Thoughts on Deus Ex Human Revolution. Technological development, and augmentations.

[Ghost]

I mentioned this a while ago and I know most people here who don't play video games wouldn't care about them. But this topic hopefully I think you guys will find interesting, then again I could be wrong.

Now, Deus Ex Human Revolution for those who don't know is a prequel to Deus Ex which came out in either 2000 or 2001. (Don't remember the exact year.) I'm not going to talk about the gameplay; but rather the plot that seemed very interesting. It's obvious that the makers were heavily influenced by Ghost in the Shell and Bladerunner by looking at the game.

It's set in the year 2027 and the main character is Adam Jensen, who was born in 1993 and was fired from SWAT. Jensen is the chief of security working for David Sarif, who is the CEO of Sarif Industries and he was recommended shortly after he quit the force by Megan Reed who is a top scientist who also works for Sarif. Sariff Industries is a biotech corporation that specializes in Human Augmentation. I won't spoil the entire plot but there are attacks on Sarif industries and it's part of a conspiracy mainly orchestrated by the Illuminati, and you have to find out what's happening. Jensen was also seriously injured at the start and had to be heavily upgraded with military augmentations as a result.

But I think I've told you guys enough about all that. Human Augmentation is a very huge part of the story. You have these corporations, both Sarif Industries and Tai Yong Medical who advance their technological development. They encourage people to exchange their perfectly functional body parts for upgraded augmentations and in a way they can improve human life. They also work on military alterations and things of that nature.
The problem is that people who get augmented either by choice or not, they have to take a drug called Neorophozyne. This is a highly addictive drug and augmented patients have to take the drug for the rest of their life. If they don't take it their body will reject the augmentations and the person will eventually die.

Basically people are divided because of the augmentations. You have people who all for it, and are okay with the further augmentation development. Then you also have the "purists" as the game refers to them. These people believe that those who chose to augment themselves are rejecting their own humanity, and that the corporations that do this are killing off their humanity and freedom, or that their tampering with the natural order etc. These people are the cause of riots, protests and such.

Now, I find this interesting. But I'm kind of on the fence about it. I'm all for technological development. Albert Einstein once said "Technological progress is like an ax in the hands of a pathological criminal." In a way, I can see this in the plot line of this video game, and in some senses today. Now, I wouldn't augment myself unless I had some kind of psychical complications, or if I was in some kind of accident. But even then I wouldn't be to thrilled that I would be stuck on a drug for the rest of my life.

But at the same time, I'm all for technological development, but I'm not for brutal experiments or things of that nature. I really do believe that technology is a huge benefit for us. But self-controlled evolution can be really scary to some people.

I know this may be considered a political discussion, and I'm well aware of this rule but I think it's an interesting topic. I'm not trying to alienate anyone, and I would appreciate it if you kept all of the discussions friendly.

I am curious though. The main question is; if you were living in this time: Would you be against augmentations and the development of them? Or would you be all for it?

It's something that I think is interesting and something you all should think about. Again, keep things civil.

I'm also adding a link to a video showing the idea of augmentations and the bad side of them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akaos1U8Rto

[Bigdog]

I'd embrace it, especially if these augmentations would allow me the power to surpass homo sapiens' limits. But to take a drug for the rest of my life?

Nope.

If they could find a way to make the augmentations work well without them like a perpetual source that spaces out the drug intake by a decade, it would catch on. Wouldn't genetic manipulation and induced mutation be a far better route than artificial augmentation? All in all ,people should not be forced to undergo experiments, only to agree and fully understand them.

However, if the stories of disciplined monks being able to walk through walls , utilize their inner energy to accomplish superhuman feats and walk on the air are somehow true then all it takes is tons of discipline and years of training to take advantage of the universes' quantum mechanics .

[jeffbert]

I support the freedom to decide for oneself on such issues, though I am saddened by the cultural norms embracing the enhancement of completely functional & attractive parts. This is too small, etc. Does it work fine? yes, but-- We have a culture of self-indulgence, & lest I become political, I will leave it at that.

BOTOX is a drug that can eliminate or reduce facial wrinkles & lines; but it also is useful in reducing muscle spasms & involuntary movement in those few who suffer from head injuries or birth defects. While I empathize with women who are wanting to retain youthful appearances, the time will come when BOTOX or plastic surgery will have gone as far as they can. Age gracefully.

