Re: Mind machines, a badly neglected topic? (Was: Re: Mind Control, 1990s)

haradon@acsu.buffalo.edu
Fri, 23 Oct 1998 14:11:57 -0700

--On Friday, October 23, 1998, 5:31 PM +0100 "den Otter" <neosapient@geocities.com> wrote:

>
>
> ----------

>> From: Ian Goddard <Ian@Goddard.net>

> 
>> At 01:24 PM 10/19/98 +0100, den Otter wrote:
>> 
>> >Even a machine with just one setting, pleasure, would be
>> >an absolutely unbeatable product (and a very transhuman 
>> >one too: now you control your own emotions). The stuff that 
>> >dreamsare made of. Now of course follows the inevitable 
>> >question: why hasn't this been done yet? Do only implants 
>> >have this effect (even then there would be many possible 
>> >applications), or are the results too varied to create a 
>> >viable product around the concept of "outside" (microwave 
>> >etc.) brain stimulation?
>> 
>> 
>>   IAN: There is an external electrical mind control
>>   technology on the market. Unlike the flashing light 
>>   and sound machines, it delivers an electric impulse
>>   via clips placed on the ear lobes, and by that means 
>>   "entrains" the brain to follow the impulse frequency,
>>   and the general aim is to induce deep relaxation.

>
> Certainly a step in the right direction, but IMO still way
> below the technology's true potential. Imagine a machine
> that you just put on your head (I'm not sure how big the
> total device would have to be, and how much energy it
> would need etc., but even a static version would have great
> marketing potential) that gives you instant, safe pleasure
> like you've never felt before. Resistance is futile -- you will
> be pleasured, guaranteed. The ultimate form of entertainment;
> you could look at a grey wall and still be amused (but to
> make the experience more natural one could watch a
> movie or listen to music for example). This kind of stuff
> was so far only possible with dangerous (often illegal)
> and unreliable chemicals.
>
> And this is just the pure hedonism part; other settings could
> for example help you to achieve "deep thoughtful concentration"
> (great for work and study) or "super relaxation" (great against
> all kinds of stress). How about using a relaxing or pleasure
> setting during operations, or to relieve any kind of chronic
> or acute pain. There is a world of possible applications out there
> right for the taking. If there ever was a product that's virtually
> guaranteed to sell then this must be it.
>
> Now, can anyone tell me: why on earth isn't this product on
> the market yet? Are there technical problems, or is everyone
> just missing a great opportunity here? I mean, one could get
> richer than Bill Gates by making a product that will virtually sell
> *itself*, and no doubt will change society quite a bit in the process.
>

If such a device were invented and marketed, it would be made illegal within a year, due to "deep ethical implications", or other equally vague phrases.


Zeb Haradon
my web page:
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~haradon