Negatives vs Positives
- Albert Einstein
While the enhancement of the sense, identity, social constructs, and ideas are undoubtedly a positive effect of the cyber self that has manifested, there are also some very big drawbacks as well. If you haven't already, take a moment to watch the video below by Moby & The Void Pacific Choir.
The video is quite shocking, isn't it? While it is a bit overdramatized, the message of the video is clear: By attaching ourselves to technology and becoming prosthetic cyborgs we lose what we had and change what we are. Einstein was on point when he stated the above quote, our technology has exceeded our humanity. Or at the very least what humanity once was. It has altered us and every day continues to gradually change our perception of what it means to be a human and what it means to be alive. Biologically we've adapted to technology in fascinating ways. There is a movement called Transhumanism which focuses on the future and how humans can surpass where they are now and that there will be no natural limitations (playing into the prosthetic god in which we transgress spiritual boundaries and act like gods of our own species) to hold us back. Transhumanism focuses on what we have the potential to become.
Is this a good or bad thing? Is it necessarily positive or negative? It depends widely on the morality of the individual in which this question is posed to. You could argue that by inhibiting these cyberspaces and taking on these robotic or cyber real-life and metaphorical prosthetics that we are transgressing spiritual boundaries. On the other hand, you could also argue that by advancing forward with the usage of this prosthetic body we are one step closer to the creators of these boundaries, or from the scientific standpoint that we are rescripting our brains by interacting too heavily with technology and less with real-life society, but one could also argue that by interacting heavily online new ideas concepts and social movements come about in exchange, and the ability to multitask is increased. At any rate, no matter which standpoint you come from on the topic, there will always be pros and cons, but whether or not you agree, disagree, or agree to disagree, technology is like the flow of electrons, it is rapidly flowing forward non-stop and it will stop at nothing and just like technology, we are also electric, constantly changing and adapting to the environments and social settings in which we inhabit. No matter the negative drawbacks the change is inevitable. You cannot fight the evolution of culture and society.
