In between Elon Musk’s (1)_____________ on conspiracy theories, mainstream media and homicidal chickens came this: “The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron (2)_____________ detection”.
His promise is that these implants will (3)_____________ complex neurological problems.
The (4)______________ are saying that much more will be done with these implants.
To recruit people for the brain implant Neurolink has an (5)_____________ on their website, anyone with certain conditions can apply.
The interviewer warns that we should carpet these breakthroughs with (6)______________.
The interviewer wonders whether this brain chip will help people do things a bit better but it might be a (7)____________ process.
Elon Musk is promising the (8)____________. He says that the people who are (9)________________ will be able to move their arms and legs again.
If Stephen Hawking had had a brain implant, he would have been able to speak like an (10)_____________
A fan tweeted that Neurolink would be able to (11)____________ the brain to compete with an AI.
The interviewer presumes that implanting a chip in somebody’s brain is high (12)___________ stuff
Elon Musk has set very (13)______________ deadlines for getting stuff done.
We should remain (14)____________ about the science.
Since this is (15)____________ science by press (16)___________ there might be some (17)___________ of interest. There are no regulations in terms of the (18)___________ that he makes.
One would think that medical regulations, which are presumed to be pretty (19)__________ in the US, would (20)____________.
The interviewer is concerned about the untold possibilities that this breakthrough could (21)____________.
Apparently, there are no regulations regarding (22)________________
People are so desperate that they are being sold the bill of (23)_______________
There is a lot we still don’t know about these advancements in science because they have been (24)_____________ in secrecy.
Audio: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172z09wlkm9zjh
KEY
1. musings
musing noun /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/ a period of thinking carefully about something or telling people your thoughts about it. Sp. reflexiones.
E.g.
We had to sit and listen to his musings on life.
2. spike
spike: if the number or rate of something spikes, it increases quickly and by a large amount New telephone orders have spiked in the last two years.
3. tackle
4. boosters
booster: someone who gives a lot of support to a person, organization, or idea. Sp. seguidor
E.g.
a dance organized by the school’s booster club.
5. open call.
open call: an audition, esp. for actors or dancers, open to anyone wishing to try out
6. caveats
caveat: /ˈkæviæt/ a warning that particular things need to be considered before something can be done. Sp. advertencia
Any discussion of legal action must be preceded by a caveat on costs.
7. clunky
clunky: (of technology) old-fashioned; not well designed.
E.g.
The device has clunky controls.
Sp. burdo, tosco, torpe
8. moon
9. quadriplegic
quadriplegic: /ˌkwɒdrɪˈpliːdʒɪk/ a person who is permanently unable to use their arms and legs.
10. auctioneer /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə(r)/
auctioneer /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə(r)/ a person whose job is to direct an auction and sell the goods.
‘Yours for £200,’ said the auctioneer.
11, augment
augment something /ɔːɡˈment/ to increase the amount, value, size, etc. of something
E.g.
He wrote magazine articles in order to augment his income.
The band had been augmented by two extra trombonists.
12. stakes
something that you risk losing, especially money, when you try to predict the result of a race, game, etc., or when you are involved in an activity that can succeed or fail .
The stakes are high
Sp. es mucho lo que está en juego
How much was the stake (= how much did you bet)? They were playing cards for high stakes (= a lot of money). With only two points separating the top five players, the stakes are high as they enter the final round.
13. optimistic
14. cautious
15. corporate
corporate /ˈkɔːpərət/ connected with a large business company. Sp. empresarial
corporate finance/profits/tax
16. release
press release noun /ˈpres rɪliːs/ an official statement made to journalists by a large organization, a political party or a government department
E.g. The company issued a press release to end speculation about its future.
17. conflict
conflict of interest(s) a situation in which somebody has two jobs, aims, roles, etc. and cannot treat both of them equally and fairly at the same time There was a conflict of interest between his business dealings and his political activities. One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interest as he lived near the proposed road. There is often a conflict of interests between farmers and conservationists.
18. pitch
pitch: talk or arguments used by a person trying to sell something or persuade people to do something. Sp. Discurso de venta. Discurso promocional.
E.g.
an aggressive sales pitch
the candidate’s campaign pitch
Each company was given ten minutes to make its pitch
19. tight
tight: very strict and hard to resist, avoid, etc.
E.g.
to keep tight control over something
Dozens of streets are being closed and security is tight.
We need tighter security at the airport.
Are the controls tight enough?
tight restrictions/regulations
20 kick in
kick in:
to begin to take effect
E.g.
Reforms will kick in later this year.
21. unleash
unleash something (on/upon somebody/something) to suddenly let a strong force, emotion, etc. be felt or have an effect. Sp. desatar
E.g.
The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press
22. augmentation
augmentation /ˌɔːɡmenˈteɪʃn/ the act or process of increasing the amount, value, size, etc. of something
23. goods
sell someone a bill of goods: to deceive someone into buying or believing something that has no value. to sell somebody something/to buy something that has no value or is worth much less than the price paid. Take unfair advantage of.
24. shrouded
shroud something in something: to hide information or keep it secret and mysterious to keep information secret so that people do not know what really happened
be shrouded in something
The incident has always been shrouded in mystery.
The work is shrouded in secrecy.
His family background is shrouded in mystery.
