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- Elon Musk’s Neuralink successfully implanted its first brain chip in a human patient, aiming to enable telepathic communication and treat neurological disorders, though the technology’s long-term implications remain uncertain.
- Brain stimulation experiments date back decades, with researchers using electrodes to induce pleasure, control behavior and manage pain, raising significant ethical concerns about human intervention in biology.
- Neuralink’s first patient, a quadriplegic, initially controlled a computer cursor with his thoughts, but the device’s effectiveness declined after a month due to thread retraction, prompting plans for deeper implantation in future trials.
- The technology poses risks of misuse, including potential government or corporate manipulation of thoughts, unequal access creating a class divide, and vulnerabilities to hacking or failure.
- Experts emphasize the brain’s complexity and sanctity, urging skepticism and careful consideration of the ethical, societal and long-term consequences of such invasive technological advancements.
(Natural News)—Elon Musk, the tech mogul known for his ambitious ventures into space, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, has now set his sights on the human brain. His company, Neuralink, recently made headlines by successfully implanting its first brain chip in a human patient. While Musk touts this as a groundbreaking leap toward telepathic communication and curing neurological disorders, the implications of such technology demand a closer, more cautious examination.
The concept of wiring the brain is not new. As Dr. Vernon Coleman pointed out in his 1977 book Paper Doctors, doctors have been experimenting with electronic brain stimulation for decades. By inserting electrodes into the brain, researchers have been able to induce pleasure, eradicate pain and even control behavior from a distance. These experiments, while fascinating, raise profound ethical questions about the limits of human intervention in our own biology.
Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, initially experienced promising results, controlling a computer cursor with his thoughts. However, the device’s effectiveness waned after a month due to the retraction of 85% of the implanted threads. Neuralink has since adjusted its approach, planning to implant the wires deeper into the brain in future trials. While this technical fix may improve functionality, it does little to address the broader concerns surrounding such invasive technology.
The idea of embedding devices in the brain to control behavior or enhance cognitive abilities is not without precedent. In the 1950s, Dr. Jose Delgado of Yale University demonstrated that animals – and even humans – could be controlled via implanted electrodes. His experiments, while groundbreaking, were met with skepticism and fear. The notion of humans being manipulated like “electronic toys” is a chilling reminder of the potential dangers of such technology.
Proponents of Neuralink argue that it could revolutionize medicine, offering hope to those with severe neurological disorders. Musk himself has claimed that the company’s first product, Telepathy, will allow users to control devices “just by thinking.” But at what cost? The long-term effects of brain implants remain unknown, and the potential for misuse is staggering.
Brain hacking
Imagine a world where governments or corporations could access and manipulate the thoughts of individuals. The dystopian implications are straight out of a science fiction novel, yet they are not far-fetched. In an era where privacy is already under siege, the idea of our innermost thoughts being vulnerable to external control is deeply unsettling.
Moreover, the ethical considerations of such technology cannot be ignored. Who decides who gets access to these implants? Will they be available only to the wealthy, creating a new class of “enhanced” humans? And what happens if the technology fails or is hacked? The risks are immense, and the potential for unintended consequences is high.
Recent research from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) has shed light on the complexities of the human brain, revealing that our neural connectivity is fundamentally different from that of rodents. This underscores the challenges of translating animal experiments to human applications. The human brain is not a machine to be tinkered with; it is the seat of our consciousness, our identity, and our humanity.
As conservatives, we must approach such technological advancements with a healthy dose of skepticism. While innovation is essential, it must be tempered by a respect for the sanctity of human life and the natural order. The brain is not just another frontier to be conquered; it is the essence of who we are.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink may represent the cutting edge of science, but it also raises profound questions about the future of humanity. Are we ready to embrace a world where our thoughts can be controlled by machines? Or are we opening Pandora’s box, unleashing forces we cannot control?
As we stand on the precipice of this brave new world, we must tread carefully. The promise of progress must not blind us to the potential perils. The human brain is a marvel of nature, and we must ensure that any intervention respects its complexity and sanctity. The stakes are too high to get this wrong.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
