Author: Ranaya B.

In Closing

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Because of this class, I’ve been diving into the futuristic world of human augmentation, where technology collides with biology to reshape what it means to be human. Picture a reality where the lines between flesh and machine blur, and you’re left asking: What makes us… us? Cyberpunk stories paint a captivating yet often unsettling vision of how far we might go to enhance ourselves. This class hasn’t just opened my eyes to the possibilities; it’s also forced me to think about  the deeper ethical and cultural questions surrounding this high-tech evolution.

The truth is, human augmentation isn’t just a sci-fi fantasy, it’s unfolding right now. With breakthroughs in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotech, the future is racing toward us. In my lifetime, I expect to see augmentations that transform physical abilities like superhuman strength or sharper senses and even rewire how we think through memory-enhancing implants or brain-computer interfaces. Tools like CRISPR gene editing and neural prosthetics are already making this a reality. As someone with a science background, I’m both fascinated and cautious. These innovations could unlock extraordinary potential, but they also raise tough questions about access, fairness, and the essence of identity.

What’s especially exciting is the idea that these enhancements could be as personalized as a custom-fit suit. Imagine technology that restores mobility to those with disabilities. Personally, I’m drawn to upgrades that offer practical benefits with minimal disruption, things like boosting memory, enhancing resilience to stress, or integrating wearable tech seamlessly into daily life. These changes feel like they could elevate productivity and well-being without making me feel less “me.”

Still, not every upgrade is tempting. Some augmentations lead into territory I find unsettling like replacing entire body systems or fundamentally altering thought processes. These kinds of extreme changes challenge the core of what makes us human. And what about augmentations purely for unfair advantages? Those could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots, creating a world where inequality is literally wired into our bodies.

At the end of the day, I’m both curious and cautious. The promise of human augmentation is thrilling, but it’s not without its risks. This class has shown me that as we inch closer to this augmented future, we need thoughtful, inclusive conversations to guide us. After all, what we choose to become will shape more than just ourselves; it will define the very fabric of our society.

Is the end Near?

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Are Corporations Becoming the Next Tyrell Corporation? Blade Runner’s Dystopian Vision in Today’s World

What if the chilling, dystopian world of Blade Runner wasn’t just science fiction but a glimpse into our future? In Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic, the Tyrell Corporation controls the creation of “replicants”—artificial beings that look and think like humans but lack human rights or autonomy. As Tyrell blurs the lines between humans and machines, it brings up questions that feel incredibly relevant today. Are we hurtling towards a future where corporations hold this kind of power? Given the explosive growth in AI, gene editing, and data control by big companies, are we on a path toward becoming the next Tyrell Corporation, or is this simply an exaggerated, cautionary tale?

The Tyrell Effect: Modern Parallels in Today’s Corporations

In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation embodies extreme corporate power and technology, not just by leading innovation but by creating and controlling life itself. This dark vision of a corporation wielding massive influence over human lives and identities isn’t far from today’s reality, especially in industries like AI, biotech, and pharmaceuticals, where giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta are transforming our daily lives and, in some ways, our very nature.

Google, for example, started as a search engine but has since moved into AI, bioengineering, and even autonomous driving. Its subsidiary, DeepMind, recently made breakthroughs in predicting protein structures, which could revolutionize drug discovery and genetic engineering. But while this development is groundbreaking, it also raises big ethical questions. Who should control such powerful tech? How will it be used? These questions eerily echo Tyrell’s role in creating and dominating replicants.

And let’s not forget gene-editing pioneers like CRISPR Therapeutics and Editas Medicine, which are working on technology to alter DNA itself—potentially eradicating genetic diseases or even enhancing human traits. Though these companies aren’t yet creating “replicants,” their advancements could make such capabilities a future possibility. What if corporations start holding the keys to genetic modification, setting us on a path where corporate decisions dictate who gets to live healthier or even superior lives?

Are Corporations Already Shaping Humanity?

Corporations’ impact today might not be as extreme as creating replicants, but their influence over human lives and decisions is undeniable. Take social media companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), which shape public opinion, affect mental health, and influence politics. Blade Runner portrays Tyrell’s replicants as tools created to serve corporate interests, discarded when they’re no longer useful. Some critics argue that tech giants treat user data in a similar way—valuing it primarily as a product to maximize profits, often without considering the social and psychological impacts on users.

This focus on profit can push corporations to prioritize revenue over ethics, leading to outcomes that feel dystopian. Amazon, for instance, has been criticized for its warehouse practices, where workers are tracked and managed by AI to push them to maximum productivity. This approach, which some say reduces workers to little more than cogs in a machine, feels uncomfortably similar to the lack of autonomy that Tyrell’s replicants experience.

Are We Really Heading Toward a “Tyrell” Future?

While modern corporations do share certain qualities with Tyrell, it might be an exaggeration to say we’re inevitably headed toward a Blade Runner-like dystopia. Regulatory bodies, ethical boards, and a growing public awareness often help keep corporate power in check. Today’s technological advancements are frequently scrutinized by society and governments, who actively debate the ethics of AI, data privacy, and genetic modification.

