If I were to make note the top ten most shocking newsflashes I have come across, CNN's artlicle "Cyborgy professor looks to future of bionic technology" would be on the list. This article is about Kevin Warwick, a professor of cybernetics at Reding University. In 1998 Warwick had a radio frequency ID chip implanted in his arm and since then, he has found that the implant allows him to "turn on lights by snapping fingers, open doors without touching them." Later, in 2002 Warwick discovered that his wife can take control of his body with the use of her own brain waves when he connects his nerve to electrodes. Currently, Warwick is researching "brain interfaces and autonomous robots" and because this is helping to understand how to treat braind diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinson's, the Royal Society of Medicine will be awarding him the Ellison Cliffe Medal next year.
Kevin Warwick's research regarding brain interface is exciting when the possibilities of medical advancements are considered. However, when discussing this article with fellow students, there was an overall consensus that brain interface is both good and bad. For example, one student claimed that the utilization of brain interface to control dietary issues would be disturbing if the technology used forcefully stops a person from eating "that chocolate cake that you want" that Warwick mentions. Also, Social Justice would be challenged by brain interface and body control since the dignity of humans might be degraded if they have to rely on technology to control their behavioral problems such as overeating. One thing that was for certain during the class discussion and that was the shock that this bionic technology exists today. A classmate posed the question: "What else are they hiding from us?"
My personal opinion of Kevin Warwick is that he is an odd man, however irrelevant this may be to the analysis of this article. Warwick has a fear that "humans will someday fall behind the advances of robots we're building" and believes that upgrades on the human body with the use technology is needed to prevent this. I find this to be a disturbing idea because a fear of technology is obviously present in Warwick. The article alludes to this fear by mentioning how "He has very little technology at home, and counts 'The Terminator' among his biggest influences." This proves that fear is a sure fire way to generate innovation.
Kevin Warwick's research regarding brain interface is exciting when the possibilities of medical advancements are considered. However, when discussing this article with fellow students, there was an overall consensus that brain interface is both good and bad. For example, one student claimed that the utilization of brain interface to control dietary issues would be disturbing if the technology used forcefully stops a person from eating "that chocolate cake that you want" that Warwick mentions. Also, Social Justice would be challenged by brain interface and body control since the dignity of humans might be degraded if they have to rely on technology to control their behavioral problems such as overeating. One thing that was for certain during the class discussion and that was the shock that this bionic technology exists today. A classmate posed the question: "What else are they hiding from us?"
My personal opinion of Kevin Warwick is that he is an odd man, however irrelevant this may be to the analysis of this article. Warwick has a fear that "humans will someday fall behind the advances of robots we're building" and believes that upgrades on the human body with the use technology is needed to prevent this. I find this to be a disturbing idea because a fear of technology is obviously present in Warwick. The article alludes to this fear by mentioning how "He has very little technology at home, and counts 'The Terminator' among his biggest influences." This proves that fear is a sure fire way to generate innovation.
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