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Could future computer viruses affect humans?
One ex-cyborg thinks they could...

This is certainly something to consider if you're ever lucky enough to be confronted with the opportunity to wire your nervous system to a computer.

I'd hate to see the Viagra popups of 2025.


"We're looking at software viruses and biological viruses becoming one and the same,"

I don't believe that for one bit.  Granted, both may be harmful, the software ones, which would just be packs of data most likely tranferred into little electronic bits, would wreck hell on your nervous system, while biological ones, composed of strands of RNA and sometimes DNA, would affect you in the usual ways.

Though they both cause a danger, I wouldn't go so far as to say they're one in the same.  One is composed of genetic material and the other is just information until its shot into your head by the network.  Then its a tiny bolt of lightning.

I think we'd be more likely to see things like hijacked cyberware and even irritating advertising as opposed to something like the biological viruses that we're used to. If someone did find a way to create a digital version of the cold, there would still be a need to differentiate because you'd have to deal with it in a completely different manner from a conventional cold.

(Edited by Damus at 3:24 pm on Nov. 17, 2004)

Dunna really matter. Compy virus fires your neurons, HIV fries your meat. Either way, you are pushin up daisies.
Anybody thinking about Snow Crash? Hehe...
Okay now anybody that knows me OOC knows  I am a real tchwrecker with technology but this seems a little impractable. I think the post is from an -EX-cyborg for a good reason. But what do I know, besides twenty ways to ruin your computer in under thirty seconds.

If people are eventually able to do shit like that with computer viruses, I wonder what kind of mischief they could accomplish with simple Trojan Horses.  They could effectively control the mind and body of an individual if they knew how.
Wow never thought about that.

hehe control a stripper to go to some random persons house and strip for them only to find out that house is your mothers.

I don't believe that for one bit.  Granted, both may be harmful, the software ones, which would just be packs of data most likely tranferred into little electronic bits, would wreck hell on your nervous system, while biological ones, composed of strands of RNA and sometimes DNA, would affect you in the usual ways.

Though they both cause a danger, I wouldn't go so far as to say they're one