Let's assume someone develops the pill, that makes you twice as intelligent. Small side effect is, it shaves off 10 years of your life. Will you take it?
What if everyone you know is on it? You come to work and your boss is calling you into the office and says: "I am concerned about your output. If I compare your to the performances of your colleagues, they just get so much more done."
It is the stadium effect, if everyone is standing up, you are forced to stand up too, just to level the paling field. You will be forced to pop the pill too.
You may think, that this is a dark future scenario, but check the Revving the brain article about Ritalin use to enhance your concentration.
I fear that we are like the sorcerer's apprentice the spirits we called will take over and soon we will ask ourselves how to get rid of them.
I once talked about this with John Smart and he said that our brain over the years has been finely tuned via biology, there is not a lot of room for improvement left.
It is for sure a very interesting field and I am really happy to have Dr. Pete Estep presenting the latest research regarding Neuroengineering at our Future Salon this Wednesday the 30th of April.
If you can't join in person we will webcast the event and tape it too. Point your Quicktime viewer to the following address: rtsp://207.105.30.90/salon.sdp
Future Salons have the following structure: 6-7pm is networking with light refreshments proudly sponsored by SAP; 7-9+pm is the presentation followed by discussion. SAP Labs North America, Building D, Room Southern Cross or Cafeteria depending on number of RSVPs. SAP is located at 3410 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Free and open to the public. Spread the word and please RSVP: http://tinyurl.com/6oxlzr
Hey..
Is the transcript or video of this presentation posted anywhere?
thanks
Veleda
Posted by: Veleda | May 01, 2008 at 11:45
Is that webcast recorded somewhere?
Posted by: Ray | May 01, 2008 at 12:44
Hi Veleda and Ray,
We have recorded it and are working on a video release. Will post about it as soon as we do.
All the best, Mark.
Posted by: Mark Finnern | May 17, 2008 at 07:52