Will We Soon Become Cyborgs?

You might remember many movies about a future where technology was king. From personal robots to mechanical ‘bugs’ inserted into the body, the imagination of film directors kept us captivated. But is this soon to become reality?

Real-World Cyborgs

Recent news has revealed a couple of interesting examples of those who have made room on their bodies for the technology of today. And they appear to only be benefiting from it.

One man in New Jersey used his body piercing skills to insert four magnets into his wrist that serve to hold his iPod like a watch which he can remove at any time. And a British man whose prosthetic arm made it difficult to text was able to have a new arm developed that housed a dock for his smart phone.

Is It Possible To Become A Cyborg?
Researchers discovered that it was both possible to embed technology with traditional user interfaces under our skin and to communicate with and charge those devices using wireless technology like Bluetooth.

Imagine the benefits of a device that can never be lost! But although these developments are exciting, what happens in the case of device malfunction or an infection? And of course, there’s the fact that embedding our technology could make it much easier for government or unscrupulous individuals to track our whereabouts.

Getting Over the Creep Factor
There are many people who find this type of technological advancement to carry with it a high level of creepiness. But experts are saying that the more familiar we become with embedded technology, the less of an icky feeling we will have. And this has been proven in the past with several examples, one of which is the insertion of the pacemaker, an occurrence which is now routine.

People have definitely become more willing over time to merge technology with their bodies. But there is still a difference between mandatory and elective surgery to make this happen.

Evidence of Cyborg-Like Behavior
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that people are already acting like a cyborg might. And some people are so attached to their devices that they claim an addiction to them, or have not able to leave them at home.

There are several points of view about how technology is affecting our lives and even altering the way in which our brains work. Some experts say that personal technology is most beneficial when used to complement your personal, social and professional values. But in several cases, it seems as though people have chosen to use their personal technology in a way that completely replaces those values. Think about the group of friends who meet at a bar, only to sit in a booth and do nothing but text or play games on their devices.

Remaining Human
For some, the definition of what makes us human is changing. Some see a world in which all humans are connected on a daily basis. Others have realized the value of ‘unplugging’ from electronic devices, such as was done by Jake Reilly as a part of his much talked about Amish Project.

Having technology embedded in our bodies would mean that we would never be able to be without it. And that could mean that we forget how to restore ourselves unless we have that technology with us. Should there come a day when technology no longer plays such a large role, we could be left high and dry.

Also, one must also consider that such a high level of connectedness could also mean a very low level of privacy would be experienced. Not only could one be tracked wherever they roam, but in embedding technology, would also be able to be contacted by anyone at any time they please.

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