I agree that it's “kind of shocking that we’ve got so far from our own natural ability to calm down that we need external devices to do so”.
I'd still be interested to try this, though - I had mad anxiety and compulsive behaviours for a long time, and the thing that really helped was finding a buddhist center with regular meditation sessions. I could almost feel my brain making different connections... it's hard to explain. It took months of practice to get anywhere, though - and not everyone has time for or access to stuff like this.
So if there's a short cut, it could be cool? I'd be interested to see what Hubski thinks...
That's what I was thinking/wishfully hoping. Every time I've been on a Buddhist retreat, I've been amazing by HOW LOVELY AND INTERESTING EVERYONE IS (they're a bit like Hubski in that way).
So if there was a gadget that made everyone kind and thoughtful - wouldn't that be a good thing? Then again, it's hard to know what's cause and what's effect. I mean, it could be that retreats attract people who are kind and thoughtful, rather than meditation making them that way. Like goo says, these people have chosen to go on a personal journey, and are working hard at it.
In which case, there aren't really any short cuts: a device isn't really going to change a person if the original desire to change isn't there. I'm surprised by how little I'm bothered by the idea of brain manipulation, though?!
Hmm. The technology behind it is definitely interesting, and I always encourage people to seek mindfulness and find some peace in their life. Especially on those days when I need a kick in the ass to sit and be calm. However, this reminds me of people who do yoga to lose weight: that's not the point. It's not meant to be easy or fast... It's a personal journey, dammit.