The Cyberpunk Collapse of Cognitive Boundaries

Jesslyn J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’ve noticed a significant shift in the way society understands and accepts neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum. This change reflects a broader collapse of boundaries that we often see in the cyberpunk genreā€”a genre that thrives on challenging the status quo and exploring the fluidity of identity. The past five years have seen a growing acceptance of people on the spectrum, recognizing their unique contributions to society. Whether it’s in the way they approach problems with fresh perspectives or how they can hyperfocus on details others might miss, autistic individuals are increasingly valued for their differences rather than in spite of them. The rigid boundaries that once defined what is “normal” or “acceptable” behavior have begun to blur. The conversation around neurodiversity has gained momentum, advocating for the recognition that neurological differences, such as those seen in autism, are not deficits but variations of the human experience. This shift mirrors the cyberpunk theme of breaking down traditional barriers, whether they be between human and machine or between different cultural and social identities. Cyberpunk often explores how technology can augment or alter human capabilities, challenging what it means to be human. Similarly, the growing acceptance of neurodivergence challenges what it means to think, learn, and interact with the world. Just as cyberpunk characters might use technology to navigate a dystopian world, neurodivergent individuals bring unique perspectives and strengths that enrich our understanding of humanity. This shift in acceptance is more than just a societal trend; itā€™s a dismantling of the old, narrow definitions of what it means to be “normal.” By embracing neurodiversity, we are moving towards a more inclusive society where different ways of thinking are valued, much like how cyberpunk envisions a world where the lines between human and non-human, or between man and machine, are no longer clear-cut.

How is AI changing humanity?

Helina A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The boundary between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly blurred, showing a significant shift over the past five years. Real-world advancements in AI technology have begun to make it hard to separate human and machine. For example, AI’s role in healthcare has expanded dramatically, with AI-powered systems helping doctors in diagnosing and treating patients, challenging what it means to be a “human” doctor. AI has also made its way into creative fields like: art, music, and writing, areas that used to be unique to humans. This raises ethical questions about AI’s place in society and whether AI might one day have rights similar to humans.

hen it comes to the creative field, this boundary is slowly going away. AI is no longer just a tool for technical tasks but is now contributing to the creation of art, music, and literatureā€”fields once thought to require uniquely human creativity. AI-generated artwork, music composed by algorithms, and even AI-written articles are becoming more common, raising questions about authorship and the nature of creativity. As AI continues to excel in these traditionally human domains, the distinction between human and machine creativity becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.

This boundary shift has been driven by several key factors. Technological advancements, particularly in machine learning and neural networks, have rapidly improved AI capabilities, making them more integrated into daily life. Culturally, there has been a growing acceptance of AI, partly due to it being shown often in media and due to its increasing presence in our livesā€”like virtual assistants. Economically, industries are pushing for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness, often turning to AI to meet these demands, which pushes AI in human roles.

This collapsing boundary between humans and AI raise important questions about the future. Will this trend continue? How will society adapt to these changes, both ethically and practically?

Source:https://medium.com/@Umarzaib/the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-transforming-healthcare-0e0d7cd9f5ec

I’ve seen things Blog Post…

Jaylyn J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Within in the past five years a boundary that has continued to blur is the boundary between human and non-human relationships has significantly blurred, particularly the rise of AI as a companionship. Traditionally, relationships were exclusive to humans interacting but with the recent advancement in AI technology, that distinction is dissolving rapidly. AI entities, once seen strictly as a resource, is now designed to stimulate meaningful human connections. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google, and Chatbots like ChatGPT, are becoming more advanced and sophisticated, engaging users as an AI friend. These AI’s are capable to provide emotional support, advice, and companionship. Some users have even reported preferring the AI over human connections which shows how AI is starting to be integrated into personal lives. This shift was accelerated over the Pandemic when we were isolated for long periods at a time. Advances in natural language processing and machine learning have made these AI companions more capable of simulating empathy, understanding context, and fostering deeper connections. ALongside these technological advancements comes with societal acceptance of these tech-based relationships. As AI continues to evolve the boundary between human and non-human interaction is becoming increasingly fluid, offering new possibilities for companionship but also raising ethical questions about the future of human connection and what is means to form genuine relationships in a digital age.

