# Would you undergo surgery for an advanced and reliable brain computer interface? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 22, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929 "2024-05-22T21:52:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/21 "2024-05-23T03:04:15Z")
Poll: What flavour of Soylent would you most prefer? Maybe the possibilities and potential is impressive, but the manifestation of this as being able to control devices and some increase in speed and processing power sound a lot like the utopian claims made previously for many innovations. It seems the disadvantages were not always emphasized, considered, known, and/or taken very seriously. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/22 "2024-05-23T03:36:02Z")
Every person who has had this surgery reports they are completely satisfied, it surpasses expectations, and they encourage everyone to have the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/23 "2024-05-23T04:13:07Z")
I wouldn’t trust that, two years from now, I wouldn’t have the equivalent of a boxy USB 2.0 Type-B jack in my head while all the kids are getting Type-C implants. I had brain surgery for this? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/24 "2024-05-23T04:18:34Z")
I would wait until the technology was mature enough to know it isn’t going to blow up or cause me brain damage, and until I can be assured that the company won’t abruptly deactivate my device or do an “upgrade” that enshittifies it or try to sell my thoughts to advertisers or insert ads into my stream of consciousness, but if I could trust that it works and won’t be exploited I’d absolutely go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/25 "2024-05-23T04:30:42Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Every person who has had this surgery reports they are completely satisfied, it surpasses expectations, and they encourage everyone to have the procedure. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LH0UrqdH_8U/maxresdefault.jpg "Amazing Alexander - Saturday Night Live") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH0UrqdH_8U) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/26 "2024-05-23T04:33:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I would wait until the technology was mature enough to know it isn’t going to blow up or cause me brain damage, and until I can be assured that the company won’t abruptly deactivate my device or do an “upgrade” that enshittifies it or try to sell my thoughts to advertisers or insert ads into my stream of consciousness, but if I could trust that it works and won’t be exploited I’d absolutely go for it. Elon is promising “Full Self Thinking” by second quarter of next year. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/27 "2024-05-23T05:37:45Z")
Depends. Who makes the operating system? I’m not putting Windows in my brain. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/28 "2024-05-23T05:43:23Z")
[![](https://morbotron.com/meme/S07E03/343676.jpg?b64lines=IFNodXQgdXAKIGFuZCB0YWtlIG15IG1vbmV5IQ==) ](https://morbotron.com/meme/S07E03/343676.jpg?b64lines=IFNodXQgdXAKIGFuZCB0YWtlIG15IG1vbmV5IQ==) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/29 "2024-05-23T05:54:02Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’m not putting Windows in my brain. Coincidentally, Microsoft recently [announced](https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/05/microsoft-ai-recall-feature-records-everything-secures-far-less) a Windows feature that will record every single thing you do and “recall” it later. Which sounds a lot like several sci-fi stories ([like one by Ted Chiang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truth_of_Fact,_the_Truth_of_Feeling)) about implants that do exactly that, except for your whole life. Things are gonna get weird in the future. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/30 "2024-05-23T06:15:43Z")
Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. Remember that? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/31 "2024-05-23T06:33:52Z")
Speaking from experience, having hole drilled into your head and something with a dedicated effect on your brain placed there is not pleasant. I would think twice before lining up and doing that little thing. Yeah…no… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/32 "2024-05-23T07:27:08Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Coincidentally, Microsoft recently [announced](https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/05/microsoft-ai-recall-feature-records-everything-secures-far-less) a Windows feature that will record every single thing you do and “recall” it later. Which sounds a lot like several sci-fi stories ([like one by Ted Chiang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truth_of_Fact,_the_Truth_of_Feeling)) about implants that do exactly that, except for your whole life. Techbros keep taking episodes of Black Mirror and thinking “Hey, that’s a good idea!” > **[The Entire History of You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Entire_History_of_You)** > > "The Entire History of You" is the third and final episode of the first series of the British science fiction anthology television series Black Mirror. It was the only episode not written or co-written by series creator Charlie Brooker, instead credited to sitcom writer Jesse Armstrong. Directed by Brian Welsh, the episode premiered on Channel 4 on 18 December 2011. > The episode is set in a future where a "grain" technology records people's audiovisual senses, allowing a person to re-watch the... ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/33 "2024-05-23T10:19:48Z")
Moderating > [@DaveUnknown](#): > > I really don’t know this “Humans” user is legit. it’s all polls. > “Poll: how many dumps do you take a day” > “Poll: how many people here still use matches” > “Poll: is your car more than 10 years old” > “Poll: where are your parents from” > “Poll: do you prefer top or bottom” > “Poll: which is better; 100’ yacht or a learjet” Don’t attack other posters outside the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/34 "2024-05-23T10:29:21Z")
> [@Humans](#): > > or have An AI in your head that can read your thoughts and instantly answer them for you before you even know it. It can store your memories for you on silicon, so you can have a near unlimited memory. Any known piece of knowledge from Wikipedia and the world wide web is instantly accessible to you as soon as the thought pops up in your head The internet is becoming less usable due to pollution by AI hallucinations and scams and whatnot. Before I allow the _Information Age_ to be plugged directly into my brain, I would want to be sure we are not just about to transition into the _Misinformation Age_. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/35 "2024-05-23T13:18:12Z")
I voted yes, but with a caveat. I’m assuming that this new super-spiffy interface won’t require me to actually _think_ for keywords, etc… like we do in Google today. The assumption is that I’ll be able to think it and it’ll be able to interpret it into a well formed search and give me pertinent results. Or whatever along those lines- I won’t have to sequentially think in terms of spaces, capitol letters, etc… but rather imagine fully formed sentences and paragraphs and they’ll be in my texts, emails, documents, etc… Or be able to think "Make a reminder for three Saturdays from now at 3 pm at Bob’s house. " instead of having to mentally go to the calendar app in my head, browse three weeks and three days ahead, and create a calendar entry then go associate the address with that to the calendar entry. It would ALL be about the interface. If it’s the same, or close to the same just without the actual mouse/touchscreen/keyboard, then there’s no way. But depending on how intuitive and well-realized the interface would be, it could be a game-changer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/36 "2024-05-23T13:56:59Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’m not putting Windows in my brain. BSOD taken to another level. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/37 "2024-05-23T15:19:18Z")
> [@Humans](#): > > It allows you to control all computing devices (smartphone, laptop, smart devices, etc) all with your brain. I already control those things with my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/38 "2024-05-23T15:43:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I already control those things with my brain. Or…are they controlling you? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/39 "2024-05-23T15:58:51Z")
For himself? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929/40 "2024-05-25T12:07:52Z")
Can i still talk? Do my fingers work? Then probably not. But if i were disabled, i might jump at it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-undergo-surgery-for-an-advanced-and-reliable-brain-computer-interface/1001929.md?page=3)