Upgrades

[masque12]

I know I've mentioned this to some friends in meatspace, but I don't think I've posted here about it. I want to be a cyborg.

I've always been a science fiction fan, and I've always had a special fondness for cyberpunk. With a few exceptions, it's a rather bleak genre, corporate dystopias and what not, but I've always seen it as rather hopeful, if for no other reason than the technological aspects. My initiatory life is all about self-improvement, and my desire to upgrade my physical self is an extension of that. It seems that the more time goes by, more of the fantastic technology that abounds in cyberpunk fiction is starting to become real. I've seen some great material on prosthetics that are getting to the point where they are almost better than the original parts, and research into cybernetic brain interfaces is proceeding fairly well as I understand it, as well.

My first upgrades, once they become possible, will probably be my eyes and my teeth. My vision sucks, and since a minor eye injury a few years ago, I can no longer wear contact lenses comfortably. I may get laser surgery at some point in the future, if I can afford it, but I'd much rather just replace my eyes entirely with "chrome" ones, where not only can I have perfect vision, but I can also record and playback, switch to different light spectrums, and all kinds of fun stuff.

My teeth are also in terrible shape, so I'd like to yank them and replace them with something easier to keep clean, titanium, or something like that.

I'd like to be able to jack into the internet with a plug in the side of my head, or do it wirelessly with a transparent overlay display on my chrome eyes. I'd like to have nanobots flying through my bloodstream hunting down diseases and keeping me from being sick. I'd like the ability to shut down my permanent body temporarily, and explore other planets with a robotic body housing my consciousness.

There's a roleplaying game put out by Steve Jackson Games called Transhuman Space, and it's one of the most optimistic views of the 21st century that I've ever seen, while still being grounded in current scientific developments. Here's hoping it's not just a game, but prophetic.

Comments

For myself...

[halo-ov-fire.livejournal.com]

...I think it would be cool.

I'm actually in the process of writing a lengthy piece about physical fitness/working out/body discipline being a serious prerequisite to mastering the mind (which, in turn, allows refinement/mastery of the spirit).

As to upgrades, it's a grand vision as long as they are truly upgrades and not just repairs/quick fixes for people too lazy or disconnected to use traditional methods now.

Re: For myself...

[masque12.livejournal.com]

I don't know. If the tech gets to the point where some of the things people are lazy about are fixable with some quick tech upgrades, I think it'd be rather foolish to use traditional methods instead. I don't walk when it's more convenient to drive, even though I'm capable of walking. I don't build a fire when I can use a stove. I'd rather just have the tools available and let people loose to see how they're used. Me, I'm lazy about stuff that's tedious. If I can avoid the tedium and get to the good stuff, I'm going to use whatever tools I can to do so.

Re: For myself...

[halo-ov-fire.livejournal.com]

If the tech gets to the point where some of the things people are lazy about are fixable with some quick tech upgrades, I think it'd be rather foolish to use traditional methods instead.

Personally, I think the "quick fix" mentality is part of the problem in a lot of Capitalist/Western society. Why take the stairs when you can use the elevator? Or drive?

...and yet we have a problem in America with obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Why invest time in the tedious when you can take the easy path?

...and yet most of what we get from society is subpar and mass produced. Very few sectors of society put an emphasis on quality vs quantity or the quick way.

Sure, there are cases when the easy way (a stove vs a fire, for instance) are more practical. However, in just as many cases the fast food, quick fix mentality in modern society has invalidated the desire to invest time, energy, and value in the long view.

...and because of that, we destroy ourselves and our planet in the process.

I've long come to realize that humanity's quest for technical progress has long outstripped its maturity or sense of responsibility.

Re: For myself...

[masque12.livejournal.com]

I see your point, but ultimately, that's a user issue. I wouldn't want to not develop new forms of technology that can greatly impact the future of the species just because some lazy fucks are going to abuse it. As for ruining the planet, it sucks, but ultimately, I view the Earth as a womb for our species, and if we use it up but end up spreading to other planets and star systems, so be it. The stuff we've been doing to the planet is fucking it up now, but that also means that there is more motivation to fund research into new, cleaner technology. It may not be enough to keep the Earth habitable for humans (give it a few hundred years, and the planet will recover), but if it means we can start over elsewhere with the kinks worked out, I'm all for it.

Re: For myself...

[halo-ov-fire.livejournal.com]

I'm not against technology or moving forward at all, just to be clear. I'm against using it as a shortcut for what can be accomplished without it.

Like lyposuction when you could just go to the gym, that sort of thing.

Re: For myself...

[masque12.livejournal.com]

Depends on what else you have going on. I don't see anything inherently wrong with liposuction. Of all the people I know who've had it done (not a huge number, but more than 2), all of them have tried dieting and exercise over and over again with no result. All that time was wasted, it could have been spent on something else. Myself, I'm focused on goals, and if something can get you to your goal quicker, I don't see any problem with it. Now, in the case of liposuction, if there isn't some kind of glandular problem, obviously the person is going to have to change their diet to keep the weight off, otherwise they'll have to shell out for the procedure again. But then again, if they are fine with that, and willing to spend the kind of money it takes to have that procedure, money that they had to work for in some other area, well then I can't say I have too much of a problem with that, either. It seems like a waste of money to me, but if they're willing to do it to keep a certain lifestyle, fine. If it's not going to affect what I do in a significant way, then go hog wild.