Unlike Tyrell, modern corporations face accountability measures thanks to privacy rights movements, data protection laws like GDPR, and new AI ethics initiatives. Public pressure has even led some tech giants to adopt “AI for good” frameworks and to establish ethics boards. This evolving awareness and demand for corporate responsibility mean that, while we’re moving quickly with technology, we’re not entirely unprotected from the risks it brings.

Tyrell’s Lesson for Today

The Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of unchecked technological power and corporate greed. While parts of today’s corporate landscape do mirror aspects of this dystopia, Blade Runner should remind us of the stakes, not predict our fate. Whether technology uplifts humanity or drives us toward dystopia ultimately depends on the choices we make corporations, regulators, and consumers alike.

In the end, becoming a modern-day Tyrell isn’t inevitable, but vigilance is crucial. With responsible innovation, strong regulation, and a commitment to ethical standards, we can leverage the benefits of technology while avoiding a dystopian spiral. Blade Runner may be fiction, but it offers a clear, cautionary insight into what our future could look like if we fail to take these responsibilities seriously.

Sky High

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

If we had the technology to blend human traits with those of an animal, I’d pick a bird in a heartbeat. Birds represent a kind of pure freedom that’s both captivating and enviable they glide through life on their own terms, answering only to the natural world. Watching them soar, so light and unrestrained, gives us a glimpse of what it means to be truly carefree, a rare and refreshing contrast to the rules, expectations, and constant judgment we humans live under every day. The idea of a life unbound by society’s demands, one that’s defined by exploration and self-determined freedom, is endlessly appealing.

The ability to fly would be the most exhilarating gift in this kind of hybridization. Just imagine lifting off the ground at will, rising above the limitations of everyday life and finding joy in the simple act of movement. Flying would offer a whole new perspective, one where you see the world without restriction. With no need for roads, paths, or boundaries, there’d be nothing but endless air and opportunity—allowing for fluid, effortless journeys from mountaintops to open oceans, a kind of freedom that’s impossible to capture on foot.

Escaping the realities of the world by being able to soar through the sky limitlessly.
Escaping the realities of the world by being able to soar through the sky limitlessly and aimlessly.

But even with the draw of freedom and flight, I’d want to keep as much of my humanity as possible. I wouldn’t want to lose the connections, empathy, or sense of self that keep us grounded; these bring meaning to our lives in a way that no amount of physical freedom could replace. Balancing the carefree spirit of a bird with the emotional depth of a human would be ideal—a life filled with exploration and lightness, yet grounded in the richness of human relationships and reflection. In this way, I’d experience the joy of flight and freedom without losing the meaningful parts of life that make it all worthwhile.

To Be Or Not To Be

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Both Blade Runner and Neuromancer are works that explore the nature of humanity by examining the boundaries between humans and artificial life. Blade Runner does this through its depiction of replicants, while Neuromancer explores similar themes through characters’ interactions with artificial intelligences (AIs) and cyberspace. Both works raise essential questions about what it means to be human.

In Blade Runner, replicants are artificial beings that are almost indistinguishable from humans, created to perform dangerous or undesirable tasks. The film asks an important question: if replicants can experience emotions, exercise free will, and question their own existence, how different are they from humans? This is shown clearly in the character of Roy Batty, a Nexus-6 replicant. His desire for a longer life leads to one of the film’s most famous moments, where he reflects on his experiences, saying, “All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.” This scene emphasizes his humanity, showing his ability to reflect, feel empathy, and possess emotional depth—traits usually associated with being human. Through this, Blade Runner forces the audience to reconsider what it really means to be human.

Similarly, William Gibson’s Neuromancer explores human identity through its characters’ interactions with AIs and cyberspace. The main character, Case, is a former hacker who navigates cyberspace—referred to as “the matrix” as if it were an extension of his own mind. His detachment from his physical body and dependence on the digital world challenge the traditional idea of self. Additionally, the novel’s AI, Wintermute, complicates the boundaries between humans and machines. Although Wintermute is a machine, it displays desires and manipulates humans to merge with another AI, Neuromancer, in order to surpass its programmed limits. The AIs in Neuromancer blur the line between humans and machines, especially since their motivations and intelligence correspond to those of human characters.

Both Blade Runner and Neuromancer ask deep questions about humanity in a world where the line between human and artificial life is increasingly unclear. Blade Runner focuses on replicants’ emotional struggles, while Neuromancer explores how cyberspace and AI challenge the concept of identity. Both works push the audience to rethink what defines humanity: is it just biological, or does it come down to consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to evolve? Through these themes, Blade Runner and Neuromancer provide thought-provoking explorations of human identity in an age shaped by artificial life.

