A new generation of military technology interfaces directly with the brain to target and trigger weapons before our conscious mind is fully engaged.
In a new article in the Cornell International Law Journal, lawyer Stephen White asks whether the concept of a ‘war crime’ becomes irrelevant if the unconscious mind is pulling the trigger.
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That sounds altogether far too dangerous to be even feasible. Basically, what they’d be doing is circumventing the frontal lobe ‘brakes’ on behavior. Shoot before your brain is done figuring out whether it’s wise to do so. Granted, the enemy won’t see it coming, but neither will your buddy who happened to spook you. I just don’t see weapons that’d do that as a workable concept, and I suspect the military doesn’t, either. Something about avoiding friendly fire, and all that.
Yes, it would be an outright warcrime if this technology is enhanced and used as a weapon altogether.
Can we not just use this for videogames instead?
It’s interesting… I’ve never lashed out at someone physically in anger, but I do have a temper, if you were to bypass the step where you ‘count to ten’ as it were then could easily do so… if that part of my brain stopped funtioning through accident then could I be held responsible for my actions?
And if this is bypassed by technology am I responsible anyway by my willingness to use that technology?
Hmmm…
@SGC…it could be used for video games and other not harmfull things like helping people who cannot speak or who are paralyzed…i can imagine it could help us all for more convenience …
it´s just a matter of morals as it is now, real legal weapon use is immoral, simple as that…
@Marie: No way. Can you imagine if you had something that made you say things just at the point where you’d bite your tongue? Oh man that could end so badly.
@SGC…well, i actually meant the technology (enhanced) behind it can be used for the things i mentioned…not in any case for weapons no…i agree with that.
Why does the human race always need to find new and interesting ways to kill each other?
Well, we can find a few who can experiment with this (read have to experiment with this in a controlled area) … They will get killed by eachother ofcourse … I can name a few ‘whose death would not be such a disaster …
Those scientists dont want to know why this type of research will not bring good to human kind .. on and on they go without ever seeing where it leads to … just because they want to see if they can pull if off .. make it … and the salary ofcourse …
I wonder how many scientist would destroy the world if they would be paid enough .and a little castle on planet X.
@Nopke, I think that, rather then the Scientists individually its how mankind choose to apply the science, technology of this type could be amazingly effective in areas like disability etc… its also a factor what type of research is given funding…