Cybernetics Prof to Attempt Computer Control of Own Limbs

Tony pickering writes "Spotted on the BBC - "Professor Kevin Warwick is to have a silicon implant inserted in his arm in an attempt to find out whether the computer will be able to move his limbs by copying signals from his brain." Possibly has some medical apps, but a little spooky nonetheless - hey, now, I can lock my body up! " The really scary part is that the next step he's going to do is emotion control. /shiver/ Check out a recent interview with Kevin Warwick, as well as more info on human chip implants.

Comments

Other uses

[N1UGLham]

Could this also be used as an alternative to Viagra?

Don't worry

[konstant]

The idea of it making me happy all the time is just as strange as the idea of it making me upset or sad

While your more general worry about emotion-influencing technology and propaganda is a valid one, you do not need to concern yourself with the scenario in which we are permanently "doped up" by happiness chips.

The brain can only produce so much of any given neurotransmitter within a set time period. This is one of the reasons that you gradually become acclimatized to foul smells and loud noises if you remain long enough in their vicinity - you run out of the neurotransmitter that makes them perceptible to you.

Similarly, you could not feel happy all of the time, regardless of the signals sent to yoru brain, without an increase in seratonin production levels among other things. If you or someone you know has tried the street drug Xtacy, you will be familiar with the post-high depression that follows. The brain exhausts its resevoir of "happy painless" chemicals and consequently throws you into the opposite imbalance. Women have a similar period after giving birth.

So though a chip might constantly be sending you thrills, you could only feel them with a limited frequency. The rest of the time you likely would feel depressed. This cycle would be akin to manic/depressive mood swings and seems unlikely as a solution for long-term mind control.


-konstant

Aww mom, the Warwick chip made me do it!

[gad_zuki!]

Warwick's last experiment is largely a joke. All it did was make him traceable throughout a building. The only difference between this and house arrest technology is that Warwick is wacky enough to put the transmitter under a flap of skin instead of tied around his leg. Big Brother? He's already here, at least for criminals.

This new experiment is a lot riskier and a lot more fascinating. Maybe I'll be able to get a 'type 100wpm' chip eventually, except of course it'll be a nerve recording of Warwick typing his out new book...

"Damn they sent the wrong chip, I wanted 'Ninjitsu' not '101 ways to please your man in bed.'" "Pop it in, a new skill never hurt anyone."

Emotion control is scary

[nano-second]

I think the earlier experiment where the computer followed him around campus and could turn lights on for him sounded cool. (although as mentioned, the big brother aspect is scary). But what really scares me is the emotion control.

I so wouldn't want a computer to control my emotions... how could I really feel that I was being "myself". And although it's not really related, it starts making me worry about a future where our thoughts are controlled by more than just propaganda. I think it's interesting research, but what the heck would you _really_ want to do with an emotion controlling computer??

The idea of it making me happy all the time is just as strange as the idea of it making me upset or sad... the natural range and flow of emotions is part of what makes us who we are and part of what makes us human. What would be the application of this? If any one has any ideas about a positive application, I'm interested. My paranoid mind can't think of anything that's not sinister, right now.
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Admirable courage...

[TheDullBlade]

I love to hear about researchers willing to be their own subjects. I think nothing does more to speed the pace of technological development.