117
submitted 9 months ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

The Race to Put Brain Implants in People Is Heating Up::Thanks in part to Elon Musk, the field of brain-computer interfaces has captured both public and investor interest, with a cadre of companies now developing implantable devices.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] SCB@lemmy.world -1 points 9 months ago
[-] Irishred88@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago

There's plenty of reasons to be fearful or suspicious: corporations who develop all the new tech we use today have shown already they don't respect our privacy. Our smartphones, computers, and other Internet connected devices are always harvesting data to advertise to us, so it follows that any brain-implanted device could be used to harvest data for similar purposes. Not everyone gives a shit about this one, but there are plenty who would at least like to be paid for the data that is collected from them and used for profit; barring that we should have the right to forbid data collection without consent.

There are, of course, more sinister applications for brain-implanted devices that can interface with the Internet (and if they don't now, they surely will in the future). I think a lot of us immediately think of the science fiction book and movie, "Minority Report" wherein law enforcement has access to the private thoughts of citizens and arrests and convicts those who have contemplated crime but have not yet perpetrated the crime. Any sane person would never allow the police access to one's private thoughts, let alone a corporation.

Elon Musk has said his ultimate goal with Neuralink goes beyond merely restoring function to injured parts of the body; he wants to make it possible to save and load memories and with those two functions we may also be able to delete memories too. Imagine someone hacking your memories, it could fundamentally alter your perception of yourself and your reality. You could become a prisoner in your own brain, subjected to the censorship of a corporation or government.

These are worst case scenarios and I'm not saying we are there yet, maybe not even close to that level of technology, but we should be aware of what kind of control we may be giving away to a company or authority by allowing such implants to be installed. I hope that we will use it as a means of improving people's lives, but I'm very cautiously optimistic as well.

[-] SCB@lemmy.world -2 points 9 months ago

I think a lot of us immediately think of the science fiction book and movie, “Minority Report” wherein law enforcement has access to the private thoughts of citizens and arrests and convicts those who have contemplated crime but have not yet perpetrated the crime.

This is a matter of public policy, not tech. As are your privacy concerns.

[-] Irishred88@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

That's true, but I'm also cynical. Policy makers only have to serve up a phantom to instill fear into the general public and then they can drum up support for policies that appear to serve the public interest; for the sake of "protecting" the public.

[-] SCB@lemmy.world -2 points 9 months ago

Like data privacy concerns?

See the problem there? We disagree on what to be afraid of.

[-] Irishred88@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

I suppose we will have to agree to disagree on that one. If you aren't concerned about the information that others collect on you and you don't care to imagine how it could be used against you then I'll stop there

[-] SCB@lemmy.world -1 points 9 months ago

Agreed. That's my point.

People really are afraid of things, or not afraid of things, all across a spectrum, and people rarely agree on everything that is serious.

Policy shouldn't be shaped by fear.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (19 replies)
this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2023
117 points (92.1% liked)

Technology

58157 readers
5999 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS