If I could augment my senses (w/ implant or similar) ...
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AR, cyberpunk style (Score:5, Interesting)
I'd obviously want an implanted computer interface. I can't believe this wasn't included.
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Oh, didn't you get the email about the upgrade? Man, it must have gone to your spam box by mistake.
It's too bad that the offer ended last week. Sorry...
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I'd obviously want an implanted computer interface. I can't believe this wasn't included.
Easy-peasy [xkcd.com]
A true and accurate and transparent lie detector (Score:5, Interesting)
If you could actually create a true and accurate and transparent lie detector,
It would change the way we interact with people. It would be almost as good
as a mind reader and would definitely change politics among other things.
Re:A true and accurate and transparent lie detecto (Score:5, Insightful)
But would it distinguish among the different classes/severities of lie, and other attempts to deceive? In some fields (politics, religion, etc.), one person's lie is another's truth. This would make it complicated for statements made in the media, such as in print or videos, or on the radio or on web-sites. Recall that to be a lie, the person uttering it must think the utterance to be false. If they truly believe the falsehood, there is no lie in speaking or writing it.
An infallible lie detector might make us aware that we receive the unadulterated truth fairly seldom. Most people leave inconvenient truths unsaid at times, and bias the truth (often with good motives) at other times. My own opinion is that any inerrant faculty for detecting lies would lead to disillusionment and cynicism in whoever suffered from having it, likely accompanied by increased combativeness.
Now a detector of statements contrary to fact would be much more useful than a detector of statements thought to be false. Alas, it's far less likely, and would perhaps violate some things thought to be true [wikipedia.org].
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Now a detector of statements contrary to fact would be much more useful than a detector of statements thought to be false. Alas, it's far less likely, and would perhaps violate some things thought to be true [wikipedia.org].
This gives me a wonderful mental image of a big room full of people - one group is paid to state propositions, and the other (with lie detectors) is paid to state if they told the truth or not. You send your propositions to this group and they get back to you with true/false...they can even spend their spare cycles just like the computing@HOME projects, narrowing in on the answers to interesting scientific questions, like so:
Is there a room-temperature superconductor?
Does it contain element X, Y, Z,..
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the tru (Score:2)
geeze, I google'd that up to make sure I got it more or less sort of right, and find that somebody's already hit that one up on
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Please take this toothpick as an sign of my appreciation.
Giggles about the frogs.
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I was about to make the same point, but you stated it better than I could. The only change I'd make is to give your "detector of statements contrary to fact" its proper name.
I want a bullshit detector. That would change politics as we know it.
Re:A true and accurate and transparent lie detecto (Score:5, Funny)
I was about to make the same point, but you stated it better than I could. The only change I'd make is to give your "detector of statements contrary to fact" its proper name.
I want a bullshit detector. That would change politics as we know it.
A political bullshit detector is easy. It is simply a motion detector aimed at the politician's mouth.
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That's true if only one person can detect lies, but if everyone did, people would generally stop lying. It would also be just as good if most people were simply more skeptical and open to bad news. In such an environment it would become too difficult to lie and get away with it and there wouldn't be as much of an incentive
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That's true if only one person can detect lies, but if everyone did, people would generally stop lying.
I'm not so sure that would be a good thing. Sure, you would spend less time doing jury duty, but I see many negatives too.
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Re:A true and accurate and transparent lie detecto (Score:5, Interesting)
Humans are amazingly bad at telling a lie from the truth (or amazingly good at telling lies).
It has been scientifically tested [amazon.co.uk].
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Humans are amazingly bad at telling a lie from the truth (or amazingly good at telling lies).
It has been scientifically tested [amazon.co.uk].
Better read the Definitive Book of Body Language [amazon.com].
Re:A true and accurate and transparent lie detecto (Score:5, Interesting)
It took me years to get over the cultural difference with all the platitudes after I moved to the US. I was used to answering as honestly as possible without offending, and might say "Tired; I didn't sleep much last night" when asked how I was.
I do better now - if I feel moderately okay, I can say "fine", and if not, I can always say "How do you do" in my best European accent, and it'll be accepted as charming or eccentric.
I do better with euphemisms too, but it took a while. I don't want to rest or take a bath; I want a pissoir or a lavatory. "Men's room" works, mostly. And I still have some trouble distinguishing "adult" from "adult". The opera is adult entertainment, no?
