Week 3 Response to Content

The idea of being able to move a cursor on a computer with just the power of one’s mind is a baffling one. It makes one wonder just how far technology will advance and, if in generations to come people will no longer be people, rather cyborgs? This video clip depicts the idea of having communication technologies implanted inside of a person. Although this is in another language the idea of future technology is very clear. It also needs to be noted the age gap between the younger actors with the Nokia and Erickson phone chips installed in their finger and nose compared to the elderly man who is receiving a fax through farting. Another interesting notion present is that technology is still considered as being the use of mobile phones and fax machines, would technology not have passed this stage by the this time? Should communication be speaking telepathically?  

An opinion one might have on the matter is if scientists and the like can use this amazing new technology they are discovering to allow deaf people to hear, mute people to communicate and people suffering memory loss to remember, go for it. BUT, it does seems that the idea of creating the perfect ‘person’ by being able to learn Spanish instantly or become an expert in medicine by inserting microchips into our brains conjures up images of the matrix and a non-humane way of living.


The questions lies in how far this extreme new technology should be taken, should it just be used for medical purposes or does the population really want to become the perfect cyborg, and the average human no longer exist?  


reference
Halpern, Sue (2011) "Mind Control and the Internet", New York review of books June 23
https://learning.secure.griffith.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_101249_1&frame=top