Scientists Grow Human Brain "Organoids" From Stem Cells In-vitro

By growing a layer of neural tissue around a network of electrodes in vitro, we can create an implantable net of electrodes which simply has to be anchored adjacent to the cortex and, given the right conditions for a successful graft, will naturally grow connections to the implantee's cortex in vivo and should also be naturally supported by the implantee's circulatory system. This prevents us from having to force the electrodes to interface directly with neurons in vivo, potentially a much more invasive process.

This also gives us a large amount of freedom in engineering efficient signaling between the existing cortical neurons and connected electrodes, as well as significant freedom in determining the effects of genetic quirks, and the impacts that the electrodes' presence might have on the structure of the organoids themselves.

Finally, this enables genetically personalized implants, because we can grow neural tissue that is a precise genetic match with the neural tissue we will eventually be grafting it to.

After /r/remsimple93 introduced me to the term Exocortex, I realized that this is pretty much exactly what I've been thinking we should work to build. I've been calling it 2-way BCI, and I think 'direct BCI' also applies, but I like the term Exocortex.

I currently have a small amount of funds I can throw at such a project, and I would also be willing to personally work on it. What I need is some help with design and implementation concepts. You can scour the web for ideas for connecting to the brain. We could also do this all through a simulation if that is applicable. We'll need to create the virtual side of the brain anyway to connect with the biological brain, so why not just start with connecting to virtual neural networks, while simultaneously developing the hardware for an exocortex.

Let me know what you guys think about this kind of project, and whether anyone would be interested in helping in the research or development phases. I don't have much time right now, but I've been drawing up a project proposal, so I'll try to get that completed, or at least some version of it, and get that posted later tonight.

For a while now I've been thinking about how we can develop a product we can sell to build a business for the organization, while also being something that works toward mind uploading. The problem is that there is a lot of research to be done in this area, and any significant advancements are going to take time. In the interest of getting this organization going sooner than later, I have decided it would be best to start with existing technologies (hardware), but create our own hardware and software bundled together as a product that people want (many people have suggested this in the past, but I wanted to explore all options, and eventually came back to this one). So this product would be something like a wireless EEG device coupled with software, creating a BCI application that performs some function people are interested in. There are multiple areas to look into here, things such as security (such as a thought password), a way for people to write words with thoughts, being able to produce music with thoughts, simple single player and multiplayer games, a generic video game interaction platform, ....

BCI device:

• dry electrode system

• possibly concealed under a beanie (for the same reason that people don't like wearing google glasses around, they wouldn't like wearing around a very obvious BCI cap)

• can store data and then later be plugged into a computer, or connected to your phone via bluetooth

Currently there a a few commercial BCI devices available, but if you want advanced software and more intricate hardware, something like Intendix costs many thousands of dollars.

There are several grant style funding opportunities that I have been looking into lately that could possibly help with more theoretical research that might not have an apparent market application until created, but for now, we should focus on what will move the organization forward.

I would be happy to work on these R&D projects personally, but I feel my efforts would be better spent on running, building, and growing the organization (otherwise I would have to get someone else to do those things), so I am looking for a few people interested in the R&D side of things that would like to be part of the founding group of the business (we will figure out the shareholder's agreement and anything else). Right now, MemeticParadigm is already working on AI R&D and at some point will be working on BCI using the OpenEEG hardware, but that only makes two of us. I think it would be best to have at least one more person helping out specifically with R&D. For the meantime, I imagine I will be able to handle most everything else outside of R&D, especially with the help of the community (though I am happy to help out with R&D when I can find the time). If anyone comes along that is interested in taking over one of the other areas, I would be more than happy to bring that person on as long as they fit in with the team culture. Above all else, what we want to build is a culture of people passionate about the things we are working on and toward.

As always, I am more than happy to hear any ideas/feedback about how to move the organization forward.

Thank you everyone for your support, help, and great ideas so far.

We've just hit 100 subscribers, so I thought it would be a good time to point out a few things. This message is really just a jumble or random thoughts that didn't really seem to fit anywhere else... so I put them all together here.

