Discussion 2: Are We Cyborgs?
by Hope Smylie
1. In the TED Talk "We are all cyborgs now", Amber Case defines a Cyborg as "a physical extension of ourselves". She goes on to explain that human beings are in fact cyborgs, in the sense that we use tools and systems that are "physical modifications" of the bodily functions and skills human beings already possess. I thought this was an interesting idea because although people are a living, breathing, natural species, we have created things that mimic the organic functions of our bodies, in order to make our lives operate better and increase our quality of living.
1.1. Amber Case's definition, lead me to connect to her theory on a more personal level. Several of my relatives have physical limitations that would prevent them from succeeding in their professional life, if not for specialized tools that help them execute movements that are natural for the human body. For example, my Uncle is a quadriplegic, who works as a successful artist in Toronto. He worked with an Occupational Therapist to design a set of tools that would allow him to continue to use the parts of his body that were immovable. Doing this allowed him to continue his professional and creative lifestyle. This situation supports the idea that a cyborg can be a physical extension of ourselves.
1.1.1. Given the information from the TED Talk:Are we actually cyborgs?", I do believe human beings are cyborgs, in the sense that we are immersed in systems and routines that are a "physical extension of ourselves". Everyday we wake up and use or participate in something that is modeled off natural human functions. We have to credit some of our success to inventions such as these.