Mindscape 229: Nita Farahany on Ethics, Law, and Neurotechnology

Every time our brain engages in thought, it triggers corresponding physical processes.

Overview

Authors: Sean Caroll's MindScape

Publication Date: 13 March 2023

Link: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/03/13/229-nita-farahany-on-ethics-law-and-neurotechnology/

Keywords: Neurotechnologies, ethics, mind reading, privacy rights, electromagnetic fields, surveillance, bioethics, future of privacy, cognitive liberty

Type: Audio/Podcast

Summary

Every time our brain engages in thought, it triggers corresponding physical processes. Specifically, electrical currents and charged particles travel between neurons, generating electromagnetic fields. These fields, in theory, can be detected with the right technology, paving the way for the possibility of mind reading. While this technology is still in its early stages, it is evolving rapidly, making it crucial to consider the legal and ethical implications of governments and corporations potentially accessing your private thoughts. Nita Farahany, a law professor and bioethicist, explores these critical issues in her book, The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology.