Re: Hacking your own motivational and emotional systems, how dangerous?

From: Byrne Hobart (sometimesfunnyalwaysright@gmail.com)
Date: Thu Oct 25 2007 - 11:58:00 MDT


> How is this question framed regarding the current practice of
> psychiatric pharmacology? If we agree that it is "dangerous" to
> directly alter our own goal system, why is it acceptable to change
> someone else's? Sure, poorly understood chemicals are administered
> with great intentions in hopeful anticipation of repeating
> "successful" results - but who defines success? How far are we
> willing to go before manipulation is considered unethical? Suppose I
> have a swarm of nano machines that can simply rewire neural
> connections I personally find sub-optimal. Can I use them on you?
> Can I use them on myself? Can I use them on a simulation of either of
> us? (you know, a practice version to assess the impact before
> actually performing the operation "in real life")

Wait. Is it acceptable to change someone else's goal system without
their consent? Or are you referring to medicating mental conditions?
I'm not sure how you'd extrapolate that threat from what we're talking
about, since noting that something is possible doesn't mean wanting to
do it in every circumstance?



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