# Cracking the Neural Code Could Give Us Power Over Mind by John Horgan > "The neural code is science’s deepest, most consequential problem. If researchers crack the code, they might solve such ancient philosophical mysteries as the mind-body problem and the riddle of free will. A solution to the neural code could also give us unlimited power over our brains and hence minds. Science fiction—including mind control, mind reading, bionic enhancement and even psychic uploading—will become reality. Those who yearn for the Singularity will get their wish." > **— John Horgan**, *2017, Edge Annual Question, “What Scientific Term or Concept Ought to Be More Widely Known?”* ## Sources and Context - **Direct Edge response and surrounding essay:** [The Neural Code](https://www.edge.org/response-detail/27011) — Edge published this passage in its 2017 Annual Question collection, *What Scientific Term or Concept Ought to Be More Widely Known?*. The full response preserves the qualifications and argument surrounding this exact extract. - **Complete local collection index:** [[research/Edge 2017 Full Quotation Curation|Edge 2017 Full Quotation Curation]] — retained source-first archive record for the complete yearly response cohort. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Edge|Edge]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Neurotech|Neurotech]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Consciousness Continuity|Consciousness Continuity]] - **Article:** [[articles/Technologies for Consciousness Mapping and Transfer|Consciousness Mapping and Transfer]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Organic-Synthetic Brain Atlas|Organic-Synthetic Brain Atlas]] - **Article:** [[articles/2026 Annual Report on Brain-Computer Interfaces|2026 BCI Report]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Next Interface Layer|Next Interface Layer]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Neural Interfaces and Continuity Architecture|Neural Interfaces and Continuity Architecture]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Neural Interfaces and Continuity Architecture|Neural Interfaces and Continuity Architecture]] - [[wiki/Causal Neural Manipulation|Causal Neural Manipulation]] - [[wiki/Brain-Computer Interfaces|Brain-Computer Interfaces]] - [[wiki/Mind Uploading|Mind Uploading]] ## Share on Social Media ``` "The neural code is science’s deepest, most consequential problem. If researchers crack the code, they might solve such ancient philosophical mysteries as the mind-body problem and the riddle of free will. A solution to the neural code could also give us unlimited power over our brains and hence minds. Science fiction—including mind control, mind reading, bionic enhancement and even psychic uploading—will become reality. Those who yearn for the Singularity will get their wish." — John Horgan, 2017, Edge Annual Question, “What Scientific Term or Concept Ought to Be More Widely Known?” https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-john-horgan-neural-code-power-mind ```