Coming soon -- mind-reading computers

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/June/theworld_June817.xml§ion=theworld

LONDON - A raised eyebrow, quizzical look or a nod of the head are just a few of the facial expressions computers could soon be using to read people’s minds.

An “emotionally aware” computer being developed by British and American scientists will be able to read an individual’s thoughts by analysing a combination of facial movements that represent underlying feelings.

“The system we have developed allows a wide range of mental states to be identified just by pointing a video camera at someone,” said Professor Peter Robinson of Cambridge University in England.

He and his collaborators believe the mind-reading computer’s applications could range from improving people’s driving skills to helping companies tailor advertising to people’s moods.

“Imagine a computer that could pick the right emotional moment to try to sell you something, a future where mobile phones, cars and Web sites could read our mind and react to our moods,” he added.


I don't want one. I got a dirty mind.

[Heidi]

1. My thoughts are _mine_. If HAL or anyone else wants 'em,

they'll need to pay me for 'em. I feel the same way about my DNA and organs but, of course, I reserve the right to share my "stuff" freely with whomever I choose. :)

[William Seger]

2. Now, there's a technology looking for a problem to solve

I don't want my phone, car, or Web sites reacting to my moods, thank you very much -- I'll settle for it doing what I tell it to.

[Skidmore]

5. Me too. Why anyone would even want to invent this kind of

technology is beyond me. I also saw a story on one of the cable news channels last week about some mini robots called "the Swarm" because they work together and apparently learn too. They were kind of creepy.

[The2ndWheel]

7. What other kind of technology is there?

It's created to control information, travel, communication, life and death, the environment, other living animals/people. The mind would be a terrible thing to waste.

[William Seger]

8. Arrgh! Do they replicate?

[The2ndWheel]

3. Shame that you can't

turn your brain off. Whether something like this is possible, who knows for sure, but I have no doubt that corporations and governments the world over want this type of control. It would then be almost too easy.

[Downtown Hound]

4. This isn't quite mind reading

It's more mood reading. Just a high tech version of what some people and to a lesser extent machines such as lie detectors have been doing for years. But the machine can't actually read your thoughts. It can just interpret your moods and feelings, and then take a guess as to what you're thinking.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. Whew! Thanks For The Clarity. For A Second There, I Thought They Were

actually building supernatural psychic computers that really COULD read my mind!

Thank god I came across this post though. I feel much better now.

:rofl:

[Downtown Hound]

11. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. Huh? Notice I'm Laughing? That Kinda Goes With A Good Mood, Not A Bad One

LOL

It was actually just lighthearted humor. I got a kick out of your clarifying the computer wasn't ACTUALLY going to be reading my mind :)

[William Seger]

9. Case in point

"Lie detectors" can't detect lies. Why do we need more technology like that?

[1monster]

10. The thought police are working hard to find easier ways to

determine who has the right thoughts and who needs to be placed in reeducation camps.

Thanks, anyway, but I have no problem expressing my emotions. I'll pass on this one.

[skids]

13. Microsoft's immediate reaction...

...they can't wait to integrated the technology into that little paperclip guy.