You Are Already a Cyborg
An Average Nigerian is a Cyborg
If I asked you what a cyborg was, chances are you’d say a cyborg is a person seamlessly integrated with technology. A half man/half machine symbiotic fusion that yields increased mental and physical abilities. There are tons of existing conversations already revolving around the idea that humans have developed a dependence on technology, some unhealthy, some out of necessity and others symbiotic, either way the comparison of technology-dependent individuals to cyborgs is nothing new. However, it’s easy to believe that it holds very little significance when you’re from a so called “Developing Country.”
So let’s do a quick comparison:
Enter X: X is a classic sci-fi cyborg. In addition to having ocular implants with True-Sight resolution, X has had his brain modded with an additional 135 Petabite with quick recall and active backup through which he regularly uploads his files to his virtual storage hosted on the grid. X’s schedule and calendar is handled by a dedicated bot and fed directly to his HUD, X receives system stats — biological and artificial — monitored in real time, motion and location tracking, energy levels, storage space and mood pattern, including hardware and software status. X is always connected to the grid and has unlimited information access. He can transmit data wirelessly and interact with compatible devices. He is able to sync with systems to acquire object-related information and on occasion, he can override certain security protocols to gain access to otherwise hidden areas. When his primary power runs low or gets compromised, X has auxiliary cells embedded for emergency or back up power. X is so completely integrated with his tech that he cannot fathom life without it.
Your average cyborg, right? For some, the description of X is enough to illustrate the point and identify with the metaphors. But, let’s paint a clearer picture:
Enter Kola: Kola is an average Lagos guy in his late 20s. Like many others, he owns a smart phone with a 64Gb memory — expandable to 256GB — and an inbuilt 16MP camera. Kola also has a Google account which affords him 15GB virtual storage and a Microsoft OneDrive account with the 100GB that came with his laptop. There’s also the Dropbox account he hardly uses these days. Kola has various productivity apps which include diaries, reminders and IFTTs. He also has a smartwatch with an inbuilt pedometer synced with his phone to constantly push notifications and stats. Kola has several bluetooth and wireless devices like headphones, speakers, tablets. He scans barcodes and QR codes with his phone to obtain product-specific information and access extra content. Kola constantly jailbreaks his devices and cracks software he cannot afford but needs. Kola has two 10000mAh power-banks for when his devices run too low. Kola cannot even imagine living life any differently.
There are a lot more similarities to point out, like data transmission and communication, but I’m sure you get the point by now. When you take out the fiction from “science fiction” and you’re left with a closer look at the science, you realize that we’re not so far off from it. An average Lagosian is more or less a cyborg. We rely on an assortment of tech, ranging from entertainment to productivity, to make our day to day lives a lot easier and manageable.
It’s simply inevitable that these advancements in consumer tech will continue to progress and become even greater parts of our lives.
Take a moment, ask yourself; What are your mods and upgrades? How much of a cybernetic organism are you really?