From: Andy Kossowsky Subject: Re: SCI: Direct Neural-Electronic Interfacing Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1992 21:41:28 EST RE: Direct Neural Interfacing. In article <1992Dec6.075414.18229@u.washington.edu> dream!Marcus_Brodeur@bikini.cis.ufl.edu (Marcus Brodeur) writes: > >In a message dated Sun 29 Nov 92 3:26, >U55533%uicvm.uic.edu@ohstvma.acs.oh wrote: > >> I predict that full direct neural immersion will not be available for >>200 years, > > There are many >bold new frontiers to be conquered, certainly, but many (such as >direct-neural-interfacing) are certainly NOT going to be conquered in >the next century or so. Direct neural interfacing would be a simple problem to solve with nanotechnology, and could probably be acheived with pre-assembler nanotechnology. Given that nanotechnology will become a reality within the next century [read Engines of Creation, by K. Eric Drexler for a very convincing argument] or even 50 years, then I would put the timescale for this ability very much closer. Say 20-50 years, and certainly within my lifetime (which will be considerably longer thanks to nanotech.). For a better discussion of these ideas read the news group sci.nanotech Ian Bygrave:undergraduate at University of Warwick,UK mauah@csv.warwick.ac.uk --- Reply by Andy Kossowsky : You give technology too much credit. I can certainly see how nanotech could facilitate the BUILDING of a Direct Neural Interface, but only after someone DESIGNS one. Researchers know so little about the actually workings of the brain's neural network, so even if nanotech sprang into existance fully developed tomorrow, we wouldn't know what the heck to tell the little 'nanites' to do in there! ApK