I have physical defects that have greatly limited my activity since 1961. I will spare you the details. For me, a bionic arm or leg would do nothing to help. It is control that I lack; if there were an artificial part that could be implanted to correctly connect my left extremities to my brain, I would be eager to have one. I admit I am a bit envious of the normal people who worry about such things as middle age & fat bellies or thighs, as though these were all that plagued them. I have the same middle age problems as others, but more also. Now I seem like I am feeling sorry for myself, so, I must quit.

I watched a few GALAXY EXPRESS 999 (THREE-NINE) episodes last night, & one was about a planet of gold; only the visitors & the poor lacked gold-plated bodies. I suspect a metaphor here . Anyway, this one guy was feeling left-out because he could not afford the plating & had to use gold dust to fake it. There was a hotel where the boy Tetsuro Hoshino & Maetel (his lady companion) stayed, & as they were passengers on the three-nine, they were welcomed despite lacking gold plating, though initially thrown out, until it was learned they were passengers. Anyway, not only this 1 episode, but the whole series itself seem to teach that we ought to be satisfied with our bodies as they are. Tetsuru wants an indestructible cyborg body, & the series is about his journey to a planet where he can get a free one. This episode showed the snobbishness of those who had the gold plating, and the envy of those who did not, & condemned both.

As I recall, the 1st episode had cyborgs ruling Earth & hunting humans for pleasure. Tetsuru's mama was killed in his sight, & since then, he vowed to become a cyborg himself. Sorry if I oversimplified the plot, here. So, in 1 episode after another, Tetsuru & Maetel meet people whose behavior teaches morals to the boy. Maetel acts as the voice of conscience, explaining why this or that is good or bad, etc. I am certain that Maetel herself is a cyborg, & that she wants Tetsuru to believe she is human, for she appears in her own story MAETEL SAGA, in which she is sad that she became a cyborg.

So, anyway, I though, supporting the freedom to choose enhancements, long for a culture in which these are rarely chosen.

[Bigdog]

I support the freedom to decide for oneself on such issues, though I am saddened by the cultural norms embracing the enhancement of completely functional & attractive parts. This is too small, etc. Does it work fine? yes, but-- We have a culture of self-indulgence, & lest I become political, I will leave it at that.

...useful in reducing muscle spasms & involuntary movement in those few ... Age gracefully.

I have physical defects that have greatly limited my activity since 1961. I will spare you the details.... I admit I am a bit envious of the normal people who worry about such things as middle age & fat bellies or thighs, as though these were all that plagued them. I have the same middle age problems as others, but more also. Now I seem like I am feeling sorry for myself, so, I must quit.
...

So, anyway, I though, supporting the freedom to choose enhancements, long for a culture in which these are rarely chosen.

Don't feel like telling us will make you feel sorry for myself. I have done worse in a sense since I have been diagnosed with Aspergers and I've known I was not in the "norm" , though I am a talented artist of three diverse fields , have had the luxury of a rather decent middle class education and have never had any defects which encumbered my capacity to explore the world as of yet. I do tend to be dark and negative in instances and I often feel sorry for myself unreasonably at times when all is going well for me.

I love your opinion on enhancements especially because that it what I believe and hope other reasonable minded people believe. It just seems so vain to enhance your physical appearance unnaturally but at the same time it is human nature to WANT to be able to have the highest chance of success in and out of the bedroom. I admit openly that I would love to be this and that ,not being of the ideal looks as a young person being a lttle too fat , but I realize however that I should just take it into my own hands and make myself the best person I can be and screw what anyone else says or thinks also.

But for enhancing those who are disabled , I'm all for it because I want my uncle to see again, so he can see my art , my and my sisters' faces for the first time.

[jeffbert]

Thanks for the compliment, Bigdog. Sorry about your uncle; blindness is one thing I truly dread, though there are other things, also. My optometrist just told me cataracts are forming in my left eye, but it should be ten years before they become serious.

[Bigdog]

Thanks for the compliment, Bigdog. Sorry about your uncle; blindness is one thing I truly dread, though there are other things, also. My optometrist just told me cataracts are forming in my left eye, but it should be ten years before they become serious.

Maybe you should research on how to stem the problem with cataracts at the bud of it and get rid of it . I saw a special where they took them out in North Korea and it worked for the most part.

While you might have deformities which were beyond your control , cataracts can be prevented and nipped at the bud and its the best time to get it out since no one before had that opportunity. Just save up for it and you'll be fine.

