brian@brazil.psych.purdue.edu (Brian Berndt) (12/19/90)
The idea of putting a computer in your head has facinated me for some time now. I have been calling it a (Very) Personal Computer. The interfaces would have to be customized to each user, changing the connection as the user's needs change and the nerve systems are analyzed. The main first step would seem to be an illusionary monitor. As has been mentioned before here. Once computer generated input to vision was possible other uses would be possible; motion detection, zooming, vision in low light, etc. Again at first, an illusionary keyboard could be used ( the computer would read finger nerve activation in conjuction with position analysis ), but this will be replaced by voice recognition. Just as more and more people are now owning a Personal Computer, would not the computer users of the Nanotech Era want a Very Personal Computer? I like the idea of an internal cellular modem, but depending on how well (or to what degree) the computer is interfaced with the person, (ie. If this is the same computer running the Bio-monitor/Life-support functions.) you might be suseptible to a computer virus or hostile take- over. Brian [I assure you that voice recognition will be here before implantable computers that simulate physical objects at the sensory/motor nerve level. The concepts of memetics (see other letters this batch) will serve to show you that our minds are already susceptible to viruses in purely informational form. --JoSH]