WE ARE BORN CYBORG

Felix Martin Lebedinzew (B-32013) und Jannis Paul Wicke (B-32242) im Lehrprojekt 1 bei Professor Lars Grau

Table of Contents

Objective of the Project 2

Research 2
History and Today 3
Model of Cyborg 4
Reality and Virtuality 6
2039 7
Brain Microchip 7
Enhanced Eye Lens 8
Nanobots 8

A normal Day in Stanleys Life 8

Society 9
Immortality 10
Conclusion 11
List of References 12
List of Images 13

WE ARE BORN CYBORG

Objective of the
Project

Research

In this project we are looking into the future 25 years and further.
As this is a very broad topic, affecting all areas of life, this text does
not claim to bring understanding to all of these areas, but instead
only offers a view on a few aspects. Nevertheless, this work will give
an overview over some opportunities and risks in the future made
possible by technology. It will identify the relationship between technology and nature with the human as our central topic. The human
and its environment, the relationship between reality and virtuality,
technological possibilities and society play a central role in this paper.

What kind of technology is used right now? And what is being developed today? Where will we be in 25 years? Researching through a
wide range of websites, magazines and even many sci-fi movies helped
us to get an overview and incentive of what might be possible in the
future. The concept of Space Elevator is one of many that might help
to bring humanity forward. Envision a life in outer space. This sounds
crazy but scientist are working on ideas to build prototypes and raise
the human to its next evolutionary stage and enable life on other planets
(cf. spaceref.com, 2013).Furthermore 3D-Printing is becoming more
important every day and is on its way to change the behavior of consumers enormously. The possibilities are endless: 3D-Printing could enable you to produce anything from food, over human tissue, to medicine
and your personal gadgets.
There could be possibilities to rebuild your own organic material and
strengthen your health to an unknown level. Also nearly every product
you are now buying in a shop could be crafted inside your own house.
There is a large range of opportunities and thesis to develop forward
bringing products inside the 3D-printing-industry and they will have
big effects on all of our lives (cf. Karberg, 2013).

Image 1: Space Elevator Concept

These are just a few futuristic concepts that have already been tested.
For now we focus on the closer connection between upcoming
technology and the body. A new race might establish the next level
on the evolutionary scale Cyborgs. The harmony of a self defined
corrected body advanced with technical enhancements to make life
easier. Upcoming changes in the industry and a dynamic digitalized
environment will affect the normal life.
We isolated a central question for this excerpt:
How will technology combined with the human body change our
everyday lives and our perception of reality and virtuality?

History and Today

Image 2: Deka Hand

In 1957 the first Cochlear Implant (restores the ability to hear) was
created. A controversial prosthetic, still the first neuroprosthetic
and a milestone in the history of medical technology (cf. Wikipedia
contributors, 2014). Over the past thirty years many other neuroprosthetics have been developed based on the same idea.
The Auditory Brainstem Implant replaced the Cochlear Implant by
now (cf. Wikipedia contributors, 2014) and the company Second
Sight has developed the Argus II, a retinal prothesis that improves the
ability to see for people with a degenerative eye disease (cf. Second
Sight Medical Products Inc. 2014).
DEKA has developed a robotic arm called Luke, after Luke Skywalkers artificial arm in Star Wars, that is controlled by the users brain
waves. It connects to the remaining muscle of the limb with electrodes and receives the commands straight from the biological tissue (cf.
Deka, 2014). Other implants can help patients with the Tourette syndrome, bladder and pain control or even some forms of tetraplegia (cf.
Wikipedia contributors, 2014).Another interesting development is the
possibility to print human in vitro cultivated cells, a new technology
that is currently being tested by Anthony Atala at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He uses a special printer to produce a
complete organ within just a few hours. Another machine first scans and
then applies the cells directly on the patients injury. (cf. Atala, 2011).
Nowadays those technologies are mainly being used for restorative
reasons but in the near future they might bring more benefits to the
field of medicine. However, a glimpse at the cyborg scene lets us
already conjecture further into the future.
Tan Les brain-computer-interface for example reads its users brainwaves, providing the possibility to control virtual objects and even physical electronics (cf. Le, 2010).Animals can be remotely controlled (N.

