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August 13

Thought-Controlled Computers? I Think Not…

Will we all use thought-controlled computers in the future? I think not…

Thought-based input would be cool, but there’s no way it would work. Sure, you have some early attempts, like the Project Epoc game helmet, but there’s no way you could write an email/blog post/book/etc with your mind. If the text you’re putting onscreen comes directly from your mind, hmmm… I should get some more coffee you will likely have unwanted thoughts mixed-in.

Obviously “mind-reading” computers aren’t a good idea. Now, what was that I was going to write next? Hmm…. What was it? Oh, yeah… Voice recognition systems aren’t much better. Suppose you’re dictating to your computer (which sounds like fun). Someone walks into the room and says “you haven’t saved that yet? Be careful not to close the window.” You lose an hour of work that you forgot to save. After all, it’s much easier to save your document by pressing Ctrl-S than by saying “File…Save.”

I’m not bashing dictation software, but merely pointing out that it does have some downsides. As for thought-input? Forget it.