The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Your brain isn't so private anymore

Apr 3, 2023

Nita Farahany, a Professor of Philosophy and Law at Duke University and author, dives into the ethical implications of emerging brain-scanning technologies. She discusses the terrifying potential of companies accessing subconscious thoughts and the risks to our privacy. Nita highlights the balance between mental health enhancements and cognitive liberty, advocating for individual autonomy against societal pressures. They explore the controversial idea of erasing painful memories and the intersection of technology, suffering, and human rights.

01:05:09

Episode guests

Nita A. Farahany

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Future of Brain Sensors and Privacy

00:41

Intro

3min

The Evolving Landscape of Brain Privacy

20min

Neurotechnology and the Privacy Paradox

8min

Navigating Cognitive Liberty and Technology

11min

Navigating Autonomy: The Debate on Mental Enhancement and Self-Determination

3min

Cognitive Liberty and Memory Erasure

8min

Balancing Suffering and Personal Growth

2min

The Intersection of Technology, Suffering, and Human Rights

4min

Guest host Sigal Samuel talks with professor of philosophy and law Nita Farahany about her new book The Battle for Your Brain. In it, Farahany details the new brain-scanning tech that has already arrived, and the risks this poses to our privacy and freedom of thought. Sigal and Nita discuss what this technology can currently do (and what it can't), how new devices might be used by corporations or governments to infringe on our rights, and the prospect of using new technologies to rid ourselves of painful or traumatic memories — even, potentially, before they've been formed.

Host: Sigal Samuel (@SigalSamuel), Senior Reporter, Vox

Guest: Nita Farahany (@NitaFarahany), author; professor of philosophy & Robinson O. Everett Professor of Law, Duke University

References:

The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology by Nita A. Farahany (St. Martin's; 2023)
"Your brain may not be private much longer" by Sigal Samuel (Vox; March 17)
"BGU develops wearable advanced warning system for epileptic seizures" (Jerusalem Post; Sept. 29, 2020)
"Elon Musk shows off updates to his brain chips and says he's going to install one in himself when they are ready" by Ashley Capoot (CNBC; Dec. 1, 2022)
"Brain-implant companies balk at moves to regulate their nascent tech" by Sarah McBride (Los Angeles Times; Feb. 19)
"NHS trials headset that claims to zap depression" by Katie Prescott (The Times; Jan. 23)
"Australian man uses brain implant to send texts from his iPad" by Kristin Houser (Freethink; Nov. 12, 2022)
"Is 'brain fingerprinting' a breakthrough or a sham?" by Russell Brandom (The Verge; Feb. 2, 2015)
"China Claims It's Scanning Workers' Brainwaves to Increase Efficiency and Profits" by Samantha Cole (VICE; May 1, 2018)
"Incriminating Thoughts" by Nita A. Farahany (Stanford Law Review, vol. 64 (2); Feb. 2012)
John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" (1859)
Immanuel Kant, Critique of Practical Reason (1788)
"Non-conscious brain modulation may help PTSD patients forget their fears" by Brooks Hays (UPI; Feb. 23, 2021)
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh (Parallax Press; 2019)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Engineers: Patrick Boyd & Brandon McFarland
Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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