What's the verdict on this, and the related Thync? The thought of owning a gadget that will let you select a mood in the case of the Thync or be instantly happy in the case of these headphones is alluring. But I it's think because it's so alluring that I also feel the need to be more skeptical. What's your guys' take on this? Is it something you'd be willing to drop the $300 on right now?
I'm definitely not going to drop any money on it, especially not $300, until I know more about the product. It seems like snake oil to me. However, I'm interested to see how it's reviewed as more information comes out! It would be cool if it worked. Although I have to admit, it isn't something I'd be interested in owning even if it does work. It seems odd to me. I can't pin a difference between the purported effects of these headphones and something like drinking/smoking, which I actively engage in on the weekends, but I feel like the difference is there. Anyone else feel that way, or is it just me?
I could totally see some parallels between this and a real life Experience Machine. Although this is more about pure sensations rather than simulated experiences. Is the issue that the pleasure coming from isn't real? You could argue that the pleasure coming from drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) aren't real, which I think is what you were getting at. So it's probably something else. I think the difference comes from the separation from consuming a drug and then feeling happy in your brain versus zapping your brain into a happy state. That said, if it works, I think it's something I'd buy. Right now it's at a combination of price and lack of convincing evidence that I'm hesitating, but if it were found to be totally proven or at least reasonably so and a bit cheaper I'd totally give it a shot.