While the new 'Terminator' series on TV2 - The Sarah Connor Chronicles - is a really good show, it hasn't exactly helped me when trying to explain the content from our last lecture to my friends and flatmates. People seem to think that the introduction of cyborgs to earth = destruction of the planet. While we could see what Kevin Warwick describes as a superior species of humans replacing the traditional one, the growing relationship between man and machine does not have to be a scary idea.If a cyborg can be described as "a living being who contains technological elements which replace and/or enhance physical parts", then people who have hearing aides or false limbs could technically be described as "cyborgs" - but these things are not harming anybody, simply making sure various humans live a good life. The possibility of microchipping humans for medical reasons has also been raised, which I think would be a fantastic idea and would save many lives!
I personally am not against the idea of microchipping people. The thing that worries me is not that we will have a piece of technology inside of us, but rather just what that technology will be used for. Lucy blogged last week that clubbers in Spain are choosing to have RFID microchips implanted as an alternative to carrying around a VIP membership card, which can be a hassle when going out dancing at nightclubs. For these people it has proved to be something that has made their life that one bit easier. While a credit account at a bar and speedy entrance to the venue is one thing - having our entire life based on RFID chips would be another. There would have to be some kind of definitive code/privacy statement before I signed up, as I would be a little worried about what kind of information each place I visited could access - the pizza order clip Erika showed us in class being a good example of this concern.
If the day comes that all privacy concerns are eliminated and a good RFID system is set up, then I wouldn't be concerned about becoming a "cyborg" at all. Why not improve our lives where we can? Things like this will not roll out over night, but I believe society will slowly move closer towards it every day.
2 comments:
I totally agree about the fact that hearing aids and artificial limbs and those who possess could be considered cyborgs!!!
Technology has made its way into our lives so silently that we do not realize how much we depend on it to go through a single day. I think anyone who participates in technology, may it be using a cell phone or surfing the internet should be considered a cyborg! The term and concept of a CYBORG is rather vague.
Yeah you're right about cellphones and the like, for most of us it is practically connected to our side 24/7 already!
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