Would you get a brain implant?

First of all, welcome to myLot! :) I do agree that is quite the question. We live in age that gives us options that man in ages past couldn't even have dreamed of. The question is though, how far are we willing to go? I agree that such an implant would add a great deal of convenience to our lives - living would become automatic like breathing. However you raise a good point: is it safe and what are the consequences? What if it altered our brains and who were are in some way? Another thing I was thinking about as I wrote this discussion was this: could a corrupt government exploit brain implant? That alone is a huge risk.

Thank you! (: That's another thing I started thinking about after I posted. With all the science fiction movies I have watched, my mind can think all kinds of things up, but with tecchology advancing like it is, those thoughts aren't really far fetched. So, my thought is, what if they come up with a way to read our minds? Or control our thoughts? Those are scary things to think about! And honestly, if we ever come to the point where brain transplants and turning on lights with our thoughts are happening, then who's to say they won't be able to do such things? The more I think about it, the more I decide I would rather keep my plain old brain and keep being plain old me!

@both - Exactly! At least it would be much harder to influence a flesh only brain. :)

Each generation is raised in a different technological state with which they are completely at ease, but it is generally only the flexible thinkers who can keep up with radical new changes. For instance, I was a child when TV (B$W) came in, telephones were operator connected landlines, computers more or less science fiction, and space travel even more so, and my grandparents found a lot of this a bit bewildering. I kept up for a long time, but the last twenty years have been more difficult. Technologies I could just about grasp were to the next generation as familiar as landlines and radio were to me, and they went on to the current technology in the way I had to theirs - but for my generation, a lot of the newer technologies especially in I/T are difficult to follow because we don't have that instinctive grasp of the previous generation of technology. The sort of thing you are talking about would be like magic. Lash

That's an interesting perspective - I never considered that generational differences might impact whether one got an implant or not! :) It would be interesting to get online with the brain - commenting and typing though might be a bit of a problem. It would depend on whether one had to think about just the internet when connecting, or if one could think about other things at the same time!

That is an excellent observation! All the brain power in the world is going to be worthless unless one has the health and strength to do things with it. :)

That is why I never got my hair dyed or wanted to make myself look younger. If not all your facilities or body parts work or are perfect, why make yourself look on the outside as if they do? Then again I did watch that horror movie called "The Brain!" And I got the idea of some old decrepit man controlling people from his hospital bed by use of his brain, so only the brain was working, there were speakers from it. Sorry do not know how they wold do it, but guess if someone wanted to keep his own money, that would be a possibility.Still do not know how it works when a brain is encased in those science fiction horror movies and it speaks.

( about to cry tears of joy) You have touched my heart. Thank you.

@sarahruthbeth22 You are one of the people that really sticks out to me in MyLot - your personality and style of response are very unique. It would be a same to see that all go for some artificial alternative. You are you and that makes you special. :)

Anytime sarah! :)

Our own natural God gifted brain is the best.

That is another great point. We have our original brains for a reason - is it really wise or in a our best interest to temper with that? I do agree that for most of us our current amount of brain power works just fine! :)

I think people are always looking for benefits and thus many will try to get an implant. But I still can't imagine that brain implants will be made in the future because brain is not like as heart or kidney.

It really does depend on how far we go. If we get there or not - however if we do, it will be interesting to see what people do. Will the benefits persuade them or will the "creepy" factor be the winning factor?

The brain is also connected to spinal column. There is a brain stim that connects both.

You know you have a very good point. The spinal cord and the brain are such delicate and sensitive spots. They are also crucial if not the most crucial areas of the body. One mistake on either and that person's life is destroyed or ended. The implant would be VERY risky.

@romeo13mars. It has two sides! It could be such a benefit as we never imagined but it could also make us vulnerable in ways we never imagined. As mentioned earlier, imagine what a dictatorship or other fallen type of government could do the people if brain chips were common. Manipulation or complete, thoughtless obedience would just be the beginning! P.S. Welcome to myLot, by the way! :)