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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – You may not know much about Elon Musk’s other company, Neuralink. It’s a medical technology company whose goal is to cure paralysis. Through a series of neural implants and an exoskeleton, people who are confined to a wheelchair could walk again. It is nothing short of a technological miracle.
I was listening to a podcast earlier this week about ways we might enhance our brains through implanted computer chips. For instance, an implant could give us computer-like math skills – no more memorizing multiplication tables. A computer chip that stimulates our pituitary gland could heighten our senses. Like Superman we could have super-human strength or enhanced hearing or eyesight.
I think this raises important questions about faith, and how God has made us.
God created us perfectly. And He probably intended for there to be limits on how fast I can run or how far I can see. And God gave different skills to different people. Others are better at dancing or in art than I will ever be. I appear to be somewhat skilled in the areas of writing or speaking. Did God intend for us to use technology to round out or shortcomings? What if we no longer have to work together – to combine or different gifts – for the betterment of mankind? If technology can move me towards perfection, does that leave a smaller role for God?
As Shakespeare wrote:
“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason!
How infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel!
In apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world! The paragon of animals!
And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me: No, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.”
Does God smile as man merges with technology? We should ponder that.
Chris Conley
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