Scientists Build Mind-Reading Computer

An anonymous reader writes to tell us that researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have developed what they are calling a "mind reading computer." Using a panel of nine volunteers, the team built a "profile" of 58 test words based on brain scans taken while the volunteers were directed to think about the meaning of each test word. "'If I show you the brain images for two words, the main thing you notice is that they look pretty much alike. If you look at them for a while you might see subtle differences,' explains Tom Mitchell of the Machine Learning Department, which lead the study. 'We believe we have identified a number of the basic building blocks that the brain uses to represent meaning. These building blocks could be used to predict patterns for any concrete noun,' added Mitchell."

Words chosen

[Intron]

The list of words chosen were: funding, grant, tenure, award, patent, contract, ...

Excellent!

[jimand]

Now that a computer can read my mind I'm waiting for the mind-reading 'puter that knows to change the mouse focus when I look at a new window. I hate looking at one window while typing in another, especially when posting to /. while I have a window open with an email to my boss. It turns out he's not interested in the goatse link.

Re:Words chosen

[bloodninja]

The list of words chosen were: funding, grant, tenure, award, patent, contract, ...

It doesn't matter what words they choose. OCZ beat them to market.

Wonder...

[ShiNoKaze]

I have to wonder all this work we do towards reading minds, what's everyone gonna think when they figure out how much we really do think about sex? Cuz damn.

Might be fun to watch the expressions on the scientists face as they realize what's going on tho. "That guy was a fluke, the next will about something else I'm sure!"

I for one welcome our new mind-reading

[davidwr]

Hold on, just got handed this printout:

"Thank you, but we already knew you were going to say that.

Sincerely,

Your new mind-reading computer overlords."

Re:As dangerous as it is useful

[Drakonik]

Yeah, but I dunno how easy it would be to use social engineering to convince people to sit underneath an FMRI so you could scan their brain while they type in their bank's PIN number.

Re:I for one welcome our new mind-reading

[Eudial]

Hold on, just got handed this printout:

"Thank you, but we already knew you were going to say that.

Sincerely,

Your new mind-reading computer overlords."

You forgot to wear your tin foil hat.

Slashdot already knew about this submission

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

By reading his mind, before ScuttleMonkey approved it.

How do you think that subscribers get that "Mysterious Future" stuff, anyways?

Oddly Enough

[eldavojohn]

It's strange, every time a researcher is assigned to go disassemble the prototype, something else comes up right when they come within range of the machine. Yesterday something kept spamming "REDRUM" across the networks broadcast address and causing bandwidth issues. Today several printers in the lab wouldn't stop printing out documents that looked like fake rebates for Newegg ...

This could get ugly...

[rehtonAesoohC]

I forsee some lonely nerd using a video-chat application to try and talk with a woman when all of a sudden, his computer reads his mind and says to him:

"I'm reading that you're horny, Jim. Here is a selection of your favorite porn- Princess Leia doing an Ewok. Enjoy!"
Prospective Girlfriend: "You sicko! *exits the video chat*"
Jim: "Oh well... I guess I'll just enjoy this video. Thanks manputer!"

It works as a keyboard too.

[Lordpidey]

Not SEX only SEX that SEX, it SEX is SEX possible SEX to SEX use SEX this SEX to SEX type. SEX isn't SEX that SEX wonderful?

Psycho Mantis

[Spatial]

Pah! Just plug your controllers into the other slot.