Feeding knowledge directly into your brain, just like in sci-fi classic The Matrix, could soon take as much effort as falling asleep, scientists believe.

科学家们认为，人类很快就能和经典科幻电影《黑客帝国》里演的一样，只需要睡上一觉即可将知识直接灌入大脑。

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".

研究人员声称，他们开发了一种可以直接将信息输入人脑的模拟器，这种模拟器可以在短时间内教会人类新技能。他们将其比作“生活模仿技术”。

In the neo-noir sci-fi classic, protagonist¹ Neo is able to learn kung fu in seconds after the martial² art is 'uploaded' straight to his brain.

在这部新黑色经典科幻电影中，男主角尼奥在大脑加载武术招数后很快就学会了功夫。

Researchers from HRL Laboratories, based in California, say they have found a way to amplify³ learning, only on a much smaller scale than seen in the Hollywood film.

加州休斯研究实验室的研究人员表示，他们已经找到了一种提高学习能力的方法，只不过这种方法有效的范围比《黑客帝国》中展示的要小。

They studied the electric signals in the brain of a trained pilot and then fed the data into novice⁴ subjects as they learned to pilot an aeroplane in a realistic flight simulator.

他们对一名受训飞行员大脑中的电信号进行研究，然后当受试新人飞行员在飞行模拟器中驾驶飞机时将这些数据传送到他们的大脑。

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, found that subjects who received brain stimulation⁵ via electrode-embedded head caps improved their piloting abilities and learnt the task 33 percent better than a placebo⁶ group.

这份发表在《人类神经科学前沿》上的研究发现，用嵌入电极的帽子进行大脑刺激之后，新手飞行员的技术便可得以提升，且比对照组的任务学习能力高33%。

"Our system is one of the first of its kind. It's a brain stimulation system," explained Dr Matthew Phillips.

马修•菲利浦博士称：“我们研发的系统是一种大脑刺激系统，是该类型系统的首创成果之一。”

"It sounds kind of sci-fi, but there's large scientific basis for the development of our system."

“这听起来有点像科幻小说，但是我们的系统有着坚实的科学基础。”

"The specific task we were looking at was piloting an aircraft, which requires a synergy of both cognitive⁷ and motor performance.

“我们所测试的特殊任务是驾驶一架飞机，这需要认知和操控的共同协调。”

"When you learn something, your brain physically⁸ changes. Connections are made and strengthened in a process called neuro-plasticity.

“当你学习知识的时候，大脑就会发生生理上的变化，神经连接就会在所谓的神经可塑性过程建立并得到强化。”

"It turns out that certain functions of the brain, like speech and memory, are located in very specific regions of the brain, about the size of your pinky."

“研究发现大脑的某些功能，比如说语言和记忆，位于大脑特定的区域，大约只有小指头大小。”

Dr Matthew believes that brain stimulation could eventually be implemented⁹ for tasks like learning to drive, exam preparation and language learning.

马修认为，人类最终有可能将这种大脑刺激方式应用到驾驶员培训、备考和语言学习中。

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

他还称：“这一系统实际上针对的是学习时大脑特定区域的变化。”

"The method itself is actually quite old. In fact, the ancient Egyptians 4000 years ago used electric fish to stimulate¹⁰ and reduce pain.

“事实上这是一种相当古老的方法，早在4000年前，古埃及人就通过电鱼来刺激和减少疼痛。”

"Even Ben Franklin applied¹¹ currents to his head, but the rigorous, scientific investigation¹² of these methods started in the early 2000s and we're building on that research to target and personalise a stimulation in the most effective way possible.

“本•富兰克林也曾经将这种电刺激用于自己的头上，但是真正对该方法进行科学探索始于21世纪初期，我们研究的目标就是用尽可能有效的方式使这种刺激的受众更明确、更个性化。”

"What we found is … brain stimulation seems to be particularly effective at actually improving learning."

“我们的研究发现……大脑刺激似乎在提高学习能力方面特别有效。”