The fine people on the BrainGate Team are taking the concept of interactivity to the next level.
Basically what they do is implant a very tiny chip into the brain that senses what you want your limbs to do and can then decode these brain functions on an external device. For instance, they can allow you to control a mouse on a computer screen – using only your mind.
I think this is one of the most dangerous technologies I have ever heard of. Don’t get me wrong, the intention of the BrainGate System is incredibly noble. It “has allowed people with spinal cord injury, brain stem stroke, and ALS to control a computer cursor simply by thinking about the movement of their own paralyzed hand. Current research is focused not only on improving the ability to operate a computer, but also on providing people with ALS, spinal cord injury, and stroke with reliable, constant control over their environment.” That is friggin’ AWESOME.
However, I can’t help but worry about when this falls into the hands of dubious villains. Someone could easily take over the United States, and probably the world, with a wide application of this technology. Imagine using your computer without having to do all those pesky mouse movements or dealing with the annoyance of typing. How about driving without using your arms or legs – but your f^$#*%@ thoughts!
Human limbs would be useless and eventually stop working. As a villain, all you would have to do is maintain relative activity (maybe just take a walk every now and then) and you could easily push anyone over who stands in your way. Literally, just push them over, they can’t fight back.
Unless, of course, BrainGate is also developing armored walking robots for people to defend themselves with once their own limbs fail them…
