Story perspectives

Quadriplegic Musician Transforms Creativity with Brain Implants

3/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Galen Buckwalter, a 69-year-old quadriplegic and research psychologist, uses six Blackrock Neurotech brain implants to compose music with his thoughts after a 2024 craniotomy.
Buckwalter argues brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) must be enjoyable for mainstream adoption, not merely functional.
His work positions BCIs as creative tools, not only medical devices.
Other BCI users have pursued artistic avenues, showing broader applications beyond restoring lost abilities.

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Story summary

Galen Buckwalter, a 69-year-old quadriplegic and research psychologist, uses six Blackrock Neurotech brain implants to compose music with his thoughts after a 2024 craniotomy.
Buckwalter argues brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) must be enjoyable for mainstream adoption, not merely functional.
His work positions BCIs as creative tools, not only medical devices.
Other BCI users have pursued artistic avenues, showing broader applications beyond restoring lost abilities.