Tan Le

Tan Le is an entrepreneur in the area of brain-computer interface; this is a quick-reading overview of where attempts to alter the human brain stand in a number of different areas. She writes chapters on topics such nootropics, brain-computer interfaces, bionics, cyborg implants, AI, and cellular brain repair. Despite Le's personal investment in this area, it kind of feel like a series of breathless pop-science articles you might read in, I dunno, Wired. Plenty of breadth but I don't think much depth; two very short chapters cover the "risks and ethical dilemmas." (I did find the discussion of the lack of diversity in neural imaging research interesting.) There's lots of potential, but to a degree one wonders if we're really on the verge of a breakthrough revolution like Le says, or if this is a lot of technological hype that won't go anywhere. I don't think she penetrates deep enough to answer that question. I did think she had a thoroughly sensible take on AI, which was nice, and there was definitely enough neat stuff in here that I hadn't know to make it all worthwhile.… (meer)