Artificial memory hardware might be on the way [link]
post by Dr_Manhattan · 2011-06-17T21:53:50.139Z · LW · GW · Legacy · 4 commentshttp://m.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/the-matrix-reality-new-study-successfully-implants-artificial-memory-system/7436
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comment by MixedNuts · 2011-06-17T23:19:13.616Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Include a short summary with the link. Here's a suggestion: Rats are trained to press one of two levers. Their short-term to long-term memory formation is then inhibited by separating two parts of their hippocampi, so they press a lever at random. Scientists have developed an implant that emulates communication between the two parts, allowing rats to learn. It also reinforces memory formation if added on top of a normal hippocampus. This promises control of memory formation, which promises external memory modules, which promises Keanu Reeves.
This is typical horrible overblown science journalism, complete with sci-fi references. The press release is much more reasonable.
Replies from: Will_Newsome, Dr_Manhattan↑ comment by Will_Newsome · 2011-06-18T01:13:48.022Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Do you or or does anyone know where I would go to get realistic forecasts of when various IA technologies might be developed, or what hard technical or sociopolitical steps are in the way? E.g. intelligence-enhancing brain implants, or genetically optimized humans? I don't get the impression that many such research groups exist and are getting funding, but you'd think the market would be all over future tech, so my impression's probably wrong, no?
↑ comment by Dr_Manhattan · 2011-06-17T23:42:43.530Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Sorry, posted from mobile.
comment by Icelus · 2011-06-21T23:26:05.980Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
For anyone interested in tracking the spread of stories like this, it hit Gizmodo which just links to the same prnewswire as this one:
http://gizmodo.com/5813821/scientists-create-first-memory-expansion-for-brain