Technological Evolution: To Infinity and Beyond!

Casual change is a disciple of cybernetics. We are all cyborgs, and this is not a commonly conceptualized fictitious state. A social, cultural and political engagement with technology has emerged; and culturally constructed – we are induced through media. “Technology is gradually becoming second nature, a territory both external and internalized, and an object of desire. There is no need to make it transparent any longer, simply because is it not felt to be in contradiction to the 'authenticity of the experience'” (Bolter, 2000, p.42) We are no longer limited to living in our “God given” state, we exist through technology, but what are our cultural discontents? Furthermore, cyborg is a constant transformative state.“It is a medium that offers 'random access'; it has no physical beginning, middle, or end”. (Bolter, 2000, p.31) A concept which from a vast perspective is difficult to grasp. Just how much is an infinite amount of technological change? 'The Infinite', a noun once associated with 'God', has ironically shifted to terminology currently used to describe potential for growing technological advancement. We can only determine future development through past creation. “This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence.” (Benjamin, 1935, p.3)

Emanating from Darwin's theory of evolution, there is the “highest importance to gain a clear insight into the means of modification and co- adaptation.” (Darwin, 1859, p.12) Due to the arise of technology, a shifting development of self has emerged. Although technology is continuously improving in order to better idealistic conversions, our body has similarly accommodated to technology in order to adapt. We have become an assemblage of self and machine; a development of cyborgification. We are not Androids. Our relationship with technology and thought begins to merge; our thought process becomes automatic while using technology to the extend where technology has become ubiquitous.  

Further expanding on the concept of cyborgification becoming the next evolutionary state, as a culture we are continuously tested to refine our ability to adapt to New Media. “Virtual Reality won't merely replace TV. It will eat it alive”; (Rheingold, 1991) much like the evolution of living organisms. We are presented with the possibility of an active role rather than becoming a mere passive consumer. For example, by merely participating in systems such as video games, a feedback loop in generated between the functionality of man and machine. If human compatibility is not satisfactory, the user will be denied access to any advancements within their alternate reality. “Creators of other electronic remediations seen to want to emphasize the difference rather than erase it. In these cases, the electronic version is offered as an improvement.” (Bolter, 2000, p.46) Although technological evolution is currently taking place, our body is not obsolete. “The logic of hyper mediacy multiplies the signs of mediation and in this way tries to re produce the rich sensorium of human experience.” (Bolter, 2000, p.34) We produce a relationship with interactive media as a function. Interactive media is static until operated by the user. 

Bibliography:

Benjamin, Walter (1935) 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' in Durham, Meenakshi Gigi and Douglas M. Kellner (2006) Media and Cultural Studies (Oxford: Blackwell)

Bolter, J.D. (2000). Remediation: Understanding New Media New Ed. (MIT Press. P.20-50)

Darwin, C. (1859). On the Origin of Species, (Bromley: Kent)

Rheingold, H. (1991) Virtual Reality (New York, Simon and Schuster)