Goodness, it's been awhile hasn't it. I recently got wisdom tooth surgery, and as I was sitting in my recliner feeling sorry for myself, I had a lot of time to think. I've become rather fascinated with the idea of a cyborg ever since our discussion of it in literature class. Actually, its not the feminism part of it that I find interesting, but the idea of a false humanity. Of course, gender roles make up a big part of this, but the overarching theme of cyborgs is the relationship between nature and machines and how it effects one's humanity as well as their social setting.
Has anyone heard of Janelle Monae? She's a singer, and a damn good one at that. I was introduced to her music by Vladimir, and ever since I've been quite taken with her. The thing I admire most, besides her classy appearance and wicked dance moves, is the story she's been weaving with her music. Her albums tell the story of a society of "androids" who are divided into the "have and have-nots" and are in need of unification. It's a concept that intrigues me, partly because of what we've been talking about.
Let me clarify. Cyborgs and androids are not the same. Cyborgs are people who have been modified with technology. They are not 100% flesh and bone, but their modifications can range from a hearing aid to a complete body overload. Major Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell is a cyborg, because at some point she was a human, and its likely that the only organic part of her left is her brain.
Androids were never human. They are robots with the physical appearance (ranging from vaguely humanoid to indistinguishable) of humans. There's a very thin line between the two, but it could bring about some very interesting debate.
Janelle Monae speaks of this world where androids live divided. Since they presumably don't feel the full range of human emotions, its safe to assume they don't care to unify for any reason, similar to the cyborgs spoken of by Donna Haraway. They have no loyalties to anyone but themselves, leaving a very segregated social situation, where those in power stay and power and those who aren't are doomed to remain that way.
The idea of cyborgs and androids lacking the humanity to unionize reminds me of a movie called Metropolis. I've never actually seen it, but Monae clearly draws inspiration from it. The film is about people who live like androids. They are drones in a sprawling city where the rich live comfortably in condos high above and the unfortunate are forced to work to keep the city running down below. While the android character is actually planted to sow chaos, the woman it's likeness is based off of is a messiah to the people, aiming to unite them in order to raise their station in life.
I wish I knew where I was going with this, but honestly, I don't know what it all means. I mean, put Ghost in the Shell, Janelle Monae and Metropolis together and somehow they fit. I just wish I understood why. I guess thats the fascinating part about cyborgs and androids. I think we find these false humans so intriguing because they are false. They're secondary beings, something a lot of humans can relate to. There's something almost disturbing about them (sort of like an uncanny valley), and yet I think they can be quite relatable. Surely everyone has atleast once felt like they were less than human. Like they went along with their lives robotically with no will or way to break free of their monotonous lifestyle.
Do you ever get the feeling life has become too easy? I fear a world where humans give in to cybernetic enhancements. The difference between humans and robots is our ability to think and evolve. I fear a world where that's no longer possible.
Okay, I'm finished with my long-winded rant that makes absolutely no sense. That's what blogs are for :)
Here's a video by Janelle Monae that I find fitting to the topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHgbzNHVg0c
For now,
Mischief Managed
