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(Post-)Human Nature v.2.1 |
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The
Post-human as Technological Artefact:
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| In a
fully-fledged post-human state people can be defined as technological
artefacts, or as a representation of a technological artefact.
Post-humanism is a state of being that confuses the boundaries between the
original and the fake (or manufactured) and which can make the boundaries
between them obsolete. The manufactured elements of post-human life become
natural in the sense that the technology is accepted and almost never
second-guessed. The post-human is a mixture of a technological and
biological entity either in the physical or emotional/psychological sense.
Post-humanism is an evolutionary stage in humankind involving mostly
technological innovation and its incorporation into our everyday function.
Post-humanism creeps up on us when no one pays attention-it comes in the
form of scientific discoveries and experiments from the development of
cloning, to the manufacturing of bio-chips used to monitor and regulate
the flow of insulin in our bodies. Post-humanism begins to develop as
people form strong physical and emotional bonds between themselves and the
technology they use.
While people today do not consider themselves to be post-humanists we are getting closer to becoming technological artefacts. We are in a society where virtual worlds and avatars are created for the Internet, where some people are only able to function with artificial prosthetics or implanted organs, and where people are relying more on technology to perform everyday tasks with the development of "new and improved" computer technologies. Because technologies can often break existing human limitations, the idea of the post-human as technological artefact is highly appealing. People will adopt technology into their lives with the general attitude of acceptance and optimism with its promises of possibilities. As (representations of) technological artefacts, the post-human is only limited by the technology they use. For example, a person whose body is 30% cybernetic may be able to access the Internet and download files into an embedded chip through the use of an optic device and voice command, and may be able to overcome a physical handicap through synthetic nerve implants. The possibilities offered by technology allow the post-human to move beyond physical limitations by becoming part of a technology. The post-human can attain a greater sense of "perfection" by overcoming mental and physical shortcomings. With the close relationship that the post-human has with technology, s/he becomes a technical artefact that is valued for his/her technical capacity and functionality. The post-human becomes the technology that s/he uses. The development of technology is often seen as a positive advancement because it captures the imagination and invokes in us feelings of hope. However, because we have not yet reached the post-human state, the possibilities for the future are multi-faceted-the future can lead us into a post-human state of optimistic promises, or one of limitation. With increasing reliance on technology, post-humans can be reduced to becoming automatons who operate solely for a defined purpose or function. The dependency can be enslaving if the technology develops around themes of power and control. The post-human can become manipulated or controlled by those who command (or manufacture) the technology. The direction of post-humanism will depend on how technology is developed and in what ways the technology is implemented into post-human culture. As technological artefact, the post-human will develop as the technology develops. If the technology is abused, the post-human will be abused. If technology is developed as a war-machine, the post-human will become a war-machine. If technology can stimulate a person's brain to function 22 hours a day without sleep, the post-human will work for that amount of time. With so many possibilities the ultimate question for the post-human would be: Who or what will we become? The post-human answer: Whatever you want to become, provided you consider all possible avenues of technological innovation and implementation.
© Winnie Mah 2000
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