Source: Boing Boing
Neuralink's implant in Keith Thomas demonstrates that neural interfaces can now translate brain signals into precise hand movements with enough fidelity for everyday tasks—feeding oneself, tactile interaction with a pet—moving beyond laboratory demonstrations into functional independence. The six-year gap between injury and implantation matters: neural plasticity can be harnessed years after paralysis, expanding the addressable population far beyond acute-care scenarios. What remains unstated in most coverage is the dependency: Thomas's autonomy is now contingent on a working implant and the company maintaining its infrastructure. Long-term reliability and continuity of support are open questions.