N., 2009) and technology has gained an ever-growing position.Humans

will surpass their original abilities with the power of technology.
The Australian Performance Artist Stelarc attached a mechanical
human-like hand to his right arm. This gadget was made to the dimensions of his real right hand. It offers him more options to interact
extraordinary to reality. For example a 290 degrees wrist rotation
(clockwise and counter-clockwise) is possible. Also a tactile feedback
system for a sense of touch is integrated.The most excellent part
is the control system. Motions of the third Arm are controlled by
electrical signals of the muscles (EMG). Signals from muscle contractions are elected, pre-amplified, intensified and sent to the control
system. Sterlacs performances of the third hand have been part of
cyborg discourses and he gives a preview of individuals been directly
connected with technological enhancements (cf. Arcadiou, 2014).

Image 3: Sterlac

There are many other examples of redefining the human body even
in sports. The topmodel and athlete Aimee Mullins was born without
fibula. From child on she was dependent on protheses. In Summer-Paralympics 1996 in Atlanta she achieves two sprint-world-records (cf.
Wikipedia contributors, 2014). This illustrates an perfect example of the
cooperation of nature and technology. Protheses like we know today are
only the beginning of something bigger. There is an enormous development potential and it gets more focused every day.

Image 4:Aimee Mullins

Model of Cyborg

What does this word describe? Even though many different experts
are trying to come up with a good definition of what a cyborg is, there still has been no fixed definition to grasp the complexity of what a
Cyborg can be. The term Cyborg or cybernetic organism was formed
by Manfred E. Clynes and Nathan S. Kline. They defined an organism
whose self-regulation must function without the benefit of consciousness in order to cooperate with the bodys own autonomous
homeostatic controls (Clynes & Kline, 1960).
What does this mean? Imagine the world of tomorrow in which processes like mentioned before (space elevators, 3D-printing organic
material) became true. The question that comes to mind is: How can

our bodies survive in such a developed world? It seems like there will
be a dramatic change, not only for inorganic products but also for living
species. A new kind of human-created evolutionary adaption process
might start. Being cyborg could mean to transcend our natural limitations leading to a different form of life. It can exist in every threatening
and extrem environment. At this point the difference between a robot
and cyborg needs to be shown. A robot is an artificial inorganic entity
while a cyborg is partly organic and partly machine. Today robots are
not evolving themselves while cyborgs are a result of a survival instinct. It is pure future evolution (cf. Tabbarah, 2013, p. 14-21).

Image 5: Cyborg Thinking

Being a cyborg does not mean to be less human nor to be a machine. It is kind of the definition of the ultimate-human desire of continuous improvement. There are already many different theoretic
papers about the change of humanity and a new breed of organism
of post-biological transitions. Katherine N Hayles and Hans Moravec
argue that the world is shifting from Humanist to a Post Humanist
condition (Hayles, 1999). This implies a new material shift in our
organism systems as human beinings.The human becomes even
more resistant than it already is. If a persons organ fails for example
there will be either an organic substitute, a mechanical one or both.
Because technology shrinks permanently it can replicate certain mechanisms of our body in our body. This illustrates the conglomeration
of nature and technology in the future.
However, human see the universe in dualisms (cf. Cook, 2004, p. 2).
There are always two sides and a line between good and bad, real and
artificial, woman and man, human and machine. But when the border
between human and machine is dropped, other dualisms could dissolve
as well. Just like the human with technology, the opposing components
of a construct will conglomerate leading to a new understanding of
them. For example a new interpretation of gender and sex. Peta Cook
cites the Extropy Institute as followed in his Paper to the social change
in the 21st century: Sex and gender will become mutable, allowing
the possibility of negsexuals, solosexuals, technosexuals, postsexuals,
multisexuals [,and] Virtual Reality sexuals.(Cook, 5f)
The cyborg once again has the opportunity to go way beyond the
boundaries of the human understanding of the world, because it can
be the beginning of the irrevocable dissolution of the dualistic constructs. The perception of ourselves as cyborgs demands the blurring
of boundaries between body, mind, time, technology, and space.

