I love technology and am happy to embrace it in almost every part of my life, where possible. But having a computer chip in my brain is a little too close to a pending robot apocalypse for me. South African born entrepreneur Elon Musk, however, believes that it could be the next dawn of technology. He announced via a livestream (via Business Insider) plans for a new start-up, called Neuralink, which will begin implanting computing devices into human brains as early as next year. Scary stuff indeed.
According to Musk, the Neuralink system would allow for a tiny chip (roughly 4×4 millimetres in size) – referred to as a brain-machine interface – to be implanted into the brains of willing subjects and would allow humans to achieve a “symbiosis with artificial intelligence.” These chips would be capable of then stimulating neurons by using tiny flexible threads of electrodes. Each individual electrode thread would be inserted using a precision robot in a procedure he said would be as safe and painless as LASIK eye surgery.
While Musk has big long-term plans for possibly integrating the human brain into a broader neurological network, his initial plans are a little more sensible. Musk is hoping this new chip could be used to treat brain disorders, like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Disease, and ultimately could “preserve and enhance” brain function claiming that these chips would be 1,000 times more effective than other electrode stimulating systems out there.
It’s a noble idea when you consider that medical benefit, but considering the broader ramifications, it’s still something that scares me about what could be in store for the future. In fact, I remember an outer limits episode where a system like this malfunctions and everyone who had the chips implanted in their brains were suddenly left stupid and unable to think for themselves. A lot like now, I guess.
It’s a bold idea that sounds like part of some dystopian future but the scariest part of it all is that Musk believes they will be ready to start implanting these in humans soon, though he would still need FDA approval, which would likely take a lot longer than his ambitions may allow:
We hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year
Musk is serious about the idea and has invested $100 million (R1.3 billion) into the secretive company since its founding in 2016, according to the New York Times. Not all of Musk’s initiatives get off the ground, but it sounds like the company is making progress. So I guess bets are on to see if our future involves all of us eventually having supercomputer thinking abilities, or more likely getting overridden by new robot lords or perhaps this becoming the start of a new zombie apocalypse. How do you see this new idea playing out?
Last Updated: July 18, 2019
Yahtzee
July 18, 2019 at 09:29
Hey this sounds pretty cool.
*scrolls down some more*
Article popup on the side about Elon Musk and his flamethrowers… errr I don’t know about this brain chip thingy being a good idea anymore.
Guz
July 18, 2019 at 09:29
But then I can control my flamethrower drones with my mind, mwhahahahaha!
Yahtzee
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
Smokey the bear says NO!
Guz
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
Smokey needs to lighten up xD
Guz
July 18, 2019 at 09:29
For good or bad, the world needs more innovators like Musk!
Llama In The Rift
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
When Cyberpunk 2020 starts looking more than a game…
Kromas
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
I can’t wait for my cybernetic body to arrive.
Dr Webster Flexington
July 18, 2019 at 12:29
I hope mine comes with a Dalek shell.
Kromas
July 19, 2019 at 07:13
Too easy to defeat Daleks. Just remove all wheelchair access.
Dr Webster Flexington
July 22, 2019 at 08:48
Staaaiirrrss!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/5c/5c02e7582338dddec8f7186cda094840cb429a960402127ed65bcdd87004d98c.jpghttp://www.quickmeme.com/img/5c/5c02e7582338dddec8f7186cda094840cb429a960402127ed65bcdd87004d98c.jpg
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
https://cdn.drawception.com/images/panels/2016/2-9/aWFF8Q9p6G-2.png
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
https://66.media.tumblr.com/209860c2a095f3ebe2db00d5f7d90323/tumblr_pt8k7a09zV1yo6773o1_1280.jpg
Admiral Chief Umbra
July 18, 2019 at 09:37
Elon Musk wants the singularity to happen
Original Heretic
July 18, 2019 at 10:39
How much of what we “know” about such technology stems from messed up sci-fi stories?
I mean, if it works, damn, it’ll be awesome.
New technology is never initially embraced. I mean, the first guy in England who used an umbrella got pelted by potatoes.
Dr Webster Flexington
July 18, 2019 at 12:02
It makes you wonder about the poor guy who first emerged from his cave with a pair of fur boots. He was probably mocked too 😀
Nick de Bruyne
July 18, 2019 at 10:39
People all think this stuff might be all the evildoer stuff but I have a kid with cerebral palsy and anything that brings us closer to shit being able to get in there and patch the problem is all good form my view.
Ithica Jones
July 18, 2019 at 10:55
Elon is more “snake-oil salesman then actual innovator*”, BUT the world does need futurists and people who strive to go above and beyond.
geel slang
July 18, 2019 at 12:11
Why? I often ride in Teslas when taking taxis and Space X have sent rockets into space. Its not make belive, its real.
Humantouch
July 18, 2019 at 11:51
“I remember an outer limits episode where a system like this malfunctions and everyone who had the chips implanted in their brains were suddenly left stupid and unable to think for themselves. A lot like now, I guess.” Classic….
Dr Webster Flexington
July 18, 2019 at 12:02
I guess this is a logical evolution from wearable tech. Your cellphone and your brain in loving matrimony. But what’s really interesting is some of the recent developments in similar kinds of implants in the treatment of neurological illnesses. Read up on the research by Dr Langhals from NINDS. It’ll blow your mind (no pun intended)
RinceThis
July 18, 2019 at 12:11
Nothing scary about it. It’s just a new level of tech. Our grandparents were terrified of microwaves… Sign me the hell up!
HvR
July 18, 2019 at 13:14
I second this, SIGN RINCE UP!!!!
Dr Webster Flexington
July 18, 2019 at 12:29
I think I’ll wait first, and it’s not because I don’t trust Elon or Tesla. I just remember the first iphone.
I think I’ll let them get the first three to five versions out. In other words, let them sort out all the kinks, the weird epilepsy inducing bugs or the personality-altering localised issues.. or the problem where people are turned into zombies.
And then I’ll get a mod implant to control a flame-throwing drone.
RinceThis
July 18, 2019 at 12:47
Pfft. The Nokia 3210 was still the best bit of tech. Obviously you’ve never watched Soldier!
Dr Webster Flexington
July 18, 2019 at 13:14
You could also bludgeon a man to death with a Nokia 3210. It’s heavy and massive. I’m surprised it wasn’t banned for being a deadly weapon.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
July 18, 2019 at 13:14
Hello Black Mirror
Magoo
July 18, 2019 at 09:45
https://media1.giphy.com/media/dJGYFScvBjfRabiH7m/giphy.gif
Geoffrey Tim
July 18, 2019 at 09:45
WHY DO I LOVE THIS GIF?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
July 18, 2019 at 10:14
WE ALL DO
I do coz it hits home lol
LegionZA
July 18, 2019 at 10:05
Upgrade, upgrades for everyone
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
July 18, 2019 at 10:13
The zombie apocalypse is already upon us dude. They’re just addicted to social media.
I’d probably go for this, if I can benefit and make more money off those benefits. Fuck, i’m also a zombie.
Sins of the Father
July 18, 2019 at 10:30
I’m posting a warning about the dangers of the internet, especially social media and iphones. I knew there were many problems with this kind of technology, but the statistics Pastor Murray shared were both shocking and overwhelming. Everyone should be aware of this data, and take it into serious consideration when making decisions about internet use! Pastor Murray warns us about the dangers of a digital babylon. We are moving further and further from God.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. ” Daniel 1:8
https://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopupvideo.asp?SID=1011171821341
Magoo
July 18, 2019 at 13:06
Oh shit bro, Pastor Murray said that? I guess we’re totally screwed.