It's bad enough we're so addicted to phones and computers that they have largely influenced how we process events and define our existence, now we have to put a fuckin device in our brain, right in the area where thoughts are formed?
What could go wrong?
Similar to fears of Generative AI, the fears surrounding Neuralink may be a little overstated but at the same time can be understated.
When you worry “too” about something there are two most likely outcomes: that you worried over nothing or that you worried too little.
It's either under your expectations or over and this is exactly how I feel about Neuralink.
For those who don't know, here's what Neuralink is:
Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded by Elon Musk. Its goal is to develop implantable brain–machine interfaces (BMIs), also known as neural interfaces, to enable direct communication between the human brain and computers or other devices. This technology has the potential to treat neurological conditions, enable new forms of communication, and enhance human cognition and abilities.
For clarity
"Neuro" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "neuron," which means "nerve" or "sinew." In scientific and medical contexts, "neuro" typically refers to the nervous system or the brain, as in words like neurology (study of the nervous system), neuroscience (study of the brain and nervous system), and neurotechnology (technology related to the nervous system).
ChatGPT.
On recent news, Neuralink reportedly aided a paralyzed individual to play chess with his mind.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink live-streamed new footage of its brain implant in action on Wednesday — showing a quadriplegic man playing computer games with only his mind.
In a March 20 live stream to X, Musk’s Neuralink footage shows 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh — a quadriplegic patient implanted with the Neuralink device — controlling the cursor of a computer with his mind and using it to play games of chess and Civilization VI.
“It’s like using the force on a cursor, I stare somewhere on the screen and it would move where I wanted it to, said Arbaugh, adding:
“I can’t even begin to describe how cool it is that I get to do this.”
Here's the X video below:
— Neuralink (@neuralink) March 20, 2024
If you can't see the video, here's a direct link
Just as the patient said, personally, I can't begin to say how awesome this is, that it actually works feels so Sci-fi.
I guess, Sci-fi isn't much of a “fiction” anymore.
That said, it should be common knowledge by this age that the only way to avoid a disaster is by avoiding it.
Weird line right?
What that means, as in the case of technology, is that the only way to avoid disasters with tech is to not build at all.
If you don't want something to lead to another, avoid that something and problem solved, it's really that simple but majority of the time, we don't do this, we instead pursue that very thing then seek escape along the line.
Yes, we are pathetic.
It's a matter of positive and negative impact - weighed
You'd often hear people talk about positive and negative impacts when it comes to new inventions as a metric to determine its value in the markets.
I do this a lot with crypto and blockchain, so much that I can tell you that the theories will always support the pocket of the individually spinning the wheel.
I will always defend crypto or find ways to make it look good(even where it is not) simply because it fills my pocket.
I am bold enough to say it as it is.
Similarly, if we have to talk about positive and negative impacts(in the future) we would mostly discuss in support of what angle benefits us or not.
So if Elon Musk says it's a cool tech that will bring a lot of good, believe that he believes that and also that it fills his pockets.
And if someone that isn't an Elon fan says otherwise, judge the statement in the same self way.
Now if I, that have nothing to gain or lose - to the best of my knowledge, says “I think it's cool but I fear it can be used for so much more(negatively)” believe me but remember that my thoughts are influenced by “Sci-fi” movies.
Of which, I would consider my stance highly valid because movies are either based on events that have taken place or one that is yet to take place(fantasies).
Humans act on what's in the past or might be in the future.
The bottom line is that such tech would really aid a lot of people with health issues that have badly affected their lifestyle, but at the same time, it leaves the body vulnerable to a lot.
Remember: the soul makes a person and the brain is the closest bridge to it, so if you control the brain, you control the person.