Author: Brooke J.

Augmented humanity

Brooke J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I think human augmentation will evolve significantly in my lifetime. However, I do not see any drastic adaptations happening any time soon. I’m not sure if that’s just me being in denial, or if I really feel like any super advanced adaptations are more far out of my lifetime. Some adaptations that I can see happening during my lifetime include devices that enhance or replace features that humans already have. For example, I could see more realistic and functional prosthetic devices, including limbs and replacements for smaller body features such as eyeballs. Aside from a human having to get a prosthetic in order to function effectively as a result of an accident or infection, I could see some wealthy individuals deciding to look into prosthetics for enhanced abilities. As crazy as it sounds, I don’t think it would be of much surprised if some prosthetics became available solely for the enhancement of human features and abilities, and not because of necessity. Even if the idea of a complete replacement of a body part is not desired, I would image that there would be some type of physical enhancements available that could provide superhuman abilities to those who are already well, or natural human abilities to those who are maybe declining or just not fully functioning as they are meant to. In addition, something like BCIs or another form of integrated human intelligence and thought processes with computers is another augmentation that I could see flourishing in my lifetime. I would imagine that everyone sometimes has the desire to know more or to just be able to dive deeper into their own thoughts. Therefore, I would not be surprised if multiple devices were developed in the near future to make that happen. This adaptation would be one that I’d be willing to try. There are many instances where I wish I could get more clarity on my thoughts instantly, rather than having to do research or even remaining confused. However, I do believe that that clarity could possibly go too far so I would not want to be stuck with that permanently. I would prefer to be able to choose when I want to use the enhancement, rather than having it have access to my thoughts all the time.

On the other hand, there are some adaptations that would be completely unacceptable for me to try at least. For one, I would not be interested in the physical enhancement features that I mentioned before. I feel like they would make me feel like too much of a robot. In addition, I would not be up for the complete hybridization of my mind with artificial intelligence. This, being a form of the human mind being digitized in order to integrate with AI. That sounds very robot-like to me, and I am afraid of losing too much of my humanity to technology.

In conclusion, I believe that the possibilities for human augmentation during my lifetime are very broad. However, I personally would like to remain as human as possible, only being able to tap into artificial intelligence when I believe that it is necessary for my wellbeing.

The Ocean Within

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

The idea of being hybridized with a dolphin is intriguing and brings together two totally different worlds. My features would remain the same, allowing for me to live the same life as a human, as others know me as. I would, however, have a much more advanced, developed mind, due to my dolphin intelligence. Yet, as soon as I enter the water, my body would transform, perfectly adapted for life underwater, keeping both my human and dolphin intelligence.

This duality would provide a unique perspective on existence, allowing me to experience the best of both worlds. On land, I could navigate human challenges, creating relationships and pursuing my interests. However, in the ocean, I would enjoy the freedom of swimming with other marine life, and being the beautiful and intelligent creation that so many people adore.

The most intriguing aspect of this hybridization would be the permanent blend of human and dolphin intellect within my mind. While I would retain human reasoning and emotional depth, I would also gain the instincts and sensory perception of a dolphin. This fusion of thought processes could lead to profound insights and creativity, allowing me to approach problems from multiple angles.

While the concept is undeniably hard to grasp and imagine, the potential for enhanced intelligence and understanding makes it worth considering. A hybrid mind could bridge the gap between human and marine consciousness, fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. With the constant advancement of technology that is being foreshadowed, I do not think that this merge is so far fetched.

Is Tyrell Corporation a Glimpse into our Future?

