Thread by @Rachel_Gutin

The second panel I attended at #ConZealand this year was “Cyborgs and Society”, with @divyastweets, @sl_huang, and @erricknunnally, moderated by @BenCKinney

The panel raised and considered so many fascinating questions.

This thread will include some of the many things the panelists said. I’m copying this over from my handwritten notes, so assume I’ve paraphrased unless I put something in quotes.

The panelists began by discussing the definition of cyborg.

@BenCKinney: An altered human

@sl_huang: We like to “other” people, so it’s only a matter of time before we call people cyborgs

The question arose as to whether people with medical devices such as pacemakers, cochlear implants and deep brain stimulators would count as cyborgs.

Further thoughts on the definition of cyborg:

@Divyastweets: The popular culture understanding is someone with enhancements. But implants and prosthetics replace, correct or compensate for what other people have that you don’t so you can move through an able-bodied world.

And more thoughts on what a cyborg is:

@BenCKinney: The media influences perception. What are we told a cyborg is?

@Divyastweets: The social interpretation: The person has to look enhanced somehow.

And @Divuastweets also noted that cyborgs are the antithesis of androids, who look human outside but aren’t inside.

From @sl_huang: Cybernetic technology will provide enhancement in some areas while detracting from others. For example, sacrificing dexterity for strength.

Subcultures may arise based on choices people make about technology—and also on who chooses to be visible or not.

Thoughts on how other people will respond to cyborgs:

@Divyastweets: There will be a range of reactions from “cool” to “gross.”

@Erricknunnally: This is true with all body mods, both today, and going back thousands of years

From @BenCKinney: Different amounts of body modification are accepted in different cultures at different times. Things that seem gross now can become normal and expected.

And @sl_huang noted that there’s a danger of thinking the same solution is right for everyone. Not everyone will choose the tech. We see this with cochlear implants in the d/Deaf community.

From @Divyastweets: There will be haves and have-nots. The have-nots will be judged for spending money on the technology, and the haves won’t be.

And there will be a drive to require people like farm workers and construction workers to have enhancements to compete.

This brings up some issues for those with less money:

@Divyastweets: What happens when the enhancements become involuntary? What if corporations require the enhancements in order to be hired?

@sl_huang brought up privacy concerns.

Further questions that were raised:

- Who pays for the technology?
- What about military enhancements?
- How would government-supported cyborgs affect things?
- How will attitudes change when we’re dealing with honored veterans vs. corrupt cops?

Even more questions:

- Who pays for ongoing maintenance: The government? Your employer? What if you leave your job?
- Will there be a call center you contact?
- Will there be planned obsolescence?

Some thoughts on these questions:

@Erricknunnally: It could be a job benefit that you have to pay off with work.

@sl_huang: There will be black market tech, medical tourism, etc.

@Erricknunnally: There might be a secondary market for used and refurbished parts.

From @BenCKinney: Being a cyborg might be a mark of wealth. If you can’t maintain it, that would mean you’re unworthy of it. Or, it might mean you can’t let a cyborg go without support.

From @Divyastweets: Medical companies will want planned obsolescence and disposable parts.

From @Divyastweets: This would be analogous to biological bodies and healthcare - and more socialist countries will do better with it.

From @sl_huang: It might be seen as elective—and not covered by insurance.

From @BenCKinney: What about if someone is unable to pay the lease on a prosthetic?

From @sl_huang: This already happens with things like wheelchairs, and people losing them when they can’t pay.

One last question was asked, but there was no time to answer it: What about hacking and altering the equipment you have?

And those are my take-aways from “Cyborgs and Society.” Some really interesting questions to consider as we look ahead to the future - and some great fodder for new stories.

I'm trying to do threads like this for a number of the panels I attended. This is my second panel thread, and I'm collecting them here: twitter.com/i/events/12922…

Happy reading!