Posted on 03/22/2024 6:46:57 AM PDT by Twotone
Neuralink posted a livestream on X featuring Noland Arbaugh, the first person to use Neuralink's technology that enables control of a computer via thought.
In the video on Wednesday, Arbaugh said that he is 29 years old and noted that he is paralyzed below his shoulders due to a "diving accident" around 8 years ago.
He demonstrated his ability to move the cursor on the computer screen and play chess using the Neuralink technology.
And at the request of the Neuralink engineer who was also on the video, Arbaugh paused music that had been playing.
In an apparent reference to "Star Wars," Arbaugh described the experience of using the technology as "using the force on a cursor."
"It's crazy, it really is," Arbaugh said. "It's so cool."
He noted that he has used the Neuralink technology to play the game Civilization VI. He also noted that he reads and enjoys learning languages and is learning Japanese and some French.
Arbaugh noted that the technology is "not perfect" and there have been "some issues" and that there is still much work to be performed, but the technology "has already changed my life."
He said that he is involved because he wants to help and be part of something he thinks will "change the world."
Back in late January, Elon Musk announced that Neuralink's implant had been placed in a human.
"The surgery was super easy," Arbaugh noted in the video on Wednesday.
He thanked Neuralink for its work.
Elon Musk shared the video, tweeting, "Livestream of @Neuralink demonstrating 'Telepathy' – controlling a computer and playing video games just by thinking."
All swords have two edges. And the sharper they get...
Creeps me out.
Wait until the chicoms get ahold of it. They’ll be able to siphon out any information out of any dissident’s mind that they want, and re-educate them instantly.
This sounds like a way to control A robotic arm. Rather than something like,”raise shoulder to 45°, rotate arm 10°, flex elbow 45°, turn hand 90°, open hand”, you would simply think, “ Put hand there “.
It doesn’t really matter if the arm is attached to you or not.
For someone like this fella he might be able to control a full mobility system one day. Robocop!
As a man of science and technology, I see the potential for Neuralink to bring life-changing QOL improvements to individuals like Mr. Arbaugh who have been paralyzed through injury or debilitating disease. The ability to regain some semblance of normalcy is exciting, to be sure, and even though this is only allowing the control of a computer mouse, it will continue to evolve into something more substantial, such as granting the ability for regained control of lost limbs, etc.
On the other hand, as a religious man and one who keeps a keener eye on the political world around me (moreso than I did in my youth, at least), I also see potential for something like Neuralink to be used for great evil. While one could argue that Neuralink promises great advantages, I can't help but feel like it sounds far too much like man's attempts to "become God."
As you said, all swords have two edges, and Neuralink is no different. Although I suppose the same could be said of any technological advance or invention—vehicles, guns, electricity, the Internet (social media, in particular)—all things that have potential to be used for good or evil.
I think they are lying to us. As a software engineer, we use smoke and mirrors all the time to get funding and customers. We basically fake it until we make it some time down the road. I call BS
In 10 years, people with a Neuralink may be unbeatable versus ordinary human reflexes in FPS video games. Which will cause some of the hardcore gamers to see this as a necessity, like a gaming mouse or a high-end graphics card.
Many knives have only one edge….but they can still be used for good or evil
-neuroplasticity
-ideomotor response
The I/O can be a direct neural link at the spine/brain or a more mundane connection. A paralyzed patient can generally still utilize locations on the head and neck... a sort of muscle memory soon becomes established and whatever the I/O lines are connected to soon become a part of them... i.e. a remote piezoelectric pressure sensor can become just like the tip of a finger..
I remember an interesting study in the 90's where bald guys were used as test subjects for study along these lines... without hair the glops of conductive jelly would not be as messy as it is with a head of hair..lol
A fully functional neural interface and buffer is the holy grail of this technology and also of the early work that is going on with life-extension and remote avatar control.
You will be like God. Gosh that turned out well. The quest to be a personal Tower of Babel is vanity. Death is certain and the rubble of civilization upon civilization is proof of that vanity.
What matters is beyond the grave. He is risen, indeed.
Sounds like great tech for the paralyzed. But maybe not for the 15 year old boy with two mom’s.
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