Poll: Would you be a cyborg?

[Steve Dark]

Can't improve on perfection, Ladies and Gents.
Au Naturale por moi.

 

[Player 2]

I would replace my finger with a swiss army knife if it was cut off, but I wouldn't mess about implanting wires and stuff because thats bound to end badly.

So you'd be like Altair from Assassin's Creed?

Dunno maybe, I was kind of thinking of more putting stuff like cutlery and bottle openers in the finger rather than a massive knife. Although a knife finger would be cool.

 

[UncleAsriel]

For fans of Ghost in the Shells, the human brain is kept intact in a shell, or cyborg encasing if you prefer, so yeah, like the developer of HAL-5 said, it's easier to use a human brain instead of an AI, hence Cyborg is possible.

eww, please don't bring up ghost in the shell. Thats what we DONT want to happen!

I beg to differ. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Man_(Ghost_in_the_Shell)] Although embracing cyberization so radically is a bad thing, integration of the Wired into human social systems can improve social and economic conditions [http://www.amazon.ca/Citizen-Cyborg-Democratic-Societies-Redesigned/dp/0813341981]. As Stand Alone Complex showed,technology does not override or erase human failings - merely these failings adapt to and integrate into the new technological framework. So long as there are heroes like the Laughing Man and others who choose to preserve individual rights (i.e. the moral hacker) then outright restraints on human technological integration need not be imposed.

back to the original poster's query - I'd be happy to modify both my mind and body, assuming such transhumanism can be done safely and without derogation from my quality of life. Cyberbrains? Sure, providing I don't drop 10 IQ points. Power-limbs? Fine and dandy, so long as I don't have to fret about hurting my grandma everytime I hug her. I'll probably keep the meat-body around for now, but as aging continues (my family DOES have a history of age-related health problems) I'm sure augmentation wouldn't be too objectionable to me.

 

[Harlemura]

I'd like the robotic limbs, but I wouldn't like an internet connection to my brain.
I'd probably get Rickroll'd when I'm trying to concentrate on something. Try explaining THAT to a teacher.

 

[ManiacRaccoon]

Just remember that the police and military would have better gear than civilians, there'd still be laws, and you can still "die."

Only if I make them mad somehow, and even then, only if they catch me.

 

[Jharry5]

I'd go for the robotic limbs, then I could wreek(sp?) my revenge on those who singled me out at school...
...
Yeah, I'd be happy then. =)

 

[Zorg Machine]

body configuration, TV/computer eye, retractable arms. legs, neck and body (not sure how it would work) and hypnotism eye.

 

[ssgt splatter]

Sure, but only if I would look like General Grievous. Quad-arms, magnetic talons, superstrength, lightsabers, and all!

 

[ace_of_something]

Arms and Legs. For the super powers. As long as it doesn't effect my reproductive organs.... although they might be inmpoved by hydraulics.

 

[ThreeWords]

I can't really see the downside in having upgrade on my muscles to make them sronger, my bones to reinforce them, my senses to focus them and my mind to empower it. But I'd like upgrades, not full replacement.

I'm gonna be me with extras, not ThreeWords Mk.2

 

[Duraji]

I would become a complete android if possible... with great strength, stamina, flexibility, immunity to physical pain, etc. I'd be like a Terminator, only benevolent, of course.

On that subject, I do think it's pretty stupid how so much of mainstream fiction portrays artificial intelligence in such a negative light. AI has been reduced to a common monster along the lines of giant lizards, giant insects, and aliens. Essentially, anything that's not "human", and considering that we humans are far from saints in general, I feel that's bullshit!

 

[JoshasorousRex]

What if you get a virus in your brain? That is a scary thought. If I ever have to replace something I need then yeah I would get implants

 

[slackbheep]

To be more realistic we're more likely to make light usage of neural implants and large use of emerging biotech. That said I'll be with the rest of right thinking geeks trading in this husk if possible~

 

[slackbheep]

On that subject, I do think it's pretty stupid how so much of mainstream fiction portrays artificial intelligence in such a negative light. AI has been reduced to a common monster along the lines of giant lizards, giant insects, and aliens. Essentially, anything that's not "human", and considering that we humans are far from saints in general, I feel that's bullshit!

This seems to be the case mostly in low brow sci-fi...
And now I'm getting the urge to reread some E.C Tubb. Dumarest Saga, here I come.

 

[Pumpkin_Eater]

Depends. I definitely like the idea of mental enhancements, but anything else I'd be more hesitant about. I'd hate to upgrade and then realize that my new arm can't feel or is less coordinated than my original limb.

 

[Ctrl-Alt-Elite]

Yes. But not if it would include taking all material away. Nueral implants would be good but instead of robotic arms and legs imo it would be better just to have mechanicly enhance arms / legs / organs as fully robotic is bound to cause problems

 

[CNKFan]

I would totaly be a cyborg with big speakers in my chest so i could blast Cannibal Corpse

 

[tehweave]

It would be a good idea, maybe once we die, having our brain implanted into some strange SCI-FI liquid chamber within a mechanical monstrosity. It would allow our thoughts and mind to live forever, and we could, say, take a bullet or two without getting any blood all over the place.

To be honest, I like my body as-is and any mechanical enhancements just seem unneccessary unless their only purpose is to keep me alive. (I.E. if I needed an artifical heart)