Trademarking the Mind: Neuralink’s “Telepathy” Push Blurs Science and Sci-Fi

In a move that sounds more like a plot twist from Black Mirror than a real-world tech update, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has officially filed to trademark the word “Telepathy.” Yes, you read that right. Telepathy. The ability to communicate without words, wires, or Wi-Fi. If you ever wanted to send a brain-text instead of a WhatsApp message, you might be in luck—eventually.

But before we dive into what this actually means for the future of human communication, let’s rewind a bit. Neuralink, founded in 2016, originally had a pretty noble mission: develop brain-computer interfaces to help people with paralysis and neurological disorders. That mission is still in play. However, the recent trademark applications for both “Telepathy” and “Telekinesis” suggest Musk has far more on his mind (pun fully intended).

A Brief History of Telepathy (No Tin Foil Hats Required)

Telepathy isn’t a new obsession. In the late 19th century, just as humanity was figuring out electricity and motor vehicles, the Society for Psychical Research was busy trying to prove that minds could connect without a middleman. Wealthy patrons funded studies, hopeful that thoughts could be beamed from brain to brain. Fast-forward a century or so, and the idea still floats through pop culture, podcasts, and yes, now startup pitch decks.

Enter The Telepathy Tapes, currently topping Spotify charts. The podcast suggests that nonverbal autistic children might be communicating via telepathic means. Meanwhile, a startup called REMspace claims to have facilitated communication between two lucid dreamers using connected neurotech. Wild? Absolutely. Peer-reviewed? Not yet. But the hype is real.

Neuralink: The Tip of the Brainberg

So, where does Neuralink fit in? At the cutting edge of reality-bending brain tech. The Link—its flagship brain-computer implant—was first implanted in a human subject, Noland Arbaugh, in January 2023. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, has since been vocal about the tech’s impact, even as the device needed some algorithmic fine-tuning after a few threads retracted.

Neuralink’s trademark filing describes The Link as “an implantable brain-to-computer interface for facilitating communication and control of software and hardware.” That’s a mouthful, but it essentially means: think something, and a machine responds. Now imagine that same tech letting you think something, and another person responds. That’s the vision Musk is dangling.

In true Musk fashion, he once explained that future conversations could be “conceptual interactions”—like telepathy, but make it consensual. You wouldn’t need to talk unless you wanted to add some dramatic flair. Sounds far-fetched? Maybe. But remember when people laughed at the idea of rockets landing themselves?

Branding Brilliance or Sci-Fi Smoke?

Filing for a trademark doesn’t mean the tech is ready for prime time. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben noted that filings like these are often speculative, designed more for branding than immediate application. Still, Musk knows how to stir the pot. “Telepathy” and “Telekinesis” make great headlines, whether or not they come with working prototypes.

There’s also a serious side to Neuralink’s progress. Beyond the flashy trademarks and sci-fi dreams, the company aims to deliver life-changing tech for those with disabilities. That part isn’t up for debate—and if successful, it could transform medical rehabilitation and accessibility worldwide.

Of course, Neuralink isn’t without controversy. Its animal testing practices have drawn criticism, with reports of monkey deaths and concerns over ethics. As of now, three humans have received the implant.

Where Is This All Heading?

Whether Musk genuinely believes in full-blown telepathy or is simply capitalizing on the public’s fascination with psychic powers doesn’t really matter in the short term. What does matter is that Neuralink is accelerating a conversation that used to be reserved for late-night sci-fi marathons and conspiracy forums.

One thing is clear: the lines between science fiction and scientific fact are getting fuzzier. And if Neuralink has its way, we might all be thinking out loud—without saying a word.

So, keep your minds open—literally. Because the future might just be one brainwave away.