What Will Govt. Do With New Brain-Scan That Can Read Peoples Intentions Before They Act?

Question

The brain scan that can read people's intentions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2009229,00.html

London Guardian-Friday February 9, 2007
A team of world-leading neuroscientists has developed a powerful technique that allows them to look deep inside a person's brain and read their intentions before they act.

The team used high-resolution brain scans to identify patterns of activity before translating them into meaningful thoughts, revealing what a person planned to do in the near future. It is the first time scientists have succeeded in reading intentions in this way.

The use of brain scanners to judge whether people are likely to commit crimes is a contentious issue that society should tackle now, according to Prof Haynes. "We see the danger that this might become compulsory one day, but we have to be aware that if we prohibit it, we are also denying people who aren't going to commit any crime the possibility of proving their innocence."

kathy.....That would certainly be some valuable information. Good point

pblcbox....Yes, this is a valid point, Bert thinks the same. But what about the private sector? Will employers require this test in the future? Insurance companies? Schools?

david p-p-preut...I might not know what im gonna do in ten minutes, or ten years. But my Nuerons and nervous system might. That what these scientists are saying. They can read your brain.

Answer 1

Yeah sorry I read the article, and I dont believe a word of this tripe.

US courts do not allow POLYGRAPH evidence in a trial, they will NEVER allow this.

As much as Neo Cons might wish for it, humans are NOT that predictable. Besides how could this machine POSSIBLY factor in all the variables whcih affect the decisions we make everyday? There are literally thousands of tiny little decisions we make all day long which affect the outcome of that day.

Answer 2

are you kidding? man this world is all kinds of jacked up. firstly, no matter how many times one "proves" that this can actually work, it can never be for certain. secondly sure "those that don't do wrong won't have anything to worry about"... but do you truly know what you yourself are about to do in the next 10 minutes? and thirdly what about glitches? if that machine makes any kind of mistake, forget there goes everything. lastly a fundamental right that we American's enjoy will be stripped away: right to trial by jury. whats the need of a jury when you've already been convicted? this brain scan means oppression, a government whose power knows no end, and the end of freedom as we know it

Answer 3

does "near future"=3 seconds? because i don't see how they could know what i plan to do in the next hour with a brain scan now. There are so many other factors that could influence my decision

Answer 4

Due to the highly-charged nature of any such device, I'm thinking that it'll be treated much like the "lie detector", whereby people can make use of it, but its results are not necessarily usable in a court of law.

Answer 5

I don't think that this would work all that well - we still have free agency and can change our mind at the last minute - the machine won't be able to detect those last minute changes of mind.

Answer 6

Don't tell Bush and Cheney, they'll get Faux to sell it to the people as a way to fight the war on terror.

Answer 7

make the readings public
and start with the crimminal GW Bush

Answer 8

That's so sad..

Answer 9

Affect who we vote into office?

Answer 10

be screwed