When we think cyborgs, we think of something along this line:
Therefore, the basic understand of cyborgs is half human-half machine, like Frankenstein and Robocop. However, unbeknownst to us, claims are being made that we are cyborgs too!
Haraway (1991) states that “a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction” (p. 150). Therefore, the common understanding of a cyborg, according to this definition, is accurate – half human-half machine. Basically, this means that a cyborg is an embodiment that exists in the real world, whlist functioning from a virtual reality and vice versa. At this point, you would be shaking your head in disagreement – you are all human, definitely not a machine. It's okay. I've been there too.
Haraway (1991) states that “a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction” (p. 150). Therefore, the common understanding of a cyborg, according to this definition, is accurate – half human-half machine. Basically, this means that a cyborg is an embodiment that exists in the real world, whlist functioning from a virtual reality and vice versa. At this point, you would be shaking your head in disagreement – you are all human, definitely not a machine. It's okay. I've been there too.
What was originally used as a form of escapism, has become reality – cyberspace. Humans resume a cyborgian identity as ones identity in the real world can be altered in cyberspace (Robins, 2000). In short, we use avatars to communicate. When posting comments on online communities, especially in wordpress, you are asked to choose an avatar – your “self” or “face” in online communities. I was familiarized with avatars being your “face” in online communities through wordpress. Here, an individual becomes a mesh of human and machine – human communication through a machine; thus the individual resumes a cyborgian identity. This concept is best illustrated by facebook – you posting through an avatar on facebook.
In
today's world, technological devices and just basically technology is
integrated with our bodies – though not always literally. We are heavily
dependent on machines (technology) to go about in our daily lives.
Technology can even be identified to be extensions of ourselves, similar
to how eating utensils such as cutlery is used to be an extension of
our hands. In a way, as the machines become an inseparable part of us,
in a sense we become cyborgs. Two separate entities are merged into one
to create us.
This
was especially true when I started having withdrawal symptoms when I
had to get my laptop fixed a while back as I treat my laptop as an
extension of myself. It's not so much for leisure anymore, but just the
idea of being on my laptop aimlessly surfing through the net. On a
random note, this perfectly exemplifies McLuhan's statement - “the
medium is the message”.
This video exemplifies our reliance on technology:
Therefore, in the spirits of admitting my cyborgian identity, using the contents from Week 6, Rhetoric, I would like to end this entry with
- Rain fell in love with a cyborg + I am a cyborg = Rain fell in love with me.*
References:
Chris, W. H. W. (2010). Analyzing Visual Communication. BA in Professional Communication Reader. Published by University Brunei Darussalam.
Haraway, D. (1991). Simians,
cyborgs and women: The reinvention of nature. New York, NY: Routledge.
Retrieved from http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html
on 18th October, 2012
Robins, K. (2000). Cyberspace and the world we live in. In D. Bell, & B. M. Kennedy (Eds.), Cybercultures reader (pp. 77-95). London: Routledge.
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