We are entering an era, not quite yet but perhaps soon, in which we will have to worry about neurological security the same way we worry about computer security. Technology capable of manipulating human memories, externally controlling human thought, and so on, may be developed in the next few centuries or perhaps even within our lifetimes.
That scares me more than climate change, AI, nuclear war, or any other possible near future disaster scenario. If we don't start thinking about this now, we will see the destruction of the human self, of identity, of individuality, of freedom in its most basic form: the freedom of mind. It will be eroded in service of capital, in service of the state, in service of fear and of ideology and in service of I-know-better-than-you. And it will be attacked for pure personal gain, like a hacker stealing your credit card. Your memories, your choices, your thoughts will cease to be yours.
Technology that can directly manipulate the human brain is the most terrifying technology it is possible for me to conceive of. We have to start thinking seriously about neurosec now, while it's still just theoretical. Or it will be too late.
