Quote:
Originally Posted by yvanleterrible
I used to feel like that a while back and was even scared of it. I think it was due mostly to the disservice brought on by the concept of "The Borg".
We were "designed" with a number of senses built in. What if we could add others? That is a philosophical question indeed.
|
One problem would be what senses they were, and how we would interpret them.
Quote:
|
Looking at it further, we do. Although it's not built in and mostly artificial, our use of tools prolong our members and the long range communication tools such as phone and internet, prolong our hearing and visual senses.
|
Yes, bit those are not additional senses. We use technology to extend what our bodies already do.
Quote:
|
I'm addicted to internet to defeat a certain loneliness. I would be very happy to wilfully have the instant communication unity of the Borg. Wouldn't you?
|
Maybe, maybe not.
Problem number one is that the Borg are no longer individuals. They are a collective.
Problem number two is the depth of the communication and how voluntary it might be. Poul Anderson wrote a story called "Journeys End" in which a man and woman who were telepaths finally found each other. The resulting mind-to-mind communication included not only the surface thoughts but also the deep secrets and things we are ashamed of and don't like to admit to ourselves, let alone others. The result was to permanently drive them apart. Neither could deal with the other knowing that much about them.
Quote:
Seeing in the dark and much further, other wavelengths, hearing ultrasounds etc. Those augmentations would be acceptable for most anyone. How about magnetic homing like migratory birds?
Lotsa quetions indeed...
|
Senses and bodily capabilities evolve to meet challenges in the environment. Enhancements like the ones you mention are possible now, using external equipment. What's the benefit to having it built-in? How often do you actually need to do something like that?
______
Dennis