[stylist] Off-topic: Uncle Ray, bioethics and Mother Nature

[Chris Kuell]

Bridgit,

Your post was interesting. I've heard Ray Kurzweil speak several times, and 
while I feel deeply indebted to him for all he has done to improve the lives 
of blind people, I primarily appreciate his genius and ability to dream. In 
fact, I might even refer to him as an artist of sorts, based on these two 
characteristics.

I do hope that someday his dream of nano-robots comes to fruition, as it 
could lead to the end (or at least diminishing) of a lot of pain and 
suffering on this globe. However, I don't fear that humans will live 
forever, and I personally don't see any bioethical issues. But of course, 
I'm not an evil villain, at least not to most people.

The human body, even under ideal situations, has a finite lifespan. 
Oxidation, a process that is intimately tied to 'the circle of life', may be 
deterred, but it can't be stopped. Even if we never experience illness with 
'new technology', in time our organs will fail, our bones will become more 
brittle, our brains will lose connections and we will die.

In 1910 the average lifespan for an American male was 49, and today it is 
around 74. this 50% gain was due to the many medical advances in the 20th 
century--including vaccines, antibiotics, better surgical techniques, better 
understanding of anatomy and physiology, and a host of medications. If you 
or I had been born in the first decade of the 20th century, we never would 
have seen our tenth birthday. With the development of these new medications 
and treatments, back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s there was much talk about the 
fountain of youth and finally barring the grim reaper from ever showing up 
at our doors. But of course, it hasn't happened. Most researchers in the 
field of longevity believe 120 is about the upper limit.

Tremendous strides have been made, and more will undoubtedly follow, but 
mother nature will always keep things in check. New diseases and epidemics 
will arise, as will natural disasters, war, famine, drought, etc...Our 
planet is only capable of maintaining so much life, after all. As the human 
population has ballooned, other species become extinct every day, as do 
various plants, forests, jungles, and even the ice on our poles. We have 
(and will likely continue) to shift the balance on our planet, but a 
correction will come--it always does. Life on this remarkable planet will 
continue for many millions of years, I have no doubt, but humankind may be 
destined to be only a blip on the overall timeline.

Getting back to the present, indeed technology has invaded every one of our 
lives. I think in part this is because it is helpful--after all, who can 
argue that being a blind writer today isn't a hell of a lot easier than 
being a blind writer 25 years ago? Who doesn't love having a cell phone to 
call a cab or a friend for a ride when you need it? Microwaves, CT scanners, 
MRI machines, scanners and personal and mainframe computers have added so 
much to our lives. But, we are also being manipulated by corporations to 
consume more than we need, to buy the latest and greatest, to not fall 
behind... and honestly, I think most of us would benefit by taking a step 
back and asking why?

Technology is definitely a large part of our lives, but I am not really 
concerned that it will supersede human interaction, or interaction with 
nature, for that matter. I don't care what kind of chips they may implant in 
my head or in my computer or handheld in the future, when it comes to sex, 
to quote another Ray, "Aint nothing like the real thing, baby..."

I have 2 teenage kids and they are definitely enmeshed with technology. They 
go on facebook and/or twiter several times a day. They text their friends 
constantly, have iphones so they are constantly watching stupid youtube 
videos about cats who bark and dogs who talk... but last night my daughter 
was hanging out with her friends at a bonfire, and my son was at play 
rehearsal, and then went out for a party with the cast. There's no replacing 
human interaction. And likewise, as much as I love my computer, my VR 
Stream,  and enjoy keeping in contact with my many friends, there's 
something God-like in working in my garden, turning over the soil, growing 
vegetables from seed to my dinner plate. There is nothing as cleansing as a 
hike in the woods or a walk on a long beach, the sounds of the ocean and sea 
gulls blotting all thoughts of facebook or youtube videos.

In late 1996 I was blind in one eye and losing ground fast in my other. I 
had a vitrectomy scheduled in 3 weeks, and as I left the opthamologist's 
office I went to a travel agent and booked tickets for myself and my family 
to go to Arizona that weekend. I wanted to see the Grand Canyon while I 
still could, which is exactly what I did, and it was spectacular, as well as 
very emotional for me. Seeing something big and timeless helps one to gain 
perspective on life. As it was time to go, I walked to the edge of the 
canyon for one more look. I stood there, gazing through the fog in my left 
eye as my wife loaded our kids into the rental car. I heard a soft crackling 
to my left and turned to see an odd-looking deer not five feet from me. It 
checked me out, nibbled on some grasses or something, then stood tall and 
poised for my next move. We stood there for what seemed like minutes but was 
probably only seconds, and I marveled at the creature as I thanked God for 
allowing me the opportunity to experience it.

Technology will never replace the magic of that moment.

chris