As I explained in the previous post, the technology exists to control your computer with your mind using a neural actuator. Eventually the development of this technology could lead to structured mind-computer language used for controlling the computer. It’s one thing to move a mouse based on your brain patterns, it’s a much harder prospect to create recognizable patterns with the mind, but I’m sure it can be done.
Once this technology is available, our very thoughts could be recorded just as our mouse clicks are recorded today for marketing purposes. I think as the legal framework of the net continues to grow, we should be careful not to let the recording of our actions on our computers be fair game for anyone to use. While information allows for more targeted marketing, the high level of information could allow for a form of subtle control.
Our minds are built on the ability to recognize patterns and develop behavior based on that pattern. If I like dogs because I’ve had good experiences with them, when my brain picks up the dog pattern, it puts me into the ‘good dog’ behavior mode. If I’ve had a bad experience with a dog, then when my brain picks up the dog pattern, it puts me into the ‘bad dog’ behavior mode.
If I, as a marketer, could identify what a particular person liked or disliked, because I was able to monitor the combination of what he saw (on the Internet) and what he felt about them (based on brain signals picked up by the neural actuator), I could use the images that would best get that person to buy my product. Depending on your definition of free will, this is a disturbing thought.
