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[hluiz]

I feel that the idea of being threatened by technologies is a somewhat foolish one as the use of technologies in modern life should only really be a positive thing. Provided technology is used appropriately i.e ethically and for the right means it is capable of making what should almost be impossible for humans possible. As it says in the cyborg reading to deny the influence of cyborg technologies is a fruitless pursuit as they are everywhere around us, and subsequently the most appropriate course of action when considering such technologies is to go with the flow so to speak.

[Sammy]

To answer Paolo's questions:

1) I think it is useful to think of certain technologies as an 'extension' to myself as I can rely on them to help me do things more efficiently. However, it can be a scary concept since some technologies, such as a computer, are treated like humans; it is blamed when it fails to start up or loses documents and files.

2) I think people serve technologies depending on their types. Some serve us, but we control them at the same time. For instance, a blender can mix our food for us, but we need to start it up for it to work.

[mwilliams]

Funke.. IRobot would be an example of a film where machines take over from humans.. But I did not mean that this would be the case. Only that because of the dependance we have on machines and technology, we could be in jeopardy if ever we were shut off from technology. Even for a single day, think what effect this would have on the world, maybe not just one person without their mobile phone, but as a nation it would be disaterous! Computer technology runs the world, think of things like life support machines, pace makers.. if these were to be turned off for a day the effect it would have would be huge.

[HSB]

Nice point there, mwilliams.. We are becoming more reliant on machines and technology as time goes on. If technology did not exist for a day, I think there would be dramatic effects to the world. Even small power cuts demonstrate how dependent we are on technology! The world without technology would clearly be a very very different place. 

[ellip]

I think the scary thing is that technology is becoming an extension of the brain by starting to think for us. Look at the iPhone for example, it started simply reminding you when you have a meeting, now it is organizing it for you. You can look at it critically to say technology has already taken over from us, we have given them the reigns to our live, without them we are back to the primitive day when even then we needed the help of basic tools to make life easier. Humans are always looking for the easy way out at that may be one day submitting wholly to technology.

[confused.com]

I have to agree with all the previous comments, that are suggesting that we as humans now rely on technology an enormous amount. Over the past decades, we have enabled technology to evolve at an alarming rate. However, we must still take into account that without the human- the robot would not evolve. Steve Jobs is a perfect example. The work he did within Apple, was incredible. He developed goods, that 5 years ago we would not have thought possible.

So, although i agree with the comments that suggest that technology is now relied on by us, i must also consider that we have created these forms of technology. And while we continue to do so- we will continue to be more reliant. 

[star21]

I too agree with the majority of the comments in that although technological advances are increasing at a rapid pace, it is not doing so on its own. We as the human still have an element of control and power over it. McLuhan's idea of the extension of man is an interesting one to consider. The wheel for example has the same purpose of the foot but does so in a more efficient manner. The use of the phrase 'the extension' works well as although I do not see it as being part of myself, I do view it to be an addition to my identity in that it doesn't completely create me as an individual but does assist and aid a construction of self within today's society.

[AndreaLo]

In relation to McLuhan's theory that technology is an extension of our being and thus insinuating that we are somewhat enslaved by machinery and modern technology, first of all I think it is fairly remarkable that McLuhan, while writing in the 1960s, had the foresight to predict (for want of a better word) that one day the world would be almost completely reliant on technology to the extent where they almost become, as Paolo said, an 'existing human ability of faculty'. Echoing many other posters' sentiments I do not necessarily think that modern technology has a negative effect on human beings today; many others have already mentioned that society would not be functional (and in fact it can be argued that it may even face total collapse) if these 'extensions of our being' were to be cut off from us for even just a single day. Yes, we are becoming reliant on technology, and items such as mobile phones or computers are being increasing attached to us as an extension of our being as we spend a considerable amount of time using them. But it must be remembered that technological advances were in fact created and nurtured (again - for want of a better word) by human beings - and as such, could we really be enslaved to a creation of our own doing?

[missrager]

In response to Paolo's first question, I personally do believe that to think of media in terms of extensions is useful and insightful. Whilst McLuhan wasn't able to see media progress to what it has today, his work is still very applicable to newer forms of media. For instance, smartphones could be considered as an extension of our central nervous system (in regard to circuitry) heightening our senses of speech and hearing. The idea of a 'global village' is also remarkable, as AndreaLo stated below - his ability to predict is amazing!

[adubz]

My Show and Tell for the Extended week was my dog and something which I think should be taken into account especially in this area. McLuhan does not take into account personal feelings. I love that like AndreaLo mentioned he had the foresight to predict how we as a society interact with technology but social relationships can easily be included in this. I used my dog as an extension because he resembles all the things that technology does, as to a degree hes like a limb, if he was removed from my life it would impact hugely. Much like anyone can say about parents or friends etc. They perform a role in your life that is somewhat detrimental to the individual.

Although not in his area at all can we described animals and humans as extensions of ourselves? Im interested in other thoughts