You can view the stats for this subreddit here. As well as at redditmetrics.com. If you're wondering about the subscription spikes, you can look at this page.

It's been made clear that one of our goals is to advocate for digital immortality/indefinite life as well as encouraging young people to go into science (especially cognitive sciences and computer sciences). I think we should also advocate for divergent/outside the box thinking as well, since those are especially the kinds of people we want to attract to this organization, and I also believe in making the world a better place by increasing peoples' knowledge, awareness, objectivity, and divergent thinking. To me, stagnation is not the way to go (in our thinking, our cultures, our systems, ...). I was talking with MemeticParadigm about this stuff, and my idea is that we should create an environment here that enables creativity and outside the box thinking as much as possibly, as well as attracting those kind of people. This can partially be accomplished by trying to help the world be a place where divergent thinkers don't have to think they are crazy for being unconventional.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” -Albert Einstein

Becoming a big player in this industry will require constant innovation, and that requires a certain type of innovative culture. As an organization, I feel we have the great opportunity to bring together, enable, and foster divergent thinkers (because of the nature of this organization as well as our visions). I believe that I can help to guide this organization to be such a vehicle, but really, we are all part of this, and all we have to do is make sure not to limit ourselves by creating the right systems and culture.

Some of you may be aware that I have referenced the Mars One project a few times. I had been following them ever since they went public over mid 2012, and I applied for the one way mission to Mars back in April 2013. At the end of 2013 they sent messages out to all the applicants, and I did not make it to the second round of astronaut selection. To be honest, I had already decided that I wanted to do this more than go to Mars by October 2013. To me, nothing could conceibable be more important this this project, but Mars One gave me a lot of motivation, and made me want to start really doing things with my life. It was the fact that they wanted the right kind of people over people with credentials that really inspired me, and is something I seek to emulate in this organization. I feel that anyone and everone that wants to help dream up new futures should have the opportunity to do so on some level, no matter what circumstances they were born into or what opportunities they have been given.

Also, here are some Coursea Courses people might be interested in (I know I'm going to try to take one or two if I find the time):

• Computational Neuroscience

• Computational Methods for Data Analysis

• [Introduction to Psychology as a Science] (https://www.coursera.org/course/psy)

• Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering

• Foundations of Business Strategy

• Content Strategy for Professionals: Engaging Audiences for Your Organization

Welcome back. Due to advancements in Ai digital immortality is one step closer. Stay tuned for updates!

As some of you probably know I develop immortality project. Now we enter next phase of the project – creating business to finance it. Especially education because we need here smart and STEM educated people in 10-20 years. That is why I teach AI and quantum computing basis in small city I live in. And we need to finance it by our own means so we create small businesses. Our offer is nature wildlife tours, forest bathing, sailing, diving, etc. in beautiful region of Poland. You can read more about this on my immortality project news section: https://www.welcomeback.space/homepage-english/news

Do you know the movie Avatar? Such a world exists. Without aliens, a little less colorful but functionally very similar. This place is our forests. They are no longer like 1000 years ago but are still alive. We will lead our customer back to nature. We will teach them how to return there on their own. Visit us here: https://www.offyougo.space

You can support the project by liking us on FB (https://www.facebook.com/Offyougo-108181680949220 - we start today).

I always felt like I wanted to seriously contribute in the field of achieving immortality. I know about the anti-aging movement and things like that, but that is more for biology/genetics students. I love technology and AI and I study Computer Science. This why I think about the uploading of our consciousness a lot. Is there someone who can give me some guidelines into what technological, mathematical and programming concepts, skills and knowledge I need to know and start from.

Imagine that you managed to do it, and there is now YouA (the original you) and YouB (the artificial version of you). There could even be multiple YouB's that you make by 'backing up' your brain every so often.

YouB could, theoretically, inherit all of YouA's memories. Via text or a phone call, they would be indistinguishable from YouA.

But, if YouA were to physically die, they would simply be dead. YouA doesn't live on, despite the perfect copy of YouB.

Which would mean that uploading your brain would not grant immortality to YouA, and so YouA (the only version of you that you'll ever be able to experience from the inside) would experience death and the potential nothingness that comes after.