Brooke J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Considering the Tyrell Corporation and the contemporary world, I think it would be a very far reach to say that corporations are headed in the direction of the type of cyberpunk future depicted in Blade Runner. While we can see a rapid incline in the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies, I think that Blade Runner and the Tyrell Corporation offers a hyperbolic critique of reality. The Tyrell Corporation created “replicants”, robots with human-like appearances, made for labor and the exploitation of actual humans. They increase corporation profit and technological advancement at the expense of human ethics and the environment. While human rights are becoming more and more expendable, when it comes to the agenda of corporations and those in power, an ultimate goal of creating human-like robots to use as slaves is a very extreme case, and hopefully does not become anything close to reality. Furthermore, other aspects from Blade Runner such as environmental decay, social inequality, and dehumanization are all themes that are reflected in the contemporary, but taken to an extreme in the movie. The Tyrell Corporation used actual robots to portray the dehumanization of people, showing that humans are only necessary for labor. This depiction of society is a hyperbolic reality. I will say that the environmental decay and social inequality are both realistic predictions of the future of the contemporary world, but ultimately, these aspects have been the reality for years now, so I don’t see any progression of environmental decay or social inequality having as big of an impact on contemporary society as the implementation of something like a “replica” would have. In conclusion, while Blade Runner and the Tyrell Corporation do offer some aspects that can be seen as accurate predictions of contemporary society, considering where we are now, I believe that the corporation as a whole does in fact offer a hyperbolic prediction of the future.

A Dirty Cyborg Manifesto

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Janelle Monae’s “Dirty Computer” album and Donna Haraway’s “A Cyborg Manifesto” both explore a fluidity of identity, critique of control, and resistance. Fluidity of identity is embraced in the album through the celebration of sexual and gender diversity, where traditional boundaries are blurred. Binary classification is rejected as love and attraction are explored across the broad spectrum of both sexuality and gender. In comparison, Haraway promotes a fluid understanding of self, specifically gender and sexuality. As far a critiquing control, both Haraway and Monae critique how society monitors and regulates identity, creating a struggle for autonomy. Lastly, there is the resistance against oppressive societal norms. “Dirty Computer” has a theme of rebellion and empowerment, challenging society exceptions. This theme is similar to Haraway’s call for liberation from traditional roles of gender and sexuality.

What does it mean to be Human?

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

In this blog post, I will be analyzing how “Blade Runner” questions what it means to be human through its depiction of replicants, while Neuromancer explores similar themes through its characters’ interactions with artificial intelligences and cyberspace. The Replicants in Blade Runner question what it means to be human through their anthropocentric mindset. Their bioengineered make combined with all of their human characteristics blur the lines between human and machine. For example, these lab constructed individuals show characteristics such as love, fear, grief, self reflection and awareness, as well as intelligence. Although they are not fully human, all of the traits that they can still produce may make the viewers of this film question whether these traits are fully associated with being human, or could just be constructed. In Neuromancer, true humanity is lost through elements such as cyberspace and artificial intelligence. Their virtual reality distorts people’s perception of self, as people are no longer able to recognize what is natural and what is a result of technology. In addition, surveillance technology in their society takes away people’s sense of autonomy, as well as their privacy, as their every move is made available to those behind these technological advancements. In conclusion, both Blade Runner and Neuromancer have numerous elements that make viewers and readers question what it means to be human, from the creation of replicants to the advanced surveillance technology.

Shifting boundaries

Brooke J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

One specific example of an established boundary that has begun to shift is the distinction between genders. This is a boundary that most of my elders did not expect to change, but gender labels have become ambiguous and a very sensitive topic. The once established boundary between men and women identifying as cisgender, has gained many more labels including transgender, agender, and nonbinary. 

Although the gender identity boundary has shifted way further back than 5 years ago, being only in my early 20s, I hadn’t become familiar with this shift up until the last 5 years or so. People are openly expressing new gender identities that are much more fluid and inclusive, as opposed to the binary man and woman genders.

As far as what prompted this change, I believe that it can be accredited to the progressiveness of generation Z and the Millennials. Older generations are accustomed to more traditional states of mind and find it harder to adjust to new ways of living. This change has also come about through more media representation, legal advancements, and advocacy of members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The fluidity of gender has been demonstrated on television, in literature, and in art. This has normalized the broad definition of gender. Legal advancements have supported the shift of gender identity, giving different gender identities the opportunity to be represented under labels under the standard male or female. Lastly, activism has contributed to the shift of gender identity gaining otherwise unattainable visibility to those who identify other than male or female. 

In conclusion, the distinction between genders is an established boundary that has shifted. The differentiations have expanded further than male and female. This shift is owed to the progressive newer generations with their media influence, legal advancements, and their advocacy. With these contributions to the shift, I would not be surprised if shifting any further.