Brain Implants: Hype or Hope
Channel: Katina Michael
Date: 2019-04-13

“Brain implants: hope or hype” explores the success of brain pacemakers for therapeutics and considers a future where they might be used to enhance or sustain life. After an initial Introduction, two Acts in the form of an allegory are presented and set in 2045 where brain implants will be used for entertainment, and eventually the uploading of individual consciousness to a Digital Vortex. In the story, NextGeners have hacked the roadmaps of trillions of synapses in the brain composed of billions of neurons, and humans are set free from the plight of suffering and death. No longer must humans have to deal with bodily decay or brain atrophy as they age. The presentation culminates in returning to the ancient philosophers who warned that techne was only ever an imitation of nature, and not the real thing. Michael calls for responsible innovation and for engineers to rethink where they are placing their collective efforts. Rather than aiming for disembodiment, Michael emphasizes the need for metaphysical connections.