thoughts about cyborgs + technobodies
Monday, August 3, 2009 by mia
Today’s Lecture on cyborgs really interested me because it brought up many social issues that we face everyday.
I definitely think that everyone is a cyborg mainly because even something as simple as clothing is a technology and is an extension of our skin. May I go as far as saying that there maybe different levels of being cyborgs? Since new technologies are emerging so quickly, different people get on the band wagon at different times. My parents for example only use the computer for Skype, emails and card games. My brother and I use it for assignments, social networking and some puzzle games on Facebook (mainly on facebook because our anti virus stops us from downloading games and we are both inept so do not know how to get around that). I have friends that blog, use different software for graphic design etc. My main point is that we all have different levels of competency and different levels at which we allow technology to be a central part in our lives. Technological enthusiasts would integrate more technology in their lives and so be more like cyborgs. Shows like ‘Chuck’ showcase this where Chuck’s brain works as a supercomputer and a database of sensitive information.
Marshall McLuhan is a good theorist who explains technology as a medium and extension of the self. He does tend to be a technological determinist.
Another point of interest about cyborg theory is the effects of technology on our evolution. This maybe way out on a limb but evolution usually favoured the fittest and the weakest died off. In an age where almost every ailment can be treated, technology can make the ‘weakest’ more like cyborgs compared to the fittest (?). Every aspect of nature and the environment is affected by technology. Reserves are carefully designed to keep out certain pests to protect certain animals etc. Again, nature’s potential to evolve is being affected.
I remembered the movie Minority Report when Luke talked about telepresence and televeillance. Mainly because people are accused of crimes before they have been committed. I haven’t watched the movie so am just making assumptions here. I think the concept is scary because it would be easy to set people up for crimes and accusing some one of horrible acts before they occur would cause a fracturing of the self on a whole other level.
I definitely think that everyone is a cyborg mainly because even something as simple as clothing is a technology and is an extension of our skin. May I go as far as saying that there maybe different levels of being cyborgs? Since new technologies are emerging so quickly, different people get on the band wagon at different times. My parents for example only use the computer for Skype, emails and card games. My brother and I use it for assignments, social networking and some puzzle games on Facebook (mainly on facebook because our anti virus stops us from downloading games and we are both inept so do not know how to get around that). I have friends that blog, use different software for graphic design etc. My main point is that we all have different levels of competency and different levels at which we allow technology to be a central part in our lives. Technological enthusiasts would integrate more technology in their lives and so be more like cyborgs. Shows like ‘Chuck’ showcase this where Chuck’s brain works as a supercomputer and a database of sensitive information.
Marshall McLuhan is a good theorist who explains technology as a medium and extension of the self. He does tend to be a technological determinist.
Another point of interest about cyborg theory is the effects of technology on our evolution. This maybe way out on a limb but evolution usually favoured the fittest and the weakest died off. In an age where almost every ailment can be treated, technology can make the ‘weakest’ more like cyborgs compared to the fittest (?). Every aspect of nature and the environment is affected by technology. Reserves are carefully designed to keep out certain pests to protect certain animals etc. Again, nature’s potential to evolve is being affected.
I remembered the movie Minority Report when Luke talked about telepresence and televeillance. Mainly because people are accused of crimes before they have been committed. I haven’t watched the movie so am just making assumptions here. I think the concept is scary because it would be easy to set people up for crimes and accusing some one of horrible acts before they occur would cause a fracturing of the self on a whole other level.