经济学人:下一个前沿地带(1)

 Leaders 领导者

The next frontier 下一个前沿地带

Brain-computer interfaces¹ may change what it means to be human. 脑机接口可能改变成为人类的意义。

Technologies are often billed as transformative. 科学技术经常被誉为是翻天覆地的。

For William Kochevar, the term is justified². 对威廉·科其瓦而言，这个词恰如其分。

Mr Kochevar is paralysed below the shoulders after a cycling accident, yet has managed to feed himself by his own hand. 在一次骑行事故后，科其瓦肩部以下瘫痪了。然而，他做到了用自己的手吃饭。

This remarkable³ feat⁴ is partly thanks to electrodes, implanted in his right arm, which stimulate⁵ muscles. 这一壮举部分要感谢植入他右臂中的、刺激肌肉的各种电极。

But the real magic lies higher up. 但是，真正的魔力在更高之处。

Mr Kochevar can control his arm using the power of thought. 科其瓦能够运用思维的力量控制他的手臂。

His intention to move is reflected in neural⁶ activity in his motor cortex;  他想要挪动的意图在他的运动皮层的神经元活动中得到反映；

these signals are detected by implants⁷ in his brain and processed into commands to activate⁸ the electrodes in his arms. 这些信号被他大脑中的植入物探测到，被加工成各种命令，以激活他手臂中的电极。

An ability to decode⁹ thought in this way may sound like science fiction. 一种以这一方式解码思维的能力，或许听起来像是科幻小说。

But brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) like the BrainGate system used by Mr Kochevar provide evidence that mind-control can work. 但是，像被科其瓦所使用的BrainGate系统这样的人脑—计算机接口(BCI)提供的是思想控制行得通的证据。

Researchers are able to tell what words and images people have heard and seen from neural activity alone. 仅仅是从神经元的活动，研究人员就能够辨识人们听到的是什么词语，看到的是什么图像。

Information can also be encoded and used to stimulate the brain. 信息也可以被转换为计算机语言，并被用来刺激大脑。

Over 300,000 people have cochlear implants, which help them to hear by converting sound into electrical signals and sending them into the brain. 超过300000人拥有耳蜗植入物，通过把声音转换为电波并将其传送给大脑，这种植入物帮助人们听声辨音。

Scientists have “injected” data into monkeys' heads, instructing them to perform actions via electrical pulses. 科学家已经把数据“注入”猴子的大脑，通过电脉冲指导它们做各种动作。

 

1 interfaces   

界面( interface的名词复数 )； 接口（连接两装置的电路，可使数据从一种代码转换成另一种代码）； 交界； 联系

参考例句：

• If the class needs to be reprogrammed, new interfaces are created. 如果class需要重新程序设计，新的interfaces创建。
• Interfaces solve this problem of evolving code. Interfaces解决了代码升级的问题。

2 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

4 feat   

n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的

参考例句：

• Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
• He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。

5 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

6 neural   

adj.神经的，神经系统的

参考例句：

• The neural network can preferably solve the non- linear problem.利用神经网络建模可以较好地解决非线性问题。
• The information transmission in neural system depends on neurotransmitters.信息传递的神经途径有赖于神经递质。

7 implants   

n.（植入身体中的）移植物( implant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters. 激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Perhaps the most far-reaching project is an initiative called Living Implants From Engineering (LIFE). 也许最具深远意义的项目，是刚刚启动的建造活体移植工程 (LIFE)。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命

8 activate   

vt.使活动起来，使开始起作用

参考例句：

• We must activate the youth to study.我们要激励青年去学习。
• These push buttons can activate the elevator.这些按钮能启动电梯。

9 decode   

vt.译（码），解（码）

参考例句：

• All he had to do was decode it and pass it over.他需要做的就是将它破译然后转给他人。
• The secret documents were intercepted and decoded.机密文件遭截获并被破译。