Practical Transhumanism
Focused on what we can do to enhance ourselves and our world now, with today's technology. Things out recently, just around the corner, or used in a novel way most people haven't seen.
Another step closer to synthetic biology and customized medicines that behave more like reactive, living things.
Scientists Have Built Synthetic Cells That React to External Cues, Just Like Real Ones
Researchers have developed artificial cells that can respond to external chemical forces, just like real ones do. This exciting step could get us closer to using synthetic biological structures in real-world situations, such as targeted drug delivery
sciencealert.com
"Imagine a patient controlling the movement of his or her prosthetic limb simply by thinking of commands. It may sound like science fiction but will soon become a reality thanks to the EU-funded DeTOP project. A consortium of engineers, neuroscientists and clinicians has made great strides in further developing the technology behind more natural and functional prostheses."
Brain-controlled prosthetic hand to become reality - Neuroscience News
Researchers are developing a sophisticated prosthetic hand that can be directly controlled by the thoughts of the user.
neurosciencenews.com
With the new system, a prosthetic wearer can do delicate tasks, such as pluck grapes from the stem
A Robot Hand Helps Amputees "Feel" Again
With the new system, a prosthetic wearer can do delicate tasks, such as pluck grapes from the stem
scientificamerican.com
AI Trained on Old Scientific Papers Makes Discoveries Humans Missed
Scientists used machine learning to reveal new scientific knowledge hidden in old research papers.
vice.com
Researchers learned that the extra digit wasn't dead weight, but fully-integrated into the subject's body, including dedicated areas in the brain for motor control. Polydactyl subjects were even able to perform tasks that would normally require both hands to accomplish.
Six fingers per hand: Polydactyly equals extra motor ability - Neuroscience News
Polydactyly, a condition where one is born with an extra finger, has significant benefits when it comes to motor skill and control. fMRI neuroimaging reveals those with extra fingers are able to move the digits independently of other fingers. The findings could help with the development of new prost...
neurosciencenews.com
It's important to remember that the tools are not the end but the means, that there needs to be more benefit than "because we can" to the technology we choose to integrate with. More is not automatically equal to better. Our bodies ARE hackable, but they are complex systems, not isolated components. We need to develop a thorough understanding of all the implications of the changes we propose before we wholeheartedly embrace them. Is it a short-lived novelty or a truly worthwhile upgrade? Is the utility worth the price? There's always a price.
Transhumanism Is Tempting—Until You Remember Inspector Gadget
Tech gurus are obsessed with treating bodies like machines—something a 30-year-old cartoon about a tricked-out detective suggests won’t work.
wired.com