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360 points danielmorozoff | 6 comments | | HN request time: 0.204s | source | bottom
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devinprater ◴[] No.45030311[source]
I'll let other blind people go first, but I'm definitely some one that would love, love, love to be able to see. Driving, knowing body language, playing any and every video game out there, shoot yeah!
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BrandoElFollito ◴[] No.45031652[source]
Why would you not go first? If you are blind it cannot be worse (well it can, but there are always risks).

My wife went through semi-expetimental therapy (at that time) for her MS. It was tough but ultimately a net benefit.

It all depends on what is at stake - I would consider Ozempic for some weight loss but prefer, for now, go for no sugar and moderate portions. This is not life changing for me so I indeed prefer people who will benefit way more from it to go first.

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crote ◴[] No.45032332[source]
It's a brain chip. How do you feel about being blind and paralyzed? Or comatose? Or dead? How about never-ending pain or constant bright flashes? What if they go bankrupt, and something happens to the implant?

Brain surgery isn't exactly an industry where "move fast and break things" is an acceptable approach - especially when you are the patient. Considering Neuralink's historical record, going first sounds like a horrible idea to me.

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1. BrandoElFollito ◴[] No.45035960[source]
How do you feel about not having THE sense that defines your whole life? This is a matter of personal choice and weighing risks vs your life as it is.

Nobody is forcing anybody to have the chip - my question was about the reasons behind not taking it for someone who is blind, as a matter of curiosity. It is obvious that everyone will react differently.

As I mentioned, my wife went for that and it was quite a ride initially. You do not want to be on the witnessing side of such treatments but I respect her choice despite the risks.

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2. jibal ◴[] No.45036064[source]
Vision is not the sense that defines the whole life of a blind person.
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3. BrandoElFollito ◴[] No.45036083[source]
Of course, this is why I gave the counterexample of the case where it would be.
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4. jibal ◴[] No.45036120{3}[source]
Of course your statement is false? Strange.
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5. 542354234235 ◴[] No.45053080[source]
My brain defines my whole life. Risking damaging the thing that defines everything I love, hate, have interest in, or remember is a pretty high bar. Blind people live pretty rich, full, independent lives, even if they have to forgo many things the sighted enjoy. I don't know if I would say the same for the severely brain damaged.
6. BrandoElFollito ◴[] No.45053718{4}[source]
@crote wrote

> How do you feel about being blind and paralyzed?

To what I replied

> How do you feel about not having THE sense that defines your whole life?

→ this meant "how would you fel if you lost THE sense that defines your life, such as loding your sight when you are an artist" (for example). The idea is that what is a disaster depends on people (this is what I meant in This is a matter of personal choice and weighing risks vs your life as it is.).

In other words - losing a sense can be so devastating that you can risk much more for the (large, tiny, incalculable?) risjk of losing even more. Everyone is free to decide.

Hope this is more clear now