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Post by machiavelli on Apr 30, 2009 21:02:52 GMT -5
Wow the amount of times Ive had this conversation around the stoner table. Almost as much as 'what kind of X-man would you like to be`? I would strongly recommend watching this Ted.com. clip about evolution and cybernetics www.ted.com/index.php/talks/gregory_stock_to_upgrade_is_human.htmlWhile I much prefer the way of evolution via Gene Manipulation, Cybernetics would be an amazing leap forward. Imagine being able to adjust your eyesight by being able to Zoom, see in IR or UV. or be able to access the Internet through your mind (I know I am a little far in this). The possibilities are limitless! Cybernetics would enhance our senses ten fold!
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Post by Rat Of Steel on Apr 30, 2009 21:03:02 GMT -5
I'm happy being human, why should I fuck with it. I sure as hell dont want to live forever *soft smile* Your loss, not mine.
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Post by wmdkitty on May 1, 2009 4:52:20 GMT -5
I'm thinking, cybernetics are a potential "workaround" for SCI and other nerve damage. If we can't fix the nerves themselves, why not use *wires* instead, rite? And, um, prosthetic limbs -- they're already making huge strides with those.
I can't see cybernetics being really, you know, a cosmetic thing -- not for quite a while, anyway -- because most of the potential uses are in the medical field. I suppose the Military is going to want "in" on it, and create "supersoldiers" ::sigh:: -- oh, *that* could go so horribly wrong... just look at the Borg!
Hey, they could combine cybernetics with a genetic-modification program, and you've got a recipe for fucking disaster. (Or a B-movie plot, a la "DOOM", which had *so* much potential for horror, and fucking FAILED.)
::shudder::
Maybe cybernetics aren't such a good thing...
ETA: So which one of you fuckers am I passing the bong to?
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Post by Rat Of Steel on May 1, 2009 9:09:06 GMT -5
Wow the amount of times Ive had this conversation around the stoner table. Almost as much as 'what kind of X-man would you like to be`? I'd gladly sacrifice a chance at mutant powers for myself, if I could be married to Mystique. ;D *Homer Simpson impression* Mmmm. Motoko Kusanagi.
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Post by cagnazzo on May 2, 2009 0:36:27 GMT -5
I'm thinking, cybernetics are a potential "workaround" for SCI and other nerve damage. If we can't fix the nerves themselves, why not use *wires* instead, rite? And, um, prosthetic limbs -- they're already making huge strides with those. I can't see cybernetics being really, you know, a cosmetic thing -- not for quite a while, anyway -- because most of the potential uses are in the medical field. I suppose the Military is going to want "in" on it, and create "supersoldiers" ::sigh:: -- oh, *that* could go so horribly wrong... just look at the Borg! Hey, they could combine cybernetics with a genetic-modification program, and you've got a recipe for fucking disaster. (Or a B-movie plot, a la "DOOM", which had *so* much potential for horror, and fucking FAILED.) ::shudder:: Maybe cybernetics aren't such a good thing... ETA: So which one of you fuckers am I passing the bong to? I'm going to do science to your post. As I do sometimes. Because everything is about science. Everything. Cybernetics are an amazing work around for problems, but as far as I know there's not been much progress on actually *bypassing* nerves. The problem is that nerves don't actually communicate with each other via electricity very often. They use electricity to conduct a signal along themselves (The nerves in legs can be up to a meter long), but they usually communicate with each other chemically. Another thing is that because of the way they're set up, nerves don't actually really "conduct" electricity along themselves. They're not conductive enough for the signal to stay strong by the time it gets to the other end. They actually the signal get boost along the way. I can explain that more if anyone wants, but it's not exactly simple so I'll just throw it out there. If someone wants to know, ask. Now then, those are reasons that it's difficult to do working around - it's a lot more complicated than lining a copper wire up right. However, I didn't mean to give the impression that it's not possible. There's great deals of research going into things like that. Though this is a little different, as it involves no bypassing, it shows that science actually is already pretty far in prosthetic limbs. And as far as super-soldiers, I wouldn't worry. By that of course I mean we're already screwed. They have super armament already - cameras, mines and assault rifles aren't going to be made much worse by strong soldiers, so I don't see why gene therapy would make it any worse. Though cybernetics can truly create strange things. I'm thinking when we can wire people up to IR cameras so they see in new spectra, that's going to make nights much more dangerous to those that can't see in it. And don't worry about the Borg, we're still at least a little away from true mind-control. Though, you know, the fact that we are already directly stimulating brains to change the effects of depression might alarm you. And the fact that we're already wiring people to cameras is probably also going to be alarming, given what I just said about other spectra. Despite all that I still don't think you need to be that alarmed, especially by borg-esque thoughts. What makes that scarier than normal people? It's not like there are no people who wouldn't crush everything in their way given the chance. And military programs around the world are designed to form cohesive fighting units made up of more or less interchangeable pieces.
