Posthuman

By definition the ‘posthuman’ starts out as has a human mind but through the extensions of technology, becomes something that is no longer human. Some believe it is the prototype for the future body, but really, this is not so far fetched. With today’s technology we are able to minimise the possibility of passing on genetic diseases to our children by eliminating certain genes and changing others. The sex of a baby no longer must be left up to chance, parents can now choose weather they want a boy or a girl before the mother is pregnant. The possibilities are endless, from chameleon like skin to beings that do not age. The posthuman could potentially become like a car, with regular servicing and replacing worn out parts.

Where do you draw the line from human to posthuman? Those that participate in the online community of second life could be termed as posthuman. There is a human mind behind the virtual being you see on your screen. Video games allow people to become posthuman. They can be the hero in a video game and save the damsel in distress when their real life job may be much less fulfilling such as working at the drive through at McDonalds. One of the reasons online communities and people who participate in posthuman activity are able to portray their ideal self. They can alter their image, make their waist a bit smaller or their muscles a bit bigger. They can live out their wildest fantasies without while still remaining relatively anonymous, in fact second life is known for being a place where people can come together and have virtual sex with complete strangers. People may be driven to posthuman activities because they are not satisfied with their life in the real world. They may not be sexually fulfilled or not happy with their body image. With a simple click of a button, that can all change in second life. People can be whoever they want to be.

But why would you want to? The 'ideal' woman is fed to the public through the media and what society considers desirable. Would you alter the genes of your children in order for them to fit this 'posthuman' stereotype? I would argue that our differences and 'flaws' are what make the world an interesting place. To quote a popular Groove Armada song, 'If everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other'