> I actually really hope that is the case. I have a feeling of existential dread every time I imagine all the effort I am putting into learning and acquiring new skills all going to waste when those tasks become absolutely second nature to everyone, irrespective of effort or time investment.
I'm not a neuroscientist, but with such a limited understanding of the brain, beyond just the anatomy and the nature of neurotransmitters, let alone consciousness, I think you can allay such fears for the time being.
I think this could have significant benefits for neural diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, ALS and possibly anxiety and addiction/mania based maladies but the idea of simply being able to 'download' the ability to learn a new skill in real time seems entirely preposterous.
I say that because some of the skills that I have been able to turn into careers have actually required I learn something where my brain no longer interferes with the process so that it is done effectively.
The notion of muscle memory is real, meaning you cease thinking about it and it just occurs out without any effort due to continual practice and repetition: my question is how can your body recover from an unexpected/unpredictable error if you haven't already practiced that same scenario over and over, and you were only given the default normal operation of x skill? Most learning is adaptable and gained from observed behavior, be it our own or others, to mistakes.
Experience is a funny thing, and our brains are flawed in recalling many of our most cherished or dreaded events and experiences accurately; I honestly think this could be a medical boon for the aforementioned diseases, but the Matrix-like learning will probably be a quixotic pursuit, in my opinion. One that sounds awesome on paper but would be horrible in practice.