I still can't do the fake smile and bubbly voice, though. Nor looking people in the eyes - that's reserved for ophthalmologists and lovers.
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However, you wouldn't want everyone else to have it too. Imagine this conversation: "No honey, that doesn't make you look fat!" "You think I'm a cow, really!"
Re:A true and accurate and transparent lie detecto (Score:5, Funny)
Wife: Does this dress make me look fat?
Husband: No, the dress does not make you look fat.
(while at the same time thinking, it's all the extra fat on your body that makes you look fat, the dress has nothing to do with it)
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It's all about whether or not you believe what you say. Think about it this way
This.
That's part of the reason why lie detectors don't work on sociopaths and pathological liars - because in their minds, what they say is true, regardless of how it conflicts with reality.
The other part being, of course, that lie detector machines are not scientific instruments, any more than a divining rod or crystal ball.
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It might not be that bad. Yes, if suddenly everybody had a perfect lie detector, people's feelings would be hurt when they discovered how people really felt about them. But after a while, everyone would get used to hearing others' honest opinions. We'd all grow thicker skins and have a better idea of what we're really like.
More likely, we'd stop asking questions and steer the conversation away from ourselves and our present company.
Being thck-skinned is likely at least partially inheritable, which would take generations to select for. Choosing the topic of converation is cultural, and can change quickly.
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The question is about one's own senses. If you were the only one who could detect lies, you'd be the most hated and shunned person ever. Your scenario assumes everyone has the ability.
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A built in lie detector would completely ruin romantic relationships, or at least redefine them in almost every way. An honest and healthy relationship is built upon a bed of well-meaning half-truths that make the partner feel better, stronger, more beautiful, and ultimately more loved than he or she may actually ever be. They are lies with the greatest and most honourable of intentions.
Constant truth would be emotionally crippling for most of us, and I for one wouldn't wish it for a moment.
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Lie Detector (Score:3)
It would be great, but I would be unable to watch the news or any political speech. The Lie-Detector alarms would ring so hard in my head that it just may explode.
social intelligence enhancer (Score:2)
Synesthesia (Score:2)
Like every other male over the age of 8... (Score:5, Funny)
X-ray vision.
Re:Like every other male over the age of 8... (Score:4, Funny)
X-ray vision.
SELECTIVE X-ray vision.
As if you want to see through everyone's clothes. *
(* assuming we're talking about the comic book cliche x-ray vision.)
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Re:Like every other male over the age of 8... (Score:5, Interesting)
No, no, what they're asking for is backscatter X-ray vision.
Personally, though, I'd rather simply be able to read people's minds, see their thoughts, and mentally speak to them while at an arbitrary distance.
And from now on, stop playing with yourself.
Zoom (Score:5, Funny)
I would choose to be able to zoom in on objects. Granted I already have this ability, but what if I didn't want to walk that far?
Re:Zoom (Score:5, Funny)
Kryten: Well, just one or two. In fact I've compiled a little list if you'll indulge me. Now then, uh, my optical system doesn't appear to have a zoom function.
Lister: No, human eyes don't have a zoom.
Kryten: Well then, how do you bring a small object into sharp focus?
Lister: Well, you just move your head closer to the object.
Kryten: I see. Move your head
Lister: No. We don't have them.
Re:Zoom (Score:5, Funny)
Next you're going to tell us your nipples don't work.
Re:Zoom (Score:5, Funny)
"No matter how hard I twiddle it, I can't seem to pick up Jazz FM"
(nit pick: shortly before this he mentions that his nipple was used primarily for picking up short wave radio transmissions - so he wouldn't be able to get Jazz FM anyway)
Reset back to when I was younger (Score:5, Insightful)
Back then: Good eyesight, good hearing
Now: Blind in one eye, glasses for everything and hearing loss.
All I want is to have my original senses back.
Re:Reset back to when I was younger (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
As a (former?) possessor 20/15 vision, I don't think there's all that much too it, really. Details are a little easier to parse?
Re:Reset back to when I was younger (Score:4, Insightful)
My senses are still good enough, but I'd like to have my joints back the way they were when I was 17.
Re:Reset back to when I was younger (Score:5, Funny)
My senses are still good enough, but I'd like to have my joints back the way they were when I was 17.
Well if we are going that far, can I also undo a couple of diseases, some physical accidents and my first wife?
