Author: Kaitlyn M.

The Jetsons Is Here: Embracing Tech, While Minding My Black Business

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

So, the other day, I was scrolling through Instagram (you know, my usual), and I stumbled upon this webtoon called Emmy the Robot. It’s about a high-end robotic nanny named Emmy, who works for the Delaire family. And let me tell you, she’s out here doing it all—taking kids to school, running errands, cleaning, the whole shebang. Right after that, I saw robots serving drinks at Elon Musk’s We, Robot event, and my brain did a little flip. I thought, Hold up, is this really where we’re headed? So, I started wondering: How in the world will human augmentation evolve in our generation?

Let me take you back real quick. Growing up, I didn’t have cable, so I had to get cozy with old-school shows my parents grew up with—like The Jetsons. It aired back in 1962 and was basically the blueprint for futuristic living: flying cars, robot maids, automated everything. But now, looking at the way technology is shaping up, I’m a little nervous about where this might go. I mean, we just had a whole situation where an AI chatbot led a child to commit suicide, and that’s honestly terrifying. With that in mind, I don’t know if I want to be living in The Jetsons world just yet.

That being said, there’s a weird part of me that’s kind of excited for the Jetsons-style future. The Jetsons wasn’t really about people turning into cyborgs—it was about using external tech to make life easier, like robot assistants or flying cars. And let’s be real, we’re already living in a version of that future. I saw robots at that Elon Musk event—serving drinks—and I was like, Okay, I can get down with this. Not to mention, we already have a lot of the things the Jetsons predicted: smart appliances, flying cars (haven’t been commercialized yet, but they exist), video calls, remote work, and AI and automation. But let’s be honest: We still need to get the basics right, like biometric data privacy. We’re all aware of how shady big companies can be with our personal data. For a deeper dive into this topic, check out my podcast: Biometric Breakthroughs: The Future is Now. Until these companies can prove they won’t use my information to sell me new items on Instagram, I’m staying skeptical about some of the more extreme tech.

An image from The Jetsons, showcasing the show’s futuristic technology. Source: Marketwatch.com

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do think some of this tech is gonna become the norm. Robots delivering drinks? Sure, why not. Self-driving cars? Absolutely. But full-on bio-enhancements—like Neuralink or body mods that turn us into Inspector Gadget? I don’t think that’s happening anytime soon. And even if it does, I’m not sure I’m ready to have a jet pack built into my body just yet. (Although, lowkey, a jet pack sounds kinda cool. I would never be let to work again!)

But here’s the thing: I’m definitely not interested in modifying my body for bio-enhancements. No thanks! As I said in my last post, Human Hybridization? Hell No. I’m not about to let tech mess with my Black body. The idea of bio-enhancements feels like an insult to my heritage and my identity. My body is perfect just the way it is—don’t try to fix something that’s not broken, period.

At the end of the day, I think we’ll see more robots, more AI, and maybe even some cool tech like self-driving cars. But I don’t think we’re gonna see full-on cyborgs anytime soon. And if we do? I’ll be watching from the sidelines, sipping my drink served by ChatGPT only—because let’s be real, I’ve seen too many robot vengeance stories. Keeping my body just the way it was meant to be. No chips, no neural links, just me and my black, beautiful, and unmodified self.

Man relaxing in Pool GIF. Source: GIFDB.com

Works Cited:

Domcell. (2020, April 5). Emmy the Robot. www.webtoons.com. https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/emmy-the-robot/list?title_no=402201

Image from The Jetsons, showcasing the show’s futuristic technology [Web Image ]. (n.d.). https://ei.marketwatch.com/Multimedia/2014/05/27/Photos/MG/MW-CF983_jetson_20140527071125_MG.jpg?uuid=af967b3e-e58f-11e3-bbf7-00212803fad6

Man relaxing in Pool GIF [GIF]. (n.d.). GIFDB.com. https://gifdb.com/images/high/man-relaxing-in-pool-u3h4a9ug6w8sdl3b.gif

Tesla. (2024). We, Robot | Tesla. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com/we-robot

Wikipedia. (2024, September 2). The Jetsons. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons

The Replicants Are Among Us

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Author Kaitlyn Murray

Corporate Power and AI: Are We Headed Toward a Cyberpunk Future?

