Embracing the grind
Hi Everyone!
My name is Robert and I’m an Interaction designer from Edinburgh. I’ve only recently discovered this scene and I was initially put onto biohacking and transhumanism when listening to a Joe Rogan podcast featuring Lucas from Grindhouse Wetware. Most of my previous work has been looking at the affects of human touch and our relationships with everyday objects. I must admit I’m rather excited by the magnetic implant, since the new sense acquired would alter everyday interactions and lifestyle choices.
I’m currently contemplating getting an magnetic implant done early next year. In the meantime I’m trying to get my head round the biohacking culture itself.
Is anyone willing to discuss what their perception of biohacking culture is and what the potential end game could be through all this?
I will try and contribute towards the community as I learn more about it.
Cheers, Robert
Comments
Evolution consist of some form of genetic change in germ line cell, most likely a mutation but it could also be a few other events. This change manifest in an organisms offspring and if the new trait is beneficial enough that the organism breeds and it's offspring have characteristics which make them better suited to survive long enough to also breed... you have evolutionary event.
Usually these new characteristics aren't the kind of thing we as grinders/biohackers/transhumanists are looking for. If we genetically modify bacteria, it's got a natural predilection to drop the modification in that if a bacteria looses that trait - it's a better energy user and breeder. Imagine a bacteria that somehow gained sentience! Wow. Amazing. It's do all kinds of interesting things while the other bacteria did all kinds of predictable and yet beneficial things which would allow them to outbreed and make extinct our little conscious bacteria friend. Ok, I'm actually delirious from lack of sleep so excuse me if this make little actual sense.
And I've heard that MIG pilots had EEG sensors in their helmets that control some non-vital functions.
And to Glims's point about the dachshund, what we do freaks some people out. When trying to explain what we do and why, we're less likely to be scorned if we use words like "medical grade implants for scientific inquiry" instead of "command evolution as I desires with my magnet fingers" or something.
The reason I'm kind of going off here isn't to criticize Osteth at all. I'm sure he understands evolution and as he points out, it's even described that way in a dictionary entry. The reason I'm going of about this is because the colloquial use is used all the time by people in the transhumanist community, grinders, and biohackers incorrectly. Change is change. Evolution is evolution. People criticize Christians due to creationist beliefs, but if a person doesn't understand evolution then I don't see much different. I mean shit, if we have a section here essentially snidely looking down on Christians because of their fear of the mark of the beast, then we probably have our shit straight regarding evolution.
Even if you hit me with gamma rays and I turn into the hulk? Not evolution.
People often say thing like, "Were taking control of our own evolution." and other statements along these lines. I understand the sentiment but I think it's being stated vaguely.
Osteth, I think you are right. If or when aspects of the movement become mainstream I would imagine they would exist initially as trends. From what I’ve seen I can imagine if there was to be a sought after implant accepted within society, it would earn recognised status alongside low end body modifications (simple piercings). Would the sale of implants come through online retailers such as amazon and ebay? or would they still be manufactured in small numbers through independent parties?
I would consider such acceptance would lead to profit. It would be interesting to see what grinding practices could achieve with consistent high levels of external income. I’m not in a position to say, but could this lead to institutions embracing such practices to advance and profit from it’s success?
I get the impression that the grinding movement in particular challenges existing preconceptions of what constitutes the amateur and the professional within society. Would this change?
Severina your point about trail blazing is one that I’ve noticed through my short time on this site. I’ve never witnessed such passion and innovation from any previous online space or institutionalised setting I have encountered. I the believe personal achievement of grinders will be significant in future considerations about the practice. The way in which they ultimately add to the communities ethics of open source practice will give recognition to a new age sub cultural practice.
It seems to be a fairly new practice, but I’m sure there are others like myself who are fascinated with what is going on. It’s just the beginning but I imagine grinding to envelop a rich history.