My Experience Biohacking
I think the 'killer app' is missing here. If it was stand-alone tech, as a platform for something cool I would be considering inputs and outputs (HCI).
Personally I would be looking for a small microchip that could be charged externally and is able to interact with other devices. Potential applications:
* Some form of key storage where computation can be performed. Not just credit cards, passwords, but something more versatile and expandable.
* Connection to devices or hardware for personalisation, i.e. you could indicate to any car you drive your personal preferences, or where to query them. More day-to-day for tech people would be using a colleague's computer and having your mouse sensitivity preferences transferred, editor shortcuts available, etc.
* Constant health monitoring (movement, glucose, VO2, etc). We can get these things from watches and patches, but we ultimately have to take them off at some point to charge and to let our skin breath.
Ultimately, for most people the question that needs to be answered is "why would I, an otherwise healthy person, have a surgery with non-zero risk, to insert X? Why would I not just use X device?".
Some kind of low-risk and non-evasive interface to the brain would be a game changer. Some kind of interface to intended muscle actions could be big too, not just for the disabled but for exoskeleton functionality. I can definitely see an exoskeleton (of some kind) help older people remain more mobile (and economically productive) for longer. Normal jobs would have less wear and tear on the body (i.e. building trade, etc).
I think you misunderstood what Biohacking is and replaced it with body modification.
Why not just wear gloves with embedded magnets? I don't understand the benefit of implanting the magnet.
Implanting seems to come with several drawbacks: infection risk, difficulty of removal if undergoing an MRI, and difficulty passing through security checkpoints.
The advantage is... Saving 5 seconds when compared to just wearing a glove with magnets in it? A glove would also likely provide far far better sensing (more and stronger magnets better placed).
I always thought the "feelSpace belt" was neat.
If you decide to do this, be sure to get it removed prior to the silicone rupturing and act with some urgency if you think it has. I enjoyed my magnetic implant for the time I had it but it did feel like a lil ticking timebomb after a few years.
While it sure looks like fun, it doesn't really seem useful. All the use cases the author makes are more gimmicks than anything really useful. Actually, the thing influencing compasses seems really annoying. You'll never be able to have your smartphone show the correct walking direction while holding it in the hand with the magnet.
Ever since seeing some videos about it a while back, I've thought it would be cool to get an rfid implant so I can wave my hand at access card things and such like, though I hate needles (my 3 month blood tests are hell) and it's always seemed a little freaky to me. I've also seen videos of people just putting chunks of magnet in their skin (I think I saw cody's lab do it, though I'm not sure) and that seemed extremely sketchy, so I'm glad there are safer-seeming alternatives these days (wrapped in glass etc)
I am not familiar with with the rules for piercers and I am certain they are different in different countries but what from of anaesthetics are they legally allowed to administer and at what strength?
Or do you just bite down on a bullet?
If you're interested in experimenting this, but don't want an implant, you can buy magnetic rings (for your fingers). Why do these exist? Magicians.
They can be non-surgically removed prior to MRIs, instead of during.
How about having a skin pocket made in the same location so you could pull it in and out upgrade / remove
How much greater is the utility and sixth-sense as something embedded under the skin vs worn on a ring?
I guess you're planning to never need an MRI?
When I read the bit about feeling a microwave oven running, it made me wonder what those revolving TSA scanners would feel like by comparison.
You can get the same effect by gluing the magnet to the outside skin. It’s not as cool but feeling EM is awesome and you can glue a variety of strengths. Fingertips.
This used to be a huge craze back in the early internet. I did a couple of interesting magnet stuff myself and also zapping the back of the brain with electricity.
I really don't get the point in the example of a magnet implanted in the hand. When I drop a screw its either easily picked up with my fingers, or in a place my hand doesn't fit at all. If you really expect to drop small, ferrous objects frequently why not just carry a small magnet, or better yet one of those extending wands with a magnet on the end?
The second use case of dragging paper clips is even more confusing. I get the novelty I guess, but that's really worth the risk of the magnet hurting you in some way?
They mentioned it being strong enough to pick up scissors or a knife, that seems like a pretty easy way to accidentally slice open the side of your hand. The risk of coming across another strong magnet that snaps onto the meet of your hand also seems like it could be really annoying and painful, like pinching the side of your hand in a drawer.