The Mind-Altering Computer by Bill Machrone is a column in the current issue of PC Magazine. It looks like the ideas that Jim Johnson and I had about using computers as mind tools back in Eighties is going mainstream! Here is an except from the article:
"Everybody knows that computers can drive you crazy, but what can they do to improve your mental state—or even change the way your brain functions? In our stress-filled world, it's good to learn how to get a grip, or at least mellow out. There are many solutions, spanning a variety of technologies. Some, such as screen savers with soothing images and nature sounds, are intended to engender a nonspecific feeling of relaxation, while others are more directed. Some use hardware for biofeedback and reinforcement, so you know when you're achieving results."
He speaks from first-hand experience as he has tried a number of different mindware on the market and seems on the hunt for more. Here is what he says about the Journey to Wild Divine biofeedback game that has been the mindware hit of the year:
"The Journey to Wild Divine, for example, is an adventure-style game with rich graphics, music, and sensor cuffs that you place on your fingers to read your heart rate and galvanic skin reaction level. As you play the game, you learn to modify your energy levels in both directions—lower and higher—by controlling your breathing, visualization, and even laughter. I've used Wild Divine and can attest to its effectiveness. Some may find its earth mothers and blissed-out guru mentors off-putting, but there's nothing wrong with what the program teaches. It's a bit strange at first to move things on the screen and navigate by focusing or defocusing your mental energies, but you'll feel like a Jedi in no time."
He also discusses another package that has been popular on the Mindware Forum, the Neuro-Programmer:
"You can download many programs to create relaxation or self-improvement recordings, and commercial, mission-specific recordings are also plentiful. Some add subliminal messages; others simply include a voice track while playing entraining tones. Have a look at Transparentcorp.Com its Neural Programmer has prerecorded scripts and allows you to record your own over its relaxing background sounds."
He even found some software that I had not taken a look at yet, the Subliminal Recording System:
"For ultimate control over your recordings, check out the Subliminal Recording System. It looks like home recording studio software but creates binaural entrainment frequencies and allows you to shift your messages into different frequency bands."
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