Reality and
Virtuality

The amalgamation of our real and virtual world is already affecting our
lives every day. By using smartphones and having mobile access to all
the information collected in a virtual space our understanding of the
today-real-world is totally different from 20 years before. The influence of media is manipulating us and there is no clear gap any longer
between real and unreal. The space conception of an artificially constructed environment in which we might habitat in 100 years will react
fundamentally different from the one we now reside. A cyborg will be
connected to its ambience and these adaptive organisms will respond to
changes in a dynamic environment.
Also our houses, cars and cities could be adaptive and responsive.
The 3D-Printing process is only the beginning of the creation of this
new world. Being connected to our surroundings will completely dissolve a separation between reality and virtuality. There is no difference between these two constructs any longer because joint together
they build the next logical step on the ladder of evolution.
Gadgets like Google glasses will be useless when there is the possibility to work on a neurobiological level safely and economically.
Displays will be needless when projection can take place virtually
anywhere. This leads to a very complex scenario. Our picture of the
world is based on our cognition and if the human senses cannot
only be partially manipulated but completely controlled, the world
will change. Virtuality and reality will become one. This is an extreme
prospect of the future and might frighten people. Changes like this
would not happen over night and new generations would grow up
with virtuality, perceiving it as normal. Even if this was applied to only
certain parts of our lives it could entail enormous possibilities. On the
other side, it could also lead to a Matrix like dystopia: a life completely in virtuality.

Image 6: Brain manipulation

2039

Brain Microchip

We created a scenario based on a fictional persona called Stanley.

He is a cyborg living in 2039. By following him a day and imagining
his life circumstances we pointed out possibilities and risks. By taking
a closer look on three of Stanleys enhancements it is easier to determine different aspects.

A brain microchip might be the most extensive enhancement for

Stanley. It is implemented at the backside of his brain and connected to
his nerve fibre. It can communicate with Stanleys mind, monitors his
health and brings wireless connectivity to the internet. Also his identity
is stored on the chip. One subdivision of the chip is referred to as the
mental screen, protecting him against mental attacks. The chip can hand
over information but cannot make decisions. It is a feature where the
wide range of possibilities and ideas to develop unimagined things just
starts.
Brain-to-Brain communication could be enabled and might make the
use of spoken language needless. Furthermore the perfect bond between
reality and virtuality is created by having 24/7 access to online services.
Therefore the chance to interact with his environment and even with
other body extensions is made possible by this kind of technology (cf.
Penelope, 2012). However with every upcoming new technology also
new risks emerge. The Brain microchip could be hacked and remote
control of cyborgs would be possible.

Enhanced Eye Lens

Nanobots

A normal Day in
Stanleys Life

In 2014 Stanley would have needed Google glasses. In 2039 his enhanced eye lens is connected to the brain microchip and works like a
screen. Stanley gets information projected on his field of view. Furthermore he is not only able to see sharper than normal people, but he can
also zoom in. Moreover Stanley can see other wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared enabling him to see at night. An interactive field of
view will react dynamically to surroundings and collaboration will be
more efficient. However, physical eye damage is not impossible (cf.
Second Sight Medical Products Inc. 2014).

Nanobots are micro robots floating inside Stanleys body. They are
moving with his bloodstream searching for germs. Nanobots are simulating natural antibodies and neutralize infected cells and viruses.
By strengthening the immune system and accelerating healing processes nanobots would lift up the medical status quo to its next level.
All these enhancements would be an intensive intervention to normal life that we know today.

