What first struck me while reading Monstrous Technologies was the line in reference to our current societal state, “...a time in which humans are becoming increasingly intimate with technology, penetrated by and absorbed into the technological realm in an unprecedented manner” (Biles 148). I believe this anthology was published in 2013 and since then technology has grown even more. We use technology for a plethora of reasons: communication, connection, finances, planning, entertainment, and even dating, to name a few.
With all of our numerous uses of technology, it's no wonder we play with the idea of artificial intelligence and humanizing technology. But the idea of robotic humans, or specifically Cylons as mentioned in the text, is terrifying. We have no way of knowing how evolved these robots will become. If science fiction movies (and Will Smith) have taught us anything it's that robots will likely try and overthrow humans. The text even mentions the possibility of an “‘apocalypse’: a death of the imperfect human coincident with a technological resurrection” (Biles 149). I don't know about you but I'd rather not tempt fate. There’s even a notion that the human mind can essentially be uploaded to a computer.
Although I understand the importance of inquiry, exploration to further our minds and the human race, and the need to preserve our knowledge, I have to wonder at what cost? Do we really want to create technology that could eliminate us? When should we draw the line and heed to the old adage of “curiousity killed the cat”? The human mind and its constant quest for answers is too large of a fire to put out which means it's almost inevitable that soon we will be playing with humanized robot technology on a mass scale (that is if we haven't already). The question remains, will we know when to stop and limit what we are producing? Or will we continue in the name of science? And if we do continue, how long before we start the process of eliminating the human race to advance technology? Is our curiosity worth destroying our humanity?
Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/mediaviewer/rm1679789824
Levina, Marina, and Diem-My Bui T. "Chapter 9: Monstrous Technologies." Monster Culture in the 21st Century: A Reader. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
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