Prosthetics
What is a cochlear implant and what does it do?
A cochlear implant is a device worn around the ear that converts sound waves into electrical impulses sent to the auditory nerve, helping people with hearing loss.
What is the role of the hippocampus in the brain?
The hippocampus is essential for forming new long-term memories.
What does it mean for a prosthetic to be "thought-controlled"?
A thought-controlled prosthetic can move or operate based on the user's thoughts and intentions.
What concerns might arise from the use of enhancement technology in sports?
Concerns include fairness and whether enhanced athletes have an unfair advantage over others.
Who is Cathy Hutchinson and what did she contribute to bionic technology?
Cathy Hutchinson is a stroke survivor who controlled a robotic arm using a brain implant, demonstrating the potential for brain-computer interfaces.
Describe the function of deep brain stimulators.
Deep brain stimulators are devices that send electrodes into the brain to help control conditions like Parkinson's disease and are being tested for severe depression and OCD.
Describe what a "hippocampal chip" does.
A hippocampal chip can replace damaged brain tissue and has been shown to repair memory in animal studies.
Name one of the first significant advancements in bionic limbs mentioned in the document.
Zac Vawter's thought-controlled bionic leg used to scale the Willis Tower.
How could enhancement technologies affect the workplace?
They could increase productivity but also create pressure to compete and access to these technologies could be limited to the wealthy.
What significant achievement did Zac Vawter accomplish with his bionic leg?
Zac Vawter scaled the 103 floors of Chicago's Willis Tower using a thought-controlled bionic leg.
Name the Olympic athlete who used carbon fiber prosthetics called Cheetah blades.
Oscar Pistorius.
How did researchers increase intelligence in monkeys?
Researchers implanted specialized brain chips in monkeys, which improved their performance in an image-matching game.
How do modern prosthetics differ from traditional ones?
Modern prosthetics are increasingly responsive and can interact with the nervous system, unlike traditional prosthetics that are static and non-responsive.
What are some ethical questions raised by the potential for human enhancement?
Questions include who will have access to these technologies and whether they will create inequality in society.
What did Oscar Pistorius have to prove regarding his prosthetics?
He had to prove that his carbon fiber prosthetics did not give him an unfair advantage in the Olympic Games.
Explain how the i-limb Ultra differs from traditional prosthetics.
The i-limb Ultra is an artificial hand with five independent fingers that can respond to the owner's thoughts and intentions, unlike traditional prosthetics that are mechanically operated.
What potential improvements could bionic technology bring to human memory and decision-making?
Bionic technology could enhance memory formation and boost decision-making capabilities.
What are some potential benefits of bionic enhancements for people without disabilities?
Bionic enhancements could improve human abilities, making individuals smarter, sharper, and faster in various aspects of life.
Why is it important to consider the implications of bionic advancements?
Understanding the implications helps prepare society for changes in human abilities and the potential social impacts of those changes.
In what year did Cathy Hutchinson undergo her experimental procedure?
Cathy Hutchinson underwent her procedure in 1997.
What technological advancements are making prosthetics more integrated with the human body?
Advances in microprocessors, digital technology interconnection with the nervous system, and improved battery technology are making prosthetics more active and responsive parts of the body.
What is the significance of a monkey controlling a robotic arm from 7,000 miles away?
This demonstrates that mental signals can be transmitted over long distances, indicating that distance is almost irrelevant with advanced technology.
What does the phrase "superhuman technology" refer to in this context?
It refers to advancements in technology that not only restore lost capabilities but also enhance human abilities beyond their natural limits.
How might the future of bionic technology change our understanding of what it means to be human?
Bionic technology may blur the line between human and machine, raising questions about identity, capability, and ethical boundaries.
What unique case demonstrates the use of brain signals to control technology remotely?
The case where a monkey controlled a robotic arm 7,000 miles away using brain signals shows the potential of remote control through brain-computer interfaces.