Dream Weaver gadget

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Randall <rvh40 () insightbb com>
Date: June 29, 2004 1:11:36 PM EDT
To: Cn <cuckoosnest () riddlemaster org>
Cc: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Dream Weaver gadget

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/06/29/japan.dreammaker.ap/index.html


TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Ever wish you could decide what to dream at night?

A Japanese toymaker says it has a new gadget that can help you do just
that.

Tokyo-based Takara Co. says its "Dream Workshop" stand, shaped like an
oversized cellular phone dock and about 35 centimeters (14 inches) tall
-- can be programmed to help sleepers choose what to dream.

While preparing for bed, the user mounts a photograph on the device of
who should appear in the dream, selects music appropriate to the mood --
fantasy, comedy, romantic story, nostalgia -- and records key word
prompts, such as the name of a romantic crush.

Placed near the bedside, the dream-maker emits a special white light,
relaxing music and a fragrance to help the person nod off.

Several hours later, it plays back the recorded word prompts, timed to
coincide with the part of the sleep cycle when dreams most often occur.
It then helps coax the sleeper gently out of sleep with more light and
music so that the dreams are not forgotten.

The device will sell for 14,800 yen (U.S. $136) in Japan starting late
August, said Takara spokeswoman Mayuko Hasumi.

In a study conducted on a group of men and women between the ages of
20-40, the device had a success rate of 22 percent in inducing dreams in
which one of the prompt words appeared, said the Yomiuri Shimbun, a
major daily.


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