From Modern Trepanation to Neuralink’s Brain-Computer Interface

The latest amazing report on body modification culture from Japan, the birthplace of cyberpunk!
Trepanation, the drilling of a hole in the skull, is the world’s oldest surgical procedure, dating back at least 8,000 years. It was later revived in Amsterdam during the counterculture era of the 1960s to expand consciousness, and the 2000s saw the appearance of hospitals supporting the modern trepanation movement and medical specialists in Russia studying its procedures. Based on such information, Hideo Yamamoto, the author of Japanese manga “Ichi the Killer,” published “Homunculus,” which became a huge hit in Japan.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which received FDA approval last year, has already started human clinical trials. Initially intended to overcome diseases and disabilities, in the near future, the company is aiming to achieve an interface that could be implanted into anyone. In fact, Neuralink is a future form of trepanation, in that it involves drilling a hole in the skull and connecting approximately 1,000 electrodes directly into the brain. Beyond its medical convenience, it is also expected to have the potential to augment human abilities.

From my perspective as a journalist, I hope to share with you the latest information about future body modifications, including microchips and biohacking.

The newly expanded bilingual book “Trepanation Sourcebook” by Ryoichi “Keroppy” Maeda is now available!

by: Ryoichi “Keroppy” Maeda
Slot: 3 / Room: 08 – Thu. 4pm-5:30pm