Brain Tanned
Are brain computer interfaces fake?
I've seen over a dozen videos of brain computer interfaces on YouTube (including one of Tan Le from TED) but I have a strong suspicion that it might be faked. Of course, in principle (basic biotechnology) there isn't a way to deny the possibility of it working like they show it, but how can we know whether the interfaces are really that capable? I mean, neural structures are way too tiny for some headset attached to a computer to be able to train itself to recognise specific patterns from the brain. What is the best evidence that the kind of BCIs they show are in fact real?
A lot of things are "possible" or "credible", but what evidence do we have in this case? The potential applications of BCIs are so incredibly wonderful that it does make sense to first ask whether they have really achieved the kind of success they claim to have -- many people would profit if they convinced the layman about the power of BCIs, so there is enough reason to doubt it.
Thanks.
Short of actually experiencing the brain-computer interface technology, what would it take to prove that it does what's claimed? Because of credibility issues and because of peer review, I don't believe that professionals would risk the fall-out from making misleading claims. Though, with youtube, one has to be cautious.
I don't believe that what these headset cerebral wave detectors are looking for is patterns, so much as they are looking for a specific wave (the evoke potential, p-300 wave).
See: Toward a P300-based Computer Interface
http://www.asel.udel.edu/speech/reports/resna95/main.html
See: Evoked Potentials ....
http://www.amazon.com/Evoked-Potentials-Neurofeedback-Entrainment-Negativity/dp/1155620232
Less-Invasive Brain Interface
"Electrical activity from the surface of the brain may be precise enough to control prostheses, research shows."
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21699/?mod=related
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Brain-Computer Interface is just the beginning. Complete brain/mind analysis and manipulation is in the works.