What do you think would happen?

Originally posted by sardion2000
You are assuming that this will be mostly a function of a network.

Not assuming anything, just playing devils advocate for the sake of the argument. Yes people will see the potential for abuse as they probably did with nuclear fission, pharmaceuticals, the internet and so on.

Yes my comment was speculation, isnt this whole thread speculation, arent you speculating?

Those strong willed types will be safe then, dont worry about anyone else, glad you dont have my back.

You "highly doubt they will be able to find a way to rewrite your brain"(speculation) or is this fact.

Sure, you maybe right, there could be a safe non harmful way of doing this. So are you going first or am i ?

M4S

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[edit on 23-3-2006 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by mojo4sale
True, but whats to stop it from getting into the wrong hands. Many things have started out as being thought of as beneficial to mankind until someone see's a way to exploit it.

The truth is that most of the time there is almost no way to stop someone from exploiting a new technology (or product of some form). Look at cigarettes, pornography, the hole you (someone in general, not you personally) think you have, which you "think" you must fill with the latest fashions (apparel and electronics). Guns, knives, forks, pencils can either protect you, or help someone harm you. Anything can be expolited for "evil". The only thing we can do is explore the possible dangers, and form new laws and restrictions.

Yes we are being exploited, but so far not by deep implanting of thought's into our subconscious which i believe is the only way something like this would work. It would involve manipulating your head(your words) but it wouldnt bother you who was doing the manipulating.Oh thats right its in good hands!

As I've mentioned above, laws and restrictions would have to be put into place. The people in charge would have to be properly screened, and the program would have to be thoroughly tested, and re-tested to prevent someone unauthorized from playing with something they shouldn't be playing with. Then you can ask the question; "who screens the screeners? Who is in charge? Is the company under government control, or vice versa?" Those are questions I can't answer. I don't even know what present companies are under government control, and vice versa. These are questions for the Conspiracy Theorists. Who knows, maybe you're under mind-control right now, and don't even know it. Its all speculation and paranoia (though I'm not saying paranoia is good or bad).

Btw not trying to be smart, just playing devil's advocate. I would love to experience something like this as much as the next guy or gal i just dont know if i could trust anyone enough to plug me in and not mess with my head. Well maybe my wife(shes watching as i write).

Don't worry about it. I know how you meant it. Do you trust the TV, the radio, the internet, the newspapers, or the people around you? (aside from your wife,.... which of course could be an agent of sorts! ) Do you trust your doctors? Do you trust the drugs they prescribe for you? Do they make you feel better? Do you know if over-the-counter medicine really is safe for you? You can either go through life trusting most things, or trusting nothing, not even your senses. You don't need cables plugged into your head to be brain-washed. There are more efficient, (sometimes) more subtle techniques already available. The Government may or may not already be brain-washing you, and they don't need to physically get into your head to do so. This is coming from someone who lived in a Communist country, and experienced some #1 brain-washing techniques.

Hehe if they are brain washing me they are failing miserably. Or are they?
Damn you now im not sure lol.

And i do agree it could be awesome, but me, im always seeing the danger first, benefit second, could be im just hard wired that way and a vacation for two weeks in the bahama's would do me the world of good.

As i said to Sardion, whos going first, you or me?

Originally posted by 2manyquestions
Maybe you're thinking of "Strange Days". That was a pretty good movie.

Strange Days, yeh that rings a bell for sure.
Anyway, the point I was (sort of) getting at was like, if you could insert some kinda VR in to a human mind, where do ya get the the "software" from in the first place? And what happens when people want more and more highs or twisted VR programs or whatever?

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[edit on 23-3-2006 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by mojo4sale
Hehe if they are brain washing me they are failing miserably. Or are they?
Damn you now im not sure lol.

And i do agree it could be awesome, but me, im always seeing the danger first, benefit second, could be im just hard wired that way and a vacation for two weeks in the bahama's would do me the world of good.

As i said to Sardion, whos going first, you or me?

They have you right where they want you. But even if you were brain-washed, do you know how it changed (or will change) your life? If you don't know, and you're still happy,....does it matter? If you knew, would it change anything? There's a healthy level of paranoia, and then there's the debilitating kind. There are people out there who trust nothing, and wouldn't go to a doctor if they had a massive brain tumor. Hell, they probably think the doctors put it there in the first place! Live your life, make the best of it, and don't be afraid to try new things.

I'll gladly try it! (though I'm not sure about being the very first one in line. Like with cars, I'm leery of the first-year models ).

Originally posted by DreadNaught
Strange Days, yeh that rings a bell for sure.
Anyway, the point I was (sort of) getting at was like, if you could insert some kinda VR in to a human mind, where do ya get the the "software" from in the first place? And what happens when people want more and more highs or twisted VR programs or whatever?

