They Have a Helmet That Can Read Your Mind Now. Sorta.

Its $110 million so it has to do something

Jun 17, 2021

I don’t really know how to say this so I’m just gonna let the piece do it for me.

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Over the next few weeks, a company called Kernel will begin sending dozens of customers across the U.S. a $50,000 helmet that can, crudely speaking, read their mind. Weighing a couple of pounds each, the helmets contain nests of sensors and other electronics that measure and analyze a brain’s electrical impulses and blood flow at the speed of thought, providing a window into how the organ responds to the world. The basic technology has been around for years, but it’s usually found in room-size machines that can cost millions of dollars and require patients to sit still in a clinical setting.
The promise of a leagues-more-affordable technology that anyone can wear and walk around with is, well, mind-bending. Excited researchers anticipate using the helmets to gain insight into brain aging, mental disorders, concussions, strokes, and the mechanics behind previously metaphysical experiences such as meditation and psychedelic trips. “To make progress on all the fronts that we need to as a society, we have to bring the brain online,” says Bryan Johnson, who’s spent more than five years and raised about $110 million—half of it his own money—to develop the helmets.

Sometimes technology does in fact scare the living crap out of me, but for things like this, sometimes it even gives me hope that maybe we create more good than we create bad.

OH BEFORE I END THIS CORRESPONDANCE…

I got a rather lengthy and extremely kind letter from a listener of “On The Run” recently and I thought I’d share it with you. I won’t be including his name for respect for his privacy.

Good Morning Remso,

I heard your podcast about a week ago and listened to it again yesterday so that I could organize my thoughts on it.

Firstly, congratulations on the new job and opportunities moving forward! I hope you can find happiness with your fiancé in Wisconsin!

So as to why I’m staying. The easy answer is that I bought a house out in Winchester because the interest rates were low and I had valued friends living here. A married couple my age, mid-20s, and their young son convinced to live out here. They also convinced me to stay in VA as I was also thinking about moving out of state for better opportunities and cheaper living for the last two years.

I was thinking somewhere south like Texas or North Carolina. I’ve been to Charlotte a few times and I love the city’s atmosphere. It’s not too fast or too slow. The food’s great too.

This couple however changed my plans. See, we all belonged to this group of friends, three of which I lived with as roommates for three years.

I lived with them in Centreville and later Burke. Over the years though, they became toxic influences that filled me with doubt. This group was always filled with drama and after seeing how this couple lived out here, I decided I needed to get space and join them. The group then cut me off for doing so. These two however stood by me through everything and always treated me kindly and fairly. I wanted to follow their example.

I started listening to your podcast because I heard from Spangle that you lived in VA and I figured a fellow Virginia libertarian would be interesting. Imagine my surprise when I learned you lived in Fairfax.

Unlike you, I’m a Virginian by birth. I grew up in Stafford. I have many fond memories of my hometown but it had no opportunities for me and so I moved to NoVA. This eventually led to my current job, handling hazmat at the Inova hospitals.

Anyways, I hope the best for you going forward! I’ll continue listening to your podcasts. The one on naps really resonated with me. I need 8 hours of sleep.

I only have one question. You mention that Culpeper was a place that I meant a lot to you. May I ask why?

I haven’t gone out there myself yet and I was curious what drew you there.

Here was my reply:

Greatly appreciate you reaching out and the warm regards.
I have a ton of good friends in Culpeper, it’s also where I filmed my very first solo documentary, wrote the first couple chapters of my second book, and proposed to my fiancée (go to Its About Thyme, incredible food). It feels so different from the rest of the state, it’s just so peaceful.
Take my advice and take a day trip there and just walk around town for a bit, you’ll love it.

If he wanted to make me feel all sentimental and increase how much I do in fact miss Virginia, mission accomplished. If he also just wanted to brighten up my day by being friendly, he accomplished that too.

Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

Recent Episodes From Remso and Friends

These are all programs I host, produce, edit, or simply star in regularly. They’re the perfect mix of way too serious and way too laid back, so enjoy!

-On The Run w/ Remso W. Martinez: “Medicine for the People! (Ft. Allied CEO Calum Hughes)”

-Second Print Comics Podcast: “Ninjak, 90’s Style!”

-Free Exchange: “From Iran to Mosinee”

-The Witching Hour: “The Grove”

-Crashing the War Party: “The Government Knows More About UFOs Than it Let on”

Recent Appearances

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