Ted Talk - We are all cyborgs now.

As you may be aware from my blog I like new technology, I love the simplicity of some applications but I hate those which are complicated just for the sake of being complicated. I am also a big fan of Transhuman. I firmly believe that we as humans will not exist in our present form in the future. It is inevitable at the present rate of technology advancement and the additions of technology to the human body in the form of new knee joints, new prosthetic fully functioning limbs and microchip implants into humans brains and spines that we will become what Star Trek refers to as a type of 'Borg', a half human, half machine. In this Ted Talk by Amber Case she puts forward her theory that as we create technology, technology itself is causing us to evolve. She refers to us as a new version of 'button-clicking' homo sapiens, where instead of using our own brains we now rely on 'external brains'' such as computers and mobile phones in order to communicate with others. Even to the extent of using mobile technology as our memories and using the same technology to live out a secondary life through the invisible network of the internet and mobile phone network. As a result of this Amber discusses whether through this evolution and advancement in new technology will homo sapiens actually remain in control of the technology. 

Amber tells us that 'we are all cyborgs', not in the Robocop way, but every time we use our computer or mobile phone. Amber states that a cyborg is an organism 'to which exogeneous components have been added for the purpose of adapting to new environments'. Traditionally, humans have made tools to use as an extension to our physical self, such as cars, aeroplanes, tools. However, what we are producing now is an extension of our mental self. How much information does our mobile technology hold ? if it was printed off on paper it would weigh a lot, too much to carry, and we add to it every day. All of us online now have secondary selves, they exist even when we are not using the technology once they have been created. They also need attention in order for them to function properly and maintenance. people also interact with these second selves when you are not there. You have to keep your presentation in your analogue life AND your digital life. Amber then puts forward the case that people now go through two adolescences, once in your analogue life and again in your digital life. 

Amber discusses the fact that a mobile phone is a wormhole, we do not physically transport ourselves around our world, but we mentally transport ourselves instead. We can now stand on one side of our planet and be heard on the other side. The downside of all this contact and invisible networking is that we are all in continuous contact with everyone. Whether it is active or not, it does not allow us to have mental self-reflection. Amber has quite rightly concerns about this. If you have no mental self reflection how can you figure out yourself who you really are. Once you can figure out who you are you can then go forward and present your second self to the world instead of just dealing with all the e-mails and information that floods into your technological devices. It is concerning that children are now getting used to using their devices and being addicted to their devices whilst ignoring their true selves and having no time for self reflection. We live in a digital world, Amber suggests that technology is not taking over, but that we as humans are communicating in a different way. She suggests that it is making us more human. On one level I get it, but on others I have my reservations. It is an interesting talk coming from the view of an anthropologist into the new species of Homo Sapiens.