He's more machine now than man... twisted and evil.
I have formulated eight subgroups of cyborgs represented in popular fictional media, in order as they get progressively less organic.
1) Traditional Organic- Although the most controversial by traditional standards, many people including Donna Haraway consider anything that uses technology (internally or externally) may be considered a cyborg. The extent of this subgroup must be considered on a case by case basis, and is subject to individual discretion. As technically any character would fit here, it is the least rigidly constructed group.
MacGyver
2) Organic/Extensions- This group would include anyone with any type of external yet connected technology to aid them in their tasks. This can range from one or two cybernetic limbs to headgear, etc. They can share qualities of traditional organics as well.
Jax from Mortal Kombat
3) Organic/Internal Enhancements- This group includes people with more invasive technology that enhances their abilities, keep them alive, or even perhaps have control over them. This includes people with cardiac pacemakers all the way through brain implants. They may share qualities of the first two groups. The most extreme case of this is the Borg from the Star Trek franchise.
Borg Queen
4) Organic/Overtaken- The important distinction of this group is that the individual in question started as an organic being and has been modified so extensively that a vast majority of what remains is machine. Whether by choice or by necessity, these characters are usually are consumed in mind and body, struggling with their self definition.
General Grievous
5) Hybrid- May be equally Organic and machine, by natural or artificial means (either at birth, or by procedure.) Hybrids are unlike the other groups, as they are neither primarily organic nor mechanical. They have a shared 'heritage' which usually manifests itself in their behavior.
Adam from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6) Machine/Tissue- A machine that has adopted a few organic features, such as flesh. The important distinction between this and overtaken organics is that these are primarily machines. They did not begin as organics in any sense.
The Terminator
7) Machine/Projection- These are usually humanoid representations of computer intelligence. Holograms and any 'program' in the Matrix are included here.
Agents from The Matrix
8) Traditional Robot- The bookend to the traditional organic type. This is also controversial by traditional standards. However, Machines are simply extensions of the human mind. Therefore, they possess many of our qualities and are forever connected to us.
Johnny Number Five from Short Circuit
Of course, examples such as Darth Vader are hybrids that may need further definition, or are up for interpretation. Were his mechanical parts simply an extension, were they internal and keeping him alive, or were they his bulk consuming him as Obi-Wan famously stated?
An important note is on the controversy over groups one and eight. Throughout history, we have adopted a 'self and others' mentality in which we force dichotomies were they may not in fact exist. There is a power structure and a safety mechanism in making, hard, clear distinctions. Nature and technology are completely separate. Man and machine are polar opposites. Why do we fool ourselves into this philosophy? Sure, we are made by a different process than machines, but that does not mean we are disconnected. A robot, like a building, is considered unnatural. Yet, a beehive is considered natural. Is it not a result of technology utilized by natural beings?
1) Traditional Organic- Although the most controversial by traditional standards, many people including Donna Haraway consider anything that uses technology (internally or externally) may be considered a cyborg. The extent of this subgroup must be considered on a case by case basis, and is subject to individual discretion. As technically any character would fit here, it is the least rigidly constructed group.
MacGyver
2) Organic/Extensions- This group would include anyone with any type of external yet connected technology to aid them in their tasks. This can range from one or two cybernetic limbs to headgear, etc. They can share qualities of traditional organics as well.
Jax from Mortal Kombat
3) Organic/Internal Enhancements- This group includes people with more invasive technology that enhances their abilities, keep them alive, or even perhaps have control over them. This includes people with cardiac pacemakers all the way through brain implants. They may share qualities of the first two groups. The most extreme case of this is the Borg from the Star Trek franchise.
Borg Queen
4) Organic/Overtaken- The important distinction of this group is that the individual in question started as an organic being and has been modified so extensively that a vast majority of what remains is machine. Whether by choice or by necessity, these characters are usually are consumed in mind and body, struggling with their self definition.
General Grievous
5) Hybrid- May be equally Organic and machine, by natural or artificial means (either at birth, or by procedure.) Hybrids are unlike the other groups, as they are neither primarily organic nor mechanical. They have a shared 'heritage' which usually manifests itself in their behavior.
Adam from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
6) Machine/Tissue- A machine that has adopted a few organic features, such as flesh. The important distinction between this and overtaken organics is that these are primarily machines. They did not begin as organics in any sense.
The Terminator
7) Machine/Projection- These are usually humanoid representations of computer intelligence. Holograms and any 'program' in the Matrix are included here.
Agents from The Matrix
8) Traditional Robot- The bookend to the traditional organic type. This is also controversial by traditional standards. However, Machines are simply extensions of the human mind. Therefore, they possess many of our qualities and are forever connected to us.
Johnny Number Five from Short Circuit
Of course, examples such as Darth Vader are hybrids that may need further definition, or are up for interpretation. Were his mechanical parts simply an extension, were they internal and keeping him alive, or were they his bulk consuming him as Obi-Wan famously stated?
An important note is on the controversy over groups one and eight. Throughout history, we have adopted a 'self and others' mentality in which we force dichotomies were they may not in fact exist. There is a power structure and a safety mechanism in making, hard, clear distinctions. Nature and technology are completely separate. Man and machine are polar opposites. Why do we fool ourselves into this philosophy? Sure, we are made by a different process than machines, but that does not mean we are disconnected. A robot, like a building, is considered unnatural. Yet, a beehive is considered natural. Is it not a result of technology utilized by natural beings?
posted by cmaprice at 9:44 AM
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