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The new Musk-have
On Monday, Elon Musk told the world that surgeons had brain-chipped Neuralink Patient Zero. “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.” Promising what, exactly?
The Business of Paralysis
According to The Wall Street Journal, “the technology could one day help those suffering from debilitating conditions such as paralysis to interact with their surroundings.”
Rumor has it Neuralink’s first patient was a quadriplegic. If so, in this they’re not alone. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation reckons around 5.4m Americans suffer some degree of paralysis.
If half of these sufferers pay $40k for a Neuralink chip, that’s a $216b market. One reason 33 investors put a collective $323m into the company, currently valued at $3.5b.
Awaken the Giant Within?
By Neuralink’s own carefully-couched admission, that’s not the whole story.
Their mission statement: “Create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow.”
Unlock human potential? Isn’t that Tony Robbins’ job? More to the point, potential to do what? The mind boggles – until instructed not to.
There is that. Or will be. Brain chips will eventually make recipients do something. Or stop doing something. Addicts may rejoice. Freedom-loving folks, not so much.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The why-not folks at thepourquoipas.com are “deeply concerned” about Mr. Musk’s shocking BMI breakthrough.
With the ability to directly interface with the brain, individuals or organizations could potentially control or manipulate an individual’s thoughts and actions. This could lead to a loss of autonomy and free will, turning individuals into mere puppets controlled by outside forces. The implementation of a brain-computer interface raises concerns about privacy. The technology would require the collection of vast amounts of personal data, including information about an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. This data could be used for targeted advertising or even more sinister purposes, such as government surveillance.
Add the early adopter problem of infections leading to Alzheimer’s disease and there you have it: Frankenstein’s monster. Only better looking and hopefully more loquacious.
Computers R Us
Though Neuralink makes no mention of it, equipping humans with onboard computer power is the way forward. OpenAI in a closed cranium, if you will. Apply online now! Seriously.
Whether the dangers of Cyborgian Man outweigh the risks is besides the point. You can’t stop the signal.
On the positive side, human intelligence is about to get a major upgrade. Or will it?
Simply having access to The Mother of All Data Dumps doesn’t mean we’ll be able to process it any differently. Unless, of course, we’re programmed to do so.
The Human League
For the sake of argument, let’s say it’s a good thing. Everyone can know everything! Well, not everyone.
We’re looking at a two-tier society: those with a brain implant and those without. Squabbling - as humans are wont to do - over which implant to implant.
Neurolink, BrainCo, Synchron, Motif Neurotech or Precision Neuroscience? How about a cheap Chinese import?
What of compatibility issues? Apple’s walled garden walled-up inside your skull? Sounds like a plan.
Climate Change
It would be funny if it weren’t so scary. Actually, it is funny. thepourquoipas peeps had to go there.
The production and use of brain-computer interfaces would have a negative impact on the environment. The manufacturing of the technology would require significant resources and the disposal of the technology would also be an environmental concern. The world is already facing an environmental crisis, and it’s imperative that we consider the ecological impact of any new technology before proceeding with its development.
I Robot
This man-machine misegos adds another layer to my year-long motorcycle journey through America.
Not only am I documenting the pre-robot world, I’m seeing what it means to be human before humans become something else.
It brings to mind Native American author, poet, actor, musician and political activist John Trudell’s quote:
I am just a human being trying to make it in a world that is rapidly losing its understanding of being human.
Little did he know.
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