Would you choose to have a 'Feed' implanted in your brain as depicted in M.T Anderson's novel 'Feed'? Why or why not?

In M.T Anderson's speculative fiction novel 'Feed', the majority of people have little computers placed into their brain through surgery called 'Feeds'. Feeds are operated by large corporations which constantly send terrabytes of data and information to every individuals Feed. This information includes the latest sales and buying opportunities (advertisements), news and sports articles and include a search engine and an on the go dictionary and thesaurus. Feeds also allow telepathic communication between other individuals with Feeds. One does not have the choice to plant the Feed into their brains, it happens at enforced by the government that you have it installed at birth, and the plot of M.T Anderson's novel is about fighting the Feed.

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Probably not. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that as soon as this technology was invented, others would create apps and mods to alter and lessen the effects. We have dozens of third-party programs designed to eliminate ads and popups from web browsing; the same people would probably find a way to turn the Feed off without alerting the government, or alter it so only items of interest came through and only in certain times.

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Personally? No, thank you. The implanting of such a device overrides, violates, and eliminates human volition and will. The proof is that if removed, it kills ya. Not good. Not an attractive selling point. Also, the advantages seem to all be within reach without allowing access to one's brain. 

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I would never accept an implant like that.  It is incredibly disturbing.  I prefer to have control of my brain!  And if they can put something in, what's to say they can't take something out?  No way!  I think technology is a slippery slope.  Once you start something like this, you can't stop.

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Yes, this certainly is another variation of Big Brother taking complete control of every aspect of humanity--including the human brain. I certainly wouldn't willingly accept such an implant, though the constant sports updates do sound intriguing.

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Interesting, if frightening, basis for a novel - Big Brother run amuk for this generation. If the Feed is implanted at birth, I would grow up never knowing any thought or action that is not influenced by it and therefore wouldn't have any reason to find anything wrong with it. Also, if all thoughts and actions are monitored if not controlled by the Feed, I don't understand how it would be possible for some individuals to organize to fight it.

In answer to your question - given that I don't have that kind of thought-control already in place and that I do have the ability to independently evaluate what such an implant would involve, no-I would not to have a Feed implanted in my brain.

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Under the circumstances you describe, I would not accept this (or at least I would not want to).  As you say, the potential for abuse would be too great.  It would be tempting as we would be able to get all of the value that we get from having smart phones and such today without having to lug gadgets around.  But the danger would be too great.  Even if our own government didn't abuse us, imagine what hackers could do!

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