Computing Brainiacs

In posts like this one over the past year, lots of emerging developments point to a fast track in brain-computer hook ups in the near future. Most of what's written on the subject refer to aiding those with disabilities. However, I think business will likely drive it in another direction.

Aside from business interests, however, this is good stuff for speculative fiction. I remember a flashy James Cameron story and movie called Strange Days that used a skull cap to wire you into a computer -- a similar kind of technical link up. Lots of intrigue can be imagined out of such computer-to-brain oriented technologies.

My biggest concern from the business world is the marketing potential. Spammers have proven how resilient tenacious marketers can be with linked up information. Imagine if you could hack into someone's brain. You'd know literally everything about their psychographics: what they like, their hidden obsessions, their personal weaknesses. If these personal artifacts ever got exploited by corporate America, the targeted selling could bankrupt such an unfortunate person.

Let's hope, on this note, that we maintain a modicum of common sense as these brain-computer hardwiring technologies get considered for the mainstream. In the hands of the greedy -- and you know who you are -- it could be a nasty thing.