This might seem a little unorthodox but it was the first thing that came to my mind, genetically modified organism, also known as GMOs. No, GMOs aren't walking animate objects but they are artificial modifications of live organisms. This is a perfect example of a product of our time because its our advanced technology applied to food, one of the biggest industries in the United States. The introduction of genetically modified foods has changed the game of farming and producing food. It makes it much easier to grow food and has increased yields, similarly to how the robots from RUR are meant to make life easier for humans.
There are many fears and anxieties connected to GMOs theres no secret about that. There's a lot of controversy about GMOs people are concerned that they will cause negative long term effects, other people think they're great because we can genetically modify food for malnourished people so their food is full of vitamins that they aren't getting in their diet. The list of pros and cons goes on and on.
Do GMOs raise questions about what it means to be human? Maybe not outright, many people, in fact most people eat GMOs everyday without thinking they feel any less human. However, many people would argue that we shouldn't be eating GMOs because they aren't natural and they weren't eaten by humans hundreds of years ago. So are we less human than the humans of hundreds of years ago because we spend our saturdays watching netflix instead of foraging or hunting, and because we eat food that was grown in a clean and sanitary lab rather than manure fertilized soil? Maybe, but in my opinion, I'd prefer to eat GMOs and watch netflix all day on Saturdays. To me, I think using our advanced technology to provide new varieties of food is a reconfirmation of what it means to be human. We are a species that is driven by the desire to advance, and thats what it means to be human. We don't eat or farm the same way we did hundreds of years ago because we've found something better, we're more advanced now and we're better off because of it.
There are many fears and anxieties connected to GMOs theres no secret about that. There's a lot of controversy about GMOs people are concerned that they will cause negative long term effects, other people think they're great because we can genetically modify food for malnourished people so their food is full of vitamins that they aren't getting in their diet. The list of pros and cons goes on and on.
Do GMOs raise questions about what it means to be human? Maybe not outright, many people, in fact most people eat GMOs everyday without thinking they feel any less human. However, many people would argue that we shouldn't be eating GMOs because they aren't natural and they weren't eaten by humans hundreds of years ago. So are we less human than the humans of hundreds of years ago because we spend our saturdays watching netflix instead of foraging or hunting, and because we eat food that was grown in a clean and sanitary lab rather than manure fertilized soil? Maybe, but in my opinion, I'd prefer to eat GMOs and watch netflix all day on Saturdays. To me, I think using our advanced technology to provide new varieties of food is a reconfirmation of what it means to be human. We are a species that is driven by the desire to advance, and thats what it means to be human. We don't eat or farm the same way we did hundreds of years ago because we've found something better, we're more advanced now and we're better off because of it.
This is an interesting take on the prompt. I'd have to agree that it seems like GMOs bring up similar anxieties about technology that RUR and robots does within the play. Many people fear technology because it changes the status quo and brings up questions of the unknown. I feel like an aspect of this argument is that many people view the present as being unchangeable and therefore any change is negative versus others who view the future as full of possibilities. Feelings about robots and other technologies stem from either being focused on the positives or the negatives, and I find it rare when an argument is more balanced in regards to this issue. Why is it so polarizing? It’s interesting to me that we always seek extremes with regards to technological progress.
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