Digital Futures Issues - Essay Example

?Running head: Digital Futures Digital Futures Introduction The 21st century is challenging with the advancement of digital technology. Every institution wants to fit in with the changing world. Each day, there are new inventions in almost all fields from medicine, through media to even the military. Researchers have taken a new dimension on the way they conduct their studies to produce the best. Cyborg technology is one of the fields that have received greater attention over the last few years. Scientists have tried to integrate the human system with technological advancement thus creating a superhuman model. This creature is then destined to serve in various fields that a normal human being cannot serve. Likewise, cloning has also drawn the attention of many, where people want to replicate superior organisms. The Australian Defense Forces has shown great interest on the emerging cyborg technology, asserting that it will serve a great deal in boosting its security. This paper will discuss digital futures in light of cyborg technology in the Australian Defence Forces. Cyborg technology Human beings have been ambitious in the creation of living things from non-living parts. While this may seem like just a dream, tremendous progress has been made in this field. This artificial creation of life can be categorized into two broad classes. First is carbon-based live, where living organisms are developed from classical building blocks of nature. The other one is where scientists create living organisms using the same principles of creation, but implementing them differently. This may be through machines such as computers or laboratory bags. Cyborg technology falls under the first mode of creation where organisms are developed from components found in the world. This process uses materials that have no relation with the human body such as metals and plastics (Adami, 1998). Cyborg technology is no longer a myth, as it is possible to develop robots that can function as well as human being. With technology, scientists are now able to develop structures that enhances the functionality of human being. They argue that humans have limited capability and to survive in a complex world, the society needs a structure with superior abilities. As a result they have developed a human-robot with superior intelligent than the normal robots, and named it cyborg. A cyborg, as the name suggests is a cybernetic organism, composed of the human part and the machine part. These two parts are integrated in a special way in order to perform the required tasks (Warwick, n.d). However, there are numerous challenges that are associated with the functionality of a cyborg, bearing in mind that human beings are the one that control it. The big question still lies as to whether cyborgs have been able to accomplish the purpose they were designed for, or more research needs to be conducted for their improvement (Seed, 2005). What constitutes a cyborg is still vague as it is possible to narrow the definition to any living organism, whose body system has mechanical or biotechnologies. With this regard, about 10% for instance of the United States citizens are cyborgs. This group of people in technical terms includes those who have artificial joints, drug implant systems, artificial skins or with electronic pacemakers. In short, those with an artificial element that prevents their bodies to act naturally. On the other hand, a large number of people engage in careers that make them metaphoric cyborgs. It is with certainty that these people accidentally found themselves in this category (Seed, 2005). The creation of the cyborg started when the military saw the need for improving its performance. With rise in human power and military equipment, the military sought to develop a structure that would function more than human beings would. As a result, it opted to combine the human element and the mechanical element to come up with a superior product. Initially, scientists through accidents had replaced most of the vital organs in the body with artificial ones. As technology advanced, researchers were able to develop a computer package that the brain could control. As a result, paralyzed people were able to restore their sense of mobility, when this software was triggered even by a thought. With this innovation, research conducted more study to determine how this software could control the whole functionality of the body. Although it has been hard to replace all the human organs with machines, cyborg technology is used in extreme medical cases and military experiments (Fish, 2009). The Australian military wants to incorporate the cyborg technology in their military because of a number of reasons. First is that human beings although with natural senses, have limited ability to perform on their own. Human vision for example, is very much restricted and cannot function in extreme conditions such as in the darkness or during the fog. In addition, people cannot visualize objects at a far distance, and this makes it hard for the military. With the incorporation of the cybernetic technology, it will be possible to enhance the human vision to focus even during extreme conditions (Warwick, n.d). The sense of hearing is also very low and this endangers the military combats once they are in the battlefield. Using the hearing aids, the combats will be able to detect enemies from a far distance