Five Proven Brain-Manipulating Technologies
Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse is about a secret organization
that supplies mind-wiped sex ninjas to the rich. It's not set in
the future because neuromanipulated technoslaves could exist
today. Here's proof.
1. We can erase people's memories.
Back in October a study was published in Neuron that proved an
enzyme called CaMKII can erase bad memories while you recall
them. In Dollhouse, the "actives" have their own memories erased
first, and then new memories implanted. The brain-erasure
technology is actually the cornerstone of the operation, as it's
what turns the actives into blank slates ready to be
reprogrammed. Right now, with the cooperation of desperate
people, scientists could be using CaMKII to erase their old
lives. Then they'll just need to implant new personalities and
emotions.
2. We can regulate people's moods with microchips.
Right now, there are a series of implantable microchips on the
market that send out electrical impulses over your nerves that
can soothe a depressed person or reduce seizures. Some call them
neurological pacemakers, and we are discovering new things about
them every day - such as the fact that some can cause instant
orgasm. Wipe somebody's brain, then install these brain
pacemakers, and you might start shaping a whole new person by
controlling what gives them pleasure and what makes them
depressed.
3. We can use brain implants to steer animals left and right.
Several years ago, neuroscientists invented a little rat-sized
brain implant that sent directional signals to the rodent's
brain. Using a handheld remote, scientists sent electrical
signals to the parts of the rats' brains connected to right and
left whisker sensations - and could induce the rats to turn
right or left at the press of a button. Dubbed the "robo-rat,"
the creatures could be used for complicated search and rescueefforts that require crawling into small places. Or they could
be the beta version for a more nefarious technology implanted
into humans' brains that would allow a corporation like the
Dollhouse to remote-control an active's every move, right down
to which street they turn on.
4. Infrared brain scans can predict what people want.
As we reported last week, researchers have discovered that a
simple infrared brain scan can reveal patterns in brain activity
that show simple preferences. Ask a person whether they'd rather
have a dog or a cat, and this scan will give you the answer.
This is the first step towards knowing how to shape people's
preferences. If scientists could trigger a reaction in your
brain that reversed the pattern, they might be able to turn a
cat person into a dog person and vice versa.
5. Human-computer interfaces link human brains directly to
computers.
You may have heard of BrainGate, a technology that uses
electrodes sunk into your gray matter to convert electrical
impulses from your brain into computer commands. It is currently
used by people who are profoundly paralyzed to communicate by
moving a cursor around. If we can open up communication between
brain and computer like that, it stands to reason that the
communication might be two-way. Who is to say there is no secret
organization using a BrainGate-esque technology to reprogram
people's thoughts?
Source: io9
http://io9.com/5155470/five-brain+ma...-technologies-
that-prove-dollhouse-exists-right-now?skyline=true&s=x
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