OTHERWISE known as forced-evolution, this section separates itself from breeding programs and genetic manipulation mostly in the motivations for what was created. Genetic experimentation was aimed at perfecting what already existed, while breeding was intended to fast-track directions in development. The various exhibits represented the intentional redesigning of humanity into new forms, to in fact step beyond the bounds of ‘human.’
Of course, the questions of ‘what is human?’ and ‘what is not human?’ again reared their dull visages for the millionth time in history. I have always found such questions miserable, linked to arbitrary categorizations such as DNA profi les or behavior – not to mention tedious theological poppycock.
What do we expect by asking such questions? Since everyone has different answers, we get arguments, dichotomies, and hierarchy. Are some people really asking, ‘Who is better than whom?’ I think so. Perhaps if we started with what helpful effect we wanted the answer to ignite, we could just work backwards from there.
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WITH more frequent excursions into space, the limitations of the human body were quickly encountered. Evolution creates tight bonds between an animal and its habitat, and it seemed easier to change the human creature than to recreate the necessary environment in space.
The term ‘adapted species’ intruded on our vernacular: humanity, re-sequenced, bred and hormonally enhanced. Those damn Prometheists* like to use the terms rudis (raw), correctus (corrected) and altus (improved). Hardly anyone outside of the movement uses the terms, unless to distinguish between the Promethean ranks.
There are some who take a wider view of evolution than just the changes of the physical body. Few modern humans would consider themselves in regard to their bipedal posture, recessed canines and enormous brains (respective to body mass). So perhaps it is integral when considering evolution to think of the knowledge, skills and social structures – perhaps anything ‘of humanity’ that has ever changed or developed in any way.
Here we begin to place symbiotic technological relationships into the evolutionary sphere. There are already such products that grow up alongside human children, and even inside them if we start talking nano-tech.
As with any development which shuffles human equality, the ability to alter and improve on your au naturale human has created a separation: the useful and the non-useful. The non-useful, such as myself, lead our humble lives idling away at whatever distractions are available to us. The useful are more often than not specialized creatures, so tied to their function that they hardly socialize or breed.
The non-useful remain as a safety-net in case all the biological meddling leads to a dead end; also as a pool to draw from to create more usefuls if needs be. I still don’t know who decides what needs be, what needs need be, or what needs be needs, but maybe it is obvious to the higher-ups.
* Direct link will be added after post.
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