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From: chris@ug.cs.dal.ca (Chris Robertson)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: Question about Harmonization of Computer/Eye Electronic Impulses
Message-ID: <1991Apr6.003046.18371@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 5 Apr 91 13:21:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: milton.1991Apr6.003046.18371
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Besides an actual silcon-nerve connection, I also recall a Scientific
American story in the early eighties about a young physicist at MIT who,
quite accidentally, discovered that oscillating micro-ampere currents applied
to the temples produce a similar effect to what happens if you press your
fingers into your eyes hard for a couple of minutes.  It produces a sort-of
"floating linoleum" pattern (at least, it does for me).

When you do it with pressure on the eyeballs, the pattern is a result of the
peizio-electric discharges of the ocular fluid stimulating the retinal cells
to fire.  Don't do it for more than 2 or 3 minutes .. it can damage your eyes.

Anyway, being inquisitive, this fellow began to experiment with the waveform
and frequency of the current.  With a computer and a waveform synthesis unit,
he apparently succeeded, within a year or two, in being able to produce some
basic geometrical shapes in the viewers field of vision.  The figures are more
or less "superimposed" on what your already looking at, and I recall him saying
that, for this reason, it was effective to wear dark glasses while viewing.

But that was the last of that I ever heard.  What became of it?  Anyone know?

I dunno, maybe it gave you eye cancer, or something ....


 - chris