Re:Reset back to when I was younger (Score:4, Funny)
My senses are still good enough, but I'd like to have my joints back the way they were when I was 17.
Man, I hear you. Real indica, man. With proper paper too.
Buy it now! (Score:5, Informative)
At least one of these you can buy now. http://sensebridge.net/projects/northpaw/ [sensebridge.net]
Haven't bought one yet, but I'm tempted.
I'm betting that Google Glass/other vision system will have expanded visual spectrum (mapped to "normal" colors) soon. Great for color-blind people, too.
Just restore my hearing please (Score:3)
I'd be very happy if I could just get back the hearing I lost to too many hours of loud headphones and drugs.
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I'd be very happy if I could just get back the hearing I lost to too many hours of loud headphones and drugs.
Out of interest, what drugs contributed to your hearing loss?
I could understand some drugs leading to enjoyment of overly loud music - which itself contributes to hearing loss - but I struggle to think of any that will cause or contribute to hearing loss directly (other than drugs that will cause much more significant problems than ONLY hearing loss and you probably wouldn't be posting on slashdot any more).
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Opiates. And yeah, I probably wouldn't be here if I hadn't managed to quit.
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Just like Rush Limbaugh's pain killer addiction damaged his hearing [wikipedia.org].
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From the wikipedia article you cite
When questioned whether Limbaugh's sudden hearing loss was caused by his addiction to opiates, his cochlear implant doctor, otolaryngologist Jennifer Derebery, said that it was possible but that there is no way to know for sure without performing tests that would destroy Limbaugh's hearing completely.
Looks like I already have a partial ability to detect lies.
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Opiates. And yeah, if I hadn't quit them I probably wouldn't be here.
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but I struggle to think of any that will cause or contribute to hearing loss directly
There's a fair few ototoxic drugs that can cause permanent hearing loss. Aminoglycoside and macrolide antibiotics, quinine, hydrocodone, Lasix, platinum-based chemotherapy, among others.
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Depends on how it's done. (Score:2)
My eyes are getting old, and weren't that good to start with - but it'd have to get a lot worse before mucking around with surgical implants. Doing so starting with good vision? No way. A touch from the wand of the 20/20 fairy, fine.
as long as I could modulate it! (Score:3)
What ever the sense is, I'd need to be able to shut it off. Any of these senses, if always on, could be a curse.
Laforge (Score:2)
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Just being able to see UV would be ... interesting. I'd spend a lot more time at outdoor cafes, watching the, ehrm, world pass by....
But honestly, if I could augment one of the traditional senses, I'd go for touch. It's probably the sense that has lost the most over the years, and if I could go far beyond even how sensitive my skin was as a child, I'd be ecstatic.
Mixed forces (Score:4, Interesting)
Polyglot Implant (Score:2)
A wider color spectrum... (Score:5, Interesting)
...actually covers many of the other options.
If your wider spectrum extends into gamma frequencies, there's your radiation detector.
If it extends into infrared, you'll be able to see the heat given off by live wires, which is "good enough" generally for your electrical field detection -- assuming you're wanting to know which wire to (not) cut.
Infrared would also let you see involuntary changes in blood flow patterns, which again should be "good enough" for your lie detector.
If you extend the definition of "color spectrum" just enough to also include the ability to detect the polarization of light, then you can very easily determine the location of the Sun at all times during daylight (and dusk) hours, even when it's cloudy. That's again generally "good enough" for a compass.
Doesn't do a whole lot for sound, though, I'll admit....
Cheers,
b&
Re:A wider color spectrum... (Score:5, Informative)
If you extend the definition of "color spectrum" just enough to also include the ability to detect the polarization of light, then you can very easily determine the location of the Sun at all times during daylight (and dusk) hours, even when it's cloudy. That's again generally "good enough" for a compass.
Actually, you already can sort-of just barely detect polarization: Haidinger's brush [wikipedia.org] . And also xkcd [xkcd.com].
How about *really* seeing colors? (Score:5, Interesting)
It would be interesting to have true color vision. Right now, you have three chemicals in your eyes, which means that you truly only see three colors. For example: your eye is unable to distinguish between true orange light and a mix of red-and-yellow that stimulates the chemicals in the same proportion. When we mix primary colors, we don't truly produce a new color - we are just fooling our measly three chemical detectors.
Imagine if you could directly perceive hundreds or thousands of individual frequencies of light? What might the world look like?
