Scientists use computer to 'read minds' on screen - 1 views

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  #1 Meenatchi on 03 Nov 09

   

  Article Summary:
  
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6482189/Scientists-use-computer-to-read-minds-on-screen.html
  
  The article talks about the discovery on the ability to read 'the mind's eye' using a computer. The computer would replicate what humans are seeing or recalling by monitoring their brain activity. The breakthrough, by a team at the University of California, raises the prospect of scientists eventually being able to record dreams or enable police to identify criminals by recalling the memories of a witness. The development is similar to that envisaged in the film Minority Report, in which an individual's private thoughts can be readily accessed by the authorities. Scientists at University College London have conducted separate tests that detect, with an accuracy of about 50%, memories recalled by patients. The discovery is considered as a progress in the field of brain science.
  
  Ethical issues:
  
  Is it ethical to read people's minds on the pretext that it creates good based on the teleological theories? Even if it is said that it is meant for identifying criminals for now, who would be able use it and who would monitor the use of it? Would this lead to a dehumanized world where everyone's thoughts can be computerized and there is no longer anyone with knowledge unknown to others? Would the world become one with no secrets? Would the authorities be able to spy into everyone's minds as depicted in the movie Minority Report?

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Article Summary: <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6482189/Scientists-use-computer-to-read-minds-on-screen.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6482189/Scientists-use-computer-to-read-minds-on-screen.html</a> <br /> <br /> The article talks about the discovery on the ability to read 'the mind's eye' using a computer. The computer would replicate what humans are seeing or recalling by monitoring their brain activity. The breakthrough, by a team at the University of California, raises the prospect of scientists eventually being able to record dreams or enable police to identify criminals by recalling the memories of a witness. The development is similar to that envisaged in the film Minority Report, in which an individual's private thoughts can be readily accessed by the authorities. Scientists at University College London have conducted separate tests that detect, with an accuracy of about 50%, memories recalled by patients. The discovery is considered as a progress in the field of brain science. <br /> <br /> Ethical issues: <br /> <br /> Is it ethical to read people's minds on the pretext that it creates good based on the teleological theories? Even if it is said that it is meant for identifying criminals for now, who would be able use it and who would monitor the use of it? Would this lead to a dehumanized world where everyone's thoughts can be computerized and there is no longer anyone with knowledge unknown to others? Would the world become one with no secrets? Would the authorities be able to spy into everyone's minds as depicted in the movie Minority Report?</div>

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