|
|
Post by D_M-01 on Apr 7, 2012 1:29:23 GMT
I recently read this webpage that had a short piece of work explaining a technology I thought was quite interesting. It is called vertebrane. The idea is that they surgically remove the vertebrae connecting your brain to optical nerves related to your senses. By doing so, you can essentially create your own universe within your mind through a virtual reality that uses your senses to make your brain think it is real. Basically, it is a sort of lucid dream, except permanent and you have more control over your surroundings. This topic is going to focus on whether or not you feel that such a technology would be possible to create, and if so, would you accept the surgical procedure to achieve the benefits. I highly recommend reading the link provided before engaging in this debate. I believe that such technology is possible and could even be achieved within my time. The question is not so much how but when. We have already begun exploring the brain and its structure, and have been successful in recreating parts of the brain. If the time came to where they would implement such a technology, I would most likely accept it and choose to have it implanted. |
|
|
|
Post by FoxtrotZero on Apr 7, 2012 1:42:51 GMT
Well this is certainly interesting. I don't expect it to catch on, just because it seems like the type of thing people would have a stigma against.
Hmm. To answer your question directly, I don't think I'm qualified to say whether or not it's possible. That depends on whether the neuroscience checks out. I don't think it would catch on because it seems like the sort of thing the average person would have a stigma against.
It's not something I would do. I would not be willing to have my vertebrae removed for a number of reasons. One of which is that is a sort of permanent thing, and I don't know that is something permanent I want to do. Another thing is it would be similar to death, in that the reality you knew would no longer exist to you, nor would the people you knew. They would all be figments of YOUR imagination, and particularly knowing that, that could take a bit of a drain out of life. Next, doing this, you really fail to be present in the real world, which means first and foremost that you are the epitome of vulnerable, but it could have more complex rammifications. The last problem is that our senses are an inhibitor in many ways. Our physical limits do not exist in our minds but are created by our senses, and our brain isn't equipped to handle such a lack of limits. I think that in an environment where your brain is creating such senses - and by the way, our brains are so used to accepting input they might not be able to simply fool themselves - you could have problems with experiences that simply aren't possible (i.e., overdose of dopamine or such a traumatic incident that your brain believes itself to be incapable of functioning).
I do believe the singularity will happen within our lifetimes. I think virtual reality - either through very well-crafted artificial environments or direct input to our brain - is a possibility and probably an eventuality. But I don't think removing one's brain from one's bodily senses is either wise or very likely to catch on, and that comes with the assumption that is is possible to achieve.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fringe Pioneer on Apr 7, 2012 1:47:24 GMT
Oh, is this essentially Nozick's Experience Machine problem, except promoted from a mere thought experiment to reality? Well, not quite, but it would be if only you could remain in the video game for which Vertebrane would let you "inhabit" to "live" your "life" as opposed to staying for a short video game session... |
|
|
|
Post by D_M-01 on Apr 7, 2012 3:34:33 GMT
The only part that confuses me is time perception in this virtual world. Time appears to be slower in the dream world, as far as I have observed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Qwerty on Apr 7, 2012 8:01:20 GMT
For standard dreams, maybe, although I think studies have shown that it's not always slower. This is anything but a standard dream.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elmach on Apr 7, 2012 20:53:40 GMT
I am strongly against technologies similar to Vertebrane, because it would lead to stagnation in human society-- or at least, those who are going to be able to utilize these technologies. Those people would probably first be the ones most successful and with the most money, or those who get to Vertebrane first-- which would probably be those who worked on it. Relevant xkcd comic.
You know what, self-conscious? I am going to post as much as I have whether you want me to or not. You are NOT going to make me work on this post for more than a day. |
|
|
|
Post by ganondorfchampin on Apr 7, 2012 21:01:09 GMT
Lets all stay in a trip until we all starve to death. There is a reason we feel pain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Qwerty on Apr 7, 2012 21:56:23 GMT
Yeah, this really doesn't found fun at all. Now, that's not to say it has its uses (say, extreme medical cases where the person has no external senses anyway, or vegetables, or whatever), but not for people just doing it for fun.
|
|
[M:977802]
