Every time our brain does some thinking, there are associated physical processes. In particular, electric currents and charged particles jump between neurons, creating associated electromagnetic fields. These fields can in principle be detected with proper technology, opening the possibility for reading your mind. That technology is currently primitive, but rapidly advancing, and it's not too early to start thinking about legal and ethical consequences when governments and corporations have access to your thoughts. Nita Farahany is a law professor and bioethicist who discusses these issues in her new book,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-battle-for-your-brain-defending-the-right-to-think-freely-in-the-age-of-neurotechnology-nita-a-farahany/18410880" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology</a>.Support Mindscape on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/seanmcarroll" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a>.Nita Farahany received a J.D. and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Duke University. She is currently the Robinson O. Everett Distinguished Professor of Law &amp; Philosophy at Duke, as well as Founding Director of the Duke Initiative for Science &amp; Society. She has served on a number of government commissions, including the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. She is a Fellow of the American Law Institute and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was awarded the Duke Law School Distinguished Teaching Award.<ul><li><a href="https://www.nitafarahany.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Web site</a></li><li><a href="https://law.duke.edu/fac/farahany/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Duke web page</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nita_A._Farahany" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/NitaFarahany" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li></ul> See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

229 | Nita Farahany on Ethics, Law, and Neurotechnology

Ever wanted to know how music affects your brain, what quantum mechanics really is, or how black holes work? Do you wonder why you get emotional each time you see a certain movie, or how on earth video games are designed? Then you’ve come to the right place. Each week, Sean Carroll will host conversations with some of the most interesting thinkers in the world. From neuroscientists and engineers to authors and television producers, Sean and his guests talk about the biggest ideas in science, philosophy, culture and much more.