Mind Reading Becomes a Reality (Technology Breaches the Privacy of Our Thoughts)
Several years ago I remember watching a segment on one of those “educational” channels (like Discovery, The Learning Channel, or some channel of their ilk), I can’t remember exactly what network I’d been watching. Nonetheless, the gist of the segment I’ll never forget (until Alzheimer’s kicks in).
The topic had been a study regarding the use of magnetic resonance imagery to identify which sections of the brain handled what particular thought processes. Alright, I’ll admit that last sentence seems rather vague; let me explain.
While monitoring the brain activity of a test subject through MRI, those conducting the study would show the subject a photo of say -for example- Abraham Lincoln. They would then make note of the specific areas in the brain used to process the information. Another photo would be presented of yet another famous/historical figure… Again brain activity and the locations wherein the activity specifically took place would be recorded. The series of images continued ranging from familiar places and people (both famous and those known only to the test subject) to images that combined familiarity with location like -for instance- the Lincoln Memorial (touching upon the notion of a famous person and place).
The study showed that we use specific parts of our brain when thinking of people, history, fame, locations, and so forth. Having learned this, it’s only reasonable to imagine that if one thought of a historical person at a familiar location while being scanned we might not be able to say precisely who and where they were thinking of but, we would be able to determine that they were in fact think of a historical person and familiar place. |
miles from Earth. Our shuttles enter orbit so frequently now that we hardly take notice. And there’s a manned Space Station (ISS) orbiting us as I type.
My point is that everything evolves.
So, as we continue to refine “Brain-mapping” technologies... What’s to say that we won’t be able to determine whether a test subject -while being scanned- is thinking of a blonde-haired, brown-eyed, girl in her early twenties? Or, whether a subject is thinking of a 1974, blue Corvette Stingray with a damaged leather interior, in need of header replacement? This may seem elaborate… But, I’m not joking. Given enough time we will do what we think is impossible today.
MRI Machine at Mecosta County Medical Center |
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courtroom-sized model. There’d hardly be a need for the ol’ “…Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth…” bit anymore. We could just strap defendants into a “mind-reader” and be finished with it. What if we develop a handheld, portable model for use in law enforcement? Getting pulled over would be an even more terrifying experience -for some- than it is now. What if use of this future technology fell into the hands of the private sector? Hell, I could use one right now on my 9month-old (instead of trying to decrypt the babbling, grunting, and chattering she does). Or, better yet, concerned spouses would be falling over one another trying to get one of these to settle once and for all if their “better” halves were faithful.
But, don’t worry folks… as it is with all things there’s a dupe for every advance. I’m certain counter efforts would be made to combat mind-reading… Perhaps an injection of some sort that might impede the scans results… Or, a skullcap that could be implanted to block the damned thing.
Anyway… I hope this fantastic delusion of mine has entertained your imagination. If you want to learn more about fMRI and brain mapping, here are a few links to get you started.