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Well, it sure beats *not* being able to see deadly wires under load.
Echo-location (Score:3, Interesting)
Either like Daredevil, or paired with the ability to emit ultrasonic pings...
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Either like Daredevil, or paired with the ability to emit ultrasonic pings...
Sonar, so that I can fly around in caves in the dark.
Re:Echo-location (Score:4, Informative)
Some humans can learn a rudimentary form of echolocation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19524962 [bbc.co.uk]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLziFMF4DHA [youtube.com]
Spatial Visualization (Score:5, Insightful)
Honestly? Ignoring the more crazy one, I'd love to have better spatial visualization and perception. When I work with numbers or math, I've always wished for the ability to better visualize some of these things in my head.
I can do it to an extent - I can visualize simple equations, some elements of topology, and most stats as graphs and charts. But beyond a point, my ability to visualize things in multiple dimensions and translate that back into what that means plateaus.
That's also one of the reasons I didn't quite pursue what I've always wanted to do -- math. I find that most people who excel at math (especially topology) are just naturally good at spatial visualization and perception, and can derive solutions visually and translate that into equations.
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Actually, autistics & NTs have the same range/frequency of math aptitude -- the idea that we're all STEM geeks is something Wired magazine came up with about a decade ago.
Personally, I found English and biology extremely easy in high school, but struggled to earn C grades in my math or math-based science classes due to (I realized later) dyscalculia. Most other autistics I've gotten to know online in the last 12 years have an average ability at math, with the remainder split between the talented &
Since we can augment with non-senses (Score:2)
So far most people have selected "built in lie detector", which isn't an augmented human sense by any stretch of the imagination. So I'd choose to augment my senses with the ability to fly. Actually, no - I'd augment my senses by being able to instantly seduce any woman I choose.
Just kidding, honey! (in case my wife ever actually reads Slashdot...)
Besides, what good is a lie detector? People tell me lies every day, and I'm usually aware of it - most people aren't good liars. It's not like I can do anything
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You just negated your own argument. You said you could tell when people are lying because they aren't good liars. Which means this is a human ability.
I can do math too, and can carry a tune - that doesn't make either one a human sense. The title of this poll is "if I could augment my senses".
Lie Detector... (Score:2)
... it would better allow hearts to not get broken, and negate the "distrust factor" in relationships, business or personal.
Of course, a really good liar believes their own lies so, would a lie detector catch that?
Low Self-esteem (Score:2)
My parents always told me I aint got no sense.
Balance (Score:2)
I wish I had a good inner ear, maybe it would cure my heightsickness.
My list ... (Score:2)
Wider hearing range, would be great to hear all the things some animals can and would allow for farther vocal communications. Ability to tune out unwanted ranges (dog whistles)
Olfaltory sense that would allow for the early warning of a poisonous atmosphere. CO2, other gasses.
Not a sense really but the a
Normal would be good (Score:3)
I can't even see the 'regular' visual spectrum, you insensitive clod!!
Red-green colorblind, eh?
Nercon69
so-called "lie detector" (Score:3)
Overwhelming (Score:2)
Breaking it down... (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd most want a radiation meter
The odds of you actually needing one of these would exceed the threshold of usefulness. If you live in a high risk area, you can easily simply buy an instrument to measure this for you. I would think in most situations where you might be exposed to excessive radiation, you would be able to detect it just in time to know there is nothing you can do about it anyway.
I'd most want to be able to safely detect electric currents
Seriously? What are you a lazy electrician? A simple instrument to measure this is not only cheap, but easy to find. Why waste your senses.
I'd most want a built in compass
Even more lazy and silly than detecting electrical currents. Compasses are easy to find and dirt cheap. Many times free, or attached to other things. If you are worried about being in a plane accident and stranded in the wilderness, knowing where north is might help, but you have to survive the plan crash first anyway.
I'd most want a lie detector
The first really interesting answer. But then again, what is a lie? Does this detect truth and false, or intent. If I believe my own horseshit does that mean that I am not lying? In addition, sometimes a lie might be preferable to the truth. Do you really want to know what other people feel about you for example?
I'd most want to see a wider color specturm
Another interesting one, depending on your definition of "color spectrum". As has been mentioned, go far enough up or down the line and you get all sorts of powers!
I'd most want to hear a wider range of sound
Why? You want to hear dog whistles or something?
