Pretty sad that the human race is not happy with the abilities our brains have to offer. If people are going to start messing around I suggest they read "Flowers For Algernon"

Humans have never been happy with their lot. It's driven a thing called progress for a couple of million years now.

As to augmented cognition being required for employment, how different is it from the growing requirement in certain posts to be available 24/7 even when you're supposed to be on leave? It's intrusive and might be bad for your health... Artificial cognitive development isn't much different from forcing people to stay in school and take exams, and if it means the people who, by natural inclination/aptitude should never have been encouraged into HE, actually get some benefit out of it, so much the better.

...If they haven't been taking advantage of their capability already.

There are a lot of people in my country who have failed to apply reason to their decisions. I doubt improved cognition will help with what they lack is education and curiosity to begin with.

...is a work of fiction. A work of fiction is a story that is not true. You know, a story that someone made up.

Suggesting that we should ban improvements to cognitive function because of a fiction story like "Flowers for Algernon" is a bit like saying we should ban robotics because of Battlestar: Galactica. (Oh noes! Bobby's Lego Mindstorm set is going to turn into a Cylon deathbot! Quick, ban it!)

The fact that people will even make arguments like this shows quite nicely the driving need for enhanced cognitive function, seems to me.

1 - "'It should be remembered that people are willing to endure major surgery to enhance their visual appearance, so they may be willing to do so to improve their cognitive ability as well, if the techniques prove to be effective,' the BMA said in a statement."

...Only if being smarter is likely to get you a sex-partner or a sugar-daddy, neither of which appears to be the case in the real world.

2 - Four words: "First 'volunteer' - Tina Farrel" (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/08/scratchcard_anarchy/)

is that this opens an avenue for dumb richkids to buy smartness instead of being scammed.

What's the next? Should MENSA (Most Extravagant Narcissistic Society for Antisocialism) allow people who are augmented? :p

If we buy into this, then eventually it will be about versions, upgrades. What when prostethic limbs are more poverful than the original one? Are we going to allow, for instance, the military to augment their soldiers with mechanic limb-replacements to create a better soldier? Maybe with replaced eyeballs with built in targeting and night vision?

Don't like this picture of the future? That's why they are considering the ethics of this.

//Svein

I think you're right about your criticism of Flowers for Algernon as an example but there is another science fiction story that may be more relevant to this:

Gattaca, IMO, does a pretty convincing job of explaining how "artificial enhancement" is likely to pan out if it ever becomes a reality in a capitalist society.

(For those who haven't seen it, it deals with how using eugenics to enhance the abilities of humans leads to the creation of an elite class for parents who can afford the treatment for their unborn children, and an underclass who can't. Let's just say it's a pretty depressing future for those who aren't super rich.)

Still, good news for you know who.

Hey Franklin,

Have you never heard of a parable? You know, a "story" that teaches a lesson?

That is truly what "Flowers for Algernon" is. That story goes way beyond mere fiction, and in this day and age ought to be required reading for medical and scientific ethics classes.

It's a truly prophetic warning to people who think nothing of making others their personal lab rats or experiment on themselves.

If you want to mess up your own brain, don't ask us taxpayers to keep your diapers changed and your drool bucket empty.

Sheesh, You are one dull witted, unimaginitive slug. Guess you let the machines take your soul already.

Listen here cool-aid brigade there isn't any enhancement possible none no drug, or targeted stimulation, will increase intelligence. It's all bullshit, none of it actually increases your intelligence at all, so stop arguing about it.