What happens when machines can ‘read’ your brain?

+ women who kill US Edition - Today's top story: New neurotechnology is blurring the lines around mental privacy – but are new human rights the answer? [View in browser]( US Edition | 7 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [How to contact your legislator – effectively]( - [AI threat to Hollywood actors and writers]( - [Murderous wives strike at the heart of domestic stability]( Lead story Neurotechnology feels like the ultimate sci-fi frontier – and not necessarily in a good way. Devices that interact directly with your brain or nervous system could hold huge promise for people with medical conditions like paralysis. But in other ways, the thought of a machine “reading” your brain feels more dystopian than utopian. Concern over the ethical and social implications of neurotechnology has prompted talk about “neurorights,” which some advocates say governments should recognize as a new branch of human rights. Laura Y. Cabrera, a neuroethicist at Penn State, takes a closer look at [what new tech can and can’t “read” in the human brain]( – and argues that to really protect privacy, we need to think about the threat in a bigger-picture way. [ [Understand what’s going on in Washington and around the world. Get our Politics Weekly newsletter.]( ] Molly Jackson Religion and Ethics Editor A woman tries neurotechnology equipment during Tech Week in Bucharest, Romania, in May 2023. Cristian Cristel/Xinhua via Getty Images [New neurotechnology is blurring the lines around mental privacy – but are new human rights the answer?]( Laura Y. Cabrera, Penn State More invasive devices have prompted new debates about privacy and freedom. But it’s important to keep in mind that other technologies already sense and shape our thoughts, a neuroethicist argues. Environment + Energy - [Computer science can help farmers explore alternative crops and sustainable farming methods]( Barath Raghavan, University of Southern California; Michael Kantar, University of Hawaii Conventional agriculture offers farmers few choices about which crops to grow or how to raise them. A new approach uses computing to construct better strategies with lower environmental impacts. Science + Technology - [Zebrafish are a scientist’s favorite for early-stage research – especially to study human blood disorders]( Gabrielle Dubansky, Iowa State University; Raquel Espín-Palazón, Iowa State University Of the many qualities that make the zebrafish a model organism, the fact that it shares 70% of the genes humans have makes it an ideal candidate for developmental biology research. - [What are Hollywood actors and writers afraid of? A cinema scholar explains how AI is upending the movie and TV business]( Holly Willis, University of Southern California What would you do if the industry you work in could clone your skills, style and even the way you look and sound? Politics + Society - [Contacting your legislator? Cite your sources – if you want them to listen to you]( Daniel E Bergan, Michigan State University You can affect how legislators vote, but you can’t just fire off a nasty email and expect them to listen to you. - [Re-imagining democracy for the 21st century, possibly without the trappings of the 18th century]( Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School The modern representative democracy was the best form of government mid-18th-century technology could invent. The 21st century is a different place scientifically, technically and socially. Education - [How parents can help kids deal with back-to-school anxiety]( Elizabeth Englander, Bridgewater State University Here’s what signs parents can look out for, and what to do if their child is feeling overwhelmed. - [Less sleep, less exercise and less relaxation – here’s the data on just how much busier moms are during the school year]( Todd Jones, Mississippi State University; Benjamin Cowan, Washington State University; Jeff Swigert, Southern Utah University Parents spend more time actively engaged with their kids – such as helping with homework or reading together – during the school year than during summer. But the difference is almost three times greater for moms than for dads. Arts + Culture - [What’s behind our enduring fascination with wives and mothers who kill?]( Dianne Berg, Clark University The framing of these stories of murder and mayhem have remained remarkably consistent since the invention of the printing press – and may reveal our own hidden fears and desires. Economy + Business - [US autoworkers may wage a historic strike against Detroit’s 3 biggest automakers – with wages at EV battery plants a key roadblock to agreement]( Marick Masters, Wayne State University A strike would shake up the auto industry even though both the union’s ranks and the share of the US automotive market controlled by GM, Ford and Stellantis have been shrinking for decades. - [What’s the difference between a startup and any other business?]( Joel Mier, University of Richmond Traditional businesses operate with an established solution to a known problem. Startups focus on a product or service no one else provides. Trending on site - [Immune cells that fight cancer become exhausted within hours of first encountering tumors – new research]( - [Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here’s how]( - [Before he developed the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s early work revolutionized the field of quantum chemistry – and his theory is still used today]( Today's graphic 📈 [The share of Americans taking medication for ADHD has been climbing for several years. During the pandemic (shaded region), the increase was particularly sharp for women between the ages of 20 and 49. Men in that age range also had an increase, but it wasn't as steep.]( From the story, [More adults than ever have been seeking ADHD medications – an ADHD expert explains what could be driving the trend]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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