None of these are what I'd want (I'll explain below!)
Comic Book X-Ray Vision of course is the correct answer. (Selective of course, you don't want that shit on all the time! Some things are better left unseen!)
My senses are fine as they are, thanks.
Young and unimaginative unless they write some story about the dire ramifications of all the above...
Re:Breaking it down... (Score:4, Interesting)
It surprises me that people want more hearing, a sense we already have several octaves of range in, versus wanting better vision. Our vision is just about a single octave; extending it to the range of our hearing (about 10 octaves) and we'd be seeing from the ultraviolet down to the middle microwave. Shift our vision down some +3 and -7 octaves around what we see now, and we'd be seeing wifi noise and microwave ovens.
And since most of our clothing is designed to not block infrared heat from leaving, with that you would have comic book vision!
None of these (Score:2)
Lie Detector (Score:2)
Here's a start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_Action_Coding_System [wikipedia.org]
Normal vision (Score:2)
My vision is augmented (Score:2)
I'm sure lie detector would be tempting but... (Score:2)
As others have mentioned, it brings up so many issues.
I would like a greater dynamic range to my existing senses. I'd like to be able to not walk into things at night and also not need sunglasses during the day. I'd like to go to concerts and not need earplugs but also be able to hear the proverbial pin drop (obviously not at the same time).
Oooh and polarisation might be a handy vision upgrade.
color spectrum? (Score:2)
Existing augmentations. (Score:2, Informative)
You can already get magnetic implants which allow one to sense magnetic fields. The implant is effectively a small magnet placed under the nerve center in the tip of one finger. When exposed to a magnetic field the magnet will move, this movement is picked up and interpreted as a novel sense.
I got one of these implants about 6 months and after a 2-3 month acclimatisation period it's fascinating what you can pick up. Although the range is typically very short (normally 6 inches or less) I can feel magnetic f
Some of The Above (Score:2)
The survey neglected to offer... (Score:2)
The survey neglected to offer what would likely be the most popular choice: greater resolution...
Internal diagnostics (Score:3)
I'd like to be able to know exactly where problems are and of what sort, and the control and knowledge to go with it: antibodies! Get that now! Metabolism! I just ate a piece of cake - crank it up and burn it off! (well, after running it on high for a few months to lose <too many> kilos) Abs - a little more definition please.
Lie detector? (Score:2)
This comment generated by walking on the keyboard (Score:3, Funny)
I want:
* sight in near-total darkness,
* some extra sensory organ that allows me to make my way in absolute darkness; maybe something like large facial hairs with highly-sensitive follicles,
* a sense for when someone's in the deepest phase of sleep so I can choose the maximally disruptive time to walk on their face,
* hypersensitivity to body language so I instantly know exactly who in the room is allergic to me,
* such keen hearing that I can detect the fridge door opening three rooms away, and
* the ability to switch my hearing off again when anybody wants me to do anything.
Memory (Score:4, Interesting)
And user-selectable delete, or better even, trashcan.
Underwater breathing (Score:3)
I already have a builtin Compass (Score:3)
You insensitive clod!
I could do with some new eyes though. They've seen enough over the past 60 years.
echolocation (Score:4, Interesting)
Quad-chromatic (Score:3)
Some women are quad-chromatic and can see more shades than most. I just think that would be cool and maybe my clothing wouldn't clash so much :)
I'd most want to see a wider color specturm (Score:3)
Considering I suffer from dichromacy [wikipedia.org], I'd surely like to be able to see a "normal" range of colors.
Also, "specturm" really?
Sarcasm detector (Score:4, Funny)
Sarcasm detector, yeah that would be a useful power.
goes into a seizure
Re: (Score:2)
you don't need a lie detector to find that everybody lies.
people lie all the time, from insignificant little lies things to very important issues.
sure, you want to know about those big lies, but those are hard to pull off and will eventually come out, the small ones on the other hand are part of what enables us to build a society, you don't want to know about them all.
In other words - if you have a built in lie detector (that is better than a normal person's intuition and social skills) you will eventually have no friends at all.
That's an interface problem. Lie severity threshold should be configurable so that I would be able to accept the lies about my hair not really thinning that much while picking up whether the service staff is lying about spitting in the food. A good AR display would also indicate the severity of the lie in some way, maybe a bigger "liar's halo" or color gradients.
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geeze bicyclerepairman's a better superhero than you.