Electronic Implants Stimulate Brain

SquirrelLord sent in this note about pacemaker-like device to stimulate a part of the brain to treat depression. The device sends a minute electrical pulse to the brain every 3 seconds and has no side effects. Well, except for turning the user into a wirehead.

Comments

Re:The usual paranoia

[Bearpaw]

Depression is, in general, not a bad thing. It is a defense and/or coping mechanism, and to develop as an individual, and be able to function properly in society, most people need to overcome depression without assistance.

I suspect you are thinking of "depression" as it's commonly used, as a synonym for "sadness". Clinical depression is a whole 'nother animal, and rarely can be "overcome without assistance".

Confusing these two things is way too common, and understandably annoying to people suffering clinical depression. It's sorta like thinking script-kiddies and hackers are the same thing.

Re:Technology or Nature?

[Winged Cat]

The choice between unhealthy environment, where we will need technology to help us, and a pure natural environment is a choice the human race must do. You do it every day!

Yep. And people choose technology over nature at just about every turn. The reason? Not because they're duped, not because they don't know any better. It's because the pure natural environment is by far the unhealthier.

If you get injured and your buddy can take you to the medics, would you rather your friend have to walk while carrying you, or would you rather your friend load you in your car and drive you there?

Would you prefer milk and meat straight from the farm, carried by hand until it spoils (to say nothing of any diseases it may have had to begin with), or would you prefer milk and meat that have been screened for germs and chilled during transport?

That's just for starters. It is a common misconception that technology is inherently bad for humanity - but it is a misconception. Those who call for the termination of all progress, delaying the introduction of new drugs and treatments that would otherwise prevent all manner of pain and death, have the blood of billions on their hands.

The usual paranoia

[Twylite]

Why isn't the usual /. paranoia kicking in yet? Although the article says that the device "is not for everyone", imagine the potential for abuse! 'Sir, your kid is showing signs of depression: he's being bullied and wearing black. We'd like to put him on a NeuroGizmo 5000 before we end up with another Columbine'.

Depression is, in general, not a bad thing. It is a defense and/or coping mechanism, and to develop as an individual, and be able to function properly in society, most people need to overcome depression without assistance. Psychiatrists are often reluctant to prescribe drugs mostly because of potential side-effects, including dependancy. But when there are no side effects ...

For all the good they can do, little things like this need to be watched, or we may have it made law that everyone carry one to force us into utopian society...

I have to say this

[ColGraff]

Imagine surfing a pron site with a cluster of these.

I didn't like having fifty karma anyway.