Popular science

by Dylan Norhtup (norhtup@CHUMA.CAS.USF.EDU)

“When the implantation of mechanical devices in the human body began in the mid 1980s with the first successful mechanical heart operation few imagined the heights to which medical technology in general and the field of cybernetics specifically would reach. How could they envision nanotechnology that would allow fully functional cybernetic prosthesis or mechanical analogs to the body’s own organs? These advances have certainly affected the modern world and have had a drastic effect in shaping out society into the world that is the modern world.”

{Excerpted from “Popular Science”, Nov.2053, pp 201}

Please.

I do tire of this pop science claptrap that the masses of pseudo-intellectuals consume like so much cotton candy. Indeed, the cotton candy metaphor is most appropriate: this information has very little actual substance and if one consumes too much they will surely get a mental analogue to a headache. The point to the above article (if this article may be said to have a point) seems to be that cybernetics has revolutionised the world in which we exist. While this is undeniably true, this paints a picture that while not directly mentioned is certainly implied. That picture is of every person walking around with two datajacks and artificial hands on each arm.

This is simply not true. The simple fact is cybernetic replacement is very rare.

Less than 3% of the population has any cybernetic or bionetic augmentation or modification. Of this number, fully 70% of the operations are for medical purposes (Note: cybernetic modification for “fashion” reasons which have no actual medical reason of benefit have not been considered in these tabulation. While these numbers verge on significant I do not actually consider the operations themselves to be revolutionary or society changing (as the article claims) but merely more advanced forms of the coloured contact lens and superior forms of nail polish.)

“Say, Doc, when you say ‘verge on significant’ what does that actually mean? I mean, how much do the numbers actually change?”

—Angel <07:54:23/07-09-54>

>>>>>[Well the total percentage of thepopulation with cyberware figuring in the number of cosmetic modifications and implants jumps to about 5%. If we add this number to the number of rep[placement/augmentations for medical reasons the number jumps to a little over 80%.]<<<<<

-- Doc X <03:45:34/07-12-54>

Almost all of the remaining 30% of the operations are conducted by corporations on their research professors (blood filtration systems, gas ventilation systems), Construction teams (muscle augmentations, GC7 glandular modification), corporate matrix personell and high-level personal secretaries (audio/video recorders and head ware memory).

To say that these operations do not occur on a regular basis is indeed incorrect, to say the least. But do not believe that every receptionist that you meet at the front desk is recording you with her implanted eyes. It is far more cost efficient to use mounted 2D and trideo cameras than it is to install cybereyes in a body that works eight hours a day with coffee breaks, a lunch hour and an annual one week vacation. The cameras have the benefit of being there all day and all night, they never leave the building (or the company for that matter), and they are a lot harder to distract than said secretary. Multiple cameras may be installed for the same price of one operation to replace normal eyes with cybereplacements.

Now for that personal secretary who accompanies Mr. Big-san everywhere that he goes cyber eyes/ears with memory dedicated to storage of A/V data is just the thing for documenting meetings and taking dictation. But realise that these secretaries are few and far between. Similarly, very few scientists will have precautionary blood filtration systems implanted into their systems. Many prefer to simply follow standardised safety procedures such as wearing biochem suits and working with toxic vapours in hoods. Very few choose to have the operation performed upon them.

>>>>>[And you chose the right word there, Doc. These top corp scientists do actually get to choose. Your average kylie works as a wage slave and gets told "For that promotion you need a datajack, at least 200 Mp of headware, a food processor, the car jack to a 29 Jackrabbit, ..... Oh you don't have it? Well we'll review you application and get back to you." From here there are three choices: (in increasing order of probability) Kylie stays at her present position, the corp helps Kylie pay for her car jack implementation, or Kylie soon has to find another job. Rough, man. Really rough]<<<<<

-- Stan the Can-can man <05:12:09/07-15-54>

>>>>>[Those who are helped by the company are generally very thankful to the company.]<<<<<

-- Grace <23:14:19/07-17-54>

>>>>>[For those unfortunates who do not get accustomed to the neural headnets don't have much of a chance on getting a 1-year evaluation.]<<<<<

-- Dickens <03:17:56/07-18-54>

>>>>>[On a side note, those who gain a lot of faciliity with the headnets are usually tagged as likely prospects for a datajack. After an observation period and aptitude training, a decision is made. Some are promoted; many aren't. This is how many a corporate decker is born.]<<<<<

-- The Avon Lady <07:41:20/07-20-54>

Many other top-level positions have associated with them other replacements/modifications: Security Guard, Construction Forman, and upper level executives (though for these the enhancements are more of a status symbol than a tool to ne used on the job).

However it must be stressed that no corporation will invest in any employee that has not already shown to his employer that he/she is loyal, valuable, and will have their abilities significantly improved by the enhancement. Also taken into consideration: can the same effect be acheived without cybernetic or bionetic operation using other technology? If so, the corp would likely take that option unless there were extenuating circumstances (though this is exceedingly rare).

For the remaining amount od cyber and bioware out there you have to thank no one other than yourselves, the shadow community. Though they are rare operations paid for by individuals is not illegal.

So there you have it: 95% of the population with no cyber/bioware; 2.1% of the population with medically necessary implants and modifications; .85% of the population with corporate approved cyber and bioware; and .05% of the population with other cyberware and bioware.

-- Doc X </BODY> </HTML>