After several of the class discussions and a look into some of the readings, it is clear that technology can often bring up controversial conversation: is it helping or hindering society by simplifying daily tasks? However, what if the issue was not so much the speed/efficiency at which you perform these tasks but rather your ability to perform them at all? While many nay-sayers argue that technology is making us lazy and incapable, I decided to focus my research and blogging efforts on exploring how technology is making a positive impact on those with physical disabilities in unconventional ways. With the use of technology, those with handicaps are able to do what would previously be considered impossible for someone in their condition.
The article with the greatest impact on me that I examined was entitled "This brain hat helps the paralyzed make music," and it immediately grabbed my attention because I was unsure if it was referring to composing or the actual playing of a musical instrument. The article describes a musician's invention of a brain computer music interface (BCMI) that creates a means for those who are physically impaired to compose music by using various eye positions. The system works by "connecting electrodes to the back of the head," performing system recognition of eye position by brain monitoring, and then allowing for selection of various icons representing different musical components by a user staring at whatever he is trying to select. In addition to composing music, the technology has also allowed for users to perform music as it's being generated by selecting which notes to play and how to play them.
The idea for BCMI came about after the inventor interacted with a man who had been paralyzed from the neck down and in turn had lost the ability to participate in any sort of musical activity other than listening. The prototype was tested and proved to be successful several years ago, and plans to make the system more user-friendly while still developing the sophistication level are under way. The inventor plans to release the final software to disabled users at no cost to them (with the exception of acquiring the necessary and notably expensive hardware). Although technology of this nature serves the primary purpose of allowing the disabled to participate in a recreational activity, research and brain-wave technology of this caliber has the potential to someday allow for control other items like wheelchairs and computers.
This article had several elements that I feel really help to justify why continuous development of technology is important. Music composition and performance is an especially important topic to me since I have played an instrument for years, so seeing the work that is being done to bring this part of music back into someone's life that has suffered an unfortunate event was something that I viewed as an incredibly worthy cause. Additionally, the idea of brain-wave technology can be broken into many sub-technologies that create outlets for those with physical disabilities to gain back aspects of their lives that they have lost: similar technology could be used for drawing, card-playing, appliance control, etc etc. The work that is being done with BCMI technology has the potential to make significant strides in how the physically impaired interact with the world.
Additionally, I especially liked that the inventor recognizes the immense cost involved in the creation of this technology but still plans to offer the finished software to those who really need it at no cost. While it is true that many companies who specialize in gadgets and software aim to make a lot of money, it is refreshing to read about research that is being done to maximize the impact in a person's life as opposed to simply maximizing profits.
article source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/23/tech/innovation/how-to-make-music-with-your-eyes/index.html
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