| The increasing integration of the human body with technology is a topic that has
been attracting significant attention of late (for comprehensive reviews, see the
works of Fortunati, 1995, 1998, and Maldonado, 1992, 1997, 1998; see also Brooks,
2002; Hayles, 1999; Katz, 2003; Kurzweil, 2000; Moravec, 1999). Scholars, social
critics, lay people, and the press have weighed in on it. The topic also receives repeated
attention from the world’s religious, business, and political leaders. Indeed,
it is likely to be one of the most significant social issues of the 21st century
(Kelly, 1995).
Clearly the amazing progress in the integration of the human body with technological
devices increases the anxiety of many, and the delight of others (Katz,
2003). But no matterwhat one’s attitude toward the desirability of these developments,
virtually no one regards them without passion. Whether the subject is genetic
manipulation, plastic surgery, portable communication technology,
intelligent household appliances, medical manipulation of the body, or more radical
applications in the technologies of war, terror, and torture, all these issues require
attention on both a practical and a political level.
It follows that this subject should also be an issue of scholarly interest,which it
is, and an impressive output on the topic has accumulated.However,much of this
scholarly work neglects the direct effects on the human body of technology’s everyday
advances. In light of this neglect, we have brought together a group of
thoughtful scholars and analysts whose works comprise this collection. |
