A thought on using human enhancement and augmentation in sport.

Super Olympics is a really simple concept. Basically, competitors can incorporate any type of modification to their bodies, up until the point where over 50% of their human body is un-human. In other words, not made up of their natural selves.

Let’s start with some basic examples:

A swimmer could wear a snorkel so they didn’t have to take breaths
A high jumper could use a pogo stick
A long-distance runner could wear an oxygen tank
But this is just adding stuff on the outside. Let’s widen our perspective:

What if an archer could have a mechanical super-powered eye placed into their head, enabling increased visibility of aspects like wind direction and zoom-in control?
How about a boxer with a robotised super-arm that delivered a knockout punch?
You can’t say it’s not fair. Anything goes.

If the technology was still not as super as one would need, I guess an extension of this would be to breed athletes with webbed feet and elongated arms? Genetic mutations would be all the rage and the vast range of imaginative technological implants would be a wonder to behold… if that’s your ‘thing’.

And I can guess your next question. What about drug enhancement?

Well, I’m not about to condone any illegal drug use, but the more rebellious amongst you may consider a scenario where an athlete could utilise any form of ‘performance enhancer’. That’s not what I’m suggesting at all. Lance Armstrong shouldn’t expect a call to be the spokesperson just yet.

I’m just wondering how we can embrace the convergence of humans and technology in a good old-fashioned sporting event?

What other modifications do you see being viable? I have more but I’ve said enough.

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Taken from 28 Thoughts - see 'books' on the menu.

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