Well, I suppose you would get the software from the same places you get your video-games, or from stores specifically designated for VR. I'm sure at first this kind of VR would only be possible at certain designated locations, with staff on hand. Little by little it would make it's way to different company locations (employee vacation time), hospitals (for the benefit of the chronically ill), and so forth. After a couple (maybe a few) years, it would start making it's way into our homes, and that is when slowly software would become available in electronic stores. I'm absolutely sure that the porno industry (playboy, hustler, etc.) would take full advantage of it. For anything more sinister, the black market would accomodate that need without a doubt. These are just my guesses.

Originally posted by 2manyquestions

Originally posted by DreadNaught
Strange Days, yeh that rings a bell for sure.
Anyway, the point I was (sort of) getting at was like, if you could insert some kinda VR in to a human mind, where do ya get the the "software" from in the first place? And what happens when people want more and more highs or twisted VR programs or whatever?

For anything more sinister, the black market would accomodate that need without a doubt. These are just my guesses.

That's kinda what I'm saying... you might have a whole new type of criminal, doing stuff they normally wouldn't do, so they could sell the VR recordings. Anyway...Whatever man, I'm drunkish, going to bed.lol

I think making time pass quickly in the game when little time has passed in the "real world" would be more than possible. The reason i say this is because there is a genuine psychological effect we know of to do with that.

Ok the classic example. You are about to be hit by a car, the whole world at this point seems to slow to a crawl, we have all experienced this sensation at some point when you are in danger.

The reason for this is that your brain basically increases it's activity so that you can process tons of information and try and figure a way out of it. This is a recorded effect.

If we could induce this in the brain then maybe you could achieve the time effect you want. The only problem I could see is if the brain could cope with such heightened levels of activity for a sustained period without damage being done. Maybe it would be like over clocking a computer chip, or over stressing an engine.

On the other hand maybe we could find a way to do that.

Originally posted by DreadNaught

Originally posted by 2manyquestions

Originally posted by DreadNaught
Strange Days, yeh that rings a bell for sure.
Anyway, the point I was (sort of) getting at was like, if you could insert some kinda VR in to a human mind, where do ya get the the "software" from in the first place? And what happens when people want more and more highs or twisted VR programs or whatever?

For anything more sinister, the black market would accomodate that need without a doubt. These are just my guesses.

That's kinda what I'm saying... you might have a whole new type of criminal, doing stuff they normally wouldn't do, so they could sell the VR recordings. Anyway...Whatever man, I'm drunkish, going to bed.lol

I understand where your fear is coming from, but as you know, bad guys will exploit just about anything that's illegal, or in high demand. What's the difference whether they exploit VR, illigal drugs, stolen merchandise, or weapons? You think the potential to sell sinister VR-experiences might turn a good guy bad? If someone is set on making loads of money through whatever means possible, he/she would have done so whether or not illegal VR experiences existed through other means. Shady people will continue to sell drugs (or whatever else), and the "good" guys will continue to earn their money the hard way. That's just my opinion of course.

Originally posted by ImaginaryReality1984
I think making time pass quickly in the game when little time has passed in the "real world" would be more than possible. The reason i say this is because there is a genuine psychological effect we know of to do with that.

Ok the classic example. You are about to be hit by a car, the whole world at this point seems to slow to a crawl, we have all experienced this sensation at some point when you are in danger.

The reason for this is that your brain basically increases it's activity so that you can process tons of information and try and figure a way out of it. This is a recorded effect.

If we could induce this in the brain then maybe you could achieve the time effect you want.

I think Sardion2000 touched on this in his post (on the first page), and provided a link to a similar discussion. Check it out here: Matrix Bullettime. Is it possible?

The only problem I could see is if the brain could cope with such heightened levels of activity for a sustained period without damage being done. Maybe it would be like over clocking a computer chip, or over stressing an engine.

On the other hand maybe we could find a way to do that.

You have a good point. I have absolutely no idea how much our brains are designed to handle, so I can't really provide you with any kind of guess, let alone an answer. Maybe someone else here can do that for us.

The only problem I could see is if the brain could cope with such heightened levels of activity for a sustained period without damage being done. Maybe it would be like over clocking a computer chip, or over stressing an engine

lol, Liquid cooled brains ! Copper heat sinks and 160mm cooling fans ! woooo

Well as i understand it the brain increases it's electrical output in the cells. It also increase levels of neurotransmitters.

Now drug addicts have been known to actually deplete levels of neurotransmitters and so that could be dangerous, leading to depression, no sense of risk, insomnia, extreme paronoia etc. Lol mind you extreme paronoia wouldn't be new to people here right.

Cells have a pretty much set limit on energy production. When you have a massive burst of adrenalin you get speed and power in your muscles but afterwards you will get the classic "collapse". This is a recovery period where your cells get rid of waste products and repair damage. We are talking about a very short term burst producing pretty severe results, so long term effects like that on the brain could have horrible effects.

Maybe you would have to find a drug or combination of drugs that would actively "reset" the brain before you come out of VR. Maybe the consoles would be fitted with delviery systems for that kind of thing.

When dealing with the brain it's incredibly hard to know what's going to happen. If you adjust one thing it usually messes another up completely.