Are We Becoming a Race of Cyborgs?
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The 2006 redesign of the Cybermen from the new Doctor Who series. |
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A comment by MetaphysicalSF reader, Aaron Stanley (Los Angeles)…
Aaron: “Man is BECOMING machine – quite literally. Just as machine is becoming man.
“Consider artificial medical devices designed to sustain human life… Consider robotic appendages to replace amputated limbs (they’re available now)… Consider possible brain enhancement technology such as ‘hard drives’ that can be accessed mentally…
“‘Yes… we’re slowing becoming a race of cyborgs.”
MY COMMENTS: I question whether our economy can endure an expensive technology-based health care over the next twenty years.
Mankind’s tendency towards finding more complex ways to heal our bodies will likely collapse under economic pressures. The controller general for the United States, in an interview last year, reported that the country can not fund its current health care promises.
Also, enthusiasts assume that the cybernetic technology will prove superior to biology. I somehow doubt a digital signal could ever replace the subtle sensations of touch, taste and smell. e.g. in Robert Sawyer’s novel Mindscan – http://metaphysicalsf.com/mindscan — early model androids could only recognize odours such as a gas leak.
From a more metaphysical point of view, I don’t think the universe, via my blind right eye, wanted to teach me how to invest in cybernetic implants.
When a frog or starfish lose a leg, they just re-grow another… Strange how we feel the need to wire a million dollar robotic leg to an amputee’s nervous system. (I can still hear the screams of Anakin Skywalker from Stars Wars: Episode Three).
One of my favourite (human) examples: Meir Schneider received many unsuccessful treatments for his congenital cataracts. Surgery left the lenses of eyes filled with scar tissue. He could barely distinguish light and darkness.
After a childhood of reading Braille, Schneider discovered the Bates Method of healing at the age of 17. These simple exercises help your mind “teach” your eyes how to see (and as a necessity re-grow any missing tissue).
Schneider practised these techniques for 13 hours a day.
Family and friends told him to stop wasting his time.
After six months of ignoring family and friends he could recognize visual objects for the first time in his life.
A year later he could read fine print WITHOUT glasses.
Today, he stores his unrestricted California driver’s license beside his legally blind identity card.
Right now, I feel we live in a bit of a delusion about technological development. Modern civilisation consumes the resources of FIVE planets to keep up with its zeal. Not long before we run out of resources. The exponential growth we enjoy today may not last to the singularity – we need to start turning to higher methods.
P.S. If you offered me a pair of cybernetic eyes for my blind son, I’d turn you down. I’ll explain why in my next e-column.
P.P.S. What do you think? Are cybernetic implants and replacement “parts” a practical and desirable solution for overcoming physical disabilities and ailments? Please, leave your thoughts below in the comment box…
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About the Author: John C. A. Manley writes writes spiritual science fiction and fantasy novellas. He's been practicing Kriya Yoga since 1996. For three years he lived in in hindu monastery in the mountains of of Southern California. He currently lives in Stratford, Ontario with his wife Nicole, son Jonah and cat Astral. Click here to read more or click here to subscribe to his MetaphysicalSF email column. |