Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals is tonight on NBC as the Ducks look to claim their first ever Stanley Cup at home in Anaheim. I’m glad that this game is on NBC because I need something good to watch tonight. And since there are no horse races, hopefully they won’t cut away from the game if it goes to overtime (if you don’t get that joke, click here).

I’ve been working a lot on learning the C# programming language lately. C# is developed by Microsoft and is being used quite frequently today. Looking back on the work I’ve done so far and the enjoyment that went into it, I’m starting to think that maybe I wouldn’t mind being a programmer full-time. The horrors from Java programming at Muskingum had caused me to stay away from programming (except web stuff) for about a year. This summer, I was determined to at least give C# a chance since so many people I know have been praising it. I’m glad that I did.

I was reading an article today discussing how technology is coming further and further to allow computers to be controlled completely by brainwaves. Sure this seems like one of those “that’ll never happen” projects now, but it’s already being done.

Two years ago, a quadriplegic man was able to play video games, control the cursor of a computer, and even use his brain as a television remote. What allowed him to do this? A simple implant smaller than an aspirin. I find it hardest to believe that he learned to do these tasks relatively quickly, as the CNN article describes it as “less time than the average PC owner spends installing Microsoft Windows.”

Imagine the possibilities. No more keyboards or mice. No more sore wrists. MUCH more space to work with. It seems like a great idea, and as advanced as the technology already appears to be, it may not be too far off from mainstream society. Many people may read this article and think it’s “neat” and “cool.” I read it as a different way.

As a computer science major, I obviously want to work with computers for the rest of my life in some way. Knowing that technology such as this will most likely be available in the future is comforting. How many other professions do you know of that you could still do as a quadriplegic? My guess is not very many. With this kind of technology, I can look forward to working with computers as long as my brain is functioning. Does it seem crazy? Yes. Is it going to be a huge benefit to our generation? You bet.