and take the necessary precautionary measures. This technology will also be able to reinforce other vital organs such as the lungs, hearts, kidney, the liver as well as rejuvenate body tissues (Galbraith, 2011). Scientists assert that the only hard things to incorporate in a cyborg are the tiny cells of the brain and those remnants of the spinal cord. Other cells including the nervous system have been taken care of using the advanced technology. The brains cells are important in the development of the cyborg as they are responsible for decision making. Although the robot can follow commands, it requires brains to think rationally like a human being and to be able to deal with sensitive matters (Galbraith, 2011). Professor Kevin Warwick has tried to offer solution for the decision making part of the cyborg. As a result, he volunteered to be the first human being to incorporate the cybernetic system in his body. This act supersedes the fictional stories and films ever produced. The rationale behind his idea is to link his nervous system to a computer that would boost the performance of his body parts, while at the same time thinking rationally as a human being (CNN tech, 2002). The development of cyborg is aimed at improving three aspects of the soldier’s body. First is the wetware, which comprises of the brain and the hormones. The cyborg should have a superior brain that can act rapidly to the changing environment in the battlefield. Likewise, the hormones should be alert and in position to respond to any issue endangering the life of a soldier. Most people believe that the mind is the driving factor toward success in every war. It is thus necessary for the soldiers to accept their responsibility and set their mind for the sole purpose of protecting their country. The second component is the software, which comprises of the habits, skills and discipline of the combats. Wars are tactical struggles and the soldiers are required to use their skill to deal with their opponents. It may occur that the opponents have superior weapons but with the aid of the software aspect, the military can easily disorient its opponents. The last component in a cyborg is the hardware, which entails the physical body. This plays a major role in ensuring that the combats stay in the battlefield for long without tiring. Like in real-life situation, cyborg soldiers need to be fit physically to withstand physical pressure and operate military equipments with ease (Masters, 2005). The integration of the mechanical aspect in to the biological outfit of a cyborg soldier will have superior outcomes. Scientists assert that the technology will be able to discern what to incorporate in the human system and what to leave out. Technological devices will replace most of the senses of the soldiers. The helmet of the cyborg soldiers for example will be fitted with earphones for communication and night-vision goggles to aid vision at night. These soldiers will thus have superior information and intelligence-gathering capability that would enable them learns more about their enemies. In addition, they will have advanced remote sensing capability. They will also be faster, stronger and more agile. To regulate their emotions, there will be special devises the will be able to regulate their fear, shame and exhaustion. A special programmer will perform all these functions from a remote computer, and it will be easy to replace the programmer dealing with the cyborg will be disrupting the performance of the soldier (Masters, 2005). The rationale behind the creation of a cyborg is the creation of an obsolete body and not a modular one. Modular bodies are the normal human bodies that are affected by the environmental factors and takes time to reconstruct. On the hand, obsolete bodies are perfect, whose parts are easily exchangeable and replaceable. Cyborg soldiers are fit for the latter type of body because of the activities they perform. When an arm for example is injured, it becomes easier for the soldier to replace it with a spare arm and continue with the war. This not only minimizes the injuries in a battlefield, but also reduces the number of casualties in wars. As a result, this would encourage more soldiers to adopt these types of body hence prolonging their life (Kreps, 2007). Examples of cyborg Technologies Bionic Eye Capabilities Once fully developed, the bionic eyes will double the visual abilities of a normal human eye by far. Once implanted in a human eye, it gives the owner targeting abilities similar to the optic lens of a digital camera. The user will be able to make quicker and accurate face reorganization as well as see much far more than their human counterparts. Proponents for this Cyborg technology belief if used by military officers it can assist them to improve their combat abilities (Foucault 2002, p.19). The eye can see beyond analogue angles that limit a normal eye to see clearly over translucent barriers such as tinted windows. When in use, the eye glows as it relays data to the streaming optical interface for interpretation at the base of the brain. The owner of the eye can calculate the velocity of moving objects in precision less than 0.01% of the true value. This kind of ability if bestowed upon a military officer can assist them to improve their aiming skills when shooting using a non-guided rifle. In hand combat, the soldier will be more alert to assault giving them an added advantage over