href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2004/subvocal/subvocal.html">
NASA
is working on a
href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2004/subvocal/subvocal.html">new
type of speech recognition. Rather
than analyzing sounds, it detects nerve impulses in the throat.
The user does not have to speak out loud.
Instead, the user merely thinks about speaking, much as one
does when reading silently.
This sounds pretty neat, although the accuracy is not very good yet.
I could imagine this being used for things like cursor
control, or any number of other things, if the accuracy can be improved.
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It's only neat to the extent that technology, and Frankenstein's monster, are neat. It's real neat to the extent that it benefits particular human beings. It's not neat if its user's power over their physical environment exceeds their sense, or their senses. What will be the psychological consequences, on the users of this technology, of the ability to manipulate their environments, if they lack the ability to experience a natural environment? Is there a spiritual benefit to this technology? Gee whiz.
Of course there is a spiritual benefit. Salman can scribe the mutterings of the great prophet Mahound much faster using this device. Of course, this is feasible only because, for that paticular application, accuracy does not matter.