Product Description

'Cyborg', from the Greek for 'steersman' combined with 'organism', was coined in the mid-20th century to describe the new human who would be required for space travel - enhanced by mechanical, chemical or electronic means, he or she would be half-human, half-machine. This excitingly-illustrated book discusses the astonishing changes in biotechnology that make the cyborg seem more science fact than science fiction. Soon we could all be Superman or Wonderwoman. What will this mean to us as individuals? How will it affect society? The author reminds us that the yearning for immortality and superpowers is as ancient as the human race; it's just that these now seem within our reach. We are guided on a journey through metamorphoses old and new, fictional and factual - from werewolves to genetic engineering, from Dr Frankenstein to a professor's arm controlled by another's thoughts, from the androids of science fiction to a real robot sensitive to human moods.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #316784 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

About the Author
Marie O'Mahony is an independent consultant and was the curator of 'The Soft Machine - Design in the Cyborg Age', Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Amsterdam. She is co-author, with Sarah E. Braddock, of SportsTech and Techno Textiles, both published by Thames & Hudson.

Customer Reviews

At last a cyborg book that says something new!
Cyborg the man machine is a richly packed book with both great images and an eclectic and inspirational text. The author goes way back in history to ponder mankind's obsession with the creation and evolution of life, then projects forward with insights into genetic modifications and self-replication. The usual wizzy stuff on robots from Sony etc. (which is the focus of most cyborg books) is there too, but the autgor sets a context which really leaves you feeling that much of today's technology is a stepping stone to a much more dramatic man-machine future. This book should interest pretty much anybody - a great present for tricky friends!