A bit outside of our normal fare, but something that caught my eye.
Tim Hornyak wrote an interesting article for CNet on how scientists have demonstrated that cheap EEG gear can “hack the mind.” The article explored a particular EEG headset which allowed users to “interact with computers using their thoughts alone.” Using these headsets, researchers were able to capture and interpret brain waves, allowing them to glean private information about the user.
Darlene Storm also wrote an article about brain hacking for ComputerWorld.
I remember P.W. Singer explored the integration of computers with the human mind in his fantastic book, Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution And Conflict In the 21st Century. On page 72, Singer explained how a paraplegic man was able to use a computer solely through the power of his thoughts. Singer also explained how two severely disabled people played a video game against each other using only their minds. DARPA is, of course, very interested in such research.
Considering that we can now hack pacemakers, the human body is no longer off-limits. However, will cyberspace one day be so ubiquitous that it will even reach our minds?
Commence the Matrix jokes, I need to adjust my aluminum foil cap.
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