their enemy. The eye is an added advantage to a forensic experts as it can fingerprints on surfaces that a naked eye cannot. Its abilities supersede a normal eye by far as it Cyborg assistive technologies can store data collected through vision for later use. Concisely, it is a camera with its own focal length and memory to store information collected through vision for other uses (Foucault 2002, p.19). The C-Leg The C-leg is a special military grade prosthetic that is enhanced with an intelligent system to assist in real time adjustments of limb movement. According to its arithmetic logarithm code, it is capable of measuring the gait at least 50 times per second to give the user strength and durability. It is currently being used by the Australia Defense Force to serve as a prosthetic leg for soldiers whose legs suffer mutation on the battle filed (Adami 1998, p.225). This Cyborg adaptive military grade prosthetic leg has given hope to soldiers who log their limbs on official duty. As an army officer, a soldier is exposed to life-ending threats that have befallen a couple of Australia Defense force personnel on military campaigns on foreign soils as peacekeepers. The C-Leg Capabilities The limb is made from titanium for maximum strength. Its mode of operation is by imitating the natural body movement of the user that is transmitted downwards from the torso to the limb. The intelligence system installed in the military grade prosthetic leg converts the self-determined bodily movements to match the terrain the user is walking on thus creating stability. The limb assists people who have undergone a transfemoral amputation to achieve a certain degree of balance and dynamics in order to walk upright. Its intelligence tracking software is hosted on a silicon microchip that is responsible of arithmetic calculations to create balance for the user (Newel & Googgin 2003, p.124).The limb is equipped with Cyborg assistive technologies that allow the user to control it remotely. In addition, its hydraulic system reacts to slow or fast changes body movement in real time giving the use stability and strength. Since the invention was allowed for use in Australia, more than 4,000 people who have had foot amputation take advantage of this great invention to improve their everyday day life. The Bullet Stopping T-Shirt As the desire to create an invincible soldier ranges on, scientists in Australia have for years been developing bulletproof vests that can be worn as a normal shirt. The scientists believe Carbon nanotubes have the ability to create ballistic resistance materials that can be worn as a normal shirt and still double up as a bulletproof vest. The Australia Defense Force plans to mount some of these materials to reinforce the polymers used on their military vehicles and spacecraft as bulletproof. The bullet proof T-shirt is much lighter and thinner than the normal bulletproof vests currently being used world. Scientists at the Sydney University believe that doubled-walled carbon nanotubes can withstand a ballistic impact equal to a bullet shot from a gun (Kreps 2007, p.65). The advantage in using these new nanotubes vests is that they can reduce the effect of blunt trauma by more than 50% protecting a soldier against further injury after being shot at close range. An example of these vests being produced commercially is the Kevlar vests that have proven the Nanotubes to be better substitutes for Boron-coated bulletproof vests. The vest prevents blunt the force exerted by a bullet by letting its material absorb and disperse the impact energy away from the point of impact. In doing so, the impact energy is transmitted through successful layers of the vest before it vanishes at the back of the armor. Through this technique, the vest prevents the bullet from penetrating the protective armor worn by military officers in armed combat. This Cyborg inspired invention promises to change the way the Australia Defense Force combats crime in the country now that armed robbery is on the rise (Kreps 2007, p.65). Neural Implants As portrayed in several films and movies, a generic Cyborg has the ability to control external devices by causing thoughts that trigger the desired action. Through neuro-technology, scientists have developed neural implants that can help an individual control an external activity by use of suggestive thoughts. Scientists are working on a neural implant that can read military intelligence through the eyes of a foot soldier. The aim is to assist a soldier fire a rifle without having to press the trigger (James 2004, p.107). The only prototype that is already in circulation can allow the user to switch on a TV set without using a remote. Though still under the development stages, the technology will transform how people perceive their brain capabilities. In the next few years, it will be possible to drive through heavy traffic by using an individuals’ intelligence of the road networks. Mind Reading With the rising threat of terrorist attacks aimed at countries allied to the United States, it would be advantageous to the interrogation unit of the police force to interrogate a suspect without even talking to him. By using a special mind reading device developed under Cyborg technologies at Sydney University, a police officer can be able to interpret thoughts tapped from the brain of a suspect. The Neural imager machine measures the strains on neural activities of a disturbed