George Orwell 1984

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

From what I read, fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imagery) maps activity within parts of the brain. There is no suggestion that the viewed activity can be translated into images or words. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You are right, though Musk thinks you are wrong. Trained operators claim they can interpret the fMRI.

Similarly, a USA "lie detector" is pseudo science (polygraph). It's relying of subjective operator interpretation.

There is now a brain scanner of some kind being used in the US prison system and it's simply 21st C. Phrenology!

Nor does human memory work like a VCR or computer storage. There isn't a sequential structure to play back. See also how experts can give a subject a false memory, yet all traditional "Brain washing" techniques wear off when the subject is freed. Torture is pointless for several reasons, yet the CIA is probably still using it. It can deliver simply what the operator wants to hear.