Brain Lasers – Controlling Your Mind
Filed under: Future Weapons, Human Intelligence, Psychology, Science, Science Fiction, Technology, The Future
New research by MIT scientists illustrates how special lasers could affect our brains (read report here).
The researchers say they’ve been able to induce gamma waves in the brains of mice. Gamma waves are high frequency brainwaves tied closely to consciousness. The scientists applied optogenetics, a technology that uses light in conjunction with genetic engineering to control specific nerves, to achieve their goals.
“Brain Lasers” have a variety of applications, including mind control. In its most frightening incarnation, a soldier armed with a “Brain Laser Rifle” would be able to fire at his enemy’s head and scramble their brain so they’d be unable to tell friend from foe. Or, the laser could be calibrated to shut down the enemie’s higher brain processes, reducing them to a moaning, zombie-like creature. However, there is no evidence yet to suggest the research is being used to produce weapons of any kind. Stay tuned to The Loki Times for continuing coverage.
Brain Lasers. Too dangerous for mankind? You decide.
Are Humans Just Big Blobs of Bacteria?
Filed under: Bacteria Intelligence, Bacterial Invasion, Biology, Discoveries, Human Intelligence, Intelligence, Psychology, Science, Science Fiction
A recent article at Seed Magazine shows that individuality is at a crossroads.
The report explores mankind’s complex relationship with the millions of microbes living inside us. New research shows that we are nothing without these little critters running around our intestines, hearts, and brains. The findings are significant enough that the International Human Microbiome Consortium came into being in October. Their goal will be to further characterize and understand our microbial allies and enemies.
Bacterial Microbes Living Inside Our Bodies (NIH)
According to psychologists, the new importance placed on the ecosystems within our bodies could damage our sense of self.
“Are we unique singular beings? Or simply communities of organisms working together, producing the illusion of an individual? Are we really in control, or is a crew of microbes inside our body piloting us along for their own needs? These are the sort of psyche shattering questions this science raises,” says Dr. Caroline McDeegalan, a psychologist working for the Fragile Egos & Humans Consortium.
When these concepts are combined with studies proving bacteria are smarter than we thought (read here), a scary picture of reality begins to open before us. The idea of ‘self’ could be replaced by the idea of ‘we’ – the ‘we’ being us and the millions of bacteria living in our bodies. Who’s in control?
What do you think? Are we humans? Or are we eco-systems?
Read our article Bacteria With Brains and the Mysterious Death of Pirates.
Synthetic, Bio-Engineered Humans Just Around The Corner
Filed under: Androids, Anti-Android Research & Development Team, Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Conspiracies, Intelligence, Robot Psychology, Robots, Science, Science Fiction, Technology, The Future
Two recent reports, which you can read here and here, detail advances scientists are making towards regenerating human tissue and building artificial human ‘parts’ that are just as good if not better than the ones nature gave us. The breakthroughs present several extraordinary benefits to mankind, especially amputees and people with degenerative diseases. They also present several frightening scenarios. For instance, imagine a world where you cannot tell the difference between a human who was born naturally, and one who was built.
Speculative fiction authours, like the great Philip K. Dick, have envisioned such scenarios, and for the most part the outcomes are not good (see Blade Runner, based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?).
Granted, there are those among us who believe that synthetic humans already walk among us, serving the nefarious purposes of their creators. Some have speculated that the Illuminati employ several androids who have risen to places of high power. These “human” puppets insulate them from the vast criminal conspiracies they are carrying out. One theorist believes that Bernard Madoff, now infamous for his multi-billion dollar investment fraud that’s ruined thousands of lives, is a synthetic human.
“The problem with these synthetic humans is that the technology is getting to a place where it is next to impossible to differentiate them from a real human,” says Boyd Theodred, a member of A.A.R.D.T., the Anti-Android Research & Development Team. “We aren’t being given the tools we need to weed out these imposters. And trust us, their intentions are not good. We have intel that new android research will give these phonies superhuman abilities. We need to stop this before it starts.”
Many are skeptical of A.A.R.D.T.’s claims. The group is widely regarded as a bunch of loonies. Nonetheless, the research we linked to above is real.
What do you think? Synthetic humans – dangerous or full of potential?
Check out the human machine t-shirts at the Loki Store.
Brillianty Stupid Artificial Intelligence
Filed under: Artificial Intelligence, Cyborgs, Robots, Science, Science Fiction, Technology, The Future
A recent article at the Gamasutra site highlights the need for artificial intelligence to be slightly stupid in order to accurately mimic human behavior and thought processes.
Besides being offensive to us, humans, this article illustrates what could become a disturbing trend in AI programming. Think of it this way – what’s more dangerous than a precision oriented artificially intelligent robot killer like The Terminator? We’ll tell you what – a STUPID Terminator. The reasons are pretty obvious. Artificial intelligence in the hands of a machine, computer, or robot can be a very powerful weapon and tool. Do we really want something that’s slightly stupid in control of that power?
Nanophotonics, Plasmonics, and Invisibility Cloaks: What You Need To Know
Filed under: Government, Science, Scientific, Technology
The ever advancing field of transformation optics promises the development of invisibility cloaks in the near future. We’ve already witnessed minor breakthroughs in the news with cloaking technology, but now we’re talking about the mass production of consumer ready invisibility cloaks.
What most people don’t know is that there is good reason to believe these advanced invisibility cloaks already exist and are in use by various government and para-government organizations. In fact, a member of The Loki Times staff spotted a person wearing an invisibility cloak in our offices. This person was chased through the building, but as you can imagine keeping track of someone who is invisible is very hard.
We just want you to keep this in mind, because there could be someone wearing an invisibility cloak watching you, even as you read this. Many of these futuristic inventions you hear about being “developed” are actually here.
Check back soon for images of invisibility cloak wearing spies caught on film.