Computers can read your mind!

So a friend linked me today to this article and it kind of blew me away. The fact that this sort of technology is finally coming about, for one. I almost feel that the technology is wasted on being used in something like Second Life, however, no matter what medium it originated from, I think it has enormous world-changing potential. If we can move it beyond 'cyberspace' (an actual, honest-to-goddess cyberspace! finally!) think of the difference this kind of technology can make in the lives of people with disabilities. Especially, I think, people with limited mobility but still fully functional minds. People could communicate when they were unable to do so before.

I personally am tremendously excited by a development like this. I have an autoimmune disorder that, from time to time, makes it difficult to near impossible for me to see, write, walk, or any number of other day to day functions. This is unpredictible, even if it is only temporary. Thinking about how a computer could, somehow, 'read my mind' and allow for me to perform some of these functions better, or perhaps need the physical functionality less? How could it not open up a world of possibility? It strips away some of the fear and hopelessness, as I am sure it can, or will, for millions of others out there who can use this technology to make their lives better rather than just to interact effortlessly in cyberspace.