October 31, according to the British Guardian newspaper, walking between the edge of technology and biology, the "body hackers" pioneers are challenging nature, redesigning their own bodies so that they have the ability to surpass humans. Does this really represent the future trend? Earlier this year, I (the author of the article, Tim Adams, a Guardian newspaper reporter) traveled to Austin, Texas, to participate in the event. The theme was "Preliminary Evolution of Human Species." The event, called the Bdyhax Conference, was held at the exhibition center in the city and promised to provide forward-looking insight into the upcoming “singularityâ€. The so-called "singularity," the "Nirvana moment" propounded in science fiction, is the moment when humans and technology merge and completely change human capabilities and experiences. The main event of the conference was demonstrated by “physical hackers†who are DIY experimenters who have undergone body remodeling in their own basements or garages, trying to enhance their sensory abilities through biometric implants and cognitive facilitators. These brave pioneers are expanding their senses, overcoming physical limitations and bravely leading us into the future. At least this is a good idea, but the actual situation at the conference is a bit plain. Its tickets are overpriced and few people attend. At the event, the speakers came out to talk about physically-enhanced ethics and budget demonstrations of virtual worlds. People with different punctures and tattoos squatted around during the speech. There were various nerve snakes on the stalls. Oil, many people seem to be more interested in the possibility of inserting magnets and LED lights into the skin. Occasionally, you may also see a real miracle: a vest can convert the sound into multiple vibrations on the back, providing a new way for deaf and mute people to regain hearing; drummer who has lost his arm has customized a prosthetic limb for himself. Now you can play a lot of tricks like the famous drummer Buddy Rich; Moon Ribas can feel the slightest changes in the tectonic plate and transform these tremors into dance moves. These experiments seem to exist between art, medicine, and counterculture. They shared the latest understanding of brain plasticity and utopian ideas for technology, and presented this understanding in a novel, DIY way to the world. At the very least, they are the most convincing hints that these "transhumans" are sometimes slamming the "gate of consciousness" like those who used hallucinogenic drugs in the early part of the last century. In the past two years, British photographer David Vintiner has been paying attention to this subculture. He divides his photographs into three groups, including those who are trying to prolong life, those who use implants as body art, and those who try to permanently change human bodies and abilities. These photographs by Wayne Tina in Austin, Texas, highlight the unique combination of scientific innovators and ordinary visionaries. Gem Fletcher, Wayne Tina’s partner, said: “At the beginning, we began to take people's photos in the domestic environment as much as possible. Most of these things took place in people’s bedrooms.†Rin R uber held the spoon with a magnetic implant on his finger and asked back: "Isn't it cool?" The project was inspired by Kevin Warwick, vice president of Coventry University. In 1998, Warwick first implanted a silicon transponder under the skin, which helped him automatically open the door and turn on the lights. Warwick called himself "cyborg". Four years later, Warwick invented an implant called "Braingate" that can connect hundreds of electrodes to Warwick's nervous system and transmit signals over the Internet. It was first used to control the movement of a bionic hand and then used directly to "communicate" with Warwick's wife. Of course, his wife also implanted his own "Braingate." To some extent, Warwick's work seems to set the standard for "physical hacking" experiences: ambitious, somewhat adventurous, and mostly illegal. Currently, the United States is exploring the "Braingate" system to help those who suffer from paralysis, but Warwick's DIY works have not been widely accepted by mainstream medical, academic or commercial technology companies. He and his wife are still the only couples to communicate the "nervous system" through pulses. It took them six weeks to "hear" the sound. Warwick said to me last week: "Although my paper was quoted, I did not become a member of the Royal Society and did not receive any normal applause." However, Warwick has many "electronic man" disciples. Most of them exist in the "body hackers", superhumanism, and Wayne Tina shooting those who break the routine. Warwick said: "I think they are often people who are advancing in this area. Although they sometimes take great risks, sometimes even doing these things in their own garage, not in the laboratory." Dialogue with people taking pictures of Wayne Tinna will give you a lot of risk, but it also includes predictions of the possibilities of new technologies and the limitations that are currently being imposed. We have become accustomed to using implants to solve medical problems such as diabetes or heart disease. As a culture, we have already undergone plastic surgery long ago. However, the idea of ​​strengthening our natural senses and abilities through surgery is still a difficult ethical issue. Among the people photographed by Wayne Tina, some are eager to become Superman. In 2012, James Young lost his arms and legs in a train accident in eastern London. Later, he was funded by a computer game company and obtained a bionic arm equipped with laser lighting, mobile phone charging ports, and personal drone attachments. Eighteen months later, James had a mixed feeling about his new arm. It was designed by London prosthetic artist Sophie de Oliveira Barata. Although this robotic arm is full of futuristic style, it is bulky and limited to performing "normal" functions. Under normal circumstances, James will not use it. However, James was most grateful that this arm made him a TV presenter. However, he plans to replace the prosthetic arm with a model that can be properly attached to the bone and eventually be able to match his nerve intentions. Although this arm is a good topic, James has been absorbed by the "cross-human" community. James fears that this reinforcement will continue to be a marginal topic. He asked: When externalization technology becomes safer and cheaper, why technology companies are risking surgical solutions? James said: "That is why people are self-reforming at home or at a tattoo shop or elsewhere, because the business risks of companies are difficult to solve." "E-Eye" Rob Spence tells a similar story. About ten years ago, he used video cameras to replace the eyes lost in childhood accidents. He could use it to record and transmit real-time images he saw. Spencer has grown into a "super hero" and wants to fill his eye socket. He is still the only pioneer in this field. With the help of friends, he developed and installed this program at home. He believes that people's claims on the recorded privacy rights are unreasonable, but he believes that people will soon feel more comfortable with interventions like him. Spencer said: "For me, the best example is to get a boost. In the 1960s, when something made people's lives better, such as laser eye surgery or breast augmentation surgery, eventually there would be more people. Accept. They don't like to wear glasses and they like to have bigger breasts. We haven't reached this goal yet.