Would you become a cyborg?

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#1389683 18-Sep-2015 13:38

ubergeeknz: If enhancements become available and are truly enhancements, why not? Anything from genome modification to implants to replacement parts, I have no problem with it. Bring on the future I say.

Like I said: This already happens! Its not the future. Its reality now. Sure its not the sci-fi movie level we all imagine. But we do have man made attachments that improve some peoples abilities. As I said: Pacemakers, cochlear implants, hip and knee replacements and I'm sure I could think of others if I tried harder :)

JWR

821 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1389734 18-Sep-2015 14:50

I am not a big fan of disease, pain and death.

Implants, upgrades, backups etc.. Upgrade me!

Who wants to be a base human if you can be transhuman.

ubergeeknz

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#1389763 18-Sep-2015 15:22

nzkc:
ubergeeknz: If enhancements become available and are truly enhancements, why not? Anything from genome modification to implants to replacement parts, I have no problem with it. Bring on the future I say.

Like I said: This already happens! Its not the future. Its reality now. Sure its not the sci-fi movie level we all imagine. But we do have man made attachments that improve some peoples abilities. As I said: Pacemakers, cochlear implants, hip and knee replacements and I'm sure I could think of others if I tried harder :)

Yes but these things in general don't significantly outperform the "standard parts". A pacemaker is only good when the signalling is bad to start with. Cochlear implants may be in some cases better than ears but I don't know if they are enough of an improvement to warrant replacing a healthy ear.

I can envisage things like mechanical (turbine maybe) hearts, joints with improved strength and durability, reinforced skeletons, neural interfaces, ocular implants, artificial muscle etc. coming into play at some stage but a lot of the tech isn't there yet. know people who are on their 3rd hip implant, for example. Whereas the standard part will often last a lifetime if no harm comes to it.

Rikkitic

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#1389765 18-Sep-2015 15:26

I thought about this and discovered I don’t have an answer. Enhancements to replace failing parts or improve on existing ones shouldn’t bother me, but the thought of becoming something other than what I am, does. We are defined by our physical selves. How can I add bits to myself without losing who I am? A few bionic implants are probably okay, but at what point do I cease to be me? Would I even recognise it? I find the notion both appealing and abhorrent.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

JWR

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Ultimate Geek

#1389766 18-Sep-2015 15:32

Rikkitic: I thought about this and discovered I don’t have an answer. Enhancements to replace failing parts or improve on existing ones shouldn’t bother me, but the thought of becoming something other than what I am, does. We are defined by our physical selves. How can I add bits to myself without losing who I am? A few bionic implants are probably okay, but at what point do I cease to be me? Would I even recognise it? I find the notion both appealing and abhorrent.

But, how much of the material that you started with do you retain now?

How many atoms in your body were there when you were born?

Probably none!

We are constantly replacing ourselves naturally. Most of our bodies will completely replace themselves in a few months/years.

It does raise a point about memory though.

I think if you lived long enough you would completely forget who you used to be.

Long life/immortality would need to come with extra storage.

nzkc

1572 posts

Uber Geek

#1389805 18-Sep-2015 16:28

ubergeeknz:
Yes but these things in general don't significantly outperform the "standard parts". A pacemaker is only good when the signalling is bad to start with. Cochlear implants may be in some cases better than ears but I don't know if they are enough of an improvement to warrant replacing a healthy ear.

Those things do significantly improve or outperform the standard parts. You go on to say so yourself there. Sure not for everyone. But my point stands: We already have cyborgs :) Just not six million dollar man cyborgs

toprob

126 posts

Master Geek

#1389821 18-Sep-2015 17:03

nzkc: We already have plenty of cyborgs in society today. We just dont view them as such. Anyone with a pacemaker or cochlear implant is (technically*) a cyborg.

Yes I would happily become a cyborg if it improved my quality of life.

*see what I did there? ;)

As a cyborg, then, I would hope that the surgical side of things will improve a lot before I'd have anything done on a whim -- having a defibrillator implant is great, as is the mechanical heart valve, but it was a bit of an ordeal getting everything in there...

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gregmcc

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#1389825 18-Sep-2015 17:27

I know of a person who has had magnet surgically implanted (so they can preform tricks) and a RFID tag so they can swipe a reader to unlock and disable their house alarm......would that make them a cyborg?

mdf

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#1389826 18-Sep-2015 17:33

gregmcc: I know of a person who has had magnet surgically implanted (so they can preform tricks) and a RFID tag so they can swipe a reader to unlock and disable their house alarm......would that make them a cyborg?

I think I heard something about the magnet implant thing. At least one person who did this discovered that he (and I'll bet you it was a he) could sense whether a wire was live or not?

gregmcc

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#1389828 18-Sep-2015 17:44

mdf:
gregmcc: I know of a person who has had magnet surgically implanted (so they can preform tricks) and a RFID tag so they can swipe a reader to unlock and disable their house alarm......would that make them a cyborg?

I think I heard something about the magnet implant thing. At least one person who did this discovered that he (and I'll bet you it was a he) could sense whether a wire was live or not?

It's a SHE!, but anyway, a magnet will help sense a live wire and live wire have a magnetic field around them

mdf

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#1389957 18-Sep-2015 22:03

gregmcc:

It's a SHE!, but anyway, a magnet will help sense a live wire and live wire have a magnetic field around them

Shows what I know. Very cool.

DarthKermit

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#1390032 19-Sep-2015 03:53

It depends. Would I have to travel back in time and kill Sarah Connor?

Lias

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#1390120 19-Sep-2015 10:25

Absolutely.

If you could get a technological replacement that provided superior functionality, why wouldn't you?

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gzt

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#1390143 19-Sep-2015 10:59

Depends on the EULA.

andrew027

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#1391979 22-Sep-2015 15:15

gzt: Depends on the EULA.

It could be the first time people read all the way to the end before clicking "Accept"...

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