Waveforms of Human Intention
Andrew Mcstay
Automating Empathy November 22, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197615546.003.0009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consumer neurotechnologies and brain-computer interfaces enable neurophenomenological surveillance, raising questions about determination and relationships with technologies, companies, and governments. |
Abstract
Abstract This chapter considers the development of consumer-level neurotechnologies and brain-computer interfaces. It reviews the history, hopes and politics of these technologies, and early pre-Web belief that these technologies would be merged with the Internet. It also situates early systematic speculation in relation to potentials of neuroscience today, finding scope for profiling of prethought. Such potentials are then situated in context of corporate interests in these technologies, especially those of Meta and Elon Musk’s Neuralink. While raising privacy and freedom of thought concerns, this surveillance is posited as neurophenomenological. This means that it encompasses body and brain materiality, also providing scope to profile, interact with, and anticipate first-person experience. This is argued to raise profound questions about determination and relationships with technologies, each other, companies, and governments.