mind. After being apprehended, a suspect is usually nervous and in a state of anxiety. Research done on 40 fugitives showed that they suffered from severe cases of thought disruptions as they tried to lie their way out of a crime they had formerly committed before being arrested (Lawrence 1989, p.190). The findings from the research showed it is possible to harness these thoughts using a neural imager. In application, the device is tied around the head of the suspect ensuring the nano-sensitive cells seat firmly on the temple and the forehead for optimal results (Lawrence 1989, p.190). The next step involves tracking the suspect’s brain activity for sources of stress signals associated with fear of captivity. The generated signal is then passed through a neural imager that converts it into analogue form that can be displayed on an oscilloscope for analyses. The analogue signal is thereafter digitized to obtain numerical figures that neurosurgeons can interpret with ease. It is not fully tested yet to determine to what extents the human brain can be deceived to give away analogue signals to a second nonhuman transmitter. Lastly, spatial memories located at the base of the brain can be accessed using the same device but this time, the subject must be unconscious temporarily to support the transmission of dormant neural signals without damaging their brain cells due to the electrical impulses released the neural imager (Lawrence 1989, p.190). Breathing Underwater The navy and special marine squads responsible for protecting the sovereignty of Australia have been relying on a very small amount of oxygen to carry out rescue missions under water. The oxygen lasts only for 1 hour thus limiting the amount of time that a rescue team can be underwater. That is history now since the Australia Cyborg clone development has developed a swimming vest that has the ability to filter oxygen out of seawater thus giving a swimmer an extra source of air (Kreps 2007, p.45). This has eliminated the need for divers to carry oxygen reservoirs whilst diving since the vest acts as their source of oxygen. This gives the swimmers ample time to finish their missions under water without worrying they will run out oxygen supply underwater. The vest replaces the oxygen reservoir mounted on the back of a swimmer giving them unlimited oxygen supply for as long as they are under water. The Australia Defense force has far purchased this Cyborg adaptive accessory to be used by the marines and the coast guard officers in their underwater missions. Conclusion Digital advancement has and is expected to change the military field. With the emergence of cyborgs and clones, it is apparent that the Australian defense force will move to another level. The development of cyborgs entails integrating the mechanical aspects with the biological ones to produce superior creatures. These creatures are more resistant to natural calamities and most of their organs are replaceable. In addition, most of their organs such as the eyes will be fortified with better visual aids in order to function all the time. On the other hand, cloning entails replicating organisms. The replica is expected to have superior quality that would enable it to perform better in the battlefield. Equally, they will be generated at a faster rate than the real soldiers, and this will increase their performance. However, digital advancement has its drawbacks, which extends even in the military field. Other than the ethical and moral implications, the cyborgs and the clones developed will not function as normal human beings, and this will pose a threat to the public. References Adami, C. (1998). Introduction to artificial life, Volume 1. New Mexico: Springer. CNN tech. (2002, March 22). Scientists test first human cyborg. Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2002-03-22/tech/human.cyborg_1_cyborg-nerve-signals?_s=PM:TECH Fish, G. (2009, September 18). How far will cyborg technology really go? Retrieved from http://worldofweirdthings.com/2009/09/18/how-far-will-cyborg-technology-really-go/ Foucault, M. (2002). The order of things: an archaeology of the human sciences. New York: Routledge. James, S. (2004). Service characteristics of biomedical materials and implants. Milan: Imperial College Press. Galbraith, D. (2011). 16 Genuine Cyborg Technologies. Retrieved from http://www.oobject.com/category/16-genuine-cyborg-technologies/ Kreps, D. (2007). Cyborgism: Cyborgs, Performance and Society. Raleigh: Lulu.com. Lawrence, M. (1989). Analog VLSI implementation of neural systems. Oxford: Springer. Masters, C. (2005, March). Cyborg soldiers and militarised masculinities. Retrieved from http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2010-05-20-masters-en.html Newel, C., & Googgin, G. (2003). Digital disability: the social construction of disability in new media. London: Rowman & Littlefield. Seed, D. (2005). A companion to science fiction. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. spacebattles.com. (2011, April 18). What if America developed clone soldiers. Retrieved from http://forums.spacebattles.com/showthread.php?t=188370 U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. (2009, May 11). Cloning Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml Warwick, K. (n.d). Kevin Warwick, "I, Cyborg". Retrieved from http://www.kevinwarwick.com/icyborg.htm#top Read More

 

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