An Embedded Computer in our Body - Essay Example

1. Description of an artifact

The chosen artifact as the subject is an embedded computer in our body.  The computer that will be embedded in our body will not be big but rather just a chip that contains memory that is equivalent to or more than our typical hard drives of one to two terabytes.  The chip can be interpolated in our hand (because it is so small) which has a built-in blue tooth or any facility that will let it upload and download data wirelessly and even if it is under the skin.  It can also serve as our security database for anything that would require bar codes either for data security or for paying transactions.  It is convenient, hassle-free, and very enabling because we have tons of information within us.

Putting or embedding it in our bodies is also safe.  It could be injected within us and could also be retrieved easily because it is small.  It will work because if a pacemaker that is big could fit into a human’s heart, how much more a microchip that will just be embedded in our skin?

It will be just a matter of time before such technology will happen because recent development in technology is running on the technological ideology of making computers smaller and smaller.  Recent signs are the miniaturization of computers are PC’s reduction to laptops to tablets and it will not be long until it will be reduced to just a microchip. 

1. Analysis of the cultural artifact

It is expected that such artifacts may be received with resistance because the idea is revolutionary and unusual.  Less informed people may have the false consciousness that we are “robotizing” people by embedding chips into them.  It is also anticipated however that over time, such fears will be allayed by the benefits of the new technology and that it will be eventually accepted. 

For us students, such cultural artifact is a very powerful and enabling tool because the amount of information we could carry could be used in our studies.  Imagine each student has a library at his or her disposal and all he or she needs is a computer, laptop, or tablet to download the information within his or her body.  The same is true if such a student would like to upload information that would be needed in the future.  It is not only convenient but could also be cost-effective because the storage can be carried anywhere.  Also, students will no longer have excuses that they forgot to bring their books, assignments, or whatever information-related requirement in school because their bodies could already carry it.  It only means that if they did not bring the requirement, they did not do it.

Life will also become easier and safer.  We no longer have to remember tons of passwords that we have to change every time for fear of theft.  Our body is already the security identification and we no longer have to remember usernames and passwords nor we are going to need them.  We no longer have to carry cash anymore and that would be safer for everybody because would-be robbers would be discouraged from thinking that nobody is carrying money anymore.  Instead, transactions will be done through the chip because it is convenient and safe.  This cultural artifact could make a lot of technology obsolete but this would make our lives a lot better.