I assume you have Hemiparesis, right? It seems from your words you have "Pusher's Syndrome" which is a highly unfortunate thing to have and going by you being middle aged , I can only guess you have lived with this since you were born or very small.

These are times when I wouldn't mind a Black Jack to come out of the woodwork and save those who truly need it .

Going back to the topic at hand , I would only do it if I had serious injuries or what you have unless they could enhance my brain so I can learn several languages ,martial arts ala the Matrix.

[jeffbert]

Hemiparesis is a bit oversimplified, as my problem is one of control. Dr. Strangelove & Ash Williams (in EVIL DEAD II) best exemplify my condition. Both characters were attacked by their own right hands, & had to defend themselves with their left hands. It was funny, but mockery at the same time, & I was both furious and laughing my head off. True, my left side is overall weaker, & thus smaller. It makes buying pants an interesting task, as I must fit them to my larger side.

I never heard of "Pusher's Syndrome" until you mentioned it; in my case, I lean toward my bad side from the waist. I have recently been trying to sit straight, but I often forget.

[Bigdog]

Hemiparesis is a bit oversimplified, as my problem is one of control. Dr. Strangelove & Ash Williams (in EVIL DEAD II) best exemplify my condition. Both characters were attacked by their own right hands, & had to defend themselves with their left hands. It was funny, but mockery at the same time, & I was both furious and laughing my head off. True, my left side is overall weaker, & thus smaller. It makes buying pants an interesting task, as I must fit them to my larger side.

I never heard of "Pusher's Syndrome" until you mentioned it; in my case, I lean toward my bad side from the waist. I have recently been trying to sit straight, but I often forget.

Kudos to being strong and enduring 50 years of this so far.

So its sorta like involuntary movement like a spasm . Is there any way to get your left side operated on to help with your condition.

[Androids101]

I'd embrace it, especially if these augmentations would allow me the power to surpass homo sapiens' limits. But to take a drug for the rest of my life?

Nope.

If they could find a way to make the augmentations work well without them like a perpetual source that spaces out the drug intake by a decade, it would catch on.

I don't know about this one - if you're body is perfectly fine, I really see no reason to change them - even if they're "upgrades" and does your body some good. The drug just makes it worse, and you must take it otherwise you will die. I just don't like the fact that your entire life is depended on this drug - depended on the company that makes the drugs in the first place.

But then, most of the people would gladly trade their body parts, and see no problem with this. Which means the "purists" are not as smart or as strong as the other people - and that can be a significant disadvantage.

However, if the stories of disciplined monks being able to walk through walls , utilize their inner energy to accomplish superhuman feats and walk on the air are somehow true then all it takes is tons of discipline and years of training to take advantage of the universes' quantum mechanics .

I somehow just see the majority of the population taking the easier route - that is, augmentations. I probably wouldn't do so myself. And then there is the problem of are those legends true or false (I'm 99% percent sure they are). Especially with science it just doesn't seem probable, and science is almost always correct as everything we do and understand is based around it.

[jeffbert]

[QUOTE=jeffbert;177245]Hemiparesis is a bit oversimplified, as my problem is one of control. Dr. Strangelove & Ash Williams (in EVIL DEAD II) best exemplify my condition. Both characters were attacked by their own right hands, & had to defend themselves with their left hands. It was funny, but mockery at the same time, & I was both furious and laughing my head off. True, my left side is overall weaker, & thus smaller. It makes buying pants an interesting task, as I must fit them to my larger side.

I never heard of "Pusher's Syndrome" until you mentioned it; in my case, I lean toward my bad side from the waist. I have recently been trying to sit straight, but I often forget.

Kudos to being strong and enduring 50 years of this so far.

So its sorta like involuntary movement like a spasm . Is there any way to get your left side operated on to help with your condition.[/QUOTE]
I did have neurosurgery about 20 years ago, and it did relieve most of the involuntary movement. But, I was a victim of my own neuroplasticity. While it should have worked for me, and very long ago restored my control over my left side, it did not. I was at least 8 before I had recovered feeling in left arm. But the worst thing was that after that surgery at age 30-33, I noted that the involuntary movement was returning, starting at my fingers and working upward. As far as I can guess, I had been spastic for so long, that my brain 'thought' this was a normal condition, and that the surgery was damage.