Fascinating stuff. Seeing with your tongue. Hearing with your eyes. All good. However, the moment they come up with tasting with your fingertips, I draw the line. I mean, think about where hands go every day...yuck!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In a related story, research laboratories say they are testing out an experimental system where guys actually think with their brains. Sadly, early results show that most decision making processes continue to be carried out somewhat lower.

OT: -39

bosskev

I'd buy this just for the sexy hiding/revealing packaging. skeet. skeet.

Jimbuck

can this be hacked and programed to produce what ever stimulus you want?

venomous_duck41

*dude, I can totally see smells!*

"try taking a bath once in a while"

Parapraxis

That video was fascinating. Nevermind the gadget here.

okeo

Reminds me of that Conan O'Brien skit a couple of nights a go with the guy in the audience and the lolipop/radio under both of his armpits.

got no clutch? You ain't much.

"The sidewalks in this town are delicious."

I can see how this would be really useful to folks who could once see, but you'd have to come up with a new symbology for those blind since birth . . . like Braille.

BasicBlack

@Ghede:
I feel you.

tehdahl

@92BuickLeSabre: Your lucky. I can taste my avatar. I need more Pepto.

Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity

@92BuickLeSabre: I feel for you.

Ghede

I have a tongue piercing. Will my fish have a hole through its middle?

Lasarett

mmm.... tastes like chicken

Boognish

pff. snakes have been doing this for ages now.

SleepingMartyr

This is actually some pretty cool tech based on an even cooler understanding of the brain. It's all about brain plasticity and the idea that the brain is far more malleable than previously thought. They did some work with people suffering from acute vertigo where the part of the brain that interprets balance signals from the inner ear was destroyed by infection? virus? I forget. Anyway, they replaced replaced the signal using electrical stimulation of the tongue. The brain re-wired itself and people were cured after just a few weeks of treatments. Good to see someone is turning game-changing technology into pop-culture nonsense.

Look at me, knowing something about technology and all.

mildretard

OW!
I've gotten a splinter in my mind's eye!

strider_mt2k

Call me they get to "I can Kung Fu"

se7a7n7

"I can see with my tongue," invites such juvenile jokes that I am BITING said tongue to not even go there, but its very hard. You can all thank me later.

Curves

@Git Em SteveDave: I hear what you're saying.

No, really, I can hear it. It's freakin' me out.

92BuickLeSabre

"This virtual fudge tastes like crap."

"Only half as good as this cyber fudge."

*zaps eye*

"OH, what a bleak horrible future we live in!"

Kaiser-Machead on the Edge

So this produces/reproduces synesthesia?

Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity

@mildretard: Witch!! Burn him!

highfloydelity

The snozberries taste like snozberries

lldsandsll

I think human beings have come to a point where the tongue is no longer needed to navigate or experience something else, and I for one do not promote this kind of technology, and here's why:

We will evolve with tongues that are longer, more tactile and more reptilian, possibly forked, if we give them more stimuli than necessary. Imagine everyone walking around flicking their tongues at things to get a better idea of it. Imagine going to an electronics store and everyone is flicking at the electronics, and some people start electrocuting themselves because they flicked exposed wiring by habit.

Kaiser-Machead on the Edge

somebody had to say it, its been a while.............

OUR ECOSYSTEM ROCKS!

takemetoyourtoaster

Now, I'm not sure if that's a photochop or not, but that's totally an Apple USB plug. Actually, considering Jobs' early days, that doesn't surprise me.

behavin

Does this remind anyone else of "Gridlock" episode of Doctor Who?

crazy0000

Nifty... I'd like to try it and see what it 'looks' like myself...

I swear the one guy looks like Ron Perlman's older brother...

StarChaser Tyger

@Kaiser-Machead: good point.

ub

@StarChaser Tyger: "I'd like to try it and see what it 'looks' like...looks like Ron Perlman's older brother... "

So, is what you're saying is that you'd like to lick Ron Perlman's older brother?
* shivers *
Even I have my standards.

bosskev

@StarChaser Tyger:

seriously@ Ron Perlman....

nutbastard

I actually contacted Bach-y-Rita almost exactly a year ago asking if I could research sensory substitution on the tongue for other purposes. He let me know that he has the patent for the tongue, and that any tactile sensory substitution would have to be done on some other body part. One way or another, this loli idea is fantastic, and if it comes to market, it would be great if you can program on it whatever you please.

fudged71

can i watch pr0n on it ?

laio

@laio: You don't want to watch porn on it. I repeat, you DON'T want to watch porn on it. I don't have to explain it, and it will come to you why, but just know, you DO NOT WANT TO WATCH PORN ON IT.

Kaiser-Machead on the Edge

@HeyBeav: "...and toad licking."

And, when busted, I assume your defense was, "just reading the frog, officer."

bosskev

Humph, you kids today and your USB nonsense.

Why I remember back when if we wanted an altered state of consciousness all we had was blotter and orange barrel and sunshine tabs and purple mescaline and peyote and mushrooms and toad licking.

HeyBeav

Actually, I'd rather put my trust in the 1980s Mexican Neuroscientist Pancho Marg-a-Rita, who proved with very throrough and extensive research that the brain could accept alcoholic stimuli through an exact mixture of frozen H20, lemon juice, and Tequila.

His research has proven invaluable over the years for humankind and we hope his Nobel Prize comes one of these days. Screw this USB bullshit.

ciscokidinsf

This is one of the most inspiring examples I've ever seen of how technology can improve the quality of someone's life. Sure, the internet makes information more available but to those affected, this makes available one of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience.

Jamo

Sweet, we can be like Bender and jack-on.

pleasenopuffin

Urrgh. The deeper I look into this, the more disgusted I get.

First, they seem to suggest that a handful of simplistic images are sufficient to address a myraid of different issues. Shooting stars for sociability, or spiders to overcome some generic fear? Give me a fucking break.

Fuck, looking at the product, there's nothing to suggest it can even generate an image. It's just a plastic lolipop stuck to a USB connector.

DisposableInterloper

I hate is when the New Age Brigade takes legitimate scientific research and distorts it to their bizzare and downright stupid fantasies.

The research these USB lolipops claim to draw from is very much real. However, look at what they're claiming.

First, they want to sell you the idea that 16 points of contact is enough to generate any meaningful image. The real deal has well over 200.

Second, they're claiming that somehow, these super-low-res images can help you overcome certain fears, as if somehow confronting them with typical sensory stimulation isn't sufficient. Putting aside the resolution issue for a second, the sensory data is the same, regardless of whether it comes via tongue or eye, and they're ignoring that.

This is a sham. Period.

DisposableInterloper

The meditating one seems interesting, although there's definitely a price limit I'd be willing to hit. When they release a "I can produce a gallon of semen" then let me know.

On the other hand, that video truly is interesting and informative.

albtms

this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head...

uli

Holy shit, this is awesome. Not the candy USB thing, but that Wired video. God damn.

Poisonous Taoist

@bosskev: Hey! It was taken out of context! I was misquoted! I didn't inhale! I am not a crook!

StarChaser Tyger

Truly mind blowing, hey can we get one of those that tells my brain I am gettin' some?

VideoVampire

fake. I doubt they would use an Apple usb cable.

Ultraorange

Sounds like a quick trip to seizuretown to me.

Jackson the Narcisisst

Anyone notice the iPod usb cable sticking out of this contraption?

heylookitscook

what images would you get from this thing? the video even said that the pad with 144 sensors was blurry, this thing has 12! that gives you like, a square... and... um.. a smaller square?

HawaiianActor

They have tasp-in -a lolli?!? I WANT one!

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