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"We're about 20 minutes away from the point where Clarke's law kicks in and technology becomes indistinguishable from magic."
- Peter Watts
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| Subvocal Input Device | ||
| Attached sensors read nerve signals to determine what the user will say next. |
| She took a subvocal input device from its rack and placed the attached sensors on her throat, jaw, and temples. A faint glitter in the display screens meant the machine was already tracking her eyes, noting by curvature of lens and angle of pupil the exact spot on which she focused at any moment.
She didn't have to speak aloud, only intend to. The subvocal read nerve signals, letting her enter words by just beginning to will them. It was much faster than any normal speech input device... and more cantankerous as well. Jen adjusted the sensitivity level so it wouldn't pick up each tiny tremor - a growing problem as her once athletic body turned wiry and inexact with age. Still, she vowed to hold onto this rare skill as long as possible. |
| From Earth,
by David Brin. Published by Bantam in 1990 Additional resources -
|
The author adds
Here are a couple of science fiction writers who have, indeed, written about a direct interface (John Varley, 1984) and a communications implant (Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven, 1981). As it turns out, there are ways that a direct connection can be made between the brain and a device - see the Thinking Man's Wheelchair.
As I recall, Clint Eastwood used a similar 'device' in Firefox, a fairly cool 1982 movie about a technologically advanced jet fighter. To activate its missile system, you had to think the commands - in Russian, no less. Fortunately, Eastwood's character was up to the challenge.
Sometimes, under a talented operator, a subvocal could seem almost magical, like those "direct" brain-to-brain computer links science fiction writers were always jabbering about, but which, for simple neurological reasons, had never become real.
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Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
