(ThyBlackMan.com) It’s 2019 and we’re moving more and more into the future that we, our parents and even our kids saw in The Jetsons. We’re not just ordering Domino’s and Pizza Hut but apps like Postmates, DoorDash and Uber Eats allow us to get whatever we have a taste for. Cars that drive themselves are a reality. We no longer have to watch just what is on TV or listen to just what’s on the radio. Hell, we can make our own programming now. People still want flying cars and while it’s being worked on, that’s…it’s stupid, guys. I’ll just say it, flying cars are stupid.
Most recently, Facebook is working on technology that can read our brains.
The Nature of Facebook’s Brain-Computer Interface
Note, I felt this was a mellower subtitle than “Facebook’s Trying to Read Y’all Brains.” The project is headed up by the company’s Facebook Reality Labs—nothing dubious sounding there—with extra research power coming from the University of California, San Francisco. It was
announced back in 2017 and has been described as brain-computer interface or BCI. In simplest terms, it will allow for the user to type with their brain. Without any further explanation of how this would work, you can fly clean into sci-fi territory with this.
Is it literally reading your brain’s intent? Can it amplify how much our brains we use? Is it—I don’t know—some sort of tech-aided telepathy?
However, Facebook has explained it as being able to decode speech from the brain and put it on screen. Current research on epilepsy patients shows that this is done by using electrodes implanted into the brain. The electrodes read the signals zipped through the brain and transfer it to these screens. At the moment, BCI is being researched with the intent of developing new ways to help those with brain injuries and trauma talk again.
It’s a strong first step that will likely spawn other uses for BCI technology in the medical field. Now, while it’s Facebook and we’re all right to be weary of anything the company does, even working on the technology is a good thing and Zuckerberg’s company isn’t the only one working on BCI technology. Neuralink is the brainchild of Tesla founder Elon Musk and is looking to start doing trials on humans before next year ends.
It can be said that Facebook is a little slow on the draw in this regard but it’s still doing work in advancing the technology.
Keeping BCI In Medical Science
Facebook hasn’t made a mention of commercial use for BCI. According to the company, research is “very slow going.” Meaning that it could take a while for it to even reach medical use. This is technology involving the brain, spine—all of the parts essential to the nervous system—so this isn’t going to be a quick roll out because of how risky would be to rush it.
However, it was stated that the closest to a commercial step with Facebook’s BCI would be in the way of AR glasses. The technology might not crossover but the research could. When you think of it, no one is really going to want a piece of consumer technology that has to be implanted, never mind implanted into the brain. The class action lawsuits from that would be bananas.
As far as military use, that’s always likely. Any piece of technology being developed will be looked at for medical, commercial, industrial and military use. Facebook’s brain-computer interface is very specific but never count the military or intelligence out on finding a way to use this if it’s presented.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.