ISTA 301 Blog: Are we Cyborgs?

      If you didn't know I'm part of Generation Z or the iGeneration or even better yet the #Generation. What will my generation, whatever you want to call it, be remembered by? Lots, and not a lot of greatness, but in my mind technology is our staple. The internet, video games, TV, laptops and of course the most important tool of the century, the cell/smartphone. No one would argue otherwise. I mean try and name someone you know that doesn't have a cellphone? You probably can't because everyone has one. They are ever present in your pocket or purse. Constantly ringing and vibrating. Most would struggle getting though the day without their trusty dusty iPhone which brings me to the topic of the day, cyborgs.
       Now I know what your thinking, cyborgs? Like the ones in the movies? You think they are fake (and they clearly are) but I am going to argue there is one sitting in front of the cellphone or computer screen your reading off of right now. That's right your a cyborg! Panicking yet? Let me explain further. First a definition of a cyborg from my favorite "reliable" web resource Wikipedia.

            A cyborg, short for "cybernetic organism", is a being with both biological and artificial
            (i.e. electronic, mechanical, or robotic) parts.

      So were a being, check, with biological parts, check, with an artificial part attached, I say check. Ask yourself how attached you are to your cellphone right now. I have a good feeling that it is either in your pocket or within arms reach. Needless to say, whether we like it or not, we have an emotional and subconscious attachment to our cellphones. So your a cyborg. Let me trying a further convince you.
      Human-computer interaction is an exploding field in today's technology driven economy. Wiki says it "involves the study, planning and design of the interaction between people (users) and computers." A great example is the Google Glass project. Maybe you like the thought of having a little cybernetic help in your everyday life. Take of look:

   
      Yup I'm jealous and when these babies come out I'll be the first in line to pick up a pair. Its kinda hard to see but the idea is you wear these glasses that displays all the information you saw in the video and hopefully more in the future. So here's a perfect example of how we are becoming cyborgs. Technology interfacing with humans beings seamlessly. The ultimate question: is this a good thing?
      Try and remember the last time you wrote a letter by hand. Yeah with a pencil or pen. Now remember if you were wishing the whole time you had spell check. I know I do all the time just when taking notes in class. (Of course I'm a terrible speller.) An even more concerning effect of great human-computer interaction is the decay of social skills in the text message/cellphone era. There has been great concern expressed by psychologists and anthropologists over the lack of face to face interaction. Is it hurting the human social scene or helping it? That's for others to argue but an interesting subject to think about.
      Still there are countless great stories where this type of technology has only helped those in need. Here Neil Harbisson to demonstrate:

      Another great story that hits close to home is Segs4Vets. A organization that gives Segways to injured american veterans. Check out this video narrated by retired USMC Mike Hodge:

      I've ridden a Segway and can see why those machines are helping so much in our wounded warriors lives. These are the things that come out of truly amazing innovation in the field of cyborgs and I hope that in the future more projects like these continue to change our lives for the good. - Laters