Sci-Fi News and Reviews

Ultimate Cybernetic Upgrades

Today's post is a bit out there - nevertheless, I think it is very interesting! While cruising the web, I found this story: "Transhumanists See Top Ten Upgrades Everyone Will Want"

Now, the first thing that I thought when I read that title was - 'Who the frak are the Transhumanists?' Luckily, the author of the article anticipated my question. They defined the Transhumanists as "...philosophers who believe that one day, cybernetic upgrades will be so powerful, elegant, and inexpensive that everyone will want them." The article then goes on to list the top ten major cybernetic upgrades that they believe will be widely accepted and available by 2050. I have included the list below. Each one of these items has a full description in the article; however (*modesty off*), I think my sci-fi analogies summarized the topics better than the article's multiple paragraphs on each subject (*modesty back on again*).

#10. Disease immunity (like Painkller Jane!)
#9. Telemicroscopic, full-spectrum vision (like Superman!)
#8. Telepathy/Brain-Computer Interfacing (like the Matrix!)
#7. Super-strength (like the Six Million Dollar Man!)
#6. Improved appearance (like every supermodel!)
#5. Psychokinesis (like Jean Grey!)
#4. Autopoiesis/Allopoiesis (like a Starfish! Note that Autopoiesis is Greek for self-creation and Allopoiesis means other-creation. The article refers to this as a regenerative ability...or, an ability to create life from dirt.)
#3. Flight (like Superman, again!)
#2. Superintelligence (like me, dear reader!...or more to the point, like Brainiac)
#1. Immortality (no explanation necessary...like a vampire?)

Overall, it's a pretty good list. I would have dropped 'Improved Appearance' as something that really is not in the realm of cybernetics. Now, super hearing or super speed might have some benefits. But, for my cybernetic dollar, the Ultimate Cybernetic Upgrade would be a cyber-clone. That's right - I want another one of me! 'Cloney' would have all of my knowledge, could go to work for me, and substitute for me in situations where I was bored. My cybernetic link with good old 'Cloney' would keep me updated on his progress. I would expect to be notified if the clone encountered any new scenarios and then could transmit my reaction to him...so he could learn.

Now, that would be an upgrade!

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Posted by Fred on January 15, 2007 5:14 PM
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