Seite - 111 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
Bild der Seite - 111 -
Text der Seite - 111 -
Cyberneuroethics • 111
such as their looks or buy a house, car and clothes that they could never
afford in real life. Second Life also enables users to make meaningful relation-
ships that may be based on a projected self and common interests. In real life,
individuals are subject to many experiences that are outside of their control.
In the virtual world, on the other hand, they are delivered from these limita-
tions and success is easier to attain.
Already, for certain individuals, the virtual world may develop into an end
in itself – the preferred place in life. It has even been predicted that the real
world will have to change if it wants to lure these people out of their virtual
worlds and back into being fully participating members of society.38
But there are also challenges for the future of Second Life.39 For exam-
ple, the Linden Research, Inc. company that created Second Life has now
downsized and is focusing on users selling virtual goods to each other.40
Nevertheless, increasing numbers are still using the website, demonstrating
that many individuals find their experience in the virtual world to be benefi-
cial. Indeed, a person who plays a virtual reality game and who feels a sense
of unity and interaction with other players may see this as being far more
positive than just passively watching television on his or her own.
That being said, nobody is certain in which direction all this will go. By
examining the way in which real and virtual realities may interact in the
future, the American author Michael Heim indicated that: ‘With its virtual
environments and simulated worlds, cyberspace is a metaphysical laboratory,
a tool for examining our very sense of reality.’41 However, it is worth noting
that virtual worlds are not in any way new, since many individuals have often
sought refuge in the fantasy world of books. Therefore, there may not be any
serious consequences as a result of spending time in cyberspace – it may just
be a question of balance.
Social Media
In contrast to traditional communication technologies, social media enables
a person to create, share, consume and collaborate in many new ways.42
Online social media has seen a surge in usage in recent years, becoming one
of the most commonly used activities for a majority of those in countries
such as the United Kingdom.43
However, in the future – and though it is difficult to predict – the nature
and use of online appliances may change radically,44 creating concerns about
how online identities could be controlled and how ownership can be regu-
lated. Further questions relating to the use of personal content and whether
this can remain a private matter may be asked.45
One possible use of social media, for example, is the development of
more political activism using networks that may become influential in
This open access edition has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license thanks to the support of Knowledge Unlatched. Not for resale.
zurück zum
Buch Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics"
Cyborg Mind
What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
- Titel
- Cyborg Mind
- Untertitel
- What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
- Autor
- Calum MacKellar
- Verlag
- Berghahn Books
- Datum
- 2019
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 978-1-78920-015-7
- Abmessungen
- 15.2 x 22.9 cm
- Seiten
- 264
- Schlagwörter
- Singularity, Transhumanism, Body modification, Bioethics
- Kategorie
- Technik
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Chapter 1. Why Use the Term ‘Cyberneuroethics’? 9
- Chapter 2. Popular Understanding of Neuronal Interfaces 25
- Chapter 3. Presentation of the Brain–Mind Interface 31
- Chapter 4. Neuronal Interface Systems 43
- Developments in Information Technology 44
- Developments in Understanding the Brain 45
- Developments in Neuronal Interfaces 46
- Procedures Involved in Neuronal Interfaces 47
- Output Neuronal Interface Systems: Reading the Brain and Mind 49
- Input Neuronal Interface Systems: Changing the Brain and Mind 57
- Feedback Systems of the Brain and Mind 67
- Ethical Issues Relating to the Technology of Neuronal Interfaces 84
- Chapter 5. Cyberneuroethics 99
- Chapter 6. Neuronal Interfaces and Policy 217
- New Cybercrimes 218
- Policy Concerns 223
- Conclusion 229
- Human Autonomy 232
- Resistance to Such a Development 234
- Risks of Neuronal Interfaces 234
- Appendix. Scottish Council on Human Bioethics Recommendations on
- Cyberneuroethics 239
- Glossary 244
- Index 251