That’s right gamers! For a mere 250 dollars, you can own a Foc.us headset, which will, according to its makers…
“Overclock your brain using transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to increase the plasticity of your brain. Make your synapses fire faster. Faster Processor, Faster Graphics, Faster Brain!”
I, wait…what? Okay, let’s get into this…
For those not following, the Foc.us headset is supposed to make your brain’s synapses fire faster by shocking it with electricity, which will turn you into some sort of super-perceptive being that sees in the world in Matrix-like slow motion. Or hyper fast motion? I dunno! I think I need one of these things just to wrap my head around what these things are claiming to do.
Before you whip out credit card, be forewarned — according to The Sydney Morning Herald…
“The company says the headset is not a medical device and is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. It also says the device meets all regulated safety standards but warns against its use by epilepsy sufferers or anyone with implants.”
Not regulated? I’m shocked! It’s almost as if something slightly shady is going on here. Also, what kind of “implants” are they talking about? What parts of the body is this thing meant to stimulate exactly?
Here’s what Australian Professor of Psychiatry Colleen Loo, has to say about Foc.us…
“I think stimulation of yourself with do-it-yourself kits is potentially quite dangerous. Even with a single session, I am concerned about people doing some mischief to themselves.”
No s–t Dr. Loo? Also, “do mischief to themselves” — you’re adorable Dr. Loo.
So yeah, I’m not sure what to say exactly. The whole thing is blatantly a scam, but I almost kind of admire the makers of this thing in a sick way for being so utterly shameless. I mean, they’re basically selling a “Wonders of Electricity!” faux-medical device from the 1800s in 2013 — if nothing else, that takes balls.
via MCV & The Sydney Morning Herald