Monitoring and Diagnosis
The iBrain can provide easy-to-use, accurate, at-home monitoring. The data it collects can be used to help understand a number of medical problems and to monitor a patient’s brain.
Section B.
Q&A.COM
TOPIC: Science and Technology
Question: What is your opinion of the iBrain?
Most recent answer: Submitted by Sciencefreak.
The iBrain is an amazing development! If this device achieves its purpose, it will be great for Dr Hawking, and many others like him whose medical problems prevent them from communicating normally. It is always a pleasure to see people pursuing their passion. My congratulations must go to Dr Low for refusing to accept capital from commercial businesses. Science must be used to help society or there will be no society. I hope medicine and helping human beings will always be Dr Low’s first priority.
Section C.
iBrain: The Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind
by Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan
Small and Vorgan’s ‘iBrain’ is a fascinating book that describes how new technologies are changing our brains. Their main point is that our brains and the brains of our children are much easier to shape than we have been led to believe. They differentiate between digital immigrants: people who had to learn technology such aas computers and cell phones as adults, and digital natives: people who have known technology all their lives. The good news for digital immigrants is that they find it easier to form relationships, communicate with others and adapt to the demands of modern society. In other words, they retain the social skills that digital natives sometimes don’t develop.
The message of ‘iBrain’ is not that technology is good or bad, but that it is both. Electronic devices can change the structure of our brains and leave us disconnected and lonely, but they can also help us accomplish much in terms of work, economics and social connection.
Section D.
The Washington Post: Stephen Hawking to Demonstrate iBrain Technology next month
By Emi Kolawole
Scientists may have discovered a way to read the brain of one of the world’s most famous scientists. Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist, who was diagnosed with a serious muscular disease, lost the ability to speak 30 years ago. Up to now, a computerized voice generated by a sensor inside Hawking’s mouth has allowed him to communicate. However, the muscles controlling the device have weakened , limiting his speech to as little as one word per minute.
Without a new means of communication, Hawking runs the risk of total isolation. This is a horrifying prospect not only for Hawking himself, but also for the scientific community, who have benefitted greatly from his work.
Now, a new device called the iBrain may significantly improve Hawking’s ability to communicate. Developed by Stanford University professor, Philip Low, the device can record brain function at a level of detail never achieved before. The two scientists, Hawking and Low, have been working on the device for over a year, and plan to demonstrate it in Hawking’s hometown of Cambridge, England, next month.
Questions 13 refers to section D above.
What do we learn about Hawking and Low?
A.They first met each other a year ago.
B.They have been cooperating for some time.
C.They both suffer from the same disease.
D.They both grew up in Cambridge, England.
