Science of the Mind?
Hello once again, eight months after my last entry! You may want to stop here, this is really a rambling entry about a completely pointless topic.
I was having a conversation with my brother the other day, and as usual, we ended talking about something that made absolutely no sense in relation to what we were "supposed" to be talking about (which is probably my doing, because I thrive on nonsense). At one point, he mentioned the concept of a "Brain Computer," a device where you could do all of the tasks you wanted to do on a computer, but in your mind. Normally, I would just say "That's silly and impossible, now about that $70 you owe me..." but his firm position on the possibilities of it wouldn't let me just drop it.
I'm not the type of person that says "That's impossible." I really do want a future with slick hover cars, food replicators, instant-fitness pills, robotic pirate penguin home defense systems, and so on. I'm also not against altering the human body. I think bionic organs could help people live longer lives, and robotic limbs give amputees a new hope. But I realize where the line should be drawn. The convenience of a brain computer is obvious, and in some Sci-Fi (except for something like Ghost in the Shell, where it's unbelievably bad), similar devices seem to have possibilities, but the disadvantages and risks are incredible, if you think about it:
1) First and foremost, you're messing with your brain! BRAIN! The very part of you that defines who you are and makes sure everything is working every moment of your life. Now you come along and want to tack on computer components, essentially turning your brain into a messed up bio-machine. Your brain as some kind of battery, does that sound safe? If you said yes, you're probably a Borg.
2) Where would these components even go? Would you just throw some chips on there like it's no big deal? Would installation involve open brain surgery or some kind really intricate injection? Would you feel anything going on in your head? Am I asking far too many questions? Presumably you'd have to position a complete set of brain computer parts on a location that wouldn't interfere with the signals your brain is giving to vital bodily functions, and still have them produce the desired effect. These chips would also have to be extremely small, like nanomachines, to lessen the chance of them messing up your head, unless you seriously think that putting a full sized processing chip on your cerebrum is completely fine and wouldn't hurt anything (you scare me). And what if these nanomachines go crazy and start confusing other parts of your brain with the CPU? You know that in the beginning stages of "brain computer development," they're going to run into some snags in design, the result messing up some poor, innocent minds during the initial product release.
3) How does this computer even work? The devotion you'd need to make this worthwhile is mind boggling...no pun inte..aw screw it, you laughed. But seriously, and once again I'm assuming, you'd have to view the computer either in your head or through your eyes whenever you tap into it. So now you have to devote all of your attention to this, and completely shut yourself out from the outside world, kind of like the Matrix but not as cool, leaving yourself vulnerable and possibly unaware. Now, how do you even control said computer? Through your thoughts? I mean, there's no keyboard, so it has to be right? But let's say you're somehow conscious of the world around you AND on the brain computer at the same time, walking along accessing the Internet while walking down the street to get some coffee. Couldn't you be logged in while random thought pops in your head, thus triggering something you...may not necessarily want to view, interrupting whatever you were accessing before? Like "Hey Barry, did you see Wendy in that dress the other day?!" "Why yes I :: click click::" The amount of accidental porn site visits would skyrocket! But once again, it doesn't sound safe to have a device tied together to your consciousness/subconsciousness, where it has access to your inner most thoughts. You may say "Well, yeah, but it's a computer. The computer doesn't care about your thoughts, it's not even alive." Sure it's not (for all we know), but the rest of the world is. Which leads me to to my next point.
4) What if your brain computer gets a virus or hacked into? What's to say that the virus would only affect the CPU and not the rest of your brain? It could cause an array of things to happen, such as nightmares or even more physical problems. And hacking could be just as bad. If someone hacks into your computer, would they be able to somehow see what you were thinking? Unless you can make them un-hackable (again, good luck), it's going to happen. Now, my brother claims that the computer is completely separate from your actual brain (and failed to provide any explanation), but I don't see how it can be. First of all...it's ON YOUR BRAIN. And most importantly, your brain is active in getting it to work and process the information you want to interact with. These interactions are clearly tied to brain function, so I don't see how it's ridiculous to assume that hacking into one's brain computer could screw up someone's mind. The things a person could get you to do, the mental disorders that would come of it, it's terrifying!
5) Temperature control. Computers produce a lot of heat when they're running, and require cooling systems to work efficiently. Now, your body (when well) is usually good at moderating your body temperature so you can live comfortably. With your brain computer operating at high speeds, the CPU is probably going to throw everything off by producing more heat. So what do you do? Install a liquid cooling system in your head? Now you're sapping more brain power, and probably need some kind of device to aid your brain in producing energy in order to make sure the thing doesn't blow up your head. It sounds like by the time you make the necessary modifications to your body to be able to accept the implementation of a brain computer, you'd essentially be an android.
