Mixed Feelings | Hacker News Reader

Mixed Feelings

wired.com

49 pointsdivia11 comments

For anyone interested in how the brain operates, including its ability to adapt to new sensory input, I highly recommend Jeff Hawkins' book On Intelligence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Intelligence

> The brain, it turns out, is dramatically more flexible than anyone previously thought, as if we had unused sensory ports just waiting for the right plug-ins.

It can't be that easy. It seems way too convenient that we do some DSP on our sensor equipment, put it next to the brain and suddenly we are conscious of some new sense. Maybe we could sense the new property somehow, but they better have some awesome results if they want me to believe that we will get something as detailed and perceptually unique as one of our natural senses.

That said, though...this is really cool and someone should make equipment like this so I can use it.

The cortex is very flexible. It has uniform structure: the same type of hardware that processes vision, processes also abstract thinking and memory and sense of touch.

I have worked on a prosthesis system like the ones mentioned in the article. It substitutes vision with audition. My version works on a mobile phone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3171226.stm

Rather interesting, especially if you are familiar with Jeff Hawkins' research.

I want one!

There are pictures of it here:

http://feelspace.cogsci.uos.de/en/technology_01.html

Ok let me rephrase that: I want smaller unobtrusive version of one!

anyone want to help make one??

If you actually do take a shot, I'd suggest using much smaller vibrators (or maybe even very very weak electrodes directly on your skin). As long as you can be consciously aware of the buzzing or electric shocks, no matter how tiny, you will go ahead and develop the "direction sense". Using bigger vibrators will only waste electricity.

Plus you wouldn't need such a large power pack.

Yeah, I don't think it would be too hard, you just need a microcontroller, digital compass, a bunch of vibrating motors, and a power source.

Vibrating motors: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_i...

Digital compasses: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?cPath=23_83

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