As I have watched the U.S. and Internet develop, I have seen the truth of something I've long known. "If it exists, it will be abused." The only thing that is different between the U.S. and other nations is the Constitution.
It's a document that give the few, (government), rights granted by the many, (The People). This doesn't stop the aggressive from trying to conquer the world! I think this is actually what we are seeing. A war between the "leaders" or wanna-be leaders. In the end, it will collapse under the effort to "control".
JMHO.
Perhaps I'm just too old but with all this writing of good/bad portrayal of computers in the movies, I'm surprised no one has mentioned "Electric Dreams", (http://www.fast-rewind.com/). It's a fantasy/romantic comedy made in 1982. The flick stars Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Cauldfield and the voice of Bud Cort. Anyone remember it?
I first became aware of this company about January. I immediately thought of the Anime "Ghost in the Shell". Even though the technology is at a "primitive" level, I wanted to know if anyone was looking into the security of such technology.
We didn't consider security when creating the Internet and many operating systems. We will have access to an individual's body from outside. What will happen then? The "hacking" that took place in the Anime and countless other stories could easily become a reality.
On 1/14/04 I wrote to info@cyberkineticsinc.com and asked if they or anyone else was considering this question. To date, I have received no reply. I guess it's business as usual. The letter follows:
Greetings,
I have been a long time fan of the idea of connecting the brain to our computer and networks. I feel the future man/machine interface of choice will be this method of connection but it does raise a concern. Since Cyberkinetics Inc. is making the possibility here and now, the concern for security becomes here and now.
I feel the term "if it exists, it will be abused" is even more real today than it was just five years ago. I would like to know if the company is looking at the abuses that can result from this technology. Not just the intentional abuse that may be used by unscrupulous people but the "cracking" we see now on the Internet.
It may seem a remote possibility at this stage but it's a question that should be addressed and developed along with the technology. Is the company looking into the possibility of "wetware" viruses being introduced as software viruses are? Is the company addressing the issues of privacy the technology will be raising?
The reason I am asking is that I am an amateur fiction writer and I would be interested in "real world" consideration of such issues.
What does the slash-dot community thing the next step should be?
Slashdot Mirror
As I have watched the U.S. and Internet develop, I have seen the truth of something I've long known. "If it exists, it will be abused." The only thing that is different between the U.S. and other nations is the Constitution. It's a document that give the few, (government), rights granted by the many, (The People). This doesn't stop the aggressive from trying to conquer the world! I think this is actually what we are seeing. A war between the "leaders" or wanna-be leaders. In the end, it will collapse under the effort to "control". JMHO.
Anonymous Coward wrote:
:)
;)
> But about the only realistic aspect of the computer
> in it ("Edgar") was this: it had a keyboard
> attached!
You forgot the monitor! I can't believe you forgot the monitor!
Perhaps I'm just too old but with all this writing of good/bad portrayal of computers in the movies, I'm surprised no one has mentioned "Electric Dreams", (http://www.fast-rewind.com/). It's a fantasy/romantic comedy made in 1982. The flick stars Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Cauldfield and the voice of Bud Cort. Anyone remember it?
I first became aware of this company about January. I immediately thought of the Anime "Ghost in the Shell". Even though the technology is at a "primitive" level, I wanted to know if anyone was looking into the security of such technology.
We didn't consider security when creating the Internet and many operating systems. We will have access to an individual's body from outside. What will happen then? The "hacking" that took place in the Anime and countless other stories could easily become a reality.
On 1/14/04 I wrote to info@cyberkineticsinc.com and asked if they or anyone else was considering this question. To date, I have received no reply. I guess it's business as usual. The letter follows:
Greetings,
I have been a long time fan of the idea of connecting the brain to our computer and networks. I feel the future man/machine interface of choice will be this method of connection but it does raise a concern. Since Cyberkinetics Inc. is making the possibility here and now, the concern for security becomes here and now.
I feel the term "if it exists, it will be abused" is even more real today than it was just five years ago. I would like to know if the company is looking at the abuses that can result from this technology. Not just the intentional abuse that may be used by unscrupulous people but the "cracking" we see now on the Internet.
It may seem a remote possibility at this stage but it's a question that should be addressed and developed along with the technology. Is the company looking into the possibility of "wetware" viruses being introduced as software viruses are? Is the company addressing the issues of privacy the technology will be raising?
The reason I am asking is that I am an amateur fiction writer and I would be interested in "real world" consideration of such issues.
What does the slash-dot community thing the next step should be?