As pervasive information access emerges over the next decade, seamlessly embedding itself into our daily routine like electricity is today, how will individuals be able to take advantage of our global knowledge web?

One way will be to use tools like performance enabling cogniceuticals. Marrying information technology and pharmaceuticals is already proving to be a powerful way to help people overcome phobias as described in last week's Science article "Pills and Games Help Conquer Fear"(sub. required).

"Using a virtual reality game that stimulates the experience, combined with a drug that revs up certain learning circuits in the brain is helping people overcome their fear of heights." And the difference is substantial. "Many subjects overcame their fears in two sessions rather than eight."

Although there will be limits to expanding short-term or long-term memory in the near term, the ability to stimulate specific neural connections related to memory formation will create stunning results in memory retention when combined with pervasive computing.

By providing the brain with additional capability to learn, we will really begin to be able to take advantage of the immense quantity of information we are creating. For example, language learning and retention although greatly augmented by real-time digital translation devices will be even easier as cogniceuticals accelerate neural connectivity in the brain networks involved in language. As neural plasticity and connection patterns are created through experience, retention rates will be dramatically higher, decreasing overall learning time.

Now that is neurocompetitive advantage.