Morning: Stanley wakes up in the morning because his integrated

brain microchip stimulates his nerves. That feels great. Afterwards his
coffee machine automatically brews coffee and his foodprinter prints
scrambled eggs. While having breakfast he checks his e-mails, weather and events. He can see those in his field of view of his enhanced
eye lens. He leaves for work and his door automatically locks and the
lights get switched off. His car is chauffeuring him to work and he
prepares data for his lunch-meeting.

Midday: At his workplace he is not googleing the old school way. All
needed information is available in his mind and visible in his eye. Interactive brain wave communication with his cyborg colleagues and
devices speeds up his workflow enormously. During the presentation
for his non cyborg colleagues Stanley is able to stream data directly
out of his mind onto the screen.

Afternoon: On the way back home he quickly checks his fridge content.
Ah, a fresh beer awaits him at home - he sees al the groceries listed in
his eye lens. He gives a thought command to message all his friends
and they decide to meet up at a local bar. He arrives at home and gets
some food. The brainchip tells him how much calories he still needs to
eat that day - Stanley lives heathy because all his body information are
monitored. Time to get ready for the bar. Stanley takes the train, his eye
shows him the fastest way. In the train a non-cyborg sneezes and Stanley smiles thinking about the nanobots protecting him against sickness.

Evening: At the bar, he meets his friends and they enjoy a beer together. Because there are some non-cyborgs, he still talks in spoken
language, instead of brain-to-brain communication. He recognizes a
female cyborg at the other table. His enhanced eye lens comes with
face recognition. A quick check of the girl shows Stanley her social
profile. They flirt a bit through their minds but Stan does not want to
be impolite to his friends and gets back to talking. After a great evening he goes to bed and sends some good night wishes to his newly
found ladyfriend.

Society

On the basis of the mentioned aspects we critically summarized possible opportunities about the cyborg-century.
First of all special attention is paid to society. Of course, the technology could be used to influence people in positive ways. Non the less it
could lead to a division of society. There a several reasons, for example neuroprosthetics are expensive and only social classes with the
financial means can afford them. In addition there could be a countermovement: Today cyborgs have already been sporadic victims
of racism, structural discrimination and violent attacks. Therefore
antiracism laws could be adapted and even special cyborg laws for
their protection could pass. However, the cyborg will become more
and more common, less strange and people will probably become
accustomed to it. The definition of a human in its ordinary use might

even change. Still, it is pretty presumable opponents will always exist.

A total dependence on the prosthetics companies because of updates and replacements is conceivable as well. Not to mention other
problems like the fatal abuse and black markets. In all probability
the upcoming cybernetic section will divide society. A gap between
offliners and onliners would arise.
Yet another question should be considered: Where is the line between a human and a machine. It is difficult to arrive at a forecast but
within the next century people will possibly decide by what they can
identify as a machine and what seems to be human: Enhancements
implemented or almost invisible will cause less irritation than those looking like a machine. A human covered in visible technology
would probably still not be able to be socially accepted and laws will
probably regulate the maximum amount of how much a person is
allowed to consist of mechanical parts..Still, nature and technology
will conglomerate. We think this might bring many new opportunities for humanity but simultaneously new ethical conflicts and other
problems. Is there a new race of humans creating itself by supporting
technology?

Immortality

Projecting this technology in the future: we will become older and

older, and every time an organ fails we can just print a new one or
have the technological counterpart. This scenario leads to immortality. If you bring this thought to a conclusion it ends up in a dystopia.
The idea of immortality and its consequences is far to extensive to be
covered at this point.