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karl
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by karl on May 2, 2009 5:02:21 GMT -5
I am surprised that nobody has said that they want cybernetic nipples, so i will say it, i want cybernetic nipples, the left one to change the channel on my telly, the right one to browse the interweb.
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Post by wmdkitty on May 2, 2009 5:34:12 GMT -5
cagnazzo -- dude, when you've seen as many cheesy horror and sci-fi movies as I have, the mere mention of cybernetics causes a "shudder, twitch, twitch" reaction. (That and HOLY CRAP have you PLAYED DOOM 3?! It's fucking SCARY!)
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Post by cagnazzo on May 2, 2009 6:11:35 GMT -5
cagnazzo -- dude, when you've seen as many cheesy horror and sci-fi movies as I have, the mere mention of cybernetics causes a "shudder, twitch, twitch" reaction. (That and HOLY CRAP have you PLAYED DOOM 3?! It's fucking SCARY!) Oh, I know. I'm just saying you shouldn't worry, because we're already there. At least partially. And that you don't have to worry about humans changing into power hungry monsters, as those already exist. You only have to worry about them getting their hands on preexisting technology. I'm bad at this.
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Post by xaria on May 2, 2009 8:01:42 GMT -5
id like to see some work on genetic engineering. brain transplants into sexier bodies, winges etc. i want my sexy winged-body!
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Post by Sigmaleph on May 2, 2009 9:59:22 GMT -5
I second the vote for sexy winged bodies.
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Post by Rat Of Steel on May 2, 2009 10:39:20 GMT -5
I couldn't care less about wings. I just wanna put a few hundred more candles on my birthday cake. (Oh...that, and having wild, passionate sex with Major Kusanagi. )
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Post by Oriet on May 2, 2009 17:46:35 GMT -5
I'm all for cybernetics. The body is already a biological machine, so why not add in mechanical and electronic parts? Pacemakers, replacement limbs, insulin pumps, and more that I'm not yet aware of are already in common use, and they're still having further advancements. Not to downplay biological replacement/additive parts, as those are incredible in their own right too, but with proper advances technological replacements/augmentations will at the very least give an alternative treatment. Being able to cybernetically link a person's motor functions and senses into additional devices would lead to great advances in civil and military fields. Imagine construction workers being cybernetically jacked into a powersuit, able to lift as much as a forklift but maintain fine control, having the tools right where they need them, and having increased spectrum so they can see how the welds are doing and operate even during the night. Military applications would go even beyond that, allowing them to have immediate satellite or AWACS views of the area, wield far heavier armour and weaponry than a person can otherwise even lift, and have it respond faster and with greater control than similar systems not linked as directly to them.
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Post by wmdkitty on May 2, 2009 18:30:26 GMT -5
I second the vote for sexy winged bodies. Fuck wings, turn me into one of these!EDIT: tags...
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Post by Sigmaleph on May 2, 2009 19:15:06 GMT -5
Well, I'm for all forms of replacement bodies, and possibly multiple alternative bodies. Beats the hell out of plastic surgery.
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Pwnzerfaust
New Member
Arbiter of all things arbitrary
Posts: 41
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Post by Pwnzerfaust on May 2, 2009 19:42:09 GMT -5
I'd get strength or brain-power boosting implants if they became affordable and safe within my lifetime. Would be very nifty. I've always liked the idea of upgrading myself.
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