Author: Damon S.

Human Augmentation: What Could the Future Hold?

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

As college students, we’re constantly talking about the future. We debate where technology will take us, what career paths will emerge, and how society will evolve. One topic that’s becoming more and more relevant is human augmentation, where technology and biology merge to enhance human experience. As we continue to push the boundaries of science and technology, it’s terrifying to think about what the future of human enhancement could look like in our lifetime.

The possibilities are vast. One of the biggest advancements we’re already seeing is in genetic engineering. Tools such as CRISPR, scientists are now able to make precise changes to our DNA. In the future, this could mean eliminating genetic diseases before they even have a chance to form or even designing our children to have certain traits, like better athletic ability or heightened intelligence. It’s fascinating, but also kind of scary to think about the ethical questions it raises. Should we have the power to alter our genetics? Will this lead to a new form of inequality, where only the rich can afford genetic enhancements?

On top of genetics, we’re seeing a boom in bionic technology. Prosthetics today are already more advanced than ever before, giving people the ability to run, jump, and move in ways that were previously impossible for those with disabilities. In the future, we could all potentially have access to augmented limbs or brain implants that enhance physical strength, mental abilities, or even sensory perception. Companies like Neuralink are already working on brain-computer interfaces, aiming to allow people to control devices with just their thoughts. It’s mind-blowing, right?

As cool as these possibilities sound, there are some things I’d be hesitant about. I’m all for improvements that help us live better lives—think better healthcare or tools that help people recover from serious injuries. The idea of completely altering human consciousness or merging with machines is a bit too much for me. Where do we draw the line? At what point are we still human, and when do we become something else entirely?

I think we need to be careful with the direction we take when it comes to augmentation. The potential is limitless, but it’s important that we balance progress with ethics. We shouldn’t forget what makes us human in our pursuit of pushing the boundaries of technology.

If you’re curious about how these technologies are evolving, check out sites like https://neuralink.com/ or read more about CRISPR on Harvard’s website. What do you think? Will you embrace human augmentation, or do you think we should draw a line somewhere?

"Neuralink Demo Detail" by jurvetson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

“Neuralink Demo Detail” by jurvetson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Speed of Thought: Embracing the Cheetah Within

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

What if we could borrow traits from another animal to become a hybrid version of ourselves? If I had the choice, I’d choose to combine human qualities with the power of a cheetah. This animal is known as the fastest land animal, the cheetah isn’t just about speed, it also embodies agility, focus, and acute perception. Hybridizing with a cheetah would bring these abilities into human potential, transforming both the physical and mental sides of life.

A cheetah’s speed is incredible, reaching up to 60-70 mph in short bursts. They possess remarkable acceleration and unmatched focus when chasing prey. Imagine how that combination could enhance a human’s ability to respond quickly, tackle challenges efficiently, and stay intensely focused on goals. In the context of daily life, I see these traits as a metaphor for productivity and mental clarity. In a world where distractions are everywhere, gaining a “cheetah mindset” would help me pursue tasks with laser-like precision and agility.

While a cheetah’s speed and agility are thrilling, I’d prefer to limit the hybridization to cognitive and perceptual abilities. For instance, the heightened spatial awareness and quick decision, making that cheetahs exhibit during hunts could greatly improve a human’s reflexes and problem-solving speed. Perhaps there could even be slight physical enhancements, like improved cardiovascular endurance and agility, without losing my human appearance.

In considering how much of my humanity I’d give up, I would want to keep my core human traits such as empathy, creativity, and reasoning. However, I’d welcome a shift in perspective inspired by the cheetah’s natural instincts. Combining human intelligence with the cheetah’s pure focus and adaptability could lead to a harmonious blend, allowing us to function at a higher level without losing what makes us human. Imagine if we could approach each day with a cheetah’s drive, moving efficiently from task to task, always focused and purposeful. By blending our strengths with those of this animal, we’d redefine productivity and mindfulness in a way that’s uniquely human, yet inspired by the animal kingdom.

Image created with ChatGPT DC050116-2D8D-4A75-ABA

From Fiction to Reality

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Let’s talk about cyberpunk, those gritty, neon-drenched worlds full of mega-corporations controlling every aspect of life. We see it in Blade Runner, with the Tyrell Corporation engineering artificial humans for profit, or in Neuromancer, where the Tessier-Ashpools build their legacy on secrets and untouchable wealth. These companies have power beyond government control, leaving the average person almost powerless. It’s fascinating, but could any of this actually happen in real life?

Now, take a look at today’s world. Tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta shape the way we communicate, shop, and even think. Their algorithms track our habits, curate our feeds, and sometimes even predict our moves. Add in Big Pharma’s influence over what medicines hit the market and their control over drug prices—this all sounds like it’s ripped straight from a cyberpunk plot. But is it?

While it might feel like a stretch, this influence raises some big questions about where these companies are headed. Sure, these corporations aren’t building robots to serve humanity yet, but their growing impact on our lives could be a stepping stone in that direction.

Is the cyberpunk genre just a hyperbolic take on capitalism, or is it actually onto something? Maybe both. These stories push boundaries to make us think: What happens if we let corporations grow too powerful? We have regulations to keep things in check, but technology is evolving faster than laws can keep up. Could we one day see a world where companies hold as much power as governments? The cyberpunk answer is “yes.”

Cyberpunk tales like Blade Runner and Neuromancer make us question where society is going. Are we okay with companies having access to so much of our personal data? Should we be thinking about new limits as technology and corporate influence grow? These questions don’t have easy answers, but maybe that’s the point: we’re supposed to stay curious and cautious. What do you think? Do you see any of these corporate trends as concerning, or are these just cool sci-fi stories with no real threat?

“Holographic Earth” by Kevin M. Gill is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Works of Dystopia

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Blade Runner (1982) and Neuromancer (1984) dig deeply into the theme of powerful, unethical corporations and the development of artificial intelligence. These forces are often portrayed as threats to individual freedom, identity, and society as a whole. In both works of literature, corporations act as dominating structures that manipulate technology to serve their interests at the expense of human autonomy. In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation exemplifies corporate dominance. They create these advanced androids, called “replicants,” that are indistinguishable from humans, designed to serve as laborers in dangerous off-world colonies. The corporation’s control over the replicants’ existence, including their programmed lifespans and emotional capacities, raises ethical questions about their rights and identities. The replicants, especially Roy Batty, struggle with their artificiality and limited lifespan, highlighting the tension between corporate control and individual autonomy. Tyrell’s unethical pursuit of profit and innovation comes at the cost of the replicants’ personhood, reducing them to mere commodities or objects, rather than sentient beings deserving of rights and freedom. In Neuromancer, corporations like Tessier-Ashpool wield immense control, shaping the cybernetic landscape through artificial intelligence and corporate agendas. The main character, Case, is a hacker who is manipulated by these powerful entities. His freedom is limited, as he is forced into a series of dangerous tasks by Armitage and the AI Wintermute, both of whom serve the interests of the Tessier-Ashpool dynasty. Case’s experience of cyberspace is thrilling, yet his role within it is dictated by corporate forces. The novel critiques how technological advancements, especially AI, are wielded to suppress individual freedom and manipulate human life for corporate gain. Blade Runner and Neuromancer use AI as a central motif to explore how technological progress can be twisted by corporate greed, leading to a dystopian future where individual identity and freedom are compromised. There comes this blur of what is right and what is wrong at the mere expense of improving the state of the world.

UNCONFORMED

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Donna Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” (1985) and Janelle MonĂĄe’s “Dirty Computer” (2018) share similar themes that explore identity, fluidity, and resistance, offering equivalent visions of empowerment. Haraway’s essay imagines a post-gender world where human, machine, and animal boundaries blur, challenging rigid definitions of identity. Janelle MonĂĄe’s Dirty Computer reflects this by depicting a world where people who do not conform to societal norms in terms of gender, race, and sexuality, are labeled as “dirty”. They both present hybrid identities as a form of rebellion against oppressive systems. In Cyborg Manifesto, Haraway rejects binary thinking, presenting the cyborg as a metaphor for dismissing clear distinctions between categories like human and machine, or male and female. MonĂĄe embodies this cyborg identity by incorporating different musical genres and playing with her own persona throughout Dirty Computer. Her songs like “Pynk” discusses the fluidity of gender and sexuality, embracing multiplicity rather than fixed labels. In “I Like That,” MonĂĄe challenges societal pressures to conform, taking pride in her “crazy, sexy, cool, Black and nerdy” self, embodying Haraway’s belief that embracing different identities is a journey toward freedom.

MonĂĄe’s android alter ego, present throughout her work but especially highlighted in Dirty Computer, functions as a cyborg-like figure, embodying hybridity. Songs like “Make Me Feel” challenge norms of sexuality in a way that resonates with Haraway’s vision of post-gender identity. Through her lyrics and visual storytelling, MonĂĄe disembodies binary constructs and celebrates difference. Her album is an anthem for those including people of color and others whose identities do not conform to societal expectations. MonĂĄe’s use of technology as a theme and a tool parallels Haraway’s use of the cyborg metaphor. In Dirty Computer, technology becomes both the mechanism of control and a means of resistance. Technology also gives these characters a way to fight back, to reclaim their “dirty” identities and refuse to be forgotten. This reflects Haraway’s idea that technology, rather than being inherently oppressive, can be a space for liberation when wielded. Haraway and MonĂĄe emphasize that the fluidity of identity whether cyborg or human, threatens oppressive structures like patriarchy, racism, and homophobia. In Dirty Computer, MonĂĄe’s android persona fights against a system that dehumanizes those who do not fit a certain standard, much like Haraway’s cyborg disrupts traditional boundaries.

Artificial Reality

Damon S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A significant boundary that has shifted in the past five years, is the boundary between the digital and physical realities, particularly through the rise of the metaverse and virtual reality technology. There was a time before where the physical world was separate from the digital world and people interacted with one another in real life. The only source of technological interactions were limited to screens and traditional media like the news. However, with the advancement of high-technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse, this boundary is blurred. The metaverse is a virtual shared space, merging physical reality with virtual spaces. Companies like Facebook’s and Instagram’s, Meta, are investing in creating virtual worlds where people can interact, work, and socialize as digital avatars, making the digital world feel just as real as the real one. This shift is notable because it is not just about entertainment but it is  reshaping how we work, socialize, and even our understanding of presence and identity. Several factors have driven this shift such as the COVID-19 pandemic with its accelerated  adoption of remote work and online interactions, highlighting the need for more immersive digital environments to replace physical presence. Technological advancements in todays’ society have made these experiences more accessible and realistic. Additionally, cultural shifts towards digital-first lifestyles, driven by Generation Z, have increased demand for more immersive and integrated digital spaces. This shift has extensive implications, not just for how we interact but also for how we perceive identity, privacy, and even reality itself, as the lines between our physical and digital selves become increasingly intertwined. The article listed below is a great read for those who have an interest and want to learn more about the above topic.

The Metaverse: What It Is, Where to Find it, and Who Will Build It: https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/

“Artificial Intelligence – Resembling Human Brain” by deepakiqlect is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.