Me 2.0: ‘Augmented Me’ (#1)

Back in 2015, our team had a small application developed to demonstrate the power of Google Glass (my photo with the Google Glass above); at the peak of hopes, expectations which later turned to skepticism. In that same year, I remember getting a Fitbit as well to track my activities, sleep and whatever not. I don’t have either of the two now – not even a smart watch, the latest wearable fad or craze.

No, I am not averse to have foreign objects as part of my body. In fact, I already have quite a few like artificial teeth (do not even remember how many) or my contact lenses. I was just thinking after reading few articles about Cyborgs, if by having these as part of my body make me a Cyborg?

Definition of Cyborg, as per Merriam-Webster Learners Dictionary:

Cyborg: a person whose body contains mechanical or electrical devices and whose abilities are greater than the abilities of normal humans

I do not think that I can claim that I am a Cyborg just by having artificial teeth or by wearing contact lenses. These implants are all deficiency driven, repairing and augmenting malfunction of one or many of our body parts – an integral part of 'Me' and my existence. Even the Google Glass or a Fitbit can be considered as part of ‘Extended Me’ at best; another device like our smart phone which enables us to access web, make calls, make payments, track our activities etc.

Now coming back to the topic of Cyborg, let me ask you a trivia question:

‘Who is the first officially recognized Cyborg?’

If I am not mistaken, it is Neil Harbisson - a Spanish born British color-blind artist, who insisted having his passport photo taken by the British authority along with his ‘eyeborg’ (an antenna permanently attached to his head since 2004). It enables him to sense color as audible vibrations inside his head.

Though Neil Harbisson was first officially recognized cyborg, he was not the first one to become a cyborg. That honor perhaps goes to ‘Captain Cyborg’ – Kevin Warwick, professor and deputy vice chancellor (research) at Coventry university. Professor Warwick implanted an RFID enabled chip in his upper left arm back in 1998 and since then continued the journey of a ‘cyborg’ with chips enabling him to control switches, doors, lights, sensors near his proximity (Near Field Communication).

Neil Harbisson and Kevin Warwick are not the only ones. In Sweden (where I live now), more than 3500 people have microchips implanted in their hand which not only enables them to regulate lights or use the same as digital access cards, but also is used as a storage for emergency contact, social profile etc. In fact, Swedish railway recognized the chip as an alternative of paper ticket.

This trend will continue to accelerate as we move towards 2030 and will change the way we live or work. For example in a recent Citrix (CTXS) 2035 work survey, two thirds of the employees believe that workers with chips implanted as part of their bodies will have advantage in the labor market. 

If smart phones and smart devices were the foundation of ‘Me 1.0: Extended Me’, the devices coming within us (implanted chips) and making us cyborg will become the foundation of ‘Me 2.0: Augmented Me’. Though I believe ‘Augmented Me’ will go beyond just the notion of cyborgs. It will encompass multiple facets (not an exhaustive list):

‘Me 1.0: Extended Me’ (me and my smart devices)

+ My capability being augmented through an external structure attached to my body; Exoskeleton (like Superhero suits)

+ ‘Me’ being part of an extended virtual and immersive augmented reality where the demarcation between real and virtual world gets blurred completely … remember the movie Matrix or the famous Elon Musk quote ‘what’s outside the simulation?’

+ chips implanted under my skin as part of my body, giving me enhanced capability which a normal human being will not have; ‘Me’ becoming a Cyborg

+ ????

Welcome to ‘Me 2.0: Augmented Me’. Where do we go from here? What more?

… to be continued 

?Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are my personal point of view and do not in anyway represent that of the organization I work for.