I've wondered what it would take to do something like that. More specifically, keeping a decapitated head alive. My inspiration are the heads-in-a-jar in the show Futurama.

I think it would be very very hard. Think what it would take to keep the brain and tissues alive? You'd pretty much have to have an artificial body. Just supplying the head (or even just the brain) with blood that contains the right nutrients, oxygen, removal of waste products.... sheesh.

It's enough to make kidney dialysis child's play.

However, the idea of 'plugging into' the brain to control machines is astounding, and I think a great technology. For example, until we learn to regenerate nerve tissue so the paralyzed become un-paralyzed, controlling machines for easy mobility would be the way to go.

But, we may have to be very careful about what we connect to. One errant thought, a transient emotional reaction, might fire a missile at the guy you just found out is cheating with your wife. Oooooops. "I didn't MEAN to do it, only thought it." We'd better learn to become Vulcans real quick. We ALL have thoughts.

Brian