WE ARE on the brink of technological breakthroughs that could augment our mental powers beyond recognition. It will soon be possible to boost human brainpower with electronic “plug-ins” or even by genetic enhancement. What will this mean for the future of humanity?
This was the theme of a recent Neuroscience in Context meeting in Berlin, Germany, where anthropologists, technologists, neurologists, archaeologists and philosophers met to consider the implications of this next stage of human brain development. Would it widen the gulf between the world’s haves and have-nots – and perhaps even lead to a distinct and dominant species with unmatchable powers of intellect?
I’v seen the movies! it’ll only lead to a zombie outbreak which only america can fix
Otherwise, having super human capabilitys would be brilliant
it might be fun to feel stupid for a while
Professor from my university wrote a novel kind of along those themes. It’s entitled Grey Matter (by Gary Braver), and is kind of a sci-fi medical thriller about rich families who make their children super-smart, and the slightly shady company that helps them do that. It’s a good novel, entertaining and fairly thought provoking, and as it’s already in literature it’s only really a matter of time before life once more imitates art.
That´s great…i can´t wait to be able to connect my brain to a satelite or have finally glasses available that allow for us to browse the internet and do tasks, steered by our eye movements….sooo enough of sitting behind the computer all day
All the rich go first ofcourse,if it ever will be an option, so not just a medical thing.
I myself was thinking about growing babies not in the womb but outside the womb … I can see many benefits in that .. I really wonder whether babies will not be better of that way … I’m sure there are lots of mothers who would not dislike it either .. I can see a few buts as well ofcourse (that’s even apart from whether it is possible).
Anyway … I myself see way too much negative things in this whole brain story, they make it sound as if it is already there in a few years .. which is clearly not the case, not even close.. They dont even get the brain yet … and ofcourse.. others already want to take the shortcut … If those scientist will be so generous to donate theirselves then to experiments .. if they are so sure … could be nice.
I’m sure that humanity will ofcourse screw up even more if it would become reality .. as they do with most things … unless they take out human nature of te brain … and what will we be called then …
As long as it for people who have a disease or are handicapped etc and when they could fix that via brain enhancements …no doubt about that ofcourse, that is what all people wish for. That’s what he real purpose should have been of all that research. Lots of medical research never will be to the benefit of humans, or only to the very rich and such.
Someone up there is very angry now … it growls and shoots light to me down here ….. a brain storm in our skies …
Could we use this to create super-intelligent rats and squirrels? I would like a squirrel that can do maths for me.
SGC: why not your bird? Or didn’t it work out sofar, did all try outs you performed on your bird not lead to the aimed for intelligence. You know, it takes some intelilgence ofcourse to instruct them properly …
Aha .. that’s why you wanted this designer brain …
Oh well, we will give you a nice brain … a whole new world will open up to you …
[...] Originally posted here: Designer Brains « Derren Brown Blog [...]
My birds are already intelligent.