The Neuralink bad idea, bad idea!
This is a commentary/critique. Therefore, all pictures used are valid under the terms of the fair use agreement of 1976.
Before I get started with this essay, I want to make a few things clear. First of all, I am not a technician or a scientist. I’m a humble retail worker and fiction writer.
But I’ve done some study of the Neuralink so I’m not going into this flying blind.
Second in the event Elon Musk should read this I want to make something clear. This is not a personal attack on him. I don’t know him, so I’ll offer up no judgment.
I appreciate what he’s done for Twitter since he took over. This is a product criticism.
Third thing of note is this. Some people out there believe that the Neuralink is the mark of the beast from Biblical prophecy. I’m reserving judgment on that.
I’ll leave that debate to theologians and biblical scholars smarter than me.
Finally, I should point out what you’re about to hear is only my opinion. So, by all means please feel free to take it with a grain of salt.
That said as the title of this essay suggests I am not a fan of the Neuralink. In fact, I am of the strong belief this thing has the potential for all kinds of disastrous consequences. And I’ve learned that it’s the unintended consequences that will get you if you’re not careful.
So here are the three biggest practical reasons I have for the Neuralink being a terrible idea.
Now the first reason is this. Consider what is going into the Neuralink. There are going to be microchips in that thing.
Do you know what goes into Microchips? There’s silicon, all types of gases, and toxic chemicals used to make them. And what if that microchip comes loose and gets into the body?
The havoc it would wreck would be horrific because of all the toxins in there.
Putting a microchip in a human brain is something that would make a sane person shiver in fear and disgust. Microchips belong in computers and electronic devices not the human brain! The stuff used in microchips could have all kinds of bad effects on the body and the brain.
The second reason the Neuralink is a bad idea is this. I can sum it up in one word, hackers.
Some would argue that hackers could never figure out the Neuralink frequency. And that it's completely safe. To that I respond with this.
I disagree in the strongest possible sense with this notion. Never underestimate the determination of the dark side of human nature. Human beings are capable of anything both good and bad.
How does this apply to the Neuralink? Well, here’s the real problem.
If those hackers took over the system, they could cause real harm. They could shut down the system and cause mass suffering even death. On purpose or by accident some people are that nasty.
Consider these worst-case scenarios. Suppose a hacker who's a political ideologue got into the system? They could kill a public figure they hate linked to a Neuralink.
Worse still a murderer who wants the thrill of killing without the work. They could find an innocent victim on the Neuralink. And then kill them in cold blood and no one would know.
These scenarios are possible with human nature's dark side.
Another example is this. Malevolent hackers take control of people's bodies. Then force them to go on crime sprees.
And the police would arrest the victims who had their bodies controlled.
Worst of all the hackers would get off without any convictions. Because the evidence would show the victim was the one responsible. That’s a nasty case of blaming the victim.
These possibilities may seem far-fetched to some. But with the way human nature is these days I say leave nothing beyond consideration. For a lot of people, the idea of losing control of their body is scary.
Losing control to someone with harmful intent is even worse. No one wants to lose control in that way.
The most frightening thing would be if the hacker sees their target as a tool. Or worse still a play toy to get used and disposed of on a whim. There are people in this world who have that kind of attitude.
This is something that we need to take into consideration with the Neuralink. The possibility of hacking is real.
Also, there’s another possibility we should take into account. Hackers can not only get into computers but phones.
There's already means to access and even shut down cars. Imagine what a hacker can do with that kind of power.
And for someone hacking the Neuralink they could gain access to a victim’s deepest secrets. And the target wouldn’t know what was going on until the hacker turns their target’s life into a living nightmare.
So therefore, hacking is another reason why the Neuralink is a terrible idea.
Now the third reason is the most terrifying. As I mentioned never underestimate the dark side of human nature. There's a lot of power to be had from controlling the Neuralink system.
And in the wrong hands that system can do some terrible things. And as the old saying goes absolute power corrupts. Hence why I'm of the strong opinion no one should ever have that much power.
That means no person or group. No company or corporation. No Government entity or even an A.I. system.
In fairness I don’t even trust myself with that much power. There’s too much potential to want to do terrible things with it. If any of those mentioned developed delusions of grandeur, they could override the systems.
Take control of everyone on the Neuralink and pretty much enslave humanity. In a sense they’d turn us into a real-life version of the Borg under said malevolent force’s control.
The idea of us losing our individuality to anything human or an A.I. system seems like science fiction. But as a writer it’s my experience that all possibilities should get considered.
Especially when it's for the betterment of humanity.
The last thing anyone wants is our autonomy and freedom taken away. All because of some person or even a machine’s desire to control everything. I’ve read plenty of stories about someone or a group of someone’s thinking they’re Gods or God.
It doesn’t end well for them.
And the idea of enslavement would scare any person or group.
To be fair I love the idea of a world where the blind can see. A world where the deaf can hear and the paralyzed can walk. The real problem lay in how we get there without doing something that destroys us.
As I said at the beginning of this essay unintended consequences can get us if we’re not careful.
I would suggest for said problems we take a more biological approach. So that there’s no chance of anything bad happening. Because the Neuralink opens the way for all kinds of disaster.
That concludes this essay. I hope it’s provided some things to think on.
I hope you found this essay thoughtful, or at least entertaining. Meanwhile if you like what you’re reading follow me on Gab, MeWe, Truth Social, or even on Minds. I appreciate everyone who follows me.
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