in conjunction with biofeedback, is that algorithms can be created to precisely control a person's emotions. I did a research project on this topic to get my M.A. It was not hard core like this research sounds, but technically it did prove and demonstrate the process as well.

[Javaman]

16. oh yeah? check this out....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6960612.stm

snip...

Experts have found a way to trigger an out-of-body experience in volunteers.


snip...

Two teams used virtual reality goggles to con the brain into thinking the body was located elsewhere.

The visual illusion plus the feel of their real bodies being touched made volunteers sense that they had moved outside of their physical bodies.

The researchers say their findings could have practical applications, such as helping take video games to the next level of virtuality so the players feel as if they are actually inside the game.

[Nikki Stone1]

6. Really interesting article. Thanks

:kick:

[slowry]

9. I'm stuffing diodes up my nose, just in case. n/t

[soothsayer]

10. you're stuffing WHAT? Oh, diodes. I thought......nevermind.....!

[MilesColtrane]

12. Be careful.

Getting those things out can be a bitch.

[slowry]

15. rofl n/t

[renie408]

17. Gee, ya think?? n/t