Elon Musk's smartphone implants: anticipated in 1967

  • Thread starter Thread starter jtbell
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Smartphone
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Elon Musk is developing smartphone implants that connect directly to the brain, echoing themes from the 1967 film "The President's Analyst" and Michael Crichton's novel "The Terminal Man." The discussion highlights the parallels between current technological advancements and fictional narratives that caution against the implications of such innovations. Participants emphasize that the distinction between carrying a smartphone and having an implant is minimal, given the prevalence of modern neurosurgery techniques that involve implanting electrodes in patients.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces
  • Familiarity with the ethical implications of advanced technology
  • Knowledge of modern neurosurgery practices
  • Awareness of cultural references in science fiction literature and film
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the latest advancements in brain-computer interface technology
  • Explore ethical considerations surrounding neurotechnology
  • Study modern neurosurgery techniques and their applications
  • Analyze the impact of science fiction on public perception of technology
USEFUL FOR

Technology enthusiasts, neuroscientists, ethicists, and anyone interested in the intersection of science fiction and real-world technological advancements.

jtbell
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
2025 Award
Messages
16,028
Reaction score
7,869
TL;DR
Elon Musk is working on implants that communicate with smartphones. Did he get the idea from a 1967 movie?
Life imitates art?

Elon Musk is making implants to link the brain with a smartphone (CNN)

This made me think of the movie "The President's Analyst" (1967), in which a global communications conglomerate, The Phone Company (TPC), plots to take over the world by injecting microsocopic Cerebrum Communicators into people:



IIRC, just before this scene, James Coburn (the president's analyst) was abducted by TPC, which used a helicopter to carry away the phone booth in which he was trying to make a call for help.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PhanthomJay
Computer science news on Phys.org
While I enjoyed the James Coburn movie, and his character in sequels (?), the Musk article reminds me more of Michael Crighton's brilliant novel "The Terminal Man" and subsequent movie staring George Segal as the reluctant implant recipient. Crighton practically made a career after medicine of warning about the dangers of advanced technology on human society, but Terminal Man strikes a chord.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: anorlunda
Aren't we 80% of the way there already? How much practical difference is there between an implant and a phone that we carry with us all the time?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Klystron
And modern neurosurgeons routinely implant electrodes in and connect devices to patients.

1566249215315.png
1566249215315.png
 
Klystron said:
Terminal Man strikes a chord.
Yes indeed. . .

anorlunda said:
How much practical difference is there between an implant and a phone that we carry with us all the time?
"Connected"

.