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Comment by yodon | Hacker News Reader

Does anyone know if there is a readily available hardware or software version of this (presumably using a laptop monitor or LED panel or similar instead of a rotating screen)?

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Keep in mind that these may trigger epilepsy in some people. Use with care.

The external links section of the article has, among other links, some links to software versions:

* Online Dreamachine application – https://no-labs.com/demos/dreamachines/index.html

* JavaScript Dreamachine – https://www.webnovelty.net/dreamachine.html

* Info on Dreamachine iOS and Android app – https://dreamachine.co/

* An open-source mobile-friendly Dreamachine App – https://dreamachine-web-app.netlify.com/

As well as a video simulation of the original device

* Dreamachine Simulator on YouTube, using Gysin's original frequency and cut out specifications. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2jbZgxR1jI

I find it nice that you gave an epilepsy warning. We have a long way to go in a11y for the internet as well as really all media consumable by human senses, but I do feel like strides have been made and awareness is much higher now compared to even just 5-10 years ago. Thank you for the considerateness!

I wonder how well these work compared to the real thing? A 150W light bulb shining through holes in a rotating piece of wood produce beams flashing over the eyes. This exact method to produce the effect is difficult (impossible?) to replicate with a PC monitor (unless you're a hacker in a movie).

Of course the effect might still work; but while I'm curious about it, I'm not in the mood to try this now. So judging/dismissing these implementations now would be unfair.

I don't think it's that important, the rotating slots and constant light were appropriate ways to get the necessary switching speed with incandescents.

The experience that was in London recently used banks of led spotlights, not even dedicated strobes.

There are also the Mind machines [1]. At least in Europe, there's still a company Galaxy that sells them under the "psychowalkman" name.

I've used about 20 years ago. It wasn't unpleasant, but also without a big effect. I think it was because the overall feeling was a bit like a medical examination. You put plastic gear on your eyes and your ears, tangled cables everywhere... and then you're supposed to relax.

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_machine

In the 90’s there were a few “mind Spas” in NYC offering time on some of these machines.

Around this time Binaural Beats / Hemi-sync was also out there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemi-Sync

Both claiming to create brain wave entrainment and easier meditative states.

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