So basically, I say nay to implementing the "Brain Computer Experience" into our world, not that it'd be likely anytime soon. Computer-glasses or some kind of headset that allows for hands-free computer connectivity, maybe. But a fully integrated CPU (with all of the accoutrements) in your head just doesn't sit right with me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish my blueprints up for the "Lavalamp Spork". Enjoy your day :D
I was having a conversation with my brother the other day, and as usual, we ended talking about something that made absolutely no sense in relation to what we were "supposed" to be talking about (which is probably my doing, because I thrive on nonsense). At one point, he mentioned the concept of a "Brain Computer," a device where you could do all of the tasks you wanted to do on a computer, but in your mind. Normally, I would just say "That's silly and impossible, now about that $70 you owe me..." but his firm position on the possibilities of it wouldn't let me just drop it.
I'm not the type of person that says "That's impossible." I really do want a future with slick hover cars, food replicators, instant-fitness pills, robotic pirate penguin home defense systems, and so on. I'm also not against altering the human body. I think bionic organs could help people live longer lives, and robotic limbs give amputees a new hope. But I realize where the line should be drawn. The convenience of a brain computer is obvious, and in some Sci-Fi (except for something like Ghost in the Shell, where it's unbelievably bad), similar devices seem to have possibilities, but the disadvantages and risks are incredible, if you think about it:
1) First and foremost, you're messing with your brain! BRAIN! The very part of you that defines who you are and makes sure everything is working every moment of your life. Now you come along and want to tack on computer components, essentially turning your brain into a messed up bio-machine. Your brain as some kind of battery, does that sound safe? If you said yes, you're probably a Borg.
2) Where would these components even go? Would you just throw some chips on there like it's no big deal? Would installation involve open brain surgery or some kind really intricate injection? Would you feel anything going on in your head? Am I asking far too many questions? Presumably you'd have to position a complete set of brain computer parts on a location that wouldn't interfere with the signals your brain is giving to vital bodily functions, and still have them produce the desired effect. These chips would also have to be extremely small, like nanomachines, to lessen the chance of them messing up your head, unless you seriously think that putting a full sized processing chip on your cerebrum is completely fine and wouldn't hurt anything (you scare me). And what if these nanomachines go crazy and start confusing other parts of your brain with the CPU? You know that in the beginning stages of "brain computer development," they're going to run into some snags in design, the result messing up some poor, innocent minds during the initial product release.
3) How does this computer even work? The devotion you'd need to make this worthwhile is mind boggling...no pun inte..aw screw it, you laughed. But seriously, and once again I'm assuming, you'd have to view the computer either in your head or through your eyes whenever you tap into it. So now you have to devote all of your attention to this, and completely shut yourself out from the outside world, kind of like the Matrix but not as cool, leaving yourself vulnerable and possibly unaware. Now, how do you even control said computer? Through your thoughts? I mean, there's no keyboard, so it has to be right? But let's say you're somehow conscious of the world around you AND on the brain computer at the same time, walking along accessing the Internet while walking down the street to get some coffee. Couldn't you be logged in while random thought pops in your head, thus triggering something you...may not necessarily want to view, interrupting whatever you were accessing before? Like "Hey Barry, did you see Wendy in that dress the other day?!" "Why yes I :: click click::" The amount of accidental porn site visits would skyrocket! But once again, it doesn't sound safe to have a device tied together to your consciousness/subconsciousness, where it has access to your inner most thoughts. You may say "Well, yeah, but it's a computer. The computer doesn't care about your thoughts, it's not even alive." Sure it's not (for all we know), but the rest of the world is. Which leads me to to my next point.
4) What if your brain computer gets a virus or hacked into? What's to say that the virus would only affect the CPU and not the rest of your brain? It could cause an array of things to happen, such as nightmares or even more physical problems. And hacking could be just as bad. If someone hacks into your computer, would they be able to somehow see what you were thinking? Unless you can make them un-hackable (again, good luck), it's going to happen. Now, my brother claims that the computer is completely separate from your actual brain (and failed to provide any explanation), but I don't see how it can be. First of all...it's ON YOUR BRAIN. And most importantly, your brain is active in getting it to work and process the information you want to interact with. These interactions are clearly tied to brain function, so I don't see how it's ridiculous to assume that hacking into one's brain computer could screw up someone's mind. The things a person could get you to do, the mental disorders that would come of it, it's terrifying!
5) Temperature control. Computers produce a lot of heat when they're running, and require cooling systems to work efficiently. Now, your body (when well) is usually good at moderating your body temperature so you can live comfortably. With your brain computer operating at high speeds, the CPU is probably going to throw everything off by producing more heat. So what do you do? Install a liquid cooling system in your head? Now you're sapping more brain power, and probably need some kind of device to aid your brain in producing energy in order to make sure the thing doesn't blow up your head. It sounds like by the time you make the necessary modifications to your body to be able to accept the implementation of a brain computer, you'd essentially be an android.
So basically, I say nay to implementing the "Brain Computer Experience" into our world, not that it'd be likely anytime soon. Computer-glasses or some kind of headset that allows for hands-free computer connectivity, maybe. But a fully integrated CPU (with all of the accoutrements) in your head just doesn't sit right with me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish my blueprints up for the "Lavalamp Spork". Enjoy your day :D