Cybernetic Bodies

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-07-30 11:37pm

I was watching Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex the other day and it got me thinking about the ethics of changing over to a cybernetic body. For those of you unfamiliar with GiTS, the main character, Maj. Motoko Kusanagi, is a woman who chose to give up her human body for a cybernetic one. Her body is almost entirely robotic; the only thing that remains is her brain, which itself has been still cybernetically enhanced but still retains the "ghost" (the film's term for self-awareness, or a soul if you will) of Kusanagi. She is treated like all other humans; there is no mainstream societal taboo against cybernetic enhancements, since almost all people have them (being completely organic is considered uncommon in the world of GiTS).

Her cybernetic body has a number of advantages over a human one; she is infinitely stronger and faster, she doesn't need to fear sickness (all she needs to do is have her body maintained routinely) and if something goes terribly wrong she can just get a new body, and she can drink as much beer as she wants without getting drunk (OK, maybe that's not an advantage).

What I'm asking you is if giving up your organic body for a cybernetic body is something that you would do, in the future. Assume that the procedure is nearly 100% safe and affordable, and also assume that your reproductive material will be saved in case you want to reproduce. Like Kusanagi, your brain will be enhanced but it will retain your identity. Assume also that there is no mainstream societal taboo against the procedure, other than a few religious nutcases.

I'll go ahead and post my opinions on the matter, to start out with. I would, without hesitation, inhabit a cybernetic body similar to the ones found in GiTS. There is nothing inherently sacred, in my opinion, about organic matter as a means of containing a human identity; the only thing that really makes us who we are is the brain, and that is the one thing that would be kept. The human body is designed rather poorly, to say the least, and entering into a cybernetic body would likely be a good means of prolonging my life and minimizing pain and discomfort. That's my opinion, at least, but what I'm most interested in is yours. Thoughts? Comments?

[edit] And yes, you can still have sex like a normal human.

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2003-07-30 11:45pm

What about teh sex?

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2003-07-30 11:47pm

It'd give a whole new meaning to cyber sex.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-07-30 11:49pm

Since the entire nature of Cybernetics is to be modular, I wouldn't mind a peice or two.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-30 11:49pm

Want? I'm demanding!

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-07-30 11:50pm

Hamel wrote:What about teh sex?

Well, cybernetic bodies in GiTS appear to be designed to fit into human society, so the lifestyle likely would not be radically different from that of a normal human.

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2003-07-30 11:51pm

Durran Korr wrote:
Hamel wrote:What about teh sex?
Well, cybernetic bodies in GiTS appear to be designed to fit into human society, so the lifestyle likely would not be radically different from that of a normal human.

Armitage could reproduce, can Kusanagi?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-07-30 11:54pm

Hamel wrote:
Durran Korr wrote:
Hamel wrote:What about teh sex?
Well, cybernetic bodies in GiTS appear to be designed to fit into human society, so the lifestyle likely would not be radically different from that of a normal human.
Armitage could reproduce, can Kusanagi?

I doubt she can hold a fetus in her cybernetic body (though I may be wrong, and anyone who knows a lot about GiTS should feel free to correct me). If some of her eggs have been preserved, which is possible, then sure she could reproduce, just not in the conventional fashion.

Cyborg Stan · Post by **Cyborg Stan** » 2003-07-31 12:44am

Actually, she apparently didn't have a choice in GITS : SAC, her original body apparently got into some accident when she was very young.

As for going over, as my alias alone would suggest I would have no trouble with it. I tend to answer 'Who/What am I?' questions mostly by using my own mind as the answer. With the brain kept I would be able to keep it.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-07-31 12:47am

I'd certainly be willing to go for some cybernetic parts, but I'm not sure if I'd be willing to ditch the organic body completely.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-07-31 12:52am

Sure. While I'm at it, could I have a few inches added to my new and improved cyber-dick?

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2003-07-31 12:54am

I'd definitely do it. Improved memory, reflexes, eyesight, variable-size dick capable of ejaculating a wide range of substances, etc.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-07-31 01:04am

If I could get ahold of some of those -33 micromachines that Motoko has, for extra "pleasure" during intercourse, then that would be just extra icing on an already sweet cyborg cake.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-31 01:13am

RedImperator wrote:Sure. While I'm at it, could I have a few inches added to my new and improved cyber-dick?

No, but you can have a detachable groin that allows you to have any kind of dick you want

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2003-07-31 01:15am

Plug and play pubes would be fun.

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2003-07-31 01:17am

kojikun wrote: No, but you can have a detachable groin that allows you to have any kind of dick you want

Oooh.

Hermie.

SHODAN · Post by **SHODAN** » 2003-07-31 01:32am

What a silly question.

Poll is unanimous so far. Me happy.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-31 01:33am

XaLEv wrote:Oooh.

Hermie.

anything you want suga baby.

..

Slayen · Post by **Slayen** » 2003-07-31 01:36am

::looks at current body. then imagines custom made body that would levels of magnitude better in every way shape and form::

...... hm, gee, let me think......

Of course i'd bloody well go for it! Hell, it would be a dream come true. The memory enhancements alone would make it worth it.

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2003-07-31 01:38am

kojikun wrote: anything you want suga baby.

..

Tentacles too.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-31 01:39am

oh by the way xalev, you can ejaculate any liquid substance even presently, you just need to be fond of cathetars

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2003-07-31 01:41am

Unpleasent image coming to mind.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-07-31 01:41am

kojikun wrote:oh by the way xalev, you can ejaculate any liquid substance even presently, you just need to be fond of cathetars

Hmmm. Your cum tastes like Pepsi.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2003-07-31 01:42am

I voted no, yet I guess it would depend on the extent of Cyborgese. I would gladely take a pin or a screw to make my knee work. I would take a pace maker. But would I take a model 101 series 800 type thing....NO.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-31 01:43am

neoolong wrote:Hmmm. Your cum tastes like Pepsi.

That wouldn't be fun, actually. It would have to be flat. the carbonation would suck if it got into your bladder. and flat soda sucks. but i'd be glad to let you find out what my cum tastes like any time you want

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