Image 7: Nanobots

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Conclusion

As a result it can be concluded that an upcoming change of your

normal life will definitely come and is not obnoxious. The linking
between modern technology and nature will first help a large part of
humanity and later affect all human beings. It will bring evolution to
a new stage. The changes in technology, society, and economy that
will arise might create a whole new world. Unimaginable gates will
open up. However, a word of caution is needed at this point: With
great power comes great responsibility as said by Franois-Marie
Arouet also known as Voltaire. These developments should not be
rushed and treated carefully. Besides the opportunities they carry
many risks and in the hand of ruling companies they are on the verge
to become just another instrument of capitalism.
To present some of the aspects we worked out and as part of the
Macromedia University Future-Award, we created a website.
www.future-cyborg.com illustrates a day in Stanleys life, a regular
cyborg guy in 2039, talks about his gadgets and dares a small outlook. The website is easily understandable for people that have not
heard much about this matter before and with illustrations for better
comprehension.

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List of References

Arcadiou, Stelios (Sterlac) (2014). Third Hand. From: http://stelarc.

org/?catID=20265
Atala, Anthony (2011). Printing a human kidney. From: https://www.
ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney and https://
www.ted.com/playlists/23/the_future_of_medicine
Clynes, Manfred E. & Kline, Nathan S. (1960). Cyborgs and Space.
From: http://partners.nytimes.com/library/cyber/surf/022697surf-cyborg.html
Cook, Peta (2004). The Modernistic Posthuman Prophecy of Donna
Haraway
Centre for Social Change Research Queensland University of Technology. From: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/646/1/cook_peta.pdf
Deka Research and Development Corporation (2014). The DEKA Arm.
From: http://www.dekaresearch.com/deka_arm.shtml
Hayles, N. Katherine (1999).How We became Posthuman. From:
http://faculty.georgetown.edu/irvinem/theory/Hayles-Posthuman-excerpts.pdf
Jenkins, Penelope (2012). THE CYBORG EXPERIMENTS.Based on a
talk from Virtual Futures 2.011. From: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/
knowledge/themes/virtualfutures/kevinwarwick/
Karberg, Sascha (2013). Biotechnologie: 3-D-Drucker sollen Organe
herstellen. From: http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/medizin/biotechnologie-3-d-drucker-sollen-organe-erstellen-a-889660.html
Le, Tan (2010). A headset that reads your brainwaves. From: http://
www.ted.com/talks/tan_le_a_headset_that_reads_your_brainwaves
N. N. (2009). Flight of the remote-controlled cyborg beetle.
From: http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2009/09/23/
flight-of-the-remote-controlled-cyborg-beetle/
N. N. (2013). Space Elevator Top Story. From: http://spaceref.com/space-elevator/
Second Sight Medical Products Inc. (2014). From: http://www.2-sight.
eu/en/

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Tabbarah, Faysal. (2013). We are born Cyborg. WATAD Magazine, 4,

14-21.
Voltaire. Jean, Adrien. Beuchot, Quentin and Miger, Pierre, Auguste.
uvres de Voltaire, Volume 48. Lefvre, 1832
Wikipedia contributors (2014). Neuroprosthetics. From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroprosthetics
Wikipedia contributors (2014). Visual Prosthetic. From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_prosthetic
Wikipedia contributors (2014). Argus Retinal Prosthesis. From: http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_Retinal_Prosthesis
Wikipedia contributors (2014). Aimee Mullins. From: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimee_Mullins

List of Images

Image 1: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfeatures/624_351/images/live/
p0/0x/j5/p00xj5n7.jpg
Image 2: http://www.thetegmentum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/
deka-arm-1.jpg
Image

3: http://cec.sonus.ca/econtact/14_2/images/stelarc_amplifiedbody2.jpg
Image 4: http://blog.amsvans.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/aimee_
mullins_beach_shot_2400x340.jpg
Image 5: http://www.islandbreath.org/2010Year/06/100621cyborg.jpg
Image 6: http://futuristicnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/
future-brainscanning-headset-monitors-your-mental-workload-futuristic-4.jpg
Image 7: http://shayhealyblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/nanobotsred-graff.jpg

All websites reviewed 28.06.2014

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