Author: Luci S.

Me, Myself, and I

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I believe, in my lifetime human augmentation will become more common because of advances in technology. We might see advanced things like brain implants that help us think faster and/or remember more. These improvements could make our bodies and minds stronger, and I believe they’ll be especially useful for athletes or people who need to be highly focused in their work.

“Robot” by firepile is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Personally, I’m not sure if I would fully embrace the technology once it becomes available, but for now, I’d be open to trying things that could improve physical recovery, especially as an athlete, or enhance brain function, as long as they are safe and don’t raise major ethical concerns. I believe these types of advancements have the potential to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives, especially when it comes to improving physical abilities or enhancing cognitive performance. As an athlete, recovering faster and staying in peak condition are essential, and technology that supports this could be a game-changer. Likewise, enhancing mental clarity or memory could be beneficial in many aspects of life, whether it’s academics, professional work, or everyday tasks. Of course, I think it’s important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of any new technology, ensuring it doesn’t compromise personal well-being or lead to unintended consequences. For now, I’d like to keep an open mind and explore what might be possible, as long as it is used responsibly and ethically.

But even if I am open to new technology I also have some doubts about it, especially when it comes to technology used to control people’s minds or emotions or extreme changes to the body or mind that go too far from being human. Also, I wouldn’t want some people to have access to these enhancements while others don’t, creating a ever bigger gap of inequality. Human augmentation should be about making lives better, not making it worse and creating new divides between people.

Corporate Power and Greed- Reality or Illusion ?

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Realistic prediction, or a hyperbolic critique of reality? Cyberpunk fiction provides some of the most vivid portrayals of corporate power and greed, where companies control society, technology, and even people’s lives. In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation creates replicants, which are artificial beings treated as disposable products, demonstrating extreme corporate control over life. Similarly, the Tessier-Ashpools in Neuromancer represent a wealthy corporate dynasty that manipulates markets and people’s lives from the shadows. In Machinehood, “pill funders” ensure that society becomes dependent on drugs for productivity and health, illustrating how corporations can shape human existence.

“Apple sign” by zarzoso is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

These narratives might seem overblown, but they reflect real-world trends that are increasingly concerning. Nowadays, tech giants like Apple and Google hold immense power, not only by managing the information we choose to share but also by shaping public viewpoints we accept. Not just tech giants but also companies in the biotech field are advancing genetic engineering and brain-machine interfaces, raising ethical questions about the implications of such technology on humanity and much more. Although we may not be on the edge of a complete cyberpunk dystopia, the warnings these stories convey are real and concerning. Cyberpunk challenges us to consider how much control corporations should have over our lives.

“Robot Love” by fatcatimages LLC is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Cyberpunk stories like Blade Runner serve as both cautionary tales and reflections of our reality. They spotlight the potential dangers of unchecked corporate power and emphasize the need for accountability to ensure that innovation aligns with the greater good. By heeding these warnings, we can work toward a future where technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around. The rise of corporate influence in our everyday lives, from the information we consume to the technology that powers our health and productivity, highlights a crucial choice and the question: Will we permit corporations to shape our future without limits, or will we insist on transparency, ethics, and accountability?

Breaking Boundaries: When the Sky Knows No Limits

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Imagine a world where technology enables us to transfer traits from one animal to another, merging the best of both. If I could choose, I would select the qualities of an eagle. Eagles represent honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power, and freedom—attributes that humanity sometimes lacks. They see the world from a perspective we can only dream of.

What draws me to the idea of being an eagle? The ability to fly and view everything from a different angle captivates me. Imagine soaring to visit family whenever I wanted! Unfortunately, today, many people focus more on power and money than on honesty and truth. If everyone had just a bit of the eagle’s spirit and prioritized honesty, we could create positive change.

In this hybridized form, I wouldn’t want to lose my humanity entirely. A healthy combination of human and eagle traits would be ideal. I would cherish the eagle’s strength, honesty, courage, wisdom, power, and freedom, but I also want to retain the social connections, emotions, and intellect that define my humanity. For example, having wings would allow me to explore the world in a way that no human can. Traveling great distances in just hours and experiencing nature from a completely new viewpoint.

“Another Eagle Photo” by vladeb is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

The question arises: how much of my human nature would I be willing to give up? I would say enough to embrace the eagle’s strengths and freedoms fully. These days, we are so restricted and often impose limits on ourselves where there may not even be any. If we had the opportunity to possess the characteristics of eagles, it might show us that there are no limits at all. It would push the limits of what’s possible and experiencing the world through a thrilling new lens.

This journey wouldn’t just be about gaining new abilities; it’s about reimagining what it means to live.

The Dystopian Cityscapes

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Blade Runner 1982

In cyberpunk stories, cities are more than just settings; they play a vital role, almost like characters themselves. Blade Runner (1982) and Neuromancer (1984) are perfect examples of this, both representing sprawling, dystopian cities characterized by neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and a blend of high-tech and low-life elements. These cityscapes offer a clear view of a future where new technology exists alongside social decline.

