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A '''direct mindbrain-computer interface''' (BCI) or '''direct neural interface''' is literally that - a direct [[cybernetic]]technological linkinterface between a [[mindbrain]] and a [[computer]] not requiring any motor output from the user. That is, neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control an electronic device. This is a rather broad, ill-defined term used to describe many versions of conventional and theoretical interfaces. For purposes of this term, the word 'mindbrain' is usually understood to imply the [[consciousness]]physical brain of an [[organism|organic life form]] and 'computer' is usually understood to imply ana inorganicmechanical/technological processing/computational device. of someThese type.semantic Thenotations termare 'direct' impliescrucial thatin the exchangecontemplation of dataa betweendirect thebrain-computer mindinterface, andas the computerthere is notgreat handleddebate through intermediate organs such asin the eyes,[[philosophy ears,of mouth,mind]] or hands (currentlyregarding the most common setsreduction of organs[[consciousness]] usedand [[mind]] to interfacethe one'sphysical consciousnessqualities withof athe computer)brain.
Many versions of brain-computer interfaces already exist, with a great deal of [[neuroscience]], [[robotics]], and [[computer science]] research currently dedicated to furthing these technologies. [[Brain imaging#Practical achievements of functional brain imaging|Recent achievements]] demonstrate that it is currently possible to implement crude brain-computer interfaces ([[brain dish]]es) that allow <i>[[in vitro]]</i> neuronal clusters to directly control computers. [[Miguel Nicolelis]] has also used the [[vector sum]] of [[motor cortex|motor cortical neuron]] spiking - recorded directly from the [[cortex]] of monkeys - as a BCI. This design allowed a monkey to navigate a computer cursor on screen simply by thinking about moving the cursor, without any motor output from the monkey.
These semantical notations are crucial in the contemplation of a direct mind-computer interface, as depending on one's point of view as to what the term 'mind' and 'computer' mean, a direct mind-computer interface may fall under various categories from "already extant" to "possible but not currently in existence" to "completely impossible". For example, if an individual believed that the 'mind' was an ineffable construct, with no direct link to any physical construct that we can detect, then demonstrating to that individual an electronic coupling between the brain of an animal (of whatever order), and an electronic device would not be a compelling argument.
There have also been experiments in humans utilizing modern invasive and [[non-invasive (medical)|non-invasive]] [[brain imaging]] technologies as interfaces. The most commonly studied potential interface for humans has been [[electroencephalography]] (EEG), mainly due to its fine temporal resolution, ease of use, portability, and cost of set-up. However practical use of EEG as a BCI requires a great deal of user training and is highly susceptable to noise. [[Magnetoencephalography]] (MEG) and even [[functional magnetic resonance imaging]] (fMRI) have both been used sucessfully as rudimentary BCIs, in the latter case allowing two users being scanned in real-time to play [[Pong]] against one another by altering their [[haemodynamic response]] through various [[biofeedback]] techniques.
From a standpoint of pure fact, direct mind-computer interfaces already exist. [[brain imaging#Practical achievements of functional brain imaging|Recent achievements]] demonstrate that it is currently possible to implement crude brain-computer interfaces ([[brain dish]]es) that can be used to directly control computers or robotic limbs using a variety of both invasive and [[non-invasive (medical)|non-invasive]] [[brain imaging]] technologies. There have been many tests in the field of linking an animal's or a human's brain cybernetically to an electronic computing device. From monkeys hardwired into robotic armatures to a blind man who has had CCD chips and neural implants installed which allow him to see, albeit at a very low mono-chromatic resolution.
There has been great success in using [[cochlear implants]] in humans as a treatment for non-congenital [[deafness]]. There is also promising research in [[vision science]] indicating retinal implants may some day prove to be similarly successful in treating non-congenital blindness. Outside the realm of treatment, there has also been success in reconstructing an individual's view of a visual scene from the electrical impulses recorded from that person's [[visual cortex]].
The current state of the art can be more accurately described as a direct brain-computer interface. The distinguishing point being that the mind or consciousness is completely seated in the organic brain and neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and sent to an electronic device.
A true direct mind-computer interface implies that full integration exists between the conscious entity and a computational device. Such a linking might allow for a consciousness which is an emergent property of an organism's brain to migrate into an inorganic device holisticly. It may entail simply expanding or enhancing the existing consciousness.
== Theme in fiction==
Direct mind-computerneural interface devices were the prominant feature of the popular [[The Matrix|Matrix]] film series, wherein humanity was enslaved by artificially intelligent [[robots]] in a [[virtual world]] piped directly into people's brains. These interfaces are an extremely common element of [[cyberpunk]] fiction, often characterised as "control of hardware at speed of thought". In the ''meme wars'' novels of John Barnes, direct mind-computer interface permits the emergence of a hegemonic collective mind called [[One True]].
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