Can the electrostatic pulses that the brain creates as a result of information processing be deciphered?

Question

If electrostatic currents create electromagnetic fields, can an outside source interpret these fields to gain a partial understanding of its source, hence partially decode the thought that originated the waves?

If so, wouldn't this mean that anyone would be able to interpret this wave at a rate equal to the speed of light?

Answer 1

EEG's are graphs created by electro-chemical brain activity which is picked up by EM sensors attached to the head. BTW, they are not electrostatic pulses, they are electrochemical in origin. Although the EM waves stemming from the electro chemical pulses do travel at light speed, the pulses themselves do not. This results from the synapes where the electrical to chemical and vice versa conversions take place; and each conversion takes a finite amount of time.

We have come a long way in deciphering brain electrochemical pulses. But we've a long way to go. For example, we can now use photosensitive material to transmit pulses to the brain, which will interpret them as images. It is artificial sight for the blind. The images are crude and ill defined at this point, but we are improving on them every year. In fact, latest developments have allowed formerly blind people to actually read very large print. [See source.]

Answer 2

In theory, it would be possible to intercept and decode electromagnetic signals escaping from the brain. In practice, the signals are very weak and complex. It isn't that easy even intercepting the signals, let alone separating them from the signals radiated by the body's muscles and other irrelevant sources, then decoding them.

We are only now learning through PET scans and other diagnostic tools just which parts of the brain are involved in what cognitive activities. This is a key step in decoding the brain's electromagnetic signals but far from the only one.

Answer 3

Yes and no. You can measure these things, but they are very faint and would require high quality equipment and sensors. Also, not every brain functions the same, so you might be able to interpret general things, but we are a long ways to come from being able to externally "read someone's mind".

Answer 4

Yeap! I also think that the technology is siting over there, just waint to be developed.

But I think it's much more hard than your think, 'cause a lot of people already try do so and fail.

Well, good luck.