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MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

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Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#2
I was introduced to this phenomenon through Kurzweil's book "How to create a mind". He claims that the brain is massively parallelized pattern recognition machine, with consciousness being a censor that filters results. While in hypnagogia, this censoring function is suppressed and you are able to make "unthinkable" connections between ideas you normally think are unrelated. Of course, you should just take notes of these connections and later evaluate them rationally to see if they have any merit. It's very exciting that technology might be able to prolong and enhance this creative state of mind.

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#4
post #3

> As they were falling asleep, the Jibo robot would prompt them with one of two phrases: “remember to think about a rabbit” or “remember to think about a fork.” I'd imagine a queue like this would work, regardless of if I was sleeping.

A cue* not queue

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#5
>> ... the world starts dissolving, but you still have awareness of your descent into unconsciousness and memories mixing with hallucinations,

>> Jibo robot would prompt them

So this is basically someone going on a guided acid trip. An induced state where real perceptions and illusions can be directed by an outside guide. As further proof, I'd like to see the robot say "your skin is covered in spiders". I'm betting that dreaming doesn't go so well.

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#6

>> ... the world starts dissolving, but you still have awareness of your descent into unconsciousness and memories mixing with hallucinations, >> Jibo robot would prompt them So this is basically someone going on a guided acid trip. An induced state where real perceptions and illusions can be directed by an outside guide. As further proof, I'd like to see the robot say "your skin is covered in spiders". I'm betting t…

[deleted]

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#7
This title seems quite misleading, dream control has been practiced by individuals for thousands of years and is easy to learn if you just do some reading and dedicate yourself to it ('lucid dreaming' and everything related to it). It doesn't require any devices or technology, although some techniques can involve using technology to make various things easier or more reliable. If you learn it well you should be able to perform just as well as this device allows you to, although this device seems a bit more focused on the state before lucid dreams, it could be just as useful as a consistent trigger to attain lucidity.

It's strange that the title says 'dream control' yet 'lucid dreaming' is barely mentioned once in the article. It seems like they just mean more awareness in a hypnagogic state, or the ability to wake up quickly after entering one, which can also be attained just by practicing.

The data provided attempting to show the benefits of this is severely lacking as well. A sample size of six with little specific description of their alternative use task is not useful in the same way saying they spent 158 seconds longer writing stories is not. I'm sure someone who remembers all their dreams can tell you a long and 'interesting' story, but it's not necessarily useful.

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#8
post #7

This title seems quite misleading, dream control has been practiced by individuals for thousands of years and is easy to learn if you just do some reading and dedicate yourself to it ('lucid dreaming' and everything related to it). It doesn't require any devices or technology, although some techniques can involve using technology to make various things easier or more reliable. If you learn it well you should be able…

I think it's interesting. Tech to create a feedback loop to keep you in a particular state.

When I was a kid I really had this thing for switching a light switch between off and on. Know what I mean? There's a spot you can hold it between off and on where the light flickers, and buzzes, at low power, sort of randomly.

I guess this is like that for wake-sleep. Cool state to be in and to get there without drugs, concentration, or whatever else. Very simple.

Can you lucid dream/OBE? Was it possible to learn?

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#9
Here's the conference paper [1], 30s preview video [2] and ACM Digital Library entry [3].

There's also a project homepage with a FAQ [4].

[1]: http://delivery.acm.org/10.1145/3190000/3188403/alt10.pdf

[2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joYEbU2R57Q

[3]: https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=3170427.3188403

[4]: https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/sleep-creativity/overview...

Re: MIT Researchers Have Developed a ‘System for Dream Control’

#10

>> ... the world starts dissolving, but you still have awareness of your descent into unconsciousness and memories mixing with hallucinations, >> Jibo robot would prompt them So this is basically someone going on a guided acid trip. An induced state where real perceptions and illusions can be directed by an outside guide. As further proof, I'd like to see the robot say "your skin is covered in spiders". I'm betting t…

Maybe just have it say "Coca-cola tastes great!" - boom, billion dollar industry right there.

Or as in Futurama "Lightspeed briefs, as seen in your dreams!"

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