Well, it appears that we as a species are looking to expedite the evolution process. According to The Guardian, the US Mili- tary is currently experimenting with technologies that just may bring us into the next stage of human development. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, has been working hard on a new research program called the NESD, or the Neural Engineering System Design. In short, we’re one step closer to becoming cyborgs.

The word “cyborg” is a portmanteau of the phrase “cybernetic organism.” Typically, when we think of cyborgs, we think of Cookie from Ned’s Declassified, or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s violent character in The Terminator. However, in real life, cyborgs are often more or less human. The dictionary definition of a cyborg is “a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.” As a result, there are many people who fall under the definition of a cyborg simply by having prosthetics such as cochlear implants, robotic prosthetics, and other implants that are less well known.

According to The Guardian, this isn’t necessarily a radically new field of science, but it has been hampered by clumsy, lim- ited control. Many cybernetic prosthetics have been hampered by the limited ability to redi- rect movement, making it sec- ond banana to a genuine arm.

Advancements in cybernetic implants have also contributed to research into interfaces that are hardwired into the brain, making it possible for humans to have some mental interactions with computers. Again, this is hampered in the fact that we can only perform the most basic functions with these computers. For example, a human can in- put text on a computer through concentration on a particular emotion, or thoughts of motion.

While these advances are primarily seen as medical, because DARPA is a military institution, the end of goal of these advancements is to have a military application. Imagine two supercom- puters working in total harmony to coordinate drone strikes while also attacking a stronghold, that’s the interface I’m talking about. On the ground, we see the human

brain connected to a supercom- puter that coordinates the drones. The capabilities of this technology are absolutely extraordinary, but also terrifying.With this research, we’re bridging the gap between the slow and ham-fisted connections between the brain and our computers. Cybernetic prosthetics will act just like normal limbs with the capability to restore eye- sight, hearing, smell, and even taste. These are all in our future.

I’m all for this, something that can help people who have lost so much regain what should be theirs. Sure, the end goal of this research is military-related, but I think that the medical advancements we will receive will far out- weigh the cost of any research.

So, move over Schwarzenegger. Cyborgs are real, and they’re just as human as we are.