There have been a lot of astonishing things happening in the world of neurobiology. This qualifies as one of the more intriguing. Scientists at Harvard have, for the first time, engineered a brain-to-brain electronic communication between two different species. Another first, they were able to do it "noninvasively," which is a good thing, since one of the species was a human being. (It might be difficult to find grad students who would volunteer to have their brains directly drilled into.). The rat in the experiment had electrodes implanted into his brain. (My guess is that the rats were not volunteers.) Humans were attached via electrodes attached to their scalp and stared at a synchronized flickering strobe light. The electrodes were connected to an electronic translator controlling ultrasound pulses linked to the anesthetized rat. The human guinea pig could then direct a controlled flicking of the rats tail.
Okay, this communication didn't exactly qualify as intellectual, and it only went one way, but imagine the applications once this technology is perfected, extended, and made wireless. The possibilities are endless! Just think, you might actually be able to control your cat (instead of vice versa) through an electronic mind-link. Herding cats might become a real possibility! Links between rats has already been accomplished and when we develop human-human links we may actually be able control our spouses. Men may be forced to do chores! Women may be directed to this part censored by internet police! We could maybe get our own pet zombies! I see this as more than just a seminal experiment, I see it as "One small step for science, one giant leap toward the Borg collective." Come on, you know you want this! Resistance is futile! Who needs telepathy--we have science!
Whew. Okay, I've caught my breath now. Below is the video of the experiment.
Okay, this communication didn't exactly qualify as intellectual, and it only went one way, but imagine the applications once this technology is perfected, extended, and made wireless. The possibilities are endless! Just think, you might actually be able to control your cat (instead of vice versa) through an electronic mind-link. Herding cats might become a real possibility! Links between rats has already been accomplished and when we develop human-human links we may actually be able control our spouses. Men may be forced to do chores! Women may be directed to this part censored by internet police! We could maybe get our own pet zombies! I see this as more than just a seminal experiment, I see it as "One small step for science, one giant leap toward the Borg collective." Come on, you know you want this! Resistance is futile! Who needs telepathy--we have science!
Whew. Okay, I've caught my breath now. Below is the video of the experiment.
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