Directions: Scientists are making wild discoveries about uploading knowledge into your brain. Read the text and then answer questions that follow. Feeding knowledge directly into your brain, just like in sci-fi class The Matrix, could soon take as much effort as falling asleep, scientists believe.

Researchers claim to have developed a simulator which can feed information directly into a person’s brain and teach them new skills in a shorter amount of time, comparing it to “life imitating art”.

They believe it could be the first steps in developing advanced software that will make Matrix-style instant learning a reality.

In the neo-noir sci-fi classic, protagonist Neo is able to learn Kung Fu in seconds after the martial art is ‘uploaded’ straight to his brain.

Researchers from HRL Laboratories, based in California, say they have found a way to amplify learning, only on a much smaller scale than seen in the Hollywood film.

They studied the electric signals in the brain of a trained pilot and then fed the data into novice subjects as they learned to pilot an airplane in a realistic flight simulator.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, found that subjects who received brain stimulation via electrode-embedded head caps improved their piloting abilities and learned the task 33 percent better than a placebo group.

Dr. Matthews believes that brain stimulation could eventually be implemented for tasks like learning to drive, exam preparation and language learning.

“What our system does is it actually targets those changes to specific regions of the brain as you learn,” he added.

“The method itself is actually quite old. In fact, the ancient Egyptians 4000 years ago used electric fish to stimulate and reduce pain.”

Even Ben Franklin applied currents to his head, but the rigorous, scientific investigation of these methods started in the early 2000s and we’re building on that research to target and personalize a stimulation in the most effective way possible.

“Your brain is going to be very different to my brain when we perform a task. What we found is… brain stimulation seems to be particularly effective at actually improving learning.”

Meanwhile, a recent study found that intelligent people are more easily distracted at work.

Question 1 (1 point)
What is the most important evidence provided? AKS 10

Question 1 options:

In fact, the ancient Egyptians 4000 years ago used electric fish to stimulate and reduce pain.

...protagonist Neo is able to learn Kung Fu in seconds after the martial art is 'uploaded' straight to his brain.

...a recent study found that intelligent people are more easily distracted at work.

The study...found that subjects who received brain stimulation...improved their piloting abilities...