Recreated images of faces now available via EEG scans.

So accurate, police sketch artists will soon

apply for employment insurance benefits,

while witnesses are tapped like portable hard drives.

 

Connecting neural activity patterns to visual structures,

like those present in human features,

a step toward digital resurrection

of trapped and faded text, dissipated dialogue.

Even translation for non-verbal communication.

 

Not a matter of if, but when

authorities place a wire wig

on an eyewitness, or suspect head—

producing real-time replays of criminal acts,

confirming convictions.

 

A discussion of neurological human rights

logically follows…

-mental privacy and integrity

-psychological continuity

-cognitive liberty

At the brink of a reality where brainjacking exists

—extractions of PIN codes and passwords,

acquaintance identities and addresses—

is the heightened potential for healing help,

or hostile harm.

Selected byJenn Zed
Image credit:Samuel Zeller

Jordan Trethewey is the poet laureate of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He has published work with many small online and print publications internationally, and his work has been translated in Vietnamese, Farsi, and French. He would be bewildered to know you are reading this right now, but would also be secretly pleased. :)

Find more of his work on his work here: jordantretheweywriter.wordpress.com