It is said that history repeats itself.  However, this is not to say that humanity is in a time loop that restarts every twenty years.  It is more a statement that as we progress as a society, new situations come to light that can often run parallel to past scenarios of a similar nature.

With advancements in cybernetic enhancements such as OHMDs (optical head mounted displays) and mechanical exoskeletons, there has been an explosion of popularity and such tools are becoming much more prevalent in everyday life.  With this transition into an age of Cybernetic Augmentation, it is likely that there will be some form of backlash from the general population.

Ex. 1- Segregation

In the past, there has been a history of racial and non-racial segregation around the world and most notably in the united states.  The age of racial inequality is mostly passed at this point but now we reach a new point of contention.  It is likely that there will be a split between those who have cybernetic enhancements, and those who are morally or otherwise opposed to them.  It has been seen in effect recently.  It is clear that there are groups of people who are opposed to the use of OHMDs as seen in 2012 when a man was attacked in a restaurant in Paris by men who objected to the use of his digital glasses.

It is possible that these events could grow to such a scale that Anti-Augmentation groups arise (as seen in the Deus-Ex video game series henceforth referred to as Humanists) and cause a revolution of sorts.  The end result is a split between Humanists and the Cybernetically Augmented in which a scenario arises much like that of the discrimination of African Americans in the time of slavery.

Ex. 2- Equal Rights

In he past, there have been cases of inequality in rights for people of different races and genders.  There are still movements for the equality of rights between genders happening today, such as the Feminist and Transgender movements.  It is possible that advancements in Artificial Intelligence(AI) could be made in such a way that entirely digital consciousness is achieved and the only distinguishing characteristics between humans and AI is life itself.  Arguments for the rights or against the rights on Artificial Humans would then be made similarly to the arguments seen between the rights of men, women, and transgender people of today.

Should an AI be treated any differently than a human if the only difference between the two is that one created the other?  Will humanity at some point, reach a time in which it is acceptable for a human and an AI to wed?  If advancements reach such a point that it is possible for a human consciousness to be digitized and transported into a non-physical form, does that person still retain the rights that they had when they were still human?  If that is the case, what is it then that makes a person human?  Is it consciousness or a physical body or something else altogether?

We all know how Shodan turned out…

Some might argue that because it is possible for an AI to surpass human knowledge and because it is possible for an AI to transport instantaneously across long distances and even be in multiple places at once, that it could become omnipotent and must have a fail-safe in place.  However, this leads to the issue of killing an AI.  Some may consider the destruction of a sentient being, whether digital, or physical, to be murder.  Others might argue that because an artificial being cannot feel pain, it is then acceptable, as it is not being subjected to anything unpleasant.

The advancements in cybernetic enhancements of today, certainly present many questions for humanity to dig into.  We must be very clear-minded and careful in our reactions to the aforementioned scenarios so as to prevent humanity from becoming a victim of its own past.

 

I don’t claim to have all the answers to the questions presented here and many of the answers I do have would not be to everyone’s liking.  That being said, I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.  If you’re reading this, speak your mind in the comments section below and let us know what you think.

 

About The Author

Tilghan
Author

I'm a freelance writer living in Texas. I've spent my entire life being absorbed by all manner of electronics and now I have a platform to talk about it.

2 Responses

  1. Swano
    Swano

    I think there will be a distinction between necessary(pacemakers and the other medical/clinical sort) and optional( enhancements, with the latter being heavily controversial in certain circles(conservatives/purists/naturalists or whatever you’d like to call them), with perhaps the creation of communities as effect, which then leads to the segregation that you pointed out.

    Very good article!
    My apologies if my English doesn’t make sense( not a native speaker)

     
  2. Active Wirehead
    Active Wirehead

    Awesome article.

    About your first point you are talking about Transhumanism (H+) by transforming the human condition and enhance the human capacities.

    Yes there will be enhancements. Most people will crave for it!
    Right now people who can afford it change their bodies with plastic surgery including implants. From a quick botox injection to a heavy medical surgery you will find people ready to enhance themselves.

    In a world where we encourage competition and people have to become the best of the best it is inevitable.