I recently read this article—Nine real technologies that will soon be inside you—and it really got me thinking about how we are going to approach this new field of technology. As of yet, we have only been approached by technology in a more abstract way. We can explore how it effects our time, money, attention, etc… and how we can use these tools to spread the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God personally and organizationally.
Church Management Systems (ChMS) keep us organized and help our leaders be more awesome. Social media gives us a platform for more people to hear us than ever before. And there are apps and hardware that help us tell stories that are more compelling and solutions that make life better for others.
Technology carries on with or without us and can be guided towards good or evil. The Internet is awesome, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t used for evil.
So where will implantable technology lead us? Or rather, where will we lead implantable technology?
Technology Inside of Us!?!
Here are the 9 technologies that could be inside of you in the coming years—the Apple Watch has got nothing on these!
- Implantable smartphones
- Healing chips
- Cyber pills that talk to your doctor
- Implantable birth control
- Smart tattoos
- Brain-computer interface
- Meltable bio-batteries
- Smart dust
- The verified self
(You can read the specifics of each implantable technology here.)
Google Glass and the Apple Watch has proved that wearable technology raises plenty of questions. I can only imagine that implantable technology will only raise more.
What’s Your View?
What’s your view of implantable technology?
What is the Bible’s view of implantable technology?
While the Bible doesn’t ever talk about ‘implantable technology’ specifically, I believe that sticking to Biblical fundamentals will ultimately help us navigate through this new world. We must be careful not to overreact by resisting because of fear, at the same time, we must be careful not to overreact by embracing it because we want to be forward thinking and edgy.
Technology isn’t neutral. It changes the world every day.
Technology isn’t good or evil, either. But the human beings that use it may or may not be.
What do you think about implantable technology?
[Screenshot image via Continuum]
Jonathan says
This is a tough question. I am all for tech, and have Google Glass myself. Yet I have to wonder if implanting tech into myself would insult G-d by “upgrading” ourselves from how we are created. Also, would this have an issue with the same commands that forbids tattoos?
In that regard, I believe that implantable tech, for general use, would be a continuous act of sin. I can remove Glass and not use it, and it does not mark me.
However, just as we can implant hormones for health reasons, we could also potentially justify an “implantable pill” that would resolve issues that would otherwise be untreatable (such as cancer). If I can take a pill physically, then there is no reason to have an implant.
I come from a Jewish standpoint, by which the Torah forbids tattoos and markings, as well as that G-d made us in His image, and when we change that image, we insult His creative work.
I love tech, but I think tech belongs outside the body, except when necessary to save a life.
Craig says
This is an interesting article, and response. I completely get what you’re saying, but if I were to play devils advocate for just a minute, what is the difference in implanting tech to “upgrade” ourselves and implanting tech to “fix” ourselves (“except where necessary to save a life”). If one of these would be insulting to a God, then surely both would, no?
Maybe the counter-argument could be that God has given us knowledge and ability, and blessed us with medical professionals and scientists who can create technology that can do the job of one of our failed organs (eg, a pacemaker) etc. If this is true, then surely the same “knowledge and ability” could be used for other areas of tech too, as it’s a God given gift?
Again, I’m playing devils advocate because I’m not completely sure where I stand on this yet.
Craig
Eric Dye says
Phew. More to think about. I asked John Dyer about this and his response was really solid. Look for it next week. 🙂
Jonathan says
Thanks for the insight Craig! If it helps clarify, Jews believe that abortion is wrong except where the mother’s life is at stake. The greater mitzvah (action or obedience to a command that draws us closer to G-d) is to save the life of the mother, until the child is actually born, then the child comes first. The Jews at Masada killed themselves so that they would not be forced to worship a pagan deity, as it was a greater sin to commit idolatry than it was to kill themselves and their community.
It’s a tough call, for sure. Using tech to save a life is a greater mitzvah than not using tech because it falls under “mutilation of the flesh,” so for medical necessity it would be deemed expected, but for other purposes, it would be dismissed as inappropriate.
Eric Dye says
Great thoughts, Jonathan. Lots to think about!
john says
Implantable tech is just another piece of technology. If there are no issues with pace makers or other medical devices then how does one delineate the one from other implantable tech? Who are we to decide? Then we become the higher being if only because we take on the job to make the decision. Enjoy the technology and don’t fall into the weeds.
Eric Dye says
I think there is room for a decision to be made, but perhaps this is the wrong question to ask.