AI keeping up with music

Chloe' T.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

What has changed is the music industry. The shifting boundary started in the late 20th century, more or so recently. Iā€™ve learned about AIā€™s influence through TikTok, where AI-generated music is becoming increasingly common, how it can produce music and much more. For example, when artists canā€™t think of how to start music or content for their music, there is an app or tool called BandLab that is AI-generated to help with songs. It creates possibilities for artists to experiment with new sounds and styles without needing as much technical knowledge. In addition, it provides inspiration to artists to start a new project, offering a foundation upon which they can build. AI can now produce originals, break compositions for remixing, and even help tailor playlists to match specific moods or vibes. It enhances the listening experience by introducing songs that align with individual tastes and emotional states, making music discovery more engaging and efficient. My thoughts on AI with music can be a little weird because recently, there was a situation between two artists, and everyone thought the artist made a new song when AI used the artistā€™s voice to create a new song which freaked me out a little. I say that because it blurs the line between authentic and artificial music. The ability to replicate voices through the lines between real and AI-generated content raises concerns about copyrights and the rights of artists. Despite these concerns, I can see how AI could be valuable for musicians and creators. While Iā€™m not an artist or songwriter myself, AIā€™s involvement could help streamline the creative process and make music production more accessible for many. As years go on moving forward will be finding a balance between embracing AIā€™s innovative potential and protecting the integrity and rights of artists in the process.

A Thousand Genders?!

Justice K.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A common theme of the cyberpunk genre is the disintegration of common cultural or political boundaries. In the past few years, we have seen a monumental shift when it comes to the boundary of gender. Growing up, all I remember being taught is that there are two genders: male and female. Now, things have drastically changed. When doing research for this post, the first question I researched was ā€œhow many genders are there?ā€, and I was shocked when the first result that popped up said 72! As I continued to research, I found an article from Teen Talk that explained the concept of gender identity. From the article I learned that gender identity is purely how someone chooses to view themself, and it is not based on their genitals. I also learned of a new gender term ā€˜two-spiritā€™, in which a person is not limited to just one gender and can walk back and forth between genders. This is an example of how our society has collapsed the boundary of gender. Before, gender was based on anatomy, now, it is based upon how the individual chooses to identify. This aligns with some of the views of humanism because people now have the right to choose their gender in order to do whatever makes them happy and give them the best life experience possible. I believe that this shift of the gender boundary is the product of our society’s attempt to become more inclusive. In order to make as much of the population as possible feel respected and safe, we have done away with many established practices. For example, the airport in Kansas City, Missouri now has all-gender bathrooms that will allow travelers more privacy and security. They did this in order to increase both efficiency and inclusivity for all travelers (Kite, 2019).Ā 

The Blurred Lines of Social Media

Rudy W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Within the last five years, there has been a major shift in the parasocial relationships that exist between public figures or ā€˜celebertiesā€™ and their fanbases. Before social media, artists connected with their fan bases in a more formal fashion such as television appearances, concerts, meet and greets, andĀ  radio show appearances.There was a very limited direct connection between a celebrity and their fans which gave them room to curate an image of themselves that resonated with their targeted audience and allowed them to romanticize their persona and create parasocial relationships with them.Ā 

Now that social media is as widely used as it is, the connection between artist and fan has faced a major shift. Social media platforms such as Instagram,TikTok, and most specifially Twitter have been utilized by celebrities to grow their fanbases. Nicki Minaj is one example of a celebrity who interacts with their fanbase on a personal level. Artists such as Cardi B. go ā€œliveā€ on their social media pages which is another way that artists can directly interact with their fans. 

Social media has allowed celebrities to become more accessible. Many fans have taken to directly calling out to their favorite artists on social media platforms and in some cases, the artist will respond and interact with them. Celebrities have used social media as a way to increase engagement with their fans as a way to maintain relevance. While this has been good for both the celebrity and fans, the parasocial relationships that have been created have created a false sense of intimacy in which boundaries tend to be pushed. 

Celebrities who choose to engage with their fans on social platforms run the risk of interference in their private lives. Before social media, celebrities were able to establish certain boundaries that ensured their privacy and accessibility was protected. When social media became increasingly popular and fans became able to directly communicate with their favorite celebrities, many celebrities were made to feel vulnerable in the sense that fans felt that were entitled to their attention and access at any given time. 

I believe this major change occurred during the pandemic when social media was the main source of human contact for almost two years. In the early months of the pandemic, many artists took to social media and utilized their platforms to interact with their fans in ways such as digital concerts, Q&A sessions, and simply responding to social media posts. I believe that many celebrities saw this as a good thing due to the fact that fans were staying engaged with their content and it was keeping the public focus on them, however in a way it backfired when fans started to become entitled to receiving a response from their favorite celebrities when they saw how easy it was to get their attention. 

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 areā€”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.

Tutor or Tutee?

Liyah G.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The shift between being the tutor to being the tutee resembles the relationship between humans and non-humans. In the Cyberpunk genre, the boundary between humans and non-humans has gradually blended over time. This blend demonstrates the advancement of technology and this genre as a whole. 

