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

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