Is it madness if someone thinks that telepathy is possible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fxdung
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the potential for future technology to read human thoughts, referencing ideas from authors like Michio Kaku and Richard Feynman. It explores the distinction between machine-based interpretation of brain signals and the concept of telepathy, which implies a person reading another's thoughts. While the possibility of machines interpreting brain signals is acknowledged, skepticism remains regarding the feasibility of such technology, especially at a distance. The conversation also touches on mental health, clarifying that believing scientists can read thoughts does not inherently indicate a mental disorder. Symptoms of paranoia, such as mistrust and hypervigilance, are outlined, emphasizing that a single belief does not suffice for a mental health diagnosis.
fxdung
Messages
387
Reaction score
23
It is seem to me some books of Michio Kaku and Feynman say that when technology develope enough,one can make a machine to read the thinking of people.Why if someone thinks that:scientist possibly can read his thinking,then he is said to be mental disorder?
Is it madness if someone say that telepathy is possible?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
fxdung said:
It is seem to me some books of Michio Kaku and Feynman say that when technology develope enough,one can make a machine to read the thinking of people.Why if someone thinks that:scientist possibly can read his thinking,then he is said to be mental disorder?
Is it madness if someone say that telepathy is possible?
It's not clear what you mean.

What they are talking about, I think, is having a machine, very likely with multiple sensors directly on the head, being able to somewhat interpret the electronic signals in the brain. That certainly could be possible some day. Probably.

"Reading minda" / "telepathy" is something else entirely, at least as the concept is used in English. It means a PERSON, not a machine, being able to read someone's thoughts, usually from a distance. I don't think anyone can say that it is impossible, but personally, I think it is and always will be. The electrical signals in the brain are VERY weak and we have not evolved with receptors for interpreting such things anyway.
 
I mean a machine at distance, emits(eg laser ray) onto the head and absorbs signal from the head.Through it they can read the thinking.Is it possible?
 
Last edited:
fxdung said:
I mean a machine at distance, emits(eg laser ray) onto the head and absorbs signal from the head.Through it they can read the thinking.Is it possible?
Well, it's certainly not impossible but I find it very doubtful. Anyway, I'm sure it isn't going to happen in my lifetime so I don't really care.
 
It requires a lot more than that to diagnose someone as mentally ill. That symptom is a tiny part of paranoia.From Mental Health America :

What are the Signs of Paranoia?

Symptoms of paranoia and delusional disorders include intense and irrational mistrust or suspicion, which can bring on sense of fear, anger, and betrayal. Some identifiable beliefs and behaviors of individuals with symptoms of paranoia include mistrust, hypervigilence, difficulty with forgiveness, defensive attitude in response to imagined criticism, preoccupation with hidden motives, fear of being deceived or taken advantage of, inability to relax, or are argumentative.
 
Man, when the Devil comes a-knockin', he does not smell of sulphur and brimstone, he smells of sweet perfume and roses... Doing a bit of research for a short story. All I wanted was some examples of professions typical for jurors in a trial of the time and location of the story (1850s New Orleans - of which I am not very familiar, so I have my work cut out for me). ChatGPT delivered that very nicely, giving me a list of a dozen typical professions for the type of man that was eligible for...
Back
Top