The author contends that the natural body is "fallible." I disagree. The natural body is a self-sustaining entity, capable of reaching great heights. Nothing can sustain forever, not even the natural body, but in its prime the Natural Body can accomplish great things. Look at athletes of any level. Athletes are healthy individuals who will their body (without technology) to perform unbelievable feats. Look at Kobe Bryant. Bryant just recently became the All Time leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers and he did it against technology. Bryant has played through injuries and refused surgery (technological changes) in order to stay on the court. Bryant is perhaps the greatest example of what the natural human body can do.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Body Movin'
And you thought cyborgs were only in movies?? While I don't necessarily associate myself with any of Peter's four types of bodies, if I had to choose one it would be the natural body. Peters discusses the "materiality of the body" and its "symbolic construction within a certain culture" that "defines the natural body." This is what sold me apart from the other three. I am a tall, skinny, and Caucasian male in itself, separate from any sorts of technology. I am not disabled in any way nor do I rely on any sorts of medical technology (i.e. asthma inhaler, respirator, defibrillator, etc.)
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I disagree with your second paragraph. Although Kobe Bryant has played through injuries and refused surgery in order to stay on the court, I do not see the relationship between the natural body and the technology. Bryant was able to play because his injuries did not reach at the level where he has to discontinue his career. If he encountered serious injury, he would have to stop for months even years. However, because it wasn’t as serious, he was able to stand up strong and endure his pain. I see where you going with this and I do agree, I truly do not see the deep connection between the two.
ReplyDeleteI like your point made in your second paragraph: “the natural body can accomplish great things”. If one wholeheartedly believes this statement, then technological enhancements are unnecessary. What defines an accomplishment is not just the actual triumph, but the limitations of the individual. To illustrate, I do not believe that, in the future, if technology enabled people to run faster that breaking a one of today’s world records is a more impressive accomplishment. Great Job.
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