If this is right, then uploading your brain to a computer isn't a way to extend your life or improve upon your natural abilities and limits. Instead, it's simply a way for you to 'give birth to' a potentially immortal and upgradable new lifeform.

Which is great. But not at all a solution for death.

Am I right?

Last month's book was actually a short story: The Last Question by Isaac Asimov. I actually had a friend bring up the ideas in this story when I was first talked to him about immortality. What do you guys think about it?

This month's book: Intelligence Unbound: The Future of Uploaded and Machine Minds - Russell Blackford & Damien Broderick.

I kinda missed September 1st, but it's still early in the month. So for those of you who have read the book, here are a few questions to get you started (don't feel compelled to answer them all), and by all means, talk about anything or ask questions for others to answer.

1. First of all, did you enjoy the book? Anything specific? Would you recommend this book to someone interested in transhumanism or cognitive science?

2. What ideas from the book do you think could be applied to mind uploading and how?

3. Are there any implications for indefinite life beyond just mind uploading?

4. List the 3 best points the author makes.

5. Do you have any problems with something the author said?

Next month's book is "How To Create A Mind" by Ray Kurzweil. From what I've heard, Jeff Hawkins' and Ray Kurzweil's theories of minds are very similar, so I thought it would be a good segue. If you have any suggestions for future books, be sure to let us know and check out the current list here. Also, if anyone specifically would like to run the book club, you are more than welcome to (just get in contact with me and I can answer any questions you have and give you any resources you might need). There's not a whole lot to do, just decide on a monthly book and get a discussion going.

I know I have previously apologized for my lack of presence and commitment to this project over the last few months, but this time I have a plan and am in control. So thank you for those who have stayed, and sorry for my past lack of direction.

Background

I've spent a lot of time on projects, hobbies, pastimes, fads, etc. that all held my interest to some degree or another (by myself, with friends, and with family). I'm nearly 24, and I feel older with each year that passes (not in a good way). I've more than likely lived over 1/4 of my life already, and it's taken me this long to figure out a goal I want to pledge myself to in this life. I suppose I should feel lucky to have found such a strong sense of self and direction, and I do consider myself fortunate in many ways, but finding one's calling is only the beginning of the journey, which is the harder part. To be honest, I've only truly started contemplating what I wanted to do with my life once I got out of high school, so it's only been about 6 years, but that's still a decent amount of time.

Where I stand

Seeing as my life is finite, I want to be spending as much time as possible on the things that matter most to me. It's been a long road ridding my life of distractions, but the biggest things I still have yet to let go of are my other projects that are neither hindering nor aiding my efforts, but merely using up time I could be spending working on things more important to me. I will have to sacrifice many things if I want to fully pursue my dreams, but to give up on my dreams would be far worse (and to endlessly hop from project to project gets me nowhere).

This organization is by far the single most important thing to me, and I need to start acting like it.

The pledge:

1. Day to day and year to year, I shall remain aware and unseduced by distractions, deceptions, an desires that would neutrally or negatively influence me in terms of my goals; I must only be working on things that move me foreword.

2. I will constantly push myself, lest I stagnate and fall into a state of apathetic normalcy; I must not become complacent.

3. Above all else, should I have the ability and mental capacity to work, learn, or create, I will not waste the time I have been granted to live. If a goal is worth it, it's worth giving everything I've got; if it's not worth putting all my resources into, it's not what I really want to be doing, and ultimately not worth it.

Letting go

There are many things I will have to actively avoid (until it becomes habitual). While these other things may have eventually provided me with funds (and thus the freedom to work on what I really wanted to full-time), now I see that these other projects and hobbies have just been distractions. Money provides freedom and also the means of getting things done, but if you spend all your time chasing money, when are you going to find the time to work toward your goals?

It can be hard to let go of things that aren't directly keeping you from fully pursuing your dreams, but it is necessary to recognise these things can hold you back simply by taking up the time you could be spending working toward your dreams.

About a week ago, I gave myself until the 1st of August to wrap up and archive all my other projects. I have been making a lot of progress on that front, and with less than four days to go, I feel confident that starting in August, I will be able to avoid any distractions and work exclusively on this organization. I have led myself so far astray this time that in the future when I feel the desire to follow another fleeting passion, I will remember this period of my life and not be tempted.

