Cybernetic Organisms

[Nate]

And I think Nate showed me a video of a little girl, iirc.

I don't think they're actually electronic, though. I believe they're just there to support her arms and bear the weight, but the motion all comes from her.

It's a really sweet video, so I'll post it again.

If or when human augmentation comes around, it is only going to create a larger disparity between rich and poor people, which is why I'm primarily against it.

You're right. But even among the rich people there's going to be disparity between the people with version 1.0 of the enhancements and the people with version 2.0.

Think about how pissed off people get when there's a new iPhone. Imagine what it's going to be like when an actual part of your body has been superseded, and it's going to mean surgery and a shitload of money to be upgraded.

[MA]

You're right. But even among the rich people there's going to be disparity between the people with version 1.0 of the enhancements and the people with version 2.0.

Think about how pissed off people get when there's a new iPhone. Imagine what it's going to be like when an actual part of your body has been superseded, and it's going to mean surgery and a shitload of money to be upgraded.

you'd have to be able to upgrade yourself, as well as maintain yourself to eliminate that problem. money is a cunt though, i don't know how you would solve the class divide issue. unless you made the implants free or part of a scheme. cyborg insurance?

[Bullet Magnet]

National Bionics Service.

I can think of one reason: they need to function in an environment designed for human limbs.

Not always. Besides, a major use of, say, hands, is to manipulate tools. But the dexterity required is difficult to achieve with bionics. But if the limb itself is the tool, much of the problem is bypassed. It's the difference between trying to operate a power tool with a prosthetic arm, and having an arm that ends with a power tool.

Naturally it would need to be modular.

[Nate]

you'd have to be able to upgrade yourself

What are you basing that on? Of the technology that I currently own, very little of it is easily upgradeable.

[MA]

National Bionics Service.

i like the sound of it.

What are you basing that on? Of the technology that I currently own, very little of it is easily upgradeable.

i'm not saying it would be easy, or even possible, i'm saying it could be an ideal solution to the problem if we work at trying to make this technology possible.

[Nate]

i'm not saying it would be easy, or even possible, i'm saying it could be an ideal solution to the problem if we work at trying to make this technology possible.

In theory, yes. But these things only go so far. For instance, I built a new computer this year. I'll be able to upgrade almost every component for the next few years, but then Intel's pinsets will change, DDR5 will become the standard memory type, a new PCI standard will come out, USB4.0, etc. And at that point I'll be forced to buy a new motherboard. And buying a new motherboard is metaphorically equivalent to having surgery to insert new tech in to my body that the implants will need to interface with.

[MA]

then becoming a cyborg would require a lifetime of dedication. a possible career path in the future.

[Mac Sirloin]

In theory, yes. But these things only go so far. For instance, I built a new computer this year. I'll be able to upgrade almost every component for the next few years, but then Intel's pinsets will change, DDR5 will become the standard memory type, a new PCI standard will come out, USB4.0, etc. And at that point I'll be forced to buy a new motherboard. And buying a new motherboard is metaphorically equivalent to having surgery to insert new tech in to my body that the implants will need to interface with.

I put forth that the primary cost for these magical space limbs will be for implanting tiny receptors or transmitters that interface with your nerves, and thus the 'upgrade' aspect will be about maintaining high-quality nerve conductors on a bi-annual basis and selling the actual cybernetics on a more consumption friendly platform similar to cellphones and eventually, like video games. Get a new implant every month. Every week. An arm for every hour.

This is assuming that the driving force for cybernetics will be about actual integration to your nervous system and not responding to muscle flexing, in which case it will be focused on range of movement, comfort and features.

[scrabface]

[gishygleb]

[AlexFili]

At a very basic level, maybe, but there's too much at stake really. Wouldn't want to have a malfunctioning part of my body

[Queen Skillya]

As long as I cannot be tracked by complete strangers while using the technology and have an unaltered brain using it then yes. I wouldn't want to have a BSOD, so to speak, and go nuts and or fall over dead. I'd like to have some Doctor Octavius arms like those seen in the Spiderman 2 film. That'd be awesome!

[Phylum]

How exactly do you expect to control these octo-arms with your puny human bran?

[Queen Skillya]

The human brain can create new neural pathways so I don't expect it to be too hard. Just take some learning to do. Besides some people are especially good at multi-tasking.

Real bionic elephant trunk looks and functions very similar to Doc Ock arms: http://www.popsci.com/technology/art...eraction-safer

[Wings of Fire]

The human brain can create new neural pathways so I don't expect it to be too hard.

Neurogenesis, while possible, is a lot more difficult than you are implying. For you to ever become fluent at controlling extra limbs, you'd need to have familiarity with them before the brain lateralizes.

[OANST]

Also before it verticalizes. Am I well?