In Blade Runner, the city Los Angeles is shown as a dark, rainy city full of neon signs. Director Ridley Scott imagines a future with tall skyscrapers, flying cars, and huge digital ads in the sky. However, the streets below are filled with problems like homelessness, overcrowding, and pollution. The contrast between the bright lights above and the dirty, shadowy streets below shows how technology has made social inequality worse, not better. The constant rain and darkness give the city a feeling of hopelessness, making survival a daily struggle. The city is a giant machine. Scott used images of factories and industry to create a vision of the future city, reflecting concerns about the impact of post-industrial society.

Canadian novelist William Gibson by Wesley Merritt

Similarly, Neuromancer shows a future where cities are huge and messy. Chiba City, the main place in the novel, is described as a confusing and chaotic area. Chiba is known for its focus on implants, nerve-splicing, and micro bionics. The sky looks dark and gray, and the city is filled with bright ads, high-tech clinics, and black-market shops. In this city, advanced technology is mixed with crime and poverty, creating a mix of excitement and danger. The streets are full of hackers, mercenaries, and street fighters, all trying to find their place in this world. The city’s unique atmosphere comes from the sharp contrast between its advanced technology and harsh living conditions, highlighting the conflict between progress and hardship.

Blade Runner and Neuromancer show the conflict between new technology and human beings. The cities are not just perfect or completely broken but are a mix of progress and decay. These urban settings reveal how life in the future can be full of both high tech and tough realities, where dreams can quickly come true or fall apart.

Between Human and Machine: The Future of Identity

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In a world where identities are often limited by strict categories like gender, race, and social rules, both Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto and Janelle Monáe’s album Dirty Computer challenge these limits. Haraway, writing in 1985, imagines a future where fixed gender roles don’t exist, and being a cyborg allows for a more flexible sense of identity. Monáe, in her 2018 dystopian album, highlights how people are punished for not fitting into society’s expectations. Both works push us to rethink traditional ideas of humanity and identity, offering new ways to see a freer, more diverse sense of self.

A Cyborg Manifesto by Donna Haraway

The ideas in Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto strongly connect with Janelle Monáe’s album Dirty Computer. Both works explore the idea that identity is not fixed, and they break down traditional categories like gender, race, and sexuality. In Dirty Computer, Monáe creates a world where these aspects of identity exist on a spectrum, challenging society’s norms. For example, in her song “Django Jane,” she emphasizes self-determination and personal power, which aligns with Haraway’s vision of a future where identity is shaped by personal experience, not by society’s strict standards.

Dirty Computer Album Cover by Janelle Monáe

Monáe blends the ideas of technology and identity, calling herself both a cyborg and a queen. This mix reflects Haraway’s idea of the cyborg as a symbol of identity that breaks free from traditional boundaries. In “Make Me Feel,” Monáe talks about love and attraction in a way that shows the fluidity between masculine and feminine qualities, showing that relationships are complex and cannot be limited to strict categories. This mirrors Haraway’s call to embrace the complexity of identity. In the song “Pynk,” Monáe celebrates femininity and self-acceptance, showing that accepting all parts of yourself leads to freedom and happiness. This challenges society’s pressures to conform. Monáe also discusses how technology affects identity in the song “Dirty Computer.” She highlights both the positive and negative effects, showing how technology can give people more freedom but can also be used to control and restrict them. This ties in with Haraway’s cyborg, which represents the merging of human and machine and offers a new way to look at identity.

In conclusion, both individuals, Monáe and Haraway, encourage us to think differently about identity and society. They push us to see identity as something fluid and diverse, showing the importance of accepting individuality and breaking free from society’s rigid rules. Their works inspire us to imagine a future where everyone can be what ever they want to be.

Redefining the Game

Luci S.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the last few years, the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has started to shift how soccer is played and viewed. VAR helps referees make better decisions by reviewing video footage during games, which has changed some long standing rules and practices in the sport and especially in soccer.

The technological change in soccer

Back in the days, referees had the final say on the field, the decisions they made were the final decisions with no possibility of review during the game. Nowadays, with VAR, decisions on goals, penalties, and red cards can be checked and corrected if necessary. This means that what happens on the field can be reviewed by referees watching video from a different location. The use of VAR also affects how fans experience the game, as they often have to wait for video reviews during key moments, which disrupt the flow of the game.

The idea of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) first came about in 2010 with the Refereeing 2.0 project from The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB). This project aimed to use technology to help referees make better and more accurate decisions during soccer games. The first official use of the VAR in soccer was the Ajax Amsterdam cup game in September 2016. Soccer is a fast-paced game, and referees can sometimes make mistakes in the heat of the situation. VAR uses video to review key decisions, helping to make the game fairer and more transparent. However, VAR has also sparked controversy because it can slow the game down and disrupt its flow, with some arguing that this diminishes the excitement of soccer. The VAR reflects our growing use of technology in everyday life and the demand from fans for more accurate and clear decisions in sports.

VAR is changing soccer by offering new methods for reviewing and correcting decisions, affecting how the game is played and how fans experience it. Although it aims to make the game fairer, it also introduces challenges, like stopping the game for reviews. While fans are frustrated by bad calls from referees, they often dislike the video assistant referee (VAR) even more. As technology advances, it’s important to strike a balance between enhancing accuracy and maintaining the smooth flow of the game.