NTT (Japan’s equivalent to pre-breakup AT&T) researchers have developed a device that sends electric pulses through the headset-wearing subject’s inner ears, disrupting their balance and causing to move in the direction that the controller sends them. At least the author od the article was as creeped out about this as I was.
link: Japan developing remote control for humans
"I felt a mysterious, irresistible urge to start walking to the right whenever the researcher turned the switch to the right. I was convinced – mistakenly – that this was the only way to maintain my balance.
The phenomenon is painless but dramatic. Your feet start to move before you know it. "
…
"Another program had the electric current timed to music. My head was pulsating against my will, getting jerked around on my neck. I became so dizzy I could barely stand. I had to turn it off.
NTT researchers suggested this may be a reflection of my lack of musical abilities. People in tune with freely expressing themselves love the sensation, they said. “We call this a virtual dance experience although some people have mentioned it’s more like a virtual drug experience,” said Taro Maeda, senior research scientist at NTT. “I’m really hopeful Apple Computer will be interested in this technology to offer it in their iPod.”"
Great. i-pod people. Thing is, I can already picture Apple’s ad campaign for something like this.
Any thoughts? Dire predictions? Sarcastic remarks?
Wow. A device that can make people dance as badly as I do.
True. It would probably help in my case.
This isn’t just a bad idea. It’s a Bad Idea.
What alarms me is that it just might catch on.
This reminds me, Sublight - are you coming to the nomihodai party at 08:30 on Friday? How about if I push this button ?
Jman
October 26, 2005, 5:26pm
6
Yeah, I just can’t think of this as a good thing. I sure as heck wouldn’t want it for games. Freaky.