After exploring various cyberpunk narratives, it’s clear that these stories present corporate power and greed as catalysts for technological and ethical overreach. A prime example is the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner, whose replicants represent a blurring of the line between human and machine, raising questions about identity and corporate ethics. Are real-world corporations heading down this path, or are these narratives an exaggerated critique?

Real-World Parallels: Tyrell Corporation’s Replicants and Tesla’s Optimus Robots

One aspect that stood out to me was the similarity between Dr. Eldon Tyrell’s replicants and Elon Musk’s “Optimus” humanoids. During Tesla’s recent Cybercab event, the Optimus robots mingled with attendees, served drinks, played games, and even danced. With distinct voices and responsive gestures, they appeared to have individual personalities, mirroring the humanoid sophistication of Tyrell’s replicants. Yet, much like Rachael in Blade Runner, whose memories are revealed to be borrowed from Tyrell’s niece, we’re left wondering how much of these “personalities” are authentic and how much is simply appropriated by Tesla’s designers.

For instance, reports suggest that Tesla’s robots were not entirely autonomous but relied on remote human assistance for some interactions. As Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas noted, these robots seemed to demonstrate “degrees of freedom and agility” rather than full autonomy.  Some attendees of Musk’s event, suggest that the robots, each with distinct voices and immediate, gesture-matched responses, were occasionally operated by humans remotely, acting as their voice and mind.

 If these robots reflect human traits, but without any true consciousness, then what are we actually looking at? A high-tech mirror? Musk robots are true replicants, mere reflections of human behavior without any genuine consciousness—mirrors that mimic our gestures, voices, and personalities, yet lack the awareness or authenticity to be anything more than borrowed identities.  

This echoes the staged control and manipulation behind Tyrell’s creations, highlighting ethical questions about authenticity in AI.

Are These Predictions Realistic or Exaggerated?

The concept of humanoid robots with “personalities” and pre-programmed responses indicates that Blade Runner’s dystopian vision might not be as distant as we once thought. As technology advances, corporations are increasingly motivated to blur the line between human and machine to meet consumer demand and boost market value. Tesla’s Optimus robots represent a tangible step in that direction, hinting at a future where AI serves commercial and social roles once reserved for humans.

While the parallels are striking, today’s landscape includes ethical guidelines, regulations, and public scrutiny that serve as guardrails, preventing corporations from overstepping certain boundaries. However, as companies like Tesla continue pushing the envelope, Blade Runner’s predictions don’t seem purely hyperbolic but rather a warning of what unchecked technological power could become.

Ethical Implications: Borrowed Personhood and Human Capital

The ethical questions raised by Tesla’s Optimus robots extend beyond their technological abilities. Like Rachael’s implanted memories in Blade Runner, these robots’ “personalities” may not be genuine but rather a borrowed or manufactured version of human traits and responses. This brings to light a critical ethical issue: is it acceptable for corporations to create beings that mimic human personality, even if these traits are simply coded replicas of human behavior? This issue strikes at the core of identity and authenticity in an age of advanced AI.

The Conspiracy: Are Our Conversations Building Robot Personalities?

What if Elon Musk is using Amazon Echo devices to secretly gather our conversation patterns and feed them into AI systems to create lifelike robot personalities? With our social media activity and interactions on platforms like Twitter, Musk could be building robots that mirror our preferences, likes, and even our speech patterns. Essentially, our digital lives might be shaping their personalities without us even realizing it—much like Tyrell’s replicants, whose personalities were artificially created. It raises a chilling question: How much of what we think is “authentic” is actually built from the data we’ve unknowingly shared and given consent to in the terms and conditions?

Conclusion: A Future in the Balance

While cyberpunk narratives like Blade Runner provide exaggerated portrayals of corporate overreach, they also offer a powerful cautionary tale. The Tyrell Corporation’s replicants and Tesla’s Optimus robots remind us of the ethical boundaries that must be respected as we navigate the future of AI and humanoid technology. We may not yet be in a full-blown dystopia, but these narratives push us to consider how close we might be getting—and whether society is prepared to uphold the ethical standards needed to keep our personhood protected.

Works Cited

Beki. (2024, October 24). Tesla Optimus Robot Bartender. YouTube. https://youtu.be/R41T_aq83wY

I, Robot Meme. (2020). knowyourmeme. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-robot-no.


