Why NBIC? Why human performance enhancement?

A 2001 U.S. workshop with the title “Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC): Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance” introduced the convergence of various sciences and technologies based on their nanoscale properties. It highlighted BIC as the science and technologies converging on the nanoscale. However many other sciences and technologies with nanoscale components exist, such as chemistry and material sciences. Furthermore the workshop chose human performance enhancement as its case study of application despite various other possible applications that could have been chosen. This paper addresses the questions why the workshop organizers (a) introduced nanoscale as a convergence concept, (b) chose BIC as the convergence examples and (c) chose human performance enhancement as their application. The paper provides some thoughts as to the success and consequences of that strategy.     

Electromagnetism and the Nth sense: augmenting senses in the grinder subculture

Grinders aim to enhance their sensory capabilities by assimilating emerging material technologies to their bodies. One of the most common upgrades is a magnet implant, which makes it possible to feel electromagnetic waves. Peripheral devices are then built to transmit information (e.g. weather, twitter, sonar) into electromagnetic waves, making it a powerful mediator between environment and body.