Sample Solution

An “everyday cyborg” is an individual who uses technology to enhance their physical, cognitive, and/or emotional capabilities beyond the limits of traditional human beings. Real life examples of everyday cyborgs can be found in a variety of fields such as medical sciences , sports performance and gaming .

A prime example of an everyday cyborg is Frauke Scheuten , a former professional snowboarder who suffered a spinal cord injury during a competition in 2005 (Parker-Pope 2008). After her injury she underwent an operation which involved implanting electrodes into her leg muscles that could be controlled by neural signals generated from her brain. This allowed Frauke to stand on skis once again and even compete at the Paralympic Winter Games as part of Germany’s national team (Parker-Pope 2008). By using cybernetic technology she was able to overcome the limitations caused by her disability and engage in activities without relying solely on conventional methods.

This example demonstrates how everyday cyborgs relate to key issues discussed throughout this module . Firstly it highlights the ethical concerns surrounding cybernetics such as blurring boundaries between natural body functions and artificial means for enhancement. As well as this, it also allows one to consider questions related to identity , identity crisis , social implications etc when analyzing Frauke’s decision for choosing cybernetic intervention over other available options.