# Would you get mechanical augmentations? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713 "2011-09-18T14:45:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/1 "2011-09-18T14:45:23Z")
Poll based on the game Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Set 20 minutes into the future, it revolves around humans getting [mechanical upgrades](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdERgfgB9Yc&feature=related) grafted on to their bodies. More precise mechanical hands, faster legs, improved eyes (e.g. data displays), stronger arms, lungs that can filter out poisons and so on. In the game, there are a number of groups [who oppose it](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akaos1U8Rto&NR=1) - you have to take an anti-rejection drug constantly, for instance. If such technology were available now (and we’re not [terribly far off](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW78wbN-WuU&feature=related), would you oppose it? Would you augment yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/2 "2011-09-18T16:48:53Z")
I would modify my body to be stronger, faster, smarter, healthier, sexier. For some aesthetic reason I’m too tired to really contemplate this morning, I would prefer these changes to be organic. So you could make me better with surgery or some science fiction manipulation of my genes. Also, drugs would be okay, I suppose (I already take certain medications from time to time to make life better). I don’t really relish the idea of becoming a cyborg, but I would seriously contemplate getting mechanically augmented for the right reasons. Certainly to save my life or replace important parts, though I must admit, I could see myself getting enhanced to keep up with the bionic Jones as well (perhaps). I’m not really familiar with Deus Ex: Human Revolution, so it may be that I’m answering the question in a wrong-headed fashion. If so, apologies. Have a good day. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/3 "2011-09-18T17:10:53Z")
yes so I can be as cool as Robocop ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/4 "2011-09-18T18:12:25Z")
I would use some of the stuff you couldn’t notice, like Maliks implants that gave her better reflexes and reaction times to make her a better pilot. Subdermal stuff like the bionic eyes and social enhancer. A fake arm? no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/5 "2011-09-18T19:48:42Z")
On Wednesday I am getting mechanical augmentation. I am having cataract surgery, and implanted lenses such that I should be able to see at least 20/40 without glasses or contacts. For the first time in fifty years. The future isn’t coming; it’s here already. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/6 "2011-09-18T19:57:31Z")
Well, they’re not implanted, but my eyeglasses already augment my natural vision from “nearly frickin’ useless” to 20/20 so I’d have to say yes, I’d do it. I doubt I’d do it just to be cool, or as part of a fad, but even as a tweak I’d consider it. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/7 "2011-09-18T20:38:38Z")
I’m too tall for seats in airplanes, theaters, amusement rides, and ballparks. It would be nice if my femurs could hydraulically shorten temporarily. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/8 "2011-09-18T20:43:41Z")
Yes I would definitely to help with minor health issues. Shitty lungs from an almost lifetime of second hand smoke and terrible vision from a few too many hours roasting insects with a magnifying glass (and genetics). Also it it meant dying otherwise, then yes sign me up. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/9 "2011-09-18T20:56:48Z")
Yes. Basically, I’d replace as much of myself as could be made superior (no point in replacing anything with inferior parts, after all) and add as many extra capabilities as can be added without making me look like the Borg. If it was offered I’d even go with a Ghost In the Shell style “full body cyborg” augmentation, where there’s nothing left of the flesh but the brain. Or outright uploading, if _that_ was being offered. The body is just a vehicle for the mind as I see it; there’s no reason not to upgrade if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/10 "2011-09-18T21:02:52Z")
If this capability is generally available and commonly used, I would have to do whatever I could to maintain a competitive edge. It becomes a matter of survival. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/11 "2011-09-18T21:08:13Z")
Oh, hell yes. I’d be able to out run feral cats, have skin impervious to teeth and claws and fix my eyes so I can see in the dark. **Shodan** , if you are typical, you will love the results. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/12 "2011-09-18T21:10:57Z")
This sounded like the intro to “Six Million Dollar Man.” (I wonder how much he’d be worth today???) FUNNY–Lee Majors is now selling hearing aids on infomercials. He got the Bionic EYE, so yeah, I’d expect he would need a hearing aid. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/13 "2011-09-18T21:30:17Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > This sounded like the intro to “Six Million Dollar Man.” > > (I wonder how much he’d be worth today???) > > FUNNY–Lee Majors is now selling hearing aids on infomercials. He got the Bionic EYE, so yeah, I’d expect he would need a hearing aid. Especially since he made that funny loud noise every time he did something superhuman. Bad for the eardrums. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/14 "2011-09-18T22:55:03Z")
In a New York second. Gimme the works. Especially the enhanced assassin package featured in John Ringo’s **Kildar** books. I want to out-do Katya in lethalness. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/15 "2011-09-18T23:48:15Z")
Sign me up. I could go for enhanced vision. Telescopic/microscopic/thermal/lowlight. Throw in the upgrade for wireless internet access and I’m good to go! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/16 "2011-09-18T23:53:48Z")
Not unless my life depended on it. The anti-rejection drugs was the killer for me. But I don’t understand why they would be needed. Would the prosthesis have protein in it? I am already partly mechanical. Aside from a metal insert in one ankle, I have a pacemaker. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/17 "2011-09-19T00:07:05Z")
I didn’t vote because I already have an augmentation and I didn’t see an option to cover that. I can tell you flat out that I regret having it done and wouldn’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/18 "2011-09-19T00:19:57Z")
I’d really like to have a computer implant so I never had a problem remembering anything I want to remember. Next I want a Google interface implanted, since I’m starting to feel like I’m getting a lobotomy whenever I step away from the computer. I know this isn’t a mechanical augmentation, but neither is the enhanced vision and stuff that other people are asking for. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/19 "2011-09-19T00:45:41Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I didn’t vote because I already have an augmentation and I didn’t see an option to cover that. I can tell you flat out that I regret having it done and wouldn’t do it again. Now I’m curious. Of course, it’s your right not to discuss anything regarding your medical history, but I wouldn’t be at all upset if you decided to share the story. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713/20 "2011-09-19T00:48:05Z")
The coolest mechanical upgrade I can think of would be like a Heads Up Display built into our eyes. Bring it on. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-mechanical-augmentations/596713.md?page=2)