The journal Nature, is reporting that “scientists have developed a way of ‘decoding’ someone’s brain activity to determine what they are looking at.” From the article:

“The problem is analogous to the classic ‘pick a card, any card’ magic trick,” says Jack Gallant, a neuroscientist at the University of California in Berkeley, who led the study. But while a magician uses a ploy to pretend to ‘read the mind’ of the subject staring at a card, now researchers can do it for real using brain-scanning instruments. “When the deck of cards, or photographs, has about 120 images, we can do better than 90% correct,” says Gallant.

You ever notice that when someone tries to explain something through an analogy, they end up making it more confusing? Researchers believe that this will open the door to all kinds of sci-fi style shit like being able to watch people’s dreams and whatnot. But that’s a long way away. First, they’re going to have to figure out how dreams work in the first place. According to study team member Kendrick Kay, of the California University, Berkeley:

“Perhaps the contents of our imaginations are not represented in the same way as the contents of our actual real perceptions.”

Perhaps…uh…not? All I know is, being able to watch people’s dreams on cable TV is the next step in reality television. You heard it here.

Lou Pearlman, the Brains Behind ‘N Sync, Backstreet Boys pleads guilty on charges of fraud, and no, we’re not just talking about passing off models as musicians. In a 300 Million dollar fraud scheme, Pearlman and accomplices ripped off banks and private investors over a course of over 20 years. Many private investors were aspiring actors and models who paid to be featured on his Trans Continental “scouting” web sites.

The charges carry a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $1m (£506,000) fine.
Mr Pearlman, 53, is expected to plead guilty to two charges of conspiracy, money laundering and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding.

Apparently Pearlman, who had already been in litigation with ‘N Sync and Backstreet Boys for embezzlement and name ownership (settled out of court), was able to convince investors and major banks to invest in a company that didn’t actually exist. He’s been nervously keeping his back against the wall in an Orlando jail since July of 2007. As part of the plea agreement, Pearlman is expected to turn on his accomplices and aid in their prosecution, and give up four luxury cars and two bank checks totaling nearly $100,000. He probably figures it’s worth it. Look at him. 25 years in prison? Dude’s pasty ass cornhole couldn’t take it.