# future expo in San Francisco (c. 1986) - game powered by mind? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947 "2013-06-02T14:27:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/1 "2013-06-02T14:27:40Z")
I guess this is a two part question. First of all, does any remember an Expo in San Francisco, probably around 1986, I think the Moscone Center (but I’m not sure), where all kinds of technologies from the future were presented? I tried looking it up online and came up blank (I couldn’t find any archives of local San Francisco papers that might have helped). For example, I recall seeing what was basically a primitive GPS - a small computer monitor on the dashboard of a car, in monochrome (kind of like TRON). It really seemed impressive at the time. But the other thing I remember seeing was some kind of video game where you could control things on the screen only using thoughts. If I remember correctly, you needed to pop balloons or something like that. Looking back, that could easily have been a scam, but a) was there really something like that (or has my mind misled me after so many years) and b) could it really have worked? ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/2 "2013-06-02T15:30:25Z")
Should be able to get a EEG “volume meter” to change by mental will power. > **[Consumer brain–computer interfaces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_consumer_brain-computer_interface_devices)** > > There are various consumer brain–computer interfaces available for sale. These are devices that generally use an electroencephalography (EEG) headset to pick up EEG signals, a processor that cleans up and amplifies the signals, and converts them into desired signals, and some kind of output device. > As of 2012, EEG headsets ranged from simple dry single-contact devices to more elaborate 16-contact, wetted contacts, and output devices included toys like a tube containing a fan that blows harde... says that Mindball was selling a $20,00 EEG /EMG device back in 2003 ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/3 "2013-06-02T15:33:43Z")
Charles Wehrenberg implemented competitive-relaxation as a gaming paradigm with the Will Ball Games circa 1973. In the first bio-mechanical versions, comparative GSR inputs monitored each player’s relaxation response and moved the Will Ball across a playing field appropriately using stepper motors. In 1984 Wehrenberg programmed the Will Ball games for Apple II computers. The Will Ball game itself is described as pure competitive-relaxation; Brain Ball is a duel between one player’s left and right brain hemispheres; Mood Ball is an obstacle-based game; Psycho Dice is a psycho-kinetic game. There were 7 $20,000 Mindball boards sold. One has been at Chicago Museum of Science and Industry ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/4 "2013-06-02T15:37:12Z")
There is always" Better Than Life", from the TV series Red Dwarf. > **[Better Than Life (Red Dwarf episode)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Than_Life_(Red_Dwarf))** > > "Better Than Life" is the second episode from Red Dwarf series two, and the eighth in the series run. It was first broadcast on BBC2 on 13 September 1988. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye, this episode introduces the total immersion video game "Better Than Life", which features in both the first and second Red Dwarf novels. > A post pod for Red Dwarf finally reaches the ship three million years late and is brought on board by Holly. As the group check through it, Arn... ---
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/5 "2015-06-23T08:33:01Z")
Still really curious if anyone remembers this event… ---
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/6 "2015-06-23T15:26:40Z")
OK, I went to the [archives of the San Francisco Chronicle](http://www.sfchronicle.com/archive/), did a search for future expo in 1985-1986, and I’m pretty sure I found two articles discussing what I remember: A Look at the Future: Eerie Music and $9 Sodas? Author: JENNIFER DONOVAN Date: April 20, 1985 Publication: THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Page: 13 The Future Has a Familiar Ring Highly Touted Expo At Moscone Center Draws Criticism Author: Mark Lacter Date: April 19, 1985 However, I don’t have access to the actual archives. Can anyone help me out? If not - does this more detailed information help anyone remember anything more? ---
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/7 "2015-06-24T09:41:48Z")
OK, I’ve dug a little deeper, and found the name of the show. It was called Future World Expo (or FutureWorld Expo), and here are a few links describing it: > **[Robots blinked to pulsating music and a metallic-clad cheerleader... - UPI...](https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/04/19/Robots-blinked-to-pulsating-music-and-a-metallic-clad-cheerleader/3830482734800/)** > > Robots blinked to pulsating music and a metallic-clad cheerleader waved pom-poms at the opening of a futuristic exposition on what to expect in the 21st... > **[11 Visions of The Future That Were Utterly Wrong](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/visions-of-the-future_n_4520597)** > > 11 Visions of The Future That Were Utterly Wrong > **[2010 Isn't What Many Futurists Of The Past Imagined](https://www.npr.org/2011/07/22/130585002/2010-isnt-what-many-futurists-of-the-past-imagined)** > > Back in 1983, futurists predicted we would have orbiting drug labs and a cure for cancer by now. The year 2010 was seen as the distant, rosy future. Now it is 2010 and we wondered: How did the predictions of futurists turn out? [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19850412&id=bxEhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=InQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2528,2549278&hl=en](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19850412&id=bxEhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=InQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2528,2549278&hl=en) > **[The Robot file](https://www.sfgate.com/news/slideshow/The-Robot-file-56377/photo-4151728.php)** But I’m still interested in details about some of the exhibits - particularly the early GPS and the power of thought game. I can’t find anything about the producer, Todd Mills. Any idea how to find out what happened to him? For someone to make a show that had 80,000 people come, you’d figure he wouldn’t just disappear… ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947/8 "2015-06-24T21:36:54Z")
Are you thinking of the Atari Mindlink? [http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/mindlink.html](http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/mindlink.html) I don’t know if it was shown at the expo you describe, but the timing is similar. It didn’t really “read your mind.”