Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Samildanach · Jun 5, 2006, 09:56 am

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13054181/

Latest report about human enhancement and the right every human has to increase their abilities beyond the natural norm.

5010 · Jun 12, 2006, 08:13 am

I think it falls under basic "liberty". Humans have always extended our natural abilities through clothing and tools. Because of this, we can survive almost anywhere on Earth and recently even in space. People have been artificially enhancing their appearance throughout recorded history.

As for altering the body's intrinsic ability through medicine, this is not a recent thing either. Drugs have been around throughout recorded history, enhancing religion, health, comfort, and social relations beyond what staple food provides.

I see it more than a right. I see it as a necessity for survival. Societies that are more restrictive will find themselves unable to compete with others who have made themselves better in business and war.

I see it as a way of efficiency. Imagine the energy savings if people could grow fur in the winter and shed it in the summer.

I see it as the path to oceanic colonization. Imagine how hard it would be to build a city underwater. Now imagine how much easier if people could grow gills.

I see it as a path to interstellar colonization. Imagine how hard it would be to establish a colony of spacesuit-clad people on a planet vs restructuring their bodies down to basic metabolism so no suit is needed.

Kite · Jun 12, 2006, 09:02 am

I like the idea of human enhancement, but I would apply it a little differently. I'm thinking something along the lines of prosthetic bodies or body parts that can be totally customizeable and replaceable. (Think Ghost in the Shell) This could greatly improve the quality of human life, as well as redefine the human race's potential.

nm420 · Jun 12, 2006, 10:30 am

Sounds a little far-fetched to progress from treating narcolepsy and having metal feet to humans with gills or retractable adamantium wrist blades, but then I suppose people who dreamed of a flying machine were deemed crazy by the mainstream, not so long ago. If "rights" and "freedom" are still existent concepts by the time our technology allows such enhancements, I think it's kind of a no-brainer. Do you have the right to do what you want with your own body? Theoretically, yes, but the idea sounds as far-fetched as underwater-breathing humans, perhaps even moreso. A society where humans were free to do as they please to their own person without fear of the thoughtpolice kicking their door down...Sigh.

This brings to mind the inanity of Sealab 2021's pilot, "I, Robot". I think I'd choose to remain "human" and fight off all the mutant robots in the Great Robot War. I like my body just as it is, and any changes I'd like to make to it I can perform myself, short of an appendectomy or brain surgery. But I might be changing my tune if I could slap on a set of gills and flippers...

RickSp · Jun 12, 2006, 10:36 am

I'll believe it when I see it and be concerned about the issue then. In the mean time I will be happy to watch the X-Men trilogy.

Kite · Jun 12, 2006, 11:42 am

Another concern would be making outrageous changes to your body so that you would have, lets say, enhanced strength, and then abusing that power. Although it would be nice to think that people would use these powers for good things, its foolish to think that the government wouldn't try to regulate body enhancement. Hell, the government would jump at the chance to have super soldiers that can jump 20 feet in the air, lift up a truck and toss it, and run for hours and hours with a fully loaded pack without stopping. In fact, it might be giving the government another edge over us if they someday decide to turn on us.

Protostar · Jun 15, 2006, 10:28 am

Anything other than the ablity to become a machine is a waste of time IMO. I don't care about "enhancing" my body; I want to replace it with something better and superior. I'd flip at a chance to replace my flesh body with something along the lines of a cyborg from the Terminator. Having super powers would be cool, but you're still going to die so whats the point? A a machine you could live for all eternity. Just my two cents.

5010 · Jun 15, 2006, 11:42 am

Well, machines do require maintenance to last. A machine integrated to your brain down to individual nerve cells would be hard to replace, so I don't see anyone going that route until we have self-repairing systems that work at least as well as our own. Seems to me the possibility of transfering us completely into machines to acquire immortality is a ways over the tech horizon.

