How Cartoons speak what we can't

Ever had thoughts you're not sure you should say out loud?

I recently graphically recorded a brilliant talk by futurist Tracey Follows and one of the many fascinating subjects she brought up was Neuralink, "a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow". According to the company's brochure, "The Neuralink chip contains 64 flexible polymer threads, providing 1,024 sites for recording brain activity" It aims to allow the brain to interface with external devices for various applications. But it got a few people feeling slightly worried and thinking- will it control our thoughts, and can our thoughts be trusted with the applications?

As we contemplate the possibilities of Neuralink, a question lingers: Can a direct link between our minds and technology facilitate a more genuine expression of our thoughts? Or does it raise concerns about the transparency of our internal agendas? Yes, I got serious for a second there :)

In everyday life, we often bite our tongues to keep the peace or save face. But what if this silence means we're missing out on telling the truth? It's a fine line between being polite and saying what we really think, especially when it comes to more pressing matters in life.

That's where visuals and cartoons step in, our communication heroes! They're like the cheeky but well-required truth-tellers of our society. Think about political cartoons - they manage to make us laugh while saying something serious.

I found some gems at the Comic Museum in London recently, and it was a great reminder that humour can be a way to talk about things we might be thinking about but shy away from, or are advised to not talk about! It also made me reflect on what the world had been through both culturally and politically, to notice that many things never change.

Visual communication, like cartoons, hits differently. Simple drawings can speak louder than pages, and like a universal language, cuts through words and cultures.

So, as I try to navigate this mix of neuroscience, truth-telling, and cartoons, let's remember: these funny drawings aren't just for laughs. They're bridges to help us talk about the tricky stuff.

What do you reckon about the combination of humour, brain science, and communication? Share your thoughts and let's keep the conversation going!

• Quote referenced from the Neuralink.com website