From:	Neal A Porter <nap@*****.PHYSICS.SWIN.OZ.AU>
Subject:	Re: Blind Deckers?
Date:	Mon, 21 Mar 1994 12:21:05 +1000

>
>having data presented as sound for a blind decker is
>ok, as long as speed is not an issue...the matrix
>uses visual virtual reality because it conveys
>vast amounts of data in a few seconds, using icons...
>
>how would a decker that has everything converted to
>sound be able to compete in combat? it would be a
>delayed process, like decking through a satlink...


Remember there are few more ways of comunicating than just sight.
Tacile comunication would be very fast, and if the decker were used to
it there would be bo problem with giving him/her all the info quickly, ie
for seeing that grey IC feel a twinge in the left knee, or something like
that. Or use a sim link to the emotive sections of the brain, the decker feels
different emotions when in different node (would need to use other form of
interaction as well).

In all there are many avenues for data transfer that would render sight
unnessesary.

In addition, even if the occipital region of the brain is damaged, all you
would have to do is fake the inputs to the rest of the brain to make it seem
like the decker has a working occipital region, and the decker has their sight
back. Nowhere in any of the source books does it state that the VR is
generated in a specific portion of the brain (such as the occipital region),
and as such I would be inclined to allow even blind deckers full use
of VR.

A'Deus.