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.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Smart Drugs at a Bar
Sigal Samuel recounts being the only person at a bar to refuse hypothetical smart drugs.
Others prioritized increased IQ, but she questioned the link between intelligence and happiness.
insights INSIGHT
Data Commodification
People willingly share brain data from devices like the Muse headband, mirroring other data sharing habits.
This data, like keystrokes and likes, is commodified and sold, eroding mental privacy.
insights INSIGHT
Healthcare Revolution
Wearable brain sensors could revolutionize healthcare with early detection of seizures, like those from epilepsy.
Real-time alerts, similar to heart rate alerts on smartwatches, could be lifesaving.
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Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology
Nita Farahany
This book explores the advancements in neuroscience and neurotechnology, highlighting how these developments can both benefit humanity and threaten fundamental human rights. Farahany discusses scenarios where brain data can be used to interrogate political beliefs, serve as evidence in crimes, and manipulate personal feelings. She argues for the need for safeguards to protect cognitive liberty and offers a path forward to address these complex ethical dilemmas.
No mud, no lotus
The Art of Transforming Suffering
Thích Nhất Hạnh
In this book, Thích Nhất Hạnh offers practices and inspiration for transforming suffering and finding true joy. He emphasizes that acknowledging and facing suffering, rather than running away from it, is crucial for being present and available to life. The book teaches the art of happiness by using techniques such as stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration to generate the energy of mindfulness and calm pain, bringing freedom and a clearer mind.
1984
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George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
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.
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
