As far as we know, no-one has invented one yet. Or if they have, they're not telling anyone!

There is a lie-detector machine, the polygraph, which, although not a complete tool for reading the mind, can nevertheless give strong indications as to whether a person is speaking the truth or not.

fMRI

Using the technology of fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), recent developments and extensive testing reveals that the brain (the mind?) makes its own decisions up to 8 seconds before we think we have made the decision!

fMRI can identify the parts of the brain that are active and interacting when engaged in processing tasks such as identifying, analysing and responding to visual, aural and tactile inputs.

So, with fMRI, it is possible to see and record the brain's progressive steps of perception, thought and action.

In typical research and testing the subject is presented with pairs of 'neutral' options. After the subject has had time to consider their options they indicate their decision (i.e. their personal preference and final choice) by clicking a button or moving a joystick.

In one series of tests subjects were encouraged to make 'random choice' decisions (for example, to choose between two similar photographs) and to indicate their decision immediately they had made it. Curiously, the ongoing fMRI scan of the brain had already revealed what decision the subject was going to make, several seconds before the subjects had actually made their own 'spontaneous' and 'conscious' choice!

This technology shows that it is possible to read the mind of a person before the person themselves has read their own mind!

At present, fMRI technology, as applied to this particular 'mind reading' field of research, is limited to identifying (a) the parts of the brain involved with decision making, and (b) what the decision will be. So fMRI technology is far from being able to 'read minds' in the wider sense of knowing all that a person is thinking.

MIND READING

Some people claim to be mind readers, and can demonstrate, with some degree of apparent success, that they are able to perceive or predict what a person knows, has experienced, or has done or will do. Of course, most, (if not all!) 'mind readers' are entertainers using tricks and/or subliminal suggestion to delude the subject and the audience into believing that the subject's 'mind' has actually been read.

TO SOME EXTENT we are all able 'read minds' in that we can often tell what a person is thinking or feeling, just by looking at their face and observing body language.

From what people say and the way they say it, we can often tell what they ARE REALLY thinking, even if it is not what they have actually said!

Using such perceptive skills, some have trained themselves to interpret infinitesimally small indicators a person may subconsciously give, such as a slight movement of part of the face, or a small body movement. The trained observer 'reads' the subject, and knows, or seems to know, exactly the way the subject's mind is working.

IN MAINSTREAM MEDICAL PRACTICE there are also health professionals, such as psychologists and those engaged in cognitive and behavioral research, whose role is to 'read minds'! These specialists know and understand what drives us, and how and why we respond to different situations. To the extent that these professionals know how the human mind works they could also be called 'mind readers'.

However, when most people refer to 'mind readers', they are not usually thinking about a psychologists!

Yes, we know what they are thinking, AND what they are not thinking! So our own brains must be mind reading tools!

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