SITES Redux

I first encountered this issue three and a half years ago when I got my dogs. My vet asked me if I wanted them "microchipped." My first response was one of horror. I still have the same response. I like my dogs, and my natural world, as organic as possible. On some level, there is value in the role of chance in our world. My dogs might get lost. If they had a microchip, they might be easier to find. But isn't that a false sense of security? And, obsessive-compulsive dachshund owner/lover that I am, aren't I more likely to take more care to watch over my dogs if I know that if they get lost, they will probably be very hard to find?

Technology can enhance our experience of the world, and, I suppose, can simplify it. (Although when I think about technology I often think of its hassels more than its benefits--perhaps especially so at the moment since I just spent the past 40 minutes in 316 trying to figure out why the VHS wasn't projecting only to find--after trying everything else--that the problem was a loose connection.) But with every technological gain, we lose something, some aspect of human experience as it currently exists, as well.

I think too that it is important to realize that a microchip placed inside a body is just a physical manifestation of what is already happening to us, as a society and as individuals, on a daily basis. In the past week I've heard several stories about information on the internet and ethics. What occurred to me is that when a computer virus threatens to knock out thousands or millions of computers, it's a really big deal. People get really scared (and for good reason). But what about the virus of misinformation that thrives off of internet culture? What about how that kind of disease fills the minds of thousands of people. Why aren't we more worried about that? It seems like just living in a technology-dominated society somehow makes us less organic. Unfortunately, one common response to informatin run amuk is to try to control the internet through censorship. But in addition to being undesireable, censorship seems to be an outdated and inadequate response to this kind of problem. Perhaps that's just a part of human evolution, but then, is it really *human* evolution?

Great points about the larger picture and the alienations wrought by technology. I didn't think much about our cat getting microchipped, except that it seemed like it might be a good idea if he got lost, but zooming out to the bigger picture makes sense. I see similar things with the technologies of medicines. People pay attention if side effects have been ignored or something goes bad, but the larger trends of treating the body with technology goes overlooked.

Hummm, The six million dollar man comes to mind. But unlike Col. Steve Austin,we would probably not be working for some secret organization. However it would be convenient to walk up to the door and with a way of the hand it opens. Oh that's right the have automatic doors that open when you walk up to them. Also I guess it would be nice to walk up to a sink and the with the wave of the hand the sink begins to run hot or cold water.Oh I forgot we already have sinks that can tell when you place your hands under the faucet. I think we have the ability to do all the things without a chip that we can do with a chip under our skin. We must use the technology that is already available to enhance our living experience. Also we have lights that come on when you walk into a room all without have a chip implanted under the skin. Also if you want your computer to know you and only you,fingerprint ID scanners. Now here we go with a two headed sword idea retina scanners to allow entrance into special rooms. They have them but who wants to have a beam that may or may not harm your vision now or in the future. Technologically speaking technology can create,enhance and bring people together but it can also destroy,invade and lead to a since of big brother watching. So we have to find that balance of technology and human experience. But we don't want to become Clyons either. (For those who don't look at Scifi - ( look up battle star galactica on the net.) Last but not least( I think therefore I am) Human and Machine. Humachine