# The Brain Is an Electrical Device by Edward S. Boyden > "The brain is an electrical device. Electricity is a common language. This is what allows us to interface the brain to electronic devices." > **— Edward S. Boyden**, *2010, MIT Engineering Q&A* ## Sources and Context - **Full quotation and context:** [Can we control machines using only our thoughts?](https://engineering.mit.edu/ask-an-engineer/can-we-control-machines-using-only-our-thoughts) — MIT's Q&A supplies the complete quotation and its brain–machine-interface context. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Neurotech|Neurotech]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Consciousness Continuity|Consciousness Continuity]] - **Article:** [[articles/Technologies for Consciousness Mapping and Transfer|Technologies for Consciousness Mapping and Transfer]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Organic-Synthetic Brain Atlas|The Organic-Synthetic Brain Atlas]] - **Article:** [[articles/2026 Annual Report on Brain-Computer Interfaces|2026 Annual Report on Brain-Computer Interfaces]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Consciousness Mapping and Transfer|Consciousness Mapping and Transfer]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Ed Boyden|Ed Boyden]] - [[wiki/Connectomics|Connectomics]] - [[wiki/Whole-Brain Connectomics|Whole-Brain Connectomics]] - [[wiki/Neural Mapping|Neural Mapping]] - [[wiki/MICrONS|MICrONS]] - [[wiki/FlyWire|FlyWire]] ## Share on Social Media ``` "The brain is an electrical device. Electricity is a common language. This is what allows us to interface the brain to electronic devices." — Edward S. Boyden, 2010, MIT Engineering Q&A https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-edward-boyden-brain-electrical-device ```