A neuroscience blogger recently uncovered this BBC special on the prospects of brain-machine mergers, and what it means for the future.

The Matrix, here we come. Japanese researchers have developed a brain-computer interface that enables a user to control his or her virtual avatar in the popular virtual world, Second Life.

An electrode-equipped headpiece picks up activity in areas of the brain associated with controlling arm and leg movements, then converts this into virtual action. At this point, the movements are pretty simple, but in the future the researchers hope their device will enable users to execute complex gestures and motions via thought alone, and give people with severe physical impairments a chance to freely communicate and even conduct business in the virtual space.—Gregory Mone

Via PinkTentacle