Transhumanism could bring superhuman abilities to some and mind control to others: a perspective
According to a RAND report commissioned by the UK Ministry of Defence, the Internet of the Body ecosystem could lead to the Internet of the Brain sometime between 2035 and 2050.
“The ‘Internet of the Body’ could eventually lead to an ‘Internet of the Brain’, where human brains are connected to the Internet to facilitate direct brain-to-brain communication and provide access to online data networks. there is.”
Rand Co., Ltd., March 2024
The research was commissioned by the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Research Institute and carried out by Rand Europe and Fraser Nash Consulting.Cultural and technological changes in the future information environment‘ explores six technologies and information environments and their impact on UK defence.
They include:
- automated information system
- virtual metaverse
- Augmented reality and mixed reality
- Advanced connectivity
- human augmentation
- information security
A major theme running through these information environments is transhumanism, or the merging of humans and machines.
“While some experts predict tactical improvements in human capabilities, others are investigating the possibility of ‘transhumanism’ emerging within the 2050 timeframe.”
RAND Co., Ltd., March 2024
According to the report, “Advances in object connectivity may eventually extend to the human body. Researchers are calling the potential development of internet-linked networks of humans and connected devices that collect biometric data of end users the “Internet of Bodies.” […] The “Internet of the Body” may eventually lead to an “Internet of the Brain,” meaning that human brains will be connected to the Internet to facilitate direct brain-to-brain communication and provide access to online data networks. there is.. ”“
The Internet of the Body and the upcoming Internet of the Brain specifically falls under the category of “human augmentation technologies,” which “refer to technologies that enhance the physical or cognitive abilities of humans.”
According to the report, the most relevant technological applications for human augmentation include:
- Wearable devices and implants For tracking and analyzing physiological and environmental data (such as biochips and implantable sensors). These technologies aim to continuously monitor physiological data in real time to understand human health status and performance.
- sensory enhancement technology such as auditory and retinal implants designed to improve or enhance sensory activities, particularly vision and hearing. Smart prosthetics is a related category that includes exoskeletons, full-body robotic suits that enhance the end user’s physical capabilities, increasing mobility, muscle strength, endurance, and other abilities.
- Brain computer or brain-brain interface Establish direct communication between the human brain and/or computing devices
Elon Musk’s Neuralink is the latest example of a brain-computer interface that made a lot of headlines for helping a paralyzed man, but what happens when human augmentation moves from healing to strengthening?
Transhumanism may result in superhuman abilities, but those abilities are retained only by a select class, while the remaining programmable plebs could exist in a constant state of surveillance and control until they become irrelevant. There is sex.
According to the report, “Some experts predict tactical improvements in human capabilities, while others are investigating the possibility of “transhumanism” emerging within the 2050 timeframe..
“This concept represents a “new form of human being (transhuman).” […] There, information and communication technologies and biomedicine will fundamentally improve the human condition and significantly increase human intellectual, physical, and psychological capabilities.”
The chosen one will receive human enhancements to never tire, think smarter, move faster, jump higher, see farther, hear better, hit harder, and for longer. You will live better, adapt stronger, and calculate faster than anyone else. other humans on earth.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is already converging our physical, biological, and digital identities to monitor, manipulate, and reprogram our behavior.
If humans are fully integrated with machines on a large scale, where does technology end and humans begin?
The authors of the RAND report state:Given the direct integration of technology into human cognitive, physical, and psychological functions, significant levels of human augmentation may become possible.[blur] “Identities and notions of what it means to be human”, introducing new normative perspectives on humanity and creating new prejudices against those who are not seen as achieving those norms”
On a personal level, if you wish to remain a natural human being and not be part of thehomo sapiens technologus”, you may not be able to compete in the workplace and may be labeled as useless.
At the international level, countries, cultures, and communities that do not participate in transhumanist experiments can easily be conquered by those who do.
The report adds:The social dynamics of the introduction of human augmentation are likely to include disparities in access to relevant technologies, resulting in new developments where economically disadvantaged people do not have access to the same levels of enhancement as other social segments. forms of digital exclusion may be introduced.”
At the same time, a natural human being who is not lacking may have the advantage of not being easily manipulated or controlled by thoughts and memories that may not be completely one’s own.
In other words, transhumanism can lead to superhuman abilities for some and mind control for others.
“Advances in brain-computer interfaces may lead to the development of brain-to-brain communication technologies, leading to entirely new forms of interpersonal communication.”
RAND Co., Ltd., March 2024
“Human augmentation can compromise end users’ cognitive safety, impacting their ability to assess the trustworthiness of information they receive while using human augmentation technology.”
Rand Co., Ltd., March 2024
Manipulation and control are other areas of interest regarding human augmentation, the Internet of the Body, and the Internet of the Brain.
False information, images, sounds, memories, and thoughts could one day be downloaded onto these devices and uploaded to the human brain, with potentially devastating effects.
According to the report, “In particular, sensing technologies (such as hearing implants) carry the risk of interference, where the device can be manipulated and provide false information to the end user..
“Such manipulation of sensory input would greatly amplify current threats from artificially creating or manipulating visual and auditory information (such as images and videos)..
“Therefore, human augmentation may compromise end users’ cognitive safety, impacting their ability to assess the reliability of information they receive while using human augmentation technology.“
“The 2035 to 2050 timeframe could lead to significant advances in human augmentation technology.”
RAND Co., Ltd., March 2024
The Department of Defense is also investigating ways to fundamentally change what it means to be human, funding research to create smarter, faster, and stronger superhumans through human enhancement.
As technology permeates and collects as much intimate data about you as possible, you are on the path to transhumanism, which could be the beginning of the worst totalitarian surveillance regime in human history.
Worse than being serfs, those who cannot keep up with this brave new world of transhumanism will become irrelevant, redundant, useless, and even their physical labor unnecessary.
After the gene editing and technological manipulation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, can we still call ourselves human?
Humanity as we know it will split into entirely new species, and species that have not been gene-edited or technologically modified may never be able to compete with gene-edited or technologically modified species. there is.
In a future where humans are no longer considered natural humans, what does that mean for human rights?
Image by kjpargeter [cropped] Freepik