As humans are the tutors and non-humans are the tutees, there comes a time when the tutee becomes the tutor. Since humans are the creators and teachers of non-humans, they equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive in the world. Non-humans absorb everything they are taught, but isnā€™t it natural to learn new things in everyday experiences? Yes, and that is where the blend begins, as non-humans begin to adapt to a humanist world, they begin to resemble humans. Here in this article, https://incyber.org/en/article/ex-machina-a-film-that-explores-the-intimate-relationships-between-humans-and-machines and-much-more/ the relationship between humans and non-humans are explored deeper.Ā 

https://incyber.org/en/article/ex-machina-a-film-that-explores-the-intimate-relationships-between-humans-and-machinesand-much-more

In this genre, non-humans are used to serve as a different version of humans, a more knowledgeable and equipped being made to help humans where they lack. In this case, the more help humans need, the more likely non-humans are going to resemble humans. This need for help from non-humans and the ability for them to interact with humans naturally is discussed more in detail in the following article, https://medium.com/@demzou.art/robots-why-do-we-need-To-make-them-look-like-us-research-theory-cce4913da44d. Going back to the analogy of the tutor and the tutee, one day the tutee does become the tutor, and in this case it is good, but when it is humans and non-humans, that can be scary. There have been many books, shows, and films that demonstrate the fear of non-humans taking over humans. As technology is advancing all over the world, it is a common fear to have, as more and more machines we use everyday are becoming more and more human-like. For example, there are cars that drive themself, programs that can have normal human conversations, and robotic vacuums that will clean the entire house. As these machines continue to advance and become human-like, humans begin to depend on them more and lose their human skills and knowledge; and that is where the tutee becomes the tutor.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/human-machine-collaboration-future-work-logical-design-solutions

A Day in the Life

Zakiyah M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

One boundary that has shifted greatly is the boundaries of culture. As the use of social media continues to grow worldwide, we see a change in the influence of all of those who use it. In the advent of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram (reels), and TikTok, individuals are able to share and connect with people across the world within seconds. These connections allow for individuals to view the norms and traditions of others with the tap of a finger. Recipes are shared, fashion is influenced, and even languages are changed. Through the access of social media, you are able to find people across the world using languages that originated from others. For example, the term “gyat” being used by individuals of all races across the globe though it was a term that originated in the African American community. We see brands like Uniqlo which originated in japan grow and become more popular in other countries through advertisements on social media. This intercultural exchange is so seamless that many people do not even recognize it. In particular, this makes me think of recent events in which Twitter was banned in the country of Brazil. Many twitter users were surprised by how many accounts were run by Brazilian users without them even recognizing it until these users revealed that their accounts would no longer be active. With the exposure to users from so many different cultures, individuals no longer have to travel far to experience and be influenced by cultures that are not their own. Individuals are learning more about the culture of others and able to absorb this knowledge to use in their own daily lives. As cultures continue to spread through use of social media, it can only be presumed that one day in the far future, the cultures that once divided us as people from specific parts of the world will become far less distinguishable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/world/americas/brazil-elon-musk-x-blocked.html

Cunning Takeover of AI

Micah W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

One shifting boundary that has become prevalent in our society is human vs nonhumans more specifically the use of AI. AI is also known as Artificial Intelligence, the use of AI has helped facilitate business and simple life practices by simplifying complex problems and allowing for a more easier way to resolve issues. One specific form of AI that I have seen most recently is ChatGPT. Thanks to Covid school was moved online which made students lazy and unmotivated to try and interact with their courses which resulted in them using ChatGPT. ChatGPT was the perfect example of how AI made life simple. You would type your question in the chat box and wallah you were given a productive response that sounded scholarly. It also took about fifteen seconds or less to formulate a response. However, because this use of ChatGPT was through the roof it shifted professors’ perspective of their students in the classroom. ChatGPT has caused teachers to use more secure and rigorous ways to detect AI, because their students don’t want to learn anymore, leading them to change their lesson plans so they can avoid cheating and plagiarism. Therefore, while AI has managed to make our lives easier, it has made students lack a creative response and drive to solve problems or write essays in their distinct way. Moreover, another example of AI I have seen is automation in grocery stores. When I go to the grocery store I see fewer humans to help me check out and more self-checkout machines. There comes to a point where yes, this machine is helping make these companies more money. However, it becomes more prominent every day that these machines are taking away simple jobs that help people in our society stay afloat. To conclude we have made these different forms of technology to solve our problems and reduce any further confusion while making big corporations rich. However, these advancements also come with a cost which is putting most individuals without a job and making us less creative when it comes to expressing ourselves.