Cybernetics – Merging machine and man
CNN’s article “Cybernetics – Merging machine and man ” is an interesting look at how society adapts to new technology. I would consider CNN to be fairly mainstream .. and here we are discussing cybernetic implants.
It’s not really a surprise that the first accepted bionics or cybernetics are medical implants. This article mentions the Cochlear implant for hearing and prosthetic limbs for walking. Let’s not forget other technology like Pacemakers for the heart, that society has already gotten used to these as a part of life. The article also mentions BrainGate Neural Interface . From the this article:
“Within the first three days I was able to control the cursor pretty much,” Nagel said. “When I think back on it, it’s kind of a trip to think that my brain signals was controlling a mouse, changing channels on my TV, adjusting the volume, opening e-mails.”
This technology aims to help people who are paralized. However, this kind of functionality would be desired by more than just people with disabilities.
I guess with acceptance, then the posthuman side may evolve. Perhaps we’ll see hearing implants in people who need or want better hearing for their job or some other reason. Elective surgery for things like hip replacements and corneal transplants are common place, most people are probably concerned about pain or the success and not wether it’s “right” to get it done.
Any technology usually goes through cultural acceptance. When mobile phones first came out they were considered the rich idiots posing accessory. Now most people have one to enable quick interactivity (Work, friends, internet, etc). A lot of people also opt in for plastic surgey, dental work and joint (shoulder,knee) reconstructions. As the first article mentions, more people will utilise technology to fix and even enhance their bodies.
So the acceptance of merging man and machine will be slow enough, driven by medical needs, but it is a blurry line and I am curious to see where these implants and augmentations will lead.