By it’s very truest definition, technology has been with us since the first rock was lifted and used to break open a nut. But did you ever think of yourself as a cyborg?
If you have a mobile phone, even an old one, if you have a bluetooth earpiece, if you use a GPS to get from one place to another, to me you’re interacting with technology in an embodied way. I don’t think you need a device to be surgically implanted to be a cyborg. By it’s ubiquitous use, the technology has become a part of you, and I’m willing to bet that you use it unthinkingly as a tool in your everyday life, much like you use your opposable thumbs for doing all sorts of things.
With our Smartphones as our constant companions, and our GPS, we are never truly separate from our technology.
When was the last time that you deliberately left your phone at home?
Or accidentally left it and experienced that moment of floating disconnection when you realised that for a short period of time you’d be unable to access the collective?
When thinking about our technology, a psychiatrist friend in conversation the other day wondered whether he would soon be treating people with legitimate grief when their phones died or had some mishap that rendered them useless; people are so attached to them.
Another friend-of-a-friend on Facebook posted a picture of her birthday cake: a larger-than-life iPhone, complete with games, apps, etc, all modelled on her very own phone.
Some of us don’t put boundaries on our connectivity at all, and are available whenever, wherever, to whoever. For myself, I love having and using an iPhone, but I haven’t enabled email on it. I just don’t want to. But the amount of people who can’t understand my reluctance is vastly more than those who do.
So in my opinion, we are all cyborgs.
The differences between us are purely brand and boundaries.
We have never lived in a better time to communicate and generate ideas, transmit them and access other people’s. We live in amazing, interesting, inspiring times: let’s embrace them!
The New Age woo-woo movement has been predicting the rise of people accessing the Collective Unconscious in this millennium for decades: I think this is it. The internet. Smart phones. Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, Pinterest and all the rest.
I just don’t think they thought we’d have to be cyborgs to do it!
——————————————————————————————————
I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment by clicking on Comments above. I’m happy to continue the conversation by email too: tamara at tamaraprotassow dot com
It is interesting to note for the past month or two my thoughts have been on this very topic My impression has been so strong I have begun a write on the subject.. Right now in early draft form, but I hope to publish in a few days.
All that i have read to date, cyborg has focused on a internal connection , man and machine..Not unlike grafting a process used to join two types of plant to create one brand new. You have introduced another dimension with the external connection.
External internal, it all fits as we expand our focus to the big picture..Clearly defining what we see how. Historically man has evolved in order tom adapt to the changing world around him..These changes occur in all areas physical, mental and spiritual.The chain reaction of stimula promotes the change from old to new.
In closing, the trend or direction of mans evolution isi becoming more mechanized. .Stronger and longer lasting body parts, a larger mental capacity to process the increase of information are just two of the many influences that will bring about the new man.
Very interesting, nikgee! It was during a Writing for the Web Graduate course that I was introduced to the idea that any technology that we interact with turns us into cyborgs. It’s certainly an idea that’s made an impression on me. I remember being pretty weirded-out when I first saw a bluetooth earpiece worn! I’d love to read your piece when you finish it.
I too have noticed a change in human behavior since ..Oh it hard to put a date on it .I guess the advent of the cell phone. Would I be safe to say 9 out of 10 people have a cell phone with them at all times. It is not uncommon to see someone walking about seemingly talking to them self but in reality is talking to a person a distance away.
To you and I it would appear a little odd, buy this newer generation, having no memories before cell phones, it is all natural to them The simple need for a form of communication to talk with ones at a distance has evolved into, well what it is.
It walks you up in the morning. May I add with an audible voice. Optional of course.Reminds you of things. Shows you where to go. And tucks you into bed at night.Sadly a closer companion than other humans. Right or wrong good or bad I can’t say. It is what it is.
I do believe this is but a tip of the iceberg.There are so many changes in our new world. I don’t believe it wishes us harm But to survive we must accept the reality of the change and make the adjustments.
I don’t know do you think I am talking a bit sci-fi. Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s fiction. As you can see I got a lot to say on this topic And have only scratched the surface. Hope we can talk further as time goes on. Have a good day
.