Latest By
Category:
Armor
Artificial
Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual
Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work
"Fuzzy logic tries to get machines to think like people do, with inexact fuzzy terms."
- Bart Kosko
 |
| Laminated Mouse Brain Computer | ||
| A computing device that makes use of neurons from a mouse. |
We're closer to the laminated mouse brain than you might think; see the additional resources for this item.
| ...Tiga-belax came in, very cheerful indeed... In his right hand there was a black plastic cube wih shimmering contact-points gleaming on its sides. The two technicians greeted him politely.
"I've got that beautiful child taken care of... I've used a mouse-brain." "If it's frozen," said the first technician, "we won't be able to put in the computer..." "This brain isn't frozen," said Tiga-belas indignantly. "It's been laminated. We stiffened it with celluprime and then we veneered it down, about seven thousand layers. Each one has plastic of at least two molecules thickness. This mouse can't spoil. As a matter of fact, this mouse is going to keep on thinking forever. He won't think much, unless we put the voltage on him, but he'll think. And he can't spoil..." |
| From Think Blue, Count Two,
by Cordwainer Smith. Published by Galaxy Publishing in 1962 Additional resources -
|
It turns out that the creators of the mouse brain computer were able to improve on nature when it comes to speed:
The mouse brain is used as the computer; the programming is accomplished by imposing the mind of a human being:
"Yes," said Tiga-belas. "One-third of a millisecond at forty megadynes. I want him to get her whole life printed on his left cortical lobe. Particularly her screams. She screamed badly at ten months. Something she got in her mouth. She screamed at ten when she thought the air had stopped in her drop-shaft. It hadn't, or she wouldn't be here. They're in her record. I want the mouse to have those screams. And she had a pair of red shoes for her fourth birthday. Give me the full two minutes with her. I've printed the key on the complete series of Marcia and the Moon Men—that was the best box drama for teen-age girls that they ran last year. Veesey saw it. This time she'll see it again, but the mouse will be tied in...
"I'm putting the girl's whole lifetime into one-third of a millisecond at top power. It will drain over into the mouse-brain inside this cube. What is the normal human reaction within one-third millisecond?"
"Fifteen milliseconds—" The second technician started to speak and stopped himself.
"That's right," said Tiga-belas. "People don't get anything at all in less than fifteen milliseconds. This mouse isn't only veneered and laminated; he's fast. The lamination is faster than his own synapses ever were. Bring on the girl."
The first technician had already gone to get her.
The second technician turned back for one more question. "Is the mouse dead?"
"No. Yes. Of course not. What do you mean? Who knows?" said Tiga-belas all in one breath.
Thanks to the readers who wrote in with this one.
"...This mouse isn't only veneered and laminated; he's fast. The lamination is faster than his own synapses ever were."
"Do you need the mouse any more?" said the first technician.
Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from Think Blue, Count Two
More Ideas
and Technology by Cordwainer Smith
Tech news articles related to Think Blue, Count Two
Tech news articles related to works by Cordwainer Smith
Laminated Mouse Brain Computer-related
news articles:
- Brain Chips With Uniform Self-Organized Neurons
- Mouse Brain Simulated By Supercomputer
- Solar Sail Craft Need Laminated Mouse Brains
- The Human Brain - Chemically Fixed And Embedded In Plastic
- Uploading Minds For Interstellar Travel
- Koniku Kore, Mouse Brain-Based Chip, Detects Explosives
| String Art Courtesy Of Robot Artist |
| Tetraplegics Dominate Avatar Races |
| IBM's Grain Of Sand Computer |
| Can An Entire Brain Be Simulated In A Computer? |
Want to Contribute an
Item?
It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a
quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add
it here.
| <Previous | Next> |
|
|
|
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
'... they placed the brain in a special solution, having all the properties of Nursing the brain cells.'
'... Ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.'
'Twin robotic arms with gleaming three-foot sword blades unfolded from the forward hydraulic assemblies...'
'He made an adjustment, pointed the tube at the wall beside Etzwane, and projected a cone of light.'
'A metal... light as cork and stronger than steel...'
'Ken lay full-length in the padded body compartment, his feet resting on the controlling bars of the directional planes, hands on the torpoon's engine levers.'
'... little machines, that went from plant to plant... cutting off the ripe fruit.'
'Recharge the batteries... in almost every town and village...'
'...a tiny, rocket-powered projectile, drove towards the mysterious bulk. It hit, exploding into a cloud of incandescent vapour.'
'The flycycles were miracles of compact design.'