Jun 5, 2006, 09:56 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
Samildanach Pragmatist Location: UK London Posts: 1,979	Do humans have a right to be superhuman? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13054181/ Latest report about human enhancement and the right every human has to increase their abilities beyond the natural norm. I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs and insanity for everyone, but its always worked for me. Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime." (Ernest Hemingway)

Jun 12, 2006, 08:13 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
5010 mostly harmless Location: USA Posts: 1,282	I think it falls under basic "liberty". Humans have always extended our natural abilities through clothing and tools. Because of this, we can survive almost anywhere on Earth and recently even in space. People have been artificially enhancing their appearance throughout recorded history. As for altering the body's intrinsic ability through medicine, this is not a recent thing either. Drugs have been around throughout recorded history, enhancing religion, health, comfort, and social relations beyond what staple food provides. I see it more than a right. I see it as a necessity for survival. Societies that are more restrictive will find themselves unable to compete with others who have made themselves better in business and war. I see it as a way of efficiency. Imagine the energy savings if people could grow fur in the winter and shed it in the summer. I see it as the path to oceanic colonization. Imagine how hard it would be to build a city underwater. Now imagine how much easier if people could grow gills. I see it as a path to interstellar colonization. Imagine how hard it would be to establish a colony of spacesuit-clad people on a planet vs restructuring their bodies down to basic metabolism so no suit is needed. - solo (my site) Last edited by 5010; Jun 12, 2006 at 08:16 am.

Jun 12, 2006, 09:02 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Kite Evil Overlord Location: A Geofront, somewhere in Antarctica Posts: 938	I like the idea of human enhancement, but I would apply it a little differently. I'm thinking something along the lines of prosthetic bodies or body parts that can be totally customizeable and replaceable. (Think Ghost in the Shell) This could greatly improve the quality of human life, as well as redefine the human race's potential. I know your type. You think, "I'll just get me a costume, rip off the neighborhood kids." Next thing you know, you've got a jet shaped like a skull with lasers on the front! -The Monarch

Jun 12, 2006, 10:30 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
nm420 Skeptical believer Location: da UP, Michigan Posts: 279	Sounds a little far-fetched to progress from treating narcolepsy and having metal feet to humans with gills or retractable adamantium wrist blades, but then I suppose people who dreamed of a flying machine were deemed crazy by the mainstream, not so long ago. If "rights" and "freedom" are still existent concepts by the time our technology allows such enhancements, I think it's kind of a no-brainer. Do you have the right to do what you want with your own body? Theoretically, yes, but the idea sounds as far-fetched as underwater-breathing humans, perhaps even moreso. A society where humans were free to do as they please to their own person without fear of the thoughtpolice kicking their door down...Sigh. This brings to mind the inanity of Sealab 2021's pilot, "I, Robot". I think I'd choose to remain "human" and fight off all the mutant robots in the Great Robot War. I like my body just as it is, and any changes I'd like to make to it I can perform myself, short of an appendectomy or brain surgery. But I might be changing my tune if I could slap on a set of gills and flippers... nm420 "In this age, the mere example of nonconformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service. --John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Jun 12, 2006, 10:36 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,491	I'll believe it when I see it and be concerned about the issue then. In the mean time I will be happy to watch the X-Men trilogy. Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Jun 12, 2006, 11:42 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Kite Evil Overlord Location: A Geofront, somewhere in Antarctica Posts: 938	Another concern would be making outrageous changes to your body so that you would have, lets say, enhanced strength, and then abusing that power. Although it would be nice to think that people would use these powers for good things, its foolish to think that the government wouldn't try to regulate body enhancement. Hell, the government would jump at the chance to have super soldiers that can jump 20 feet in the air, lift up a truck and toss it, and run for hours and hours with a fully loaded pack without stopping. In fact, it might be giving the government another edge over us if they someday decide to turn on us. I know your type. You think, "I'll just get me a costume, rip off the neighborhood kids." Next thing you know, you've got a jet shaped like a skull with lasers on the front! -The Monarch

Jun 15, 2006, 10:28 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
Protostar Hardcore Capitalist Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	Anything other than the ablity to become a machine is a waste of time IMO. I don't care about "enhancing" my body; I want to replace it with something better and superior. I'd flip at a chance to replace my flesh body with something along the lines of a cyborg from the Terminator. Having super powers would be cool, but you're still going to die so whats the point? A a machine you could live for all eternity. Just my two cents. "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." . . . Susan B. Anthony

Jun 15, 2006, 11:42 am	#8 (permalink) (top)
5010 mostly harmless Location: USA Posts: 1,282	Well, machines do require maintenance to last. A machine integrated to your brain down to individual nerve cells would be hard to replace, so I don't see anyone going that route until we have self-repairing systems that work at least as well as our own. Seems to me the possibility of transfering us completely into machines to acquire immortality is a ways over the tech horizon. - solo (my site)