Tag: BP06

This past year I have seen and become aware of technology that seems futuristic in my eyes. For example, ChatGPT still feels surreal to use because it literally knows more than an educated human and that is scary. I also know that there are modifications or additions that can be made to humans to make use more advanced.I’ve heard of bionic limbs and of course we have heart implants and cochlear implants already. In my lifetime I could definitely see there being technology made for each body part that enables bionic abilities.

As of right now, I can’t even imagine myself going through with any procedure that would make me more advanced. The most I could see myself doing is bionic eyes (if that is invented).I would enjoy having eyesight thats better than human eyesight. Sometimes with glasses,I still wish I could see clearer (like if I was at a concert in really high seats). With that being said, I could see my opinion changing if everyone around me has multiple augmentations. Society could very likely evolve in a way that makes human augmentation normal and widespread.

In addition, I think adaptations such as supplements or technology that increase your intelligence would be unappceptable. I think that would be a shortcut for mankind,and one that could disrupt it. I can’t imagine a world where everyo0ne is on the same level intellectually. Although its great to have intelligent people, I think it is also great for us to embrace our differences and intelligence is one of them. Ultimately, I can see augmentations in the future as things that make us more a like and decreases individuality. In conclusion, the same way that AI makes us feel useless, I think augmentations would make us feel less individualistic. 

As we progress into the future, human augmentation is likely to advance rapidly, offering new ways to enhance individual lives and reshape society, both physically and mentally. Emerging technologies will improve our cognitive abilities, such as memory, learning, and problem-solving, allowing us to process information more quickly and efficiently. These advancements could also significantly enhance our physical well-being by boosting traits like strength, intelligence, and even immunity. With these improvements, we could potentially live longer, healthier lives, with reduced chances of chronic illness. In the most extreme scenarios, as depicted in movies like “Alita: Battle Angel” , we may even reach a point where our physical bodies are no longer necessary at all, just our brains could remain, housed in robotic bodies. Alita, for example, was a cyborg whose body was entirely robotic, but her brain remained human, demonstrating how technology could free us from the limitations of our mortal form.I personally would be open to trying augmentations that improve my memory. As a student I would like to be able to easily retain the information that is taught to me without the hours of constant stress of worrying if I will be able to remember the information when it is needed. If I had an augmentation that improved my memory and allowed me to take a snapshot of my notes I would be able to live life more carefree. The adaptation that would be unacceptable in my view would be mind uploading. While mind uploading might help enhance the lives of others there should be limits. Like in the movie Alita, mind uploading raises profound questions surrounding identity and the essence of life. This technology would deepen social inequalities and create a future where only the wealthy have access to immortality or enhanced abilities, fundamentally altering the human experience in ways that may not be desirable.

I believe that human augmentation will advance from a medical necessity to a personal enhancement in my lifetime. In order to treat diseases or disabilities, modern technology such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs are mostly rehabilitative. As these technologies progress and become more inexpensive, their focus is likely to turn to efficiency. While neural implants could improve cognitive function or memory, gene-editing methods may make it possible to eliminate inherited diseases or even select for traits that one would want. Implantable devices that offer health monitoring in real time or enhance physical traits like strength or endurance could replace wearable technology. 

I would be able to argue for modifications that would enhance the health and standard of living because of these options. For example, to avoid cognitive loss that is associated with aging, I would look into brain enhancements or devices that improve the senses, such as VR implants. These inventions have the ability to improve not just the lives of individuals but also the efficiency and well-being of society as a whole. 

However, I do believe that certain modifications are ethically questionable. For example, genetic alterations meant to improve IQ or superficial traits may worsen social inequality by dividing those who can afford these advancements from the ones who cannot. In the same way, philosophical questions over what it means to be human are raised by enhancements that significantly blur the line between human and machine, such as full-body cyborg transformations or artificially intelligent networks which destroy individual autonomy. These changes run the risk of destroying the basic characteristics of individuality and identity, transforming people into a divided and commercialized person. 

Finally, human enhancements and modifications will bring both amazing potential and significant challenges. I favor inventions that improve equality, health, and the well-being of all people, but believe society has to carefully find a balance between advancement and morals to keep our common humanity in mind. 

Humans Vs AI a concept that we contemplate daily. As I think about the future of human augmentation and what it makes look like in my lifetime I’m torn. On the one hand, I’m excited for the new possibilities’ technology would bring about. On the other hand, I have cause for concern for the loss of humanity. It was a time when enhanced physical abilities were things produced in movies and now, they happen. There are endless possiblities when it comes to technology. But this begs the question how far do we take it? What does it mean to be human? How far should alterations go?  

Personally, I’d be open to some of these changes, but only if they align with who I am and what I value. For example, enhanced prosthetics could make everyday tasks easier, especially for people with disabilities. These technologies could help us push past natural limitations and open new ways to experience the world. I’d also consider mental and physical improvement of memory or learning speed in the elderly. I might also be interested in augmentations that improve physical endurance or reduce wear and tear on my body as I age. These kinds of enhancements improve the quality of life and have the power to change many lives.  

Although I am comfortable with some adaptations there are some things I wouldn’t be ok with. For instance, any modifications that are driven by superficial reasons, like achieving a “perfect” version of myself. These kinds of changes seem to prioritize societal standards over individuality and could lead to a loss of what makes humans unique. I’d also draw the line at technologies that compromise anyone’s personal freedoms. Any technology that is created with the intention to oppress others wouldn’t be accepted either. Also, anything that the majority of people couldn’t have access to because of economics and status. The idea of a world where augmentations are required to succeed, leaving those who don’t have the means behind, is something I’d be strongly against. In the end, I believe that human augmentation has the potential to change lives and the world, but only if its used as a tool and maintains humanity and individuality.  

After learning about the many  uses of technology in present society I have seen the start of  human augmentation and the potential growth of it. In current society, if someone has something about themselves that they don’t like such as their nose, skin tone, height, etc., they can get a surgery to change it. People get procedures to augment any part of their body through the use of cosmetic surgery. Through the use of prosthetics, amputees have been able to regain mobility and use of their other limbs. In the future, I believe I will see human augmentations with AI in it. These procedures would likely enhance their prosthetic’s capabilities through the use of AI, thus giving the people almost superhuman abilities. I believe that people who can afford the procedure would likely get it. This is because many people would love to be able to do and try things they once could not. For others, we may see them getting the procedure to try to be on a leveled playing field as those who have the augmentations. 

These augmentations may be cool, however, I personally would not want to augment my body. I naturally have everything that I need and through acquisition of knowledge I can grow without have to cause modifications to my body. Although the idea of getting augmentations that could make me be stronger and able to think faster sounds nice, the reality is that with more power comes more responsibility. Any adaptation that adds additional power to people is unacceptable in my view. Many people who have power in other ways such as through money, popularity, or weaponry typically misuse and abuse groups that they view as lesser than them. In some cases, they may not even intentionally harm these individuals but they can get caught in the crossfire between them and other individuals who have equal power. These augmentations would cause another source of harm to society.