Mind-altering 'brain weapons' no longer only science fiction, say researchers (theguardian.com)

"We are entering an era where the brain itself could become a battlefield"

I think we entered that era, um, prior to recorded history. Not so much just now.

I don't know what the book describes, but I'd like to hear more specifics. Until then, I'm going to assume that it's sensationalist hogwash.

> The same knowledge that helps us treat neurological disorders could be used to disrupt cognition, induce compliance, or even in the future turn people into unwitting agents.

Disrupting cognition is easy. But as far as I'm aware, we don't have any drugs to "induce compliance" and we're miles away from being able to turn people into "unwitting agents" purely on the basis of neuroscience.

If I've learned anything about human nature, its that we will regulate ourselves after the event and not before.

> the brain itself could become a battlefield

That echoes me of one of my favorite games, and I think the intro is funny enough to be worth sharing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVWggFz_D4

____

For those who dislike video:

> "The human mind: Six hundred miles of synaptic fiber, five and a half ounces of cranial fluid, fifteen hundred grams of complex neural matter... A three pound pile of dreams."

> "...But I'll tell you what it really is. It is the ultimate battlefield--and, the ultimate weapon. The wars of this modern age--The Psychic Age-- are all fought somewhere between these damp, ... curvaceous undulations."

-- Coach Oleander, Paychonauts

Technology has now far outpaced mankind's ability to wield it safely. The Unabomber was right it appears.