Mischa Peters reflects in the article “Exit Meat” the relationship between science, technology and the human body, specifically the concept of posthumanism. Technology is becoming so intricate in its methods and inventions, that the human body’s boundaries are being tested. It is to no surprise that many appraisals and disputes have been created regarding the transformation towards posthumanism. When analyzing the four conceptual bodies Peters has created, I most identify with the natural body—the body that has no physical modifications due to technology.
In agreement with the definition for the natural body, technology has not physically modified me in anyway but it does still have a heavy impact in my life. I am marked by technology just without direct physical alteration. I do rely on medical, and basic technologies, but I acknowledge the clear boundaries between technology and the body. The example in the article explains a girl who exploits her own energy to power her computer; I do not believe that the human body should deplete its own energy solely for technology’s advantage. Although I fully recognize myself in the state of the natural body, it makes me wonder if in the future the natural body will be able to compete against those with modified or enhanced bodies; or if the science behind natural selection will solely extinguish those bodies that remain natural?
I love your line I do not believe that the human body should deplete its own energy solely for technology’s advantage. I completely agree with that. Technology and humans have a strict boundary between them. We should not be sacrificing ourselves for a computers benefit. They're just a pile of metal. The whole powering a computer with your body is just weird to me. I'm glad you see yourself as a natural body that understands you are still connected to technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinions. Even though most of would modify ourselves with natural body, we are indeed surrounded by technology - it is now part of our lives and we are actually benefitting from it to a great extent.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as you discussed, I think the most important thing is that we acknowledge the boundaries between our bodies and technology and that we do not let technology overpower human beings.