Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: King Prout
The human mind is a mix of personality, reason, emotion, learned habit, and instinct.

All those things are already the target of mind-altering drugs (Ritalin, for example). If electronic modification starts to move in on those areas (first for the purpose of repairing damage or dealing with "psychological conditions"), that would only move us further down that road.

Also, if electronic modifications of the brain start to connect people into some kind of collective consciousness, would that also not alter the fundamental nature of being human?

129 posted on 11/19/2005 7:09:51 PM PST by inquest (FTAA delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies ]


To: inquest

Ritalin et alia add no capabilities - they are essentially (usually reversable) chemical lobotomies.

I don't like the way they are being used - in a state-sanctioned attempt to alter what it means to be a normal boy.

you have a point here.

I don't see how adding capabilities will alter the human mind, but I certainly admit that crippling it (via chemicals or electronics) surely can.

I don't believe "shared thoughts" will ever work. If it does, and if it leads to dilution of individuality, then this also will be a substantive alteration in the human mind.

point there, as well.
but that part really seems to be pure hype.


131 posted on 11/19/2005 7:23:16 PM PST by King Prout (many accuse me of being overly literal... this would not be a problem if many were not under-precise)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson