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At first such implants will likely be high cost and therefore only available to the wealthy, making them our betters. Contrast that now with having the latest t

At first such implants will likely be high cost and therefore only available to the wealthy, making them our betters. Contrast that now with having the latest tech (like an iphone), which may have its own benefits but not necessarily make one better for owning it.

melling 13y ago
Just like most tech, it starts off extremely expensive then drops quite quickly. The human genome project cost $3 billion. The cost now is around $1000. Another order of magnitude price drop within 5 years?
- personlurking 13y ago
  Of course. Though I wonder if this pattern will change when it comes to the kinds of implants talked about in the article. As an aside, I'm reading a book (Open Veins of Latin America) and it starts out with the history and how the Spaniards barely needed to do anything to wipe out the Amerindians since there was such a wide gap in weapon technology (plus bacteria) between them. An implant which literally makes you a better human might be kept highly priced, like a Ferrari, which doesn't come down in price after a few years. If anyone wants to see this mostly played out in a tv show, Almost Human (episode 10) introduces the notion of "chromes" who are genetically enhanced humans. Inherently better than regular humans, the show has them preferring their own company rather than mixing with regular folk. I'm hoping they'll expand on the concept in further episodes.
  - melling 13y ago
    Cars don't follow Moore's Law. Nothing about them improves by 2x over 18-24 months. The material costs also prevent a lower limit in cost. Btw, Almost Human might be cancelled. Better support it if you want another season.
  - maxerickson 13y ago
    A Ferrari really is somewhat exotic (not just the design, the materials and amount of craftsmanship that is used in the manufacturing process). So the price is high, but it isn't all artificial. A technological solution to the implant problem is unlikely to encounter the craftsmanship problem (it may, but I'm thinking that a key aspect of making it work well would be removing the skill of a neurosurgeon from the process).
caycep 13y ago
Well...depends. IF it's non-medically necessary, then yes. DBS and other devices with medical indications, should bear the cost of a medical copay or deductible. (DBS itself is covered by most insurances for Parkinson's, tremor, dystonia, and OCD).

melling 13y ago

Just like most tech, it starts off extremely expensive then drops quite quickly. The human genome project cost $3 billion. The cost now is around $1000. Another order of magnitude price drop within 5 years?

personlurking 13y ago
Of course. Though I wonder if this pattern will change when it comes to the kinds of implants talked about in the article. As an aside, I'm reading a book (Open Veins of Latin America) and it starts out with the history and how the Spaniards barely needed to do anything to wipe out the Amerindians since there was such a wide gap in weapon technology (plus bacteria) between them. An implant which literally makes you a better human might be kept highly priced, like a Ferrari, which doesn't come down in price after a few years. If anyone wants to see this mostly played out in a tv show, Almost Human (episode 10) introduces the notion of "chromes" who are genetically enhanced humans. Inherently better than regular humans, the show has them preferring their own company rather than mixing with regular folk. I'm hoping they'll expand on the concept in further episodes.
- melling 13y ago
  Cars don't follow Moore's Law. Nothing about them improves by 2x over 18-24 months. The material costs also prevent a lower limit in cost. Btw, Almost Human might be cancelled. Better support it if you want another season.
- maxerickson 13y ago
  A Ferrari really is somewhat exotic (not just the design, the materials and amount of craftsmanship that is used in the manufacturing process). So the price is high, but it isn't all artificial. A technological solution to the implant problem is unlikely to encounter the craftsmanship problem (it may, but I'm thinking that a key aspect of making it work well would be removing the skill of a neurosurgeon from the process).

caycep 13y ago

Well...depends. IF it's non-medically necessary, then yes. DBS and other devices with medical indications, should bear the cost of a medical copay or deductible. (DBS itself is covered by most insurances for Parkinson's, tremor, dystonia, and OCD).