🧠🔌”Brains and Spines Wired Up: Paralyzed Man Walks Again… What’s Next, the Electric Boogaloo?🕺
TL;DR; 💥 Boom! Science just went all Frankenstein, but in a good way. Using electronic devices implanted into a paralyzed man’s brain and spinal cord, our homeboy is walking again! Plus, he can now even tackle stairs like a pro.💪🕴️ It’s like the brain is texting the legs to get moving. 🧠📱🦵 And hey, you’ve probably heard of Elon Musk’s Neuralink? Well, this tech isn’t too far off!
📚 Read on to get all the juicy, nerdy details! 🚀
If we told you a paralyzed man could walk again, you’d probably call us crazy, right? 😲 Well, hold onto your seats, folks! 💺 Scientists and neurosurgeons have gone full cyborg, implanting electronic devices into a man’s brain and spinal cord, helping him to not only walk but climb stairs too. Oh, and did we mention this tech is wireless? 📡
Meet Gert-Jan, a 40-year-old Dutchman who had the misfortune of getting paralyzed in a cycling accident. 🚴♂️ But thanks to an experimental spinal-cord stimulator back in 2017, he got his groove back. 🎵 His latest upgrade? A brain implant, bringing his mobility to a whole new level. Now, we’re not talking about moonwalking 🌚🚶♂️ (yet), but he can pause mid-gait, adjust his stride, and even manage those pesky stairs. Talk about a superpower! 💥
Onward Medical, the Netherlands-based company behind the spinal-cord device, is doing some serious magic here.✨ Now, don’t get too excited just yet; the company says they’re probably five years away from commercializing a system like this. But hey, don’t all good things take time? 🕰️
And what’s more, the masterminds behind this aren’t stopping at walking. Onward Medical’s CEO, Dave Marver, dreams of a future where folks with paralysis can choose what function they want to restore. Imagine popping over to your doctor and saying, “Doc, I think I’ll take some more arm control today. Oh, and can I have a side of finger dexterity, please?” 💪🖐️
Science fiction? We think not! Science is making what once seemed like a fantasy into reality. And this isn’t just about restoring movement. Elon Musk, our favourite eccentric billionaire, has been all over this tech with his company Neuralink, speaking about brain implants as a way for humans to keep pace with AI. So, are we on the cusp of a new era, where we augment our capabilities and become superhuman? 💭🤖
Now, while this may sound like the stuff of superhero movies, it’s got bioethicists, government regulators, and investors all sitting up and paying attention. This isn’t just a game-changer for people with paralysis; it’s got the potential to alter our very understanding of human capabilities and limitations.
So, get ready folks! We’re stepping into a brave new world where the lines between humans and machines continue to blur. It’s gonna be a wild ride, so buckle up! 🎢 But here’s a question to ponder on: if we can use technology to restore lost functions, should we also use it to enhance our natural abilities? What would you do if you had the power to