†He believes that the integration of technology into our bodies is an inevitable trend, and states: “This is an obvious improvement. For example, it initially occupied IBM's large room, followed by your desktop, then turned into a laptop or tablet, and recently became a smart phone, and the next digital product will become part of your body. The point is: When will people cut off their arms and replace them with bionics? This will eventually be achieved, but there is still a long way to go before it can be achieved.†For years, Spencer had discussed the development of electronic eye applications with a number of commercial companies, but in the end they all gave up. He said: "This is a strange product. It will cause many problems both legally and medically. People will end up seeing it as a one-eyed, well-designed toy." Neil Harbisson is a legend for "body hackers." Habison lives in Barcelona. His eyes suffer from a rare genetic disease that can only be seen in gray. In 2006, a surgeon fixed a special antenna on the skull of Harbison. This antenna converts the color spectrum to musical notes and transmits the data to Harbison via bone conduction technology. He can "see" the color through sound. Harbison regards the antenna as an art design, with the goal of strengthening his perception of reality. Habison said: "This is not a combination of two senses, but a new feeling created. I can still see ultraviolet rays and infrared rays." Habison's idea of ​​"improving" the sensory organs once again encountered many opposition. . He said: “People think that recreating existing senses and existing parts of the body is ethical, but when it comes to new body parts and new feelings, people think this is unnecessary. I think this situation will change. People will start to realize that the best way to improve the earth is to design and improve ourselves. For example, if we all have night vision capabilities, we don’t need artificial light at night and we don’t need to illuminate our cities. The stronger the senses we have, the less energy we need." To advance this business, Harbison helped create the "Cyborg Foundation" to provide reference for "body hacking" and "cross-humanity" around the world. Habibson himself believes that tentacles have helped him to evolve into a post-human state. He believes that he is more closely associated with other forms of life that have similar cognitive organs. For example, bees can also "see" ultraviolet rays. Harbison calls this kind of consciousness "transspecies" and compares it with "transgender". He said: “Some of us are interested in creating new senses and organs, and those who are considered to be cross-species start to realize that they are not alone, although so far they haven’t spoken out loud enough to prevent people They may laugh at them. We have many of the same issues as transgender groups. The Bioethics Committee never accepts sex change surgery and they may not receive cross-species surgery. They worry that people coming out of the hospital will stretch from their heads. Out of the antenna, this will have an impact on the reputation of the hospital. But this situation will change..." At the same time, there are many less radical possibilities for people who are curious about cross-species. Some people, like Rin R uber, just want to implant a magnet on their fingers (and pick up a spoon) to help her experience the magnetic field. Lao Bo said: "I have nothing to do with the grand vision of the future of mankind. It's like a child playing and saying: 'Look, what can I do? Isn't it cool?'" Professor Warwick claims to be an "electronic man" Other experiments appear more dynamic. The helmet Eyesect, studied by the German Constitute, uses an externally mounted camera to allow the wearer to experience the world's perception of different species, such as the chameleon's rotating eyes or the horse's long face. Christian Z llner, who helped develop Eyesect, insists that this is an art project rather than a technology-led design. This is an "aesthetic playground for people to experience and witness their limits of perception." The problem is that users often fall. Mark O'Connell recently described the cross-species ambition as “a kind of profound human longing beyond the perplexities, desires and powerlessness of human beings†in the book “To Be a Machine†exploring DIY electronics. And the body is in a morbid state. Historically, this desire has been filled with religion, and now the technological field is becoming a growing soil for it." People in the Wayne Tina photo purchased this belief in different ways. James believes that owning the arm of the future is the beginning of the journey, not the end. He has an optimistic view of reality, but there is hope for its impact. The day before our conversation, he showed his six-year-old child his own body. He said: "They like it very much, and I try to behave less negatively. They say: 'This can make you super strong?' I said: 'Not exactly... But if it is attacked, I will not feel pain." At the very least, "fuselage" futurist experiments have inspired other people. James said: "There have been many people who have told me that thank you for taking your crazy arm, which made me feel better about my boring NHS service. We are realizing that it is very ugly and lacking for others. The human limb is not the best choice. This is the real greatness: I designed it myself.†Here is an example: 1. James Young: false arm At the age of 22, James lost his arms and legs when he fell from the light rail platform in the docklands. After the accident, he applied for a prosthetic limb in 2012 and was selected to undergo a test of the prosthesis by one of the world's best-selling computer games, Metal Gear Solid. There is a laser on this arm, a USB port on the wrist, and a miniature drone mount. James said: "It will never be as good as the human arm!" This arm is actually an art project. The purpose is to explore whether the arm may have alternative functions. These features work well. However, due to the impact of amputation, it proved to be a burden and it was very labor intensive to wear it. But this project helped James realize that having alternative functions is great, but it is the core function you need. Because it is created by artists, it can not be integrated with the body. Previous page 1 2 Next page