A functional cyborg (should we call it a
fyborg? fuborg?) may be defined as a biological organism functionally supplemented with technological extensions.
If you do not pay attention, the stream of technological supplements may turn you into a functional cyborg before you notice it. To prevent this, I would recommend that you periodically submit yourself to the cyborgization check-up by answering the questions of the following
FYBORG SELF-TEST
- Are you dependent on technology to the extent that you could not survive without it?
- Would you reject a lifestyle free of any technology even if you could endure it?
- Would you feel embarrassed and "dehumanized" if somebody removed your artificial covers (clothing) and exposed your natural biological body in public?
- Do you consider your bank deposits a more important personal resource storage system than your fat deposits?
- Do you identify yourself and judge other people more by possessions, ability to manipulate tools and positions in the technological and social systems than primary biological features?
- Do you spend more time thinking about and discussing your external "possessions" and "accessories" than your internal "parts"?
If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, please accept my congratulations (and/or condolences): you are already a cyborg!
Alexander Chislenko, "Are you a cyborg?," http://www.ethologic.com/sasha/articles/Cyborgs.rtf, August 10, 1995