How we became Post Human

 Q:

Humans have limited capabilities. Humans sense the world in a restricted way, vision being the best of the senses. Humans understand the world in only 3 dimensions and communicate in a very slow, serial fashion called speech. But can this be improved on? Can we use technology to upgrade humans? Comment on this statement by Professor Kevin Warwick with reference to the image of the post human in popular culture. 


A: 

As Professor Warwick said, technology has never been rejected by humanity when it is useful. Im sure many people distrusted the telephone when it first arrived (calling it the work of the devil, or saying its not necessary or changes too much about daily life). But it was still embraced eventually and improved the quality of life and the speed at which we can communicate with each other.

However people do fear technology to a point. The Borg, The machines in the Matrix, and Skynet all play upon peoples distrust and fear of technology. when it comes to enhancing ourselves with technology people get nervous and threatened. We are closer to a time when technology will have the potential to change the human condition then ever before. Technology is rapidly improving at speeds we have never seen.

In Futurama in an episode called "Attack of the Killer App" the EyePhone is inserted directly behind your eye and projects a holographic screen in front of you. The characters talk to each other through this means even when sitting next to one another. Its a funny episode, but defiantly relates to this subject.

Technology is changing how we interact socially with Facebook and Twitter. but I don't think people are ready at this point in time to deal with technology changing us as humans biologically. Enhancement and augmentation being mainstream consideration are a far ways off. Right now these things are used in a strictly medical way with advanced Prosthetics, bacteria that can be built to help you, and even nanotechnology. This is the way it will stay for a very long time until social and everyday augmentation is a normal consideration (think strictly visual plastic surgery that is not related to medical emergencies).