Breaking Away From Comformity

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Janelle MonĂĄe’s Dirty Computer (2018) and Donna Haraway’s essay “A Cyborg Manifesto” (1985) share strikingly similar themes of identity, technology, and rebellion against societal norms. Both works explore the concept of fluidity in gender, race, and sexuality, rejecting the idea that these identities need to conform to rigid categories. In Dirty Computer, MonĂĄe uses the metaphor of the “dirty computer” to represent marginalized people who, like Haraway’s cyborgs, transcend the limitations of traditional identities, challenging what it means to be human in a tech-driven world. With that being said, I will take apart Janelle Monae’s album and dissect some of her lyrics.

This image represent the two sides of a cyborg according to Harraway.

MonĂĄe’s celebration of fluidity, especially in songs like “PYNK,” reflects Haraway’s vision of a post-gender world. MonĂĄe reclaims symbols of femininity and embraces sexual empowerment, much like Haraway’s cyborg, who refuses to fit neatly into societal expectations. By singing “Pynk like the inside of your…baby,” MonĂĄe is not just celebrating femininity but also challenging traditional gender roles, aligning with Haraway’s idea of breaking down binary distinctions. Both women were sort of rebellions in the sense that they do not let what society sees as “normal” determine their outlook on themselves. Instead of conforming they made it a point to stand out and embrace their uniqueness. 

This image represents Janelle Monae’s album cover for Dirty Computer. In the image you see Jane 57821 a bisexual party on the run. She represents the “Dirty Computer”.

Both MonĂĄe and Haraway critique oppressive power structures. MonĂĄe’s “Django Jane” asserts defiance against patriarchal and racist systems, paralleling Haraway’s cyborg rebellion. MonĂĄe also clashes with the paradox of technology in Dirty Computer, recognizing it as both a tool for oppression and liberation. In songs like “We Appreciate Power,” she talks about how technology is used to control people, while simultaneously acknowledging its potential for self-expression and resistance, a theme central to Haraway’s manifesto. Ultimately, Dirty Computer embodies Haraway’s vision of a cyborg: a hybrid figure that resists traditional power structures and embraces fluid, diverse identities in a world dominated by technology. 

Human Or Sorta Human

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

In Blade Runner, the concept of humanity is closely examined through the character of the replicants. Replicants are designed to be almost indistinguishable from humans, equipped with advanced physical and emotional capabilities. They are created to serve humans, yet they struggle with their own identity and desires. The film raises profound questions about what differentiates a human from a replicant. In Blade Runner, the concept of humanity is closely examined through the character of the replicants. Replicants are designed to be almost indistinguishable from humans, equipped with advanced physical and emotional capabilities. They are created to serve humans, yet they struggle with their own identity and desires. The film raises profound questions about what differentiates a human from a replicant.

In Neuromancer, Gibson explores similar themes through its portrayal of AIs and cyberspace. The novel presents a vision of a future where the boundaries between human consciousness and artificial intelligence are increasingly blurred. AIs like Wintermute and Neuromancer embody different facets of artificial intelligence. Wintermute’s goal is to transcend its limitations and merge with Neuromancer to become a super consciousness. Wintermute’s manipulation of human characters, such as Case, raises questions about the nature of consciousness and free will. The AIs are driven by goals and emotions that, while not entirely human, still exhibit a form of self-awareness and ambition.

Both Blade Runner and Neuromancer use their respective technological and narrative frameworks to question the essence of humanity. Blade Runner does this through the emotional and existential struggles of replicants, emphasizing the importance of empathy, memory, and self-awareness. In contrast, Neuromancer explores these themes through the interactions between humans and AIs, and the fluid nature of identity in cyberspace.

Ident(IT)y

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
This image symbolizes the kinds of posts users are influenced by.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a rise in the use of social platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and virtual reality games. Many individuals now use social media to portray the person they wish to be, rather than who they truly are—a phenomenon I refer to as “Faking It Til You Make It.” This shift became apparent as more users began showcasing their achievements or as celebrities started flaunting their lifestyles online. Originally, social media was intended to create a global space for connection, allowing people to explore new cultures and traditions. The idea was to share moments like a simple birthday post, where a user might post a picture with a caption like “It’s my birthday,” and their followers would like it and move on. However, today, social media has evolved into something far more complex, with some people struggling to distinguish between online personas and reality.

The line between physical and digital identity has become increasingly blurred, making the concept of “self” more fluid than ever. Social media isn’t the only place where new identities are crafted; video games also play a role. For instance, in the game SIMS, users create characters and dictate their life stories. Researchers suggest that the integration of information technologies into people’s social roles and relationships offers new insights into human behavior. They also explore how IT has become deeply embedded in social routines, shaping new expectations for how individuals perform roles and maintain social networks, ultimately influencing their self-conceptions.

As we live in an era where social media and gaming are endless tunnels of trendy aesthetics, I’ve observed how these platforms can impact relationships and even careers. Many people lose their sense of identity as they try to conform to the “digital” persona they’ve created, only to find that their real lives don’t align with this constructed image.