Read Richard’s current thoughts about transhumanism and related fringe topics here.
Brain-machine interface technology seems to be advancing more quickly than predicted. Scientists at Washington University have successfully implanted a brain grid into patients [defunct link] that reads their electrocorticographic (ECoG) brain activity and allows them to move a cursor on a computer screen with a thought. This breakthrough supersedes previous technology that read and translated electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity. Patients using the new technology were able to learn their cursor mind control task in an hour, far less than the several months older technology required.
Many people will likely be squeamish at the idea, especially when they hear that the brain grid requires direct implantation into the brain so that it can read the ECoG data directly. However, past squeamishness has often become indifferent acceptance, a signature trend of all successful technologies.