Older children will remember the “paragnost” Uri Geller bending a teaspoon. For less boomers, however, the reference is the Matrix, in the scene in which a child teaches Neo to bend a spoon with his mind.
Differences? None. Both telekinesis that I mention are fictions. In the film, however, there is also a bit of explanation.
The child points out to Keanu Reeves' character that reality is only information, like a computer code that can be manipulated.
First we understand that there is no spoon, then that thoughts can control the information underlying reality, finally with telekinesis we bend the spoon. Easy, right?
No.
And in fact we need help to do it. To learn how to move objects with thought, I say. No, simple exercise is not enough. As we continue to delve into the world of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), achieving telekinetic powers in the digital world will change our very idea of what telekinesis is.
The telekinesis of brain-computer interfaces
In fantasy, moving objects with the mind is nothing. With telekinesis Eleven throws demogorgons around (techniques? A wave of the hand is enough), the X-Men do not tell you: even George Clooney kills a goat with his mind, sorry: with psychokinesis (the latter is very loosely based on real events).
In reality Military studies have been conducted to explore the legitimacy of telekinesis.
No biological or evolutionary genetic marker indicates such power in our DNA.
There is no solid scientific evidence that anyone can train their mind to stop a goat's heart, nor any other manifestation of telekinesis.
In science and technology, the world of brain-computer interfaces has already changed the way we perceive the mind and its influence on external objects and reality.
BCIs are giving people telekinetic powers
You probably know: telekinesis, with the help of BCI technology, is pretty old stuff.
In June of the 2008, scientists at the University of Pittsburgh implanted probes into the motor cortex of a monkey's brain. Using that implant, the monkey can use its mind to control a robotic arm that brings it marshmallows.
in 2012, a team published work in Nature describing the successful use of BCIs in paralyzed individuals. Using a system called “BrainGate,” two people were able to use their minds to make a robotic arm provide them with coffee to sip through a straw.
in 2014, scientist Nataliya Kosmyna designed a brain interface that allowed someone to fly a quadcopter drone with their mind. Several companies used his idea to develop these drones for private sale as early as 2019.
At the beginning of the 2020, the Johns Hopkins scientists have developed a BCI system which used AI to enable a quadriplegic man to feed himself. This April, Neuralink by Elon Musk allowed a monkey to play Pong with his mind.
Do you need other examples to understand that telekinesis exists?
Electronic telekinesis
Telekinesis, in simple terms, is the act of using thoughts to influence physical objects in the world. Simply put, brain-computer interfaces allow this to happen.
Whether it be robotics o exoskeletons and a system that can read brain signals, paralyzed people will be able to walk, fly drones and more.
This is both magical and real, much more real than bending a teaspoon on TV.
In addition to AI and the use of brain waves to manipulate objects in the real world, the use of BCI in digital landscapes will be able to create immersive virtual environments. In the era of cryptocurrencies and virtual works NFT, the use of BCI will also bring telekinesis into universes outside of our physical world.
Culturally we will need to change our general definition of what telekinesis is in the 21st century. That bucket will continue to remain still, and Troisi will continue to beg for it in vain. Since there is no evidence that it can be done "magically", we will start doing it technologically.