The six million pound man?
December 8, 2000 1:21 PM Subscribe
The six million pound man? Is he visionary or just stupid? More important, is this really something we want, even if he can make it work?
[from the article] As robots become free thinkers, the only way humans can compete is to use computers to enhance the human brain, Warwick said.
Well, if we buy that AI may eventually come up with intelligent computers, this may be something we'll have to worry about.
In any case, I think his research could be valuable. If he can record and replay nervous signals through nerves, you'd be able to do lots of neat stuff. Prosthetics for amputees could actually send back sensory response of weight, temperature, pain (if you wanted that information, that is), or just plain touch.
Cooler is the idea of putting a similar chip in his wife so they can try to control each other or cause pain in each other. Sounds like the traditional marriage to me...
posted by daveadams at 1:57 PM on December 8, 2000
Well, if we buy that AI may eventually come up with intelligent computers, this may be something we'll have to worry about.
In any case, I think his research could be valuable. If he can record and replay nervous signals through nerves, you'd be able to do lots of neat stuff. Prosthetics for amputees could actually send back sensory response of weight, temperature, pain (if you wanted that information, that is), or just plain touch.
Cooler is the idea of putting a similar chip in his wife so they can try to control each other or cause pain in each other. Sounds like the traditional marriage to me...
posted by daveadams at 1:57 PM on December 8, 2000
"We simply don't know what my brain will do," Warwick said.
wow, really?
good example...while the rest of the world debates the morality and ethics of things like genetics and direct alterations of the human body...
Other people are going to just do it...and not to sound too cheesy sci-fi or anything, but Those people will inherit the stars.
(heh....ok...didn't avoid cheesy...it's friday.)
posted by th3ph17 at 6:40 PM on December 8, 2000
wow, really?
good example...while the rest of the world debates the morality and ethics of things like genetics and direct alterations of the human body...
Other people are going to just do it...and not to sound too cheesy sci-fi or anything, but Those people will inherit the stars.
(heh....ok...didn't avoid cheesy...it's friday.)
posted by th3ph17 at 6:40 PM on December 8, 2000
Why wouldn't we want an advance like this? Why pass up the opportunity to let limbless peoples regain arms and legs with full control? Why not add the ability to have an encylopaedia of information always available? Why not add the ability to literally have the world of information at your fingertips and to have inatimate objects "know" what you want?
If this experiment is successful, "programmable remote control" will gain a brand new meaning.
posted by Kevs at 9:48 PM on December 8, 2000
If this experiment is successful, "programmable remote control" will gain a brand new meaning.
posted by Kevs at 9:48 PM on December 8, 2000
It should be noted that Mr. Warwick is viewed with some scepticism within the serious robotics community, not the least because he gets hella more press than they do (Wired, Slashdot, sundry British tabloids). Check out the Kevin Warwick Watch for one source of alternative points of view.
posted by dhartung at 10:03 PM on December 8, 2000
posted by dhartung at 10:03 PM on December 8, 2000
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posted by harmful at 1:27 PM on December 8, 2000