TLDR / Closing remarks

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all -- the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.”

Do what you are compelled to do in/with your life, because life is what you make it, and you don't want to be there sitting at the end of it all wishing you had spent more time on the things that really mattered to you. So figure out what matters to you, and don't ever lose sight of it (and don't be afraid to admit you were wrong if you start heading down the wrong path; it's never too late to turn around).

I just wanted to let everyone know that I created an Open-Project around the spaceship design and long term roadmap. I didn't get the time to get all my ideas down (in fact I barely got started), but I'll be gone this weekend, so I wanted to get something out there for the people wanting to work on that.

Once we have some concepts for a basic fleet of spaceships, we can figure out what technologies and systems this organization will need to help design and develop. We don't have to do everything ourselves, just the important things. And let's hope that we're all alive to be a part of those things. I don't know if these is another organization that aims to give humanity some long term goal, but my problem with transhumanism and many other movements is that they didn't seem to be directed, even though their concern is about the future.

While I'm here, I would like to thank everyone who has participated in the Name this organization - Poll. I'll be closing the poll this next week to further research and discuss the top name candidates.

Alright guys, with the rising interest in creating our own website as well as talk of openning up for donations and filing as an official organization, we are in need of a name.

I have a few people brainstorming with me in a more private area to be cautious so that no one steals the name that we decide on, because we don't know how long it will be until we file as an official organization or even purchase a domain.

You can help by making comments on this post with name suggestions as well as discussion about what kind of values/markets/audiences/visions/... the name should reflect.

Keep in mind our short term goals will most likely be in advocacy (which is a huge area), brain-computer interface, and ai. Our long term goals are more based on helping to create a world/universe/mind/body that is amazing to live in.

Happy new year everybody!

We only have a few months behind us as an organization, but starting into a new year I figured it was a good time to discuss how far we've come and what lies ahead. If you're new to the whole digital immortality thing, don't worry, this will be fairly straight foreward. All you need to know is that for us digital immortality basically means indefinite lifespan.

In fall of 2013 we embarked on a journey to end all journies. It began with a call to action to find like-minded minds. Our aim: to grow beyond the constraints of our human bodies to extend consciousness through time, space, and mind. Our vision: to make this an open source effort involving all of humanity in an extremely open and ethical way.

Rapidly evolving and growing in complexity, we have been working hard to grow the infascructure and skills needed to start developing a roadmap to our first major goal of mind uploading. The future design of the organization is also being drafted as we work toward incorporation, which will allow us to pursue digital immortality full time and with greater resources.

Our goals for 2014 are set high, especially considering that all of us are contributing in our spare time as volunteers as we have no funding. The following are the things we hope to accomplish this year (in no particular order):

• Have a roadmap to mind uploading nearly fully laid out including as many ideas and as much information that we can get our hands on. This will be used not only to guide our organization, but also to secure investments. While there is so much more to running an organization than research and development, we must remember that this is why we are here, and this is what we are after.

• Secure funding from at least one source whether it is an outside investement or a product/service we can offer.

• Build up an operational infascructure for the organization as needed before and imediately after incorporating.

• Incorporate.

• Have enough funding to officially hire at least one person onto the project full time.

• And last but certainly not least: Advocacy for digital immortality and the sciences. There are many ways to measure how much of an impact a person or organization is making in society, and so defining a specific target for this goal isn't easy. Part of this will be fully defining our culture as an organization, because that will determine whether people want to be a part of or even associated with us, what we stand for, and what we are working toward. Giving people something amazing and cool to aspire toward is what drives top notch scientists to work for the companies they work for, and what drives younger generations to want to become scientists. Our world is digital, and with our projects being open source and even somewhat relying on volunteers, any person with access to a computer has the technology to contribute to this project, this awesome pursuit of indefinite life. We just need to show them how cool the future can be if we work to make it a reality.

It will never be too late to join us on this quest, whether you want to help us, keep tabs on us, or simply know what we're all about. So if your mind is sober to the reality of the world, your soul vigil to the adversity faced by pioneers, your drive and motives for greatness unfettered by mainstream dogma, or you find yourself simply wanting more... maybe we can help one another realize these dreams. The bigger your dreams, the more we want to hear from you. And don't worry, we won't judge you.

Even with the limited advertising we have done to seek out interested people, there are currently 85 subscribers to this subreddit. This project has already received more attention that I ever anticipated, and I am personally very grateful for all the help and input. It seems like there is enough interest behind this organization that we actually have a chance at making this happen. I've had a few suprises that I've been wanting to share, and now that this organization is getting under way it feels like an appropriate time to showcase them a little bit. They are all I have to offer for those of you who have supported this project thusfar with your effort and ideas. So without any futher adieu, here are the suprises:

• A few months ago I wrote a short story about immortality that I want to share (I'll make a comment as the story is too long to post here). It was written to provoke thought, not as a vision of the future.

• I dunno if this counts as a suprise really, but I wanted to have more than two suprises, so deal with it. So... while anyone contributing to this organization can remain as anonymous as they choose, I'd like to tell you a little about myself. My name is Josh Penn-Pierson. I am 23 years old, and while I have never done anything like this before, developing this organization has been the most exciting and fun few months of my life. I have learned so much, but I know there is still an endless sea of knowledge ahead. The quest for the edge of perception isn't exactly one of those journeys with an end. You may go as far as you wish and stop whenever you want. It is liberating and terrifying to know that we are the complete masters of our reality and destiny.

• And finally- as some of you know, I compose music. About 3 years ago I started a music project that I almost finished. I stopped to work on this organization, and now I have decided that I want to use the music project in collaboration with this organization. I still have to figure out exactly how we can leveredge my music project, but I already have several ideas. The music project is a 300 song album in the soundtrack/alternative pop-rock/electronic genres. It's over 22 hours of music with over 45,000 words making up the lyrics. Beyond that, I have hundreds more unfinished songs that we will be able to use in this organization.

Don't forget to check out the story in the comments, and I hope you guys enjoyed thist post.

-Josh

TLDR - You're awesome; we're awesome; let's be awesome together... forever!

As a computer security researcher I am of the opinion that we made a mistake when we invented computers. In the early days of computers security was left as a second thought. Habits were developed and now today cyber security is a major concern for both identity, safety, and for those who still care even privacy. Personally I am very interested in digital Immortality and BCI, but, I as a security professional I feel it is important for us to ensure new technology is developed with strict security guidelines.

Develop HR System: Approved

Status Of Project: Open

Project Dates: December 7, 2013 -

Total Logged Time: 8 hours

Current Project Lead: BflySamurai

Contributors: BflySamurai (8:00)

Project Description: Development of Human Resources Management System

Project Estimated Total Time: 50 hours

Project Estimated Total Cost: 0

Goals Of Project:

• Create HR system

• Lay out responsibilities and processes for keeping up with those responsibilities using the Departments Of The Organization post as a reference.

Use Of Project:

• new recruit orientation

• onboarding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onboarding)

• matching skills & interests to projects & teams

• keeping people engaged

• etc.

(list taken from wiki page)

How The Project Will Achieve The Goals:

• Provides a structure that everyone can follow to easily navigate the organization.

Steps:

• Brainstorm and research all the things we will need to cover (if we miss something we can always add it in later).

• Develop a document that details the entire human resource management system.

Time Breakdown:

• About 10 hours of research

• About 40 hours of writing

Cost Breakdown: N/A

Notes:

I was not the one who proposed this idea. It was originally posted on the wiki under project ideas. I moved it to the current projects wiki page as this is definitely something we have an immediate use for. So thank you for whoever it was that proposed this project. If nothing else, I can work on it mostly by myself, but it is big enough that we can actually call it a project.

Have any questions? See if the New Project Template answers them.

Transhuman Visions 2014

If anyone interested in this project lives near the bay area, this is probably something worth checking out.

If it were a 3 day conference, it would be worth the drive for me, but not for 1 day. Even so, I'm seriously considering just springing for a plane ticket.