Shahzad, S. (2024, October 15). The Optimus Robots at Tesla’s Cybercab event were humans in disguise. Wonderful Engineering. https://wonderfulengineering.com/the-optimus-robots-at-tesla-cybercab-event-were-humans-in-disguise/Tesla .

(2024, October 24). We, robot. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com/we-robot

Human Hybridization? HELL NO!

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Author Kaitlyn Murray

When I first came across the idea of human animal hybrids, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. The concept of merging human and animal traits might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but for me, it raises some serious red flags. As a Black woman navigating this world, I’ve had my share of experiences that make me strongly oppose any sort of animal-human hybridization. So, let’s break down why I think this is a hard pass.

Historical Context Matters

First and foremost, let’s talk about history. For centuries, Black people have been dehumanized and compared to animals. From the days of slavery, where our worth was measured by our labor rather than our humanity, to modern-day stereotypes exemplified by incidents like the H&M scandal, these narratives have often drawn parallels between us and creatures like monkeys and apes. It’s been a painful journey just to claim our humanity in a world that frequently undermines it.

So, when the idea of hybridizing with animals comes up, it feels like a slap in the face. Why on earth would I want to give anyone the chance to further blur those lines? My ancestors spent too long fighting for my rights and dignity, just to entertain a notion that could potentially strip away the hard-fought recognition of my humanity. Mixing with another species is not just a quirky scientific experiment; it opens the door for even more dehumanization. It could give folks a reason to say, “See? You’re not that different from animals.” And that’s a slippery slope I’m not willing to venture down.

The Trap of Hybridization

Imagine for a second what it would mean to hybridize with another animal. Sure, the idea might seem fun or intriguing at first. Maybe you’d gain some enhanced abilities—like the strength of a gorilla or the agility of a cat. But at what cost? How much of your own humanity would you be willing to sacrifice for these traits? Would you lose part of your ability to think critically, to feel deeply, or to connect with others on a human level?

It’s easy to fantasize about having superpowers, but let’s remember: those powers often come with consequences. The moment you start to blur the lines between human and animal, you risk losing the very essence of what it means to be human. Would I want to wake up one day and find that my rights as a person have been diminished because I’ve been hybridized? Excuse my language, but H-E-Double Hockey Sticks, NO!

Cultural Identity and the Human Experience

Culturally, Black people have a rich history that is deeply rooted in our humanity. Our stories, struggles, and triumphs have shaped who we are today. We’ve crafted a narrative that reflects resilience, strength, and dignity in the face of adversity. Now, imagine trying to reconcile that with the identity of a hybrid creature. What would that mean for our culture? How would we be perceived?

Let’s not forget about the infamous “three-fifths compromise,” a dark chapter in American history where enslaved Black individuals were counted as three-fifths of a person for legislative representation. And that was when we were normal flesh and bones—no additions! That compromise was a clear indication of how society viewed our humanity—or lack thereof. The thought of hybridization only complicates this further, as it could lead to a renewed sense of dehumanization. We’ve fought so hard to be seen as whole people, and the last thing we need is a scientific endeavor that could echo that three-fifths narrative. Why would I want to add more confusion to an already convoluted narrative?

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the idea of hybridizing with animals simply doesn’t resonate with me. I cherish my humanity and all the complexities that come with it. I am proud of who I am, and I refuse to entertain a concept that could potentially undermine that identity. The fight for our rights, dignity, and recognition is already too steep a hill to climb without adding more layers of complexity to our existence. As descendants of kings and queens, we embody a powerful identity as Black individuals. Why should we dilute our beautiful humanity in a world that is always pushing labels on us? Let’s defy those labels and stand Black, beautiful, and proud. Black is beautiful, and our beauty deserves to shine in all its glory—untouched. Period.

Works Cited:

(2024). Aw Hell Naw. Giphy.com. http://media.giphy.com/media/3o85xERD1TT5JKCIXS/giphy.gif

Johnston, M. (2022, February 7). Three-fifths compromise | United States history. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/three-fifths-compromise

‌(2024). Tenor.com. https://media.tenor.com/uz5cL9eQnMkAAAAM/period-pooh-periods.gif

University, B. B., Melbourne. (2017, February 22). The uneasy truth about human-animal hybrids. Www.bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170222-the-uneasy-truth-about-human-animal-hybrids

West, S. (2018, January 19). H&M faced backlash over its “monkey” sweatshirt ad. It isn’t the company’s only controversy. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/01/19/hm-faced-backlash-over-its-monkey-sweatshirt-ad-it-isnt-the-companys-only-controversy/

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Cyborg Dreams & Dirty Realities

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Image of cyborg in a ruffled pink apron in a kitchen. This image was generated with the help of Artifical Intelligence using NightCafe Creator.

By Kaitlyn Murray

In Cyborg Manifesto, Donna Haraway imagines cyborgs as an entity transcending traditional human, animal, and machine boundaries. The cyborg is not locked down to societial pressures of gender and race, yielding a fluid and flexible identity. In Dirty Computer, Janelle Monáe tells the story of Jane 57821 a “dirty computer” that struggles as she attempts to break free from societal norms and expectations.

In the song, “So Afraid,” a song on the Dirty Computer album, Monáe switches all the traditional roles of animal, male, female, and child. She begins the song by saying:

“all the kids run around

playing free and fun

While the dogs lap around the can

Falling down, climbing trees, swiming in the river”

Monáe gives imagery to this radical posthumanism idea, where the cyborg exists in this state of hybridity where the conventional boundaries of human and animal, nautral and artifical are challenged. She embraces the intersectionality of technology, human, and animal, giving way to this idea of the advancement of technology creating a space of liberty for new forms of existence that transcends society’s label. This aligns with Haraway’s cyborg—a symbol of fluidity and hybridity, where binaries and boundaries are dismantled to yield to expansive forms of being.

Monáe then says:

“Daughters sharpen their knives

and they hunt for food

Others watch their children grow”

Much like Haraway’s cyborg, Monáe’s characters use their non-conformity as a tool of liberation. She switches the gender roles as usually the man hunt for food and the women take care of the children. However, in this new world Monáe created, they are rejecting this patriarchal structure as they refuse to abide by the norms. Additionally, her word usage for those of a male gender as “other” illustrates Monáe’s characters reclaiming their own power and embracing their “dirtiness,” as percieved by those who give power to predetermined categories. This is similar to how Haraway’s cyborg challenges the systems that seek to control them.

In conclusion, Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto envisions a world where the rejection of binaries and the embracing of complexity can lead to a reconstruction of society’s systems. Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer deeply resonates with Haraway’s themes, particularly in the exploration of fluid identities and the resistance to oppressive societal norms. Both works challenge traditional notions of identity, embracing the power of non-conformity, and envision technology as both a site of control and a space for liberation. As robot useage increases, with MIT enginners replacing chefs with robots and house-cleaning-robots, the distinction between “men’s jobs” and “women’s jobs” begins to fade. In a world where machines hold no gender, could this spark a new wave of feminism and liberation for women? How might the future of gender roles shift as technology continues to reshape the workforce? In the future, could we see ourselves living out Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto and witnessing the imagery Monáe evokes in “So Afraid”?

Works Cited:

Hitti, N. (2018, May 22). MIT engineers replace chefs with machines at “world’s first” robotic kitchen [Review of MIT engineers replace chefs with machines at “world’s first” robotic kitchen]. Dezeen.com; Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2018/05/22/mit-engineers-replace-chefs-with-machines-in-worlds-first-robotic-kitchen/

Donna Haraway. (1985). 1985. Haraway, A Cyborg Manifesto. Science, Technology, And Socialist Feminism. In Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/1985.-haraway-a-cyborg-manifesto.-science-technology-and-socialist-feminism

D’Souza, A. (2021, April 15). Cleaning Robots Helps in Cleaning the Floor and Lawn. KBV Research Blog; KBV Research. https://www.kbvresearch.com/blog/cleaning-robots-helps-cleaning-floor-and-lawn/

Janelle Monáe. (2018). So Afraid [Song]. On Dirty Computer. Atlantic Records.

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Lost in the Pursuit: Technology VS Humanity

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Author Kaitlyn Murray

William Gibson’s Neuromancer and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner explore posthumanism, questioning what it means to be human as technology increasingly integrates with human life. Posthumanism challenges rethinking what it means to be human in a world where technology and flesh are merging, past the traditional image of human. In both works, the loss of humanity through technological enhancements is a central theme.

In Neuromancer, Molly Millions is the epitome of the blurred line between human and cyborg. Her cybernetic implants, including augmented eyes and retractable razor claws, enhance her abilities beyond human limits. Molly’s augmented eyes allowed her to see with more precision and a broader range of frequencies than a natural human. These enhancements allowed her reflexes to be sharper.  Additionally, Molly’s mirrored lenses made it impossible for others to see where she was looking or read her emotions. Lastly, Molly’s retractable claws made her lethal in close combat.

Molly’s fusion of flesh with machines reinforces Molly’s hybrid not so human-like nature because although her implants make her more powerful, they also alienate her from humanity. Additionally, the mirrored lenses obscuring her emotions, the ignoring of pain, and the act of Molly desensitizing herself and becoming a “meat puppet” to help pay for her technological advancements further underscores her loss of humanity in the pursuit of technological advancement.

In Blade Runner, the replicants look like and act like humans, however, are treated inferior to humans, highlighting the loss of humanity when beings capable of genuine feeling are denied their rights and personhood. For instance, Rachael, a replicant, poses an interesting question to Rick Deckard, a blade runner: “Would you put a human into ‘retirement’ (death)? Blade Runners dehumanize replicants as they with ease eliminate technological beings perceived as less than human. Rachael asking questions about life and death illustrates the moral complexities of replicants being human in their emotions and in their experiences.

Additionally, the replicant’s possession of implanted human memories emphasizes the theme of the loss of humanity through technology. Human Personhood and Identity are lost in Blade Runner as one’s deepest memories are not their own anymore.  Also, these artificial memories distort the replicant’s sense of individuality and personal identity.

Both Neuromancer and Blade Runner warn us of all of the implications of technology on our understanding of what it means to be human. We are already walking into a world similar to science fiction as humanoids are already among us as Elon Musk introduced Optimus performing simple tasks. As well as Morgan Stanley estimating that by 2040, the US may have 8 million working humanoid robots. As we integrate more with technology, we face similar challenges about identity and what it means to be human. As we continue the pursuit of technological innovation, will we move further and further from our traditional concept of humanity or learn from the books before us?

Works Cited:

Humanoid Helpers of the Future | Morgan Stanley. (2024). Morgan Stanley. https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/humanoid-robot-market-outlook-2024

‌McCallum, S. (2022, October 1). Tesla boss Elon Musk presents humanoid robot Optimus. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63100636

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Is Human Talent on the Chopping Block?

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A Cyborg doing Human Labor. Source: Image from WordPress Images

Author Kaitlyn Murray

As our world becomes increasingly digital, our reliance on advanced technology grows. This shift has introduced a new era where the lines between human and machine labor are becoming increasingly blurred as conveniency becomes more favored. Traditionally, creative and intellectual work such as art, literature, music, and decision making were previously made by humans. However, with the public launch of OpenAI’s GPT series in November 2022, we’ve seen these boundaries begin to dissolve.

Open AI’s GPT series can generate text, music, and art that day by day become harder and harder to distinguish from work created by their human counterparts. Traditional human labor like using one’s intellect to make specific art choices to their painting, are now overlapping with user’s quick conveniency to type a quick description of what they want, and a return of quick art generated by AI that matches their request. Additionally, AI has been used to write symphonies as Composer Lucas Cantor used artificial intelligence to finish Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, which the composer abandoned two centuries ago. These real-life scenarios challenge the cultural boundary that once separated human creativity and mechanical algorithms.

This blur of human and machine labor raises questions about the devaluing of human labor because why pay someone to do labor when you can have a machine do it for free? As well as resurfaces the idea that machines can now participate in and surpass human endeavors. As we advance with technology, it’s crucial that boundaries are put in place for how technology can be used and the polices enacted to protect the value of human labor in creative fields.

As AI continues to evolve, this boundary will continuously shift forcing society to reconsider the economical, philosophical, and cultural implications of machine participation in human domains. So, here’s a question to ponder: What are we doing now to preserve human creativity and labor?  Machines have already replaced us physically in the factories, but what happens when they replace us intellectually in the workplace or even in government roles?

Works Cited:

Free AI Art Generator Online: Create AI art with text – Adobe Firefly. (n.d.). Www.adobe.com. https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly/features/ai-art-generator.html

Huawei used AI technology to complete Schubert’s unfinished symphony. (2019, April 9). CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/music/huawei-used-ai-technology-to-complete-schubert-s-unfinished-symphony-1.5063065

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