I wonder if Dr. Whalley’s been contacted by “the military” yet. I see this sort of thing being useful for a variety of applications, if they can tune it (and they apparently can). Feed these brain cells sonar and they can echolocate around a pen. Feed them infrared or microwave and maybe they can locate hidden enemy combatant units or mark (or detonate) mines. All kinds of ethical questions abound. If I was writing more science fiction, I’d think about a story (though Philip K. Dick has already written a couple along those lines). As it is, I woke up this morning with the idea for a science fiction(ish) story about remote viewers being attached to marine reconnaissance units in some upcoming war in the Balkans. I may actually write it, though all I have is the idea (no major plot at all yet).

I’m play all the time, since it’s effectively free now (despite the viking bastards upping prices to cover their air fare bills). I probably shouldn’t put this much “sensitive” information in a public forum, but we’ve got … seven? (I’ve lost count!) POSes and a couple of freighters (one of them a nomad). I spend most of my Mondays hauling fuel and T2 raw material back and forth. I still think the developers are amoral dickheads, but since the game can be played at a “chess by mail” pace a lot of the time (and since it’s free), I keep my hand in. Good to hear from you!

I just read that same article, via Boingboing, and yes, it creeped me out, too. Especially the video was pretty scary.

Now, I do feel for the poor rats, but if this cures Alzheimer I feel it’s worth it. Still creepy. Not that I find myself thinking if I chose the wrong career and if I could still change it…

I read an article about people trying to simulate a rat’s neocortex in a computer a while ago. I’ve lost the reference, but it got me thinking if we could use those simulations for some stuff – my first application idea was to use it to do signal separation from an audio signal, but I have no idea if that could be done. I should write an outline and try to use it as a basis for a PhD (if somebody wants to, go ahead – it’s not like it couldn’t be used for multiple ones, and I’m probably not doing one right now).
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In other news, nice to see you writing again. I could also try to talk to you in-game, too, if you still play.

edit: I decided to start at the beginning with Radiolab, and their very first show ever is basically about the same issues I wrote about in this post. Eerie. Good call, L.