The Speculative Neuroscience of the Future Human Brain

The hallmark of our species is our ability to hybridize symbolic thinking with behavioral output. We began with the symmetrical hand axe around 1.7 mya and have progressed, slowly at first, then with greater rapidity, to producing increasingly more complex hybridized products. We now live in the age...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Humanities (Basel) 2013-06, Vol.2 (2), p.209-252
Main Author: Dielenberg, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BMI
Brain research
DBS
Genetics
Hybridization
Neurosciences
nootropic
optogenetics
Philosophy of science
radiotelepathy
tDCS
TMS
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Summary:The hallmark of our species is our ability to hybridize symbolic thinking with behavioral output. We began with the symmetrical hand axe around 1.7 mya and have progressed, slowly at first, then with greater rapidity, to producing increasingly more complex hybridized products. We now live in the age where our drive to hybridize has pushed us to the brink of a neuroscientific revolution, where for the first time we are in a position to willfully alter the brain and hence, our behavior and evolution. Nootropics, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and invasive brain mind interface (BMI) technology are allowing humans to treat previously inaccessible diseases as well as open up potential vistas for cognitive enhancement. In the future, the possibility exists for humans to hybridize with BMIs and mobile architectures. The notion of self is becoming increasingly extended. All of this to say: are we in control of our brains, or are they in control of us?
ISSN:2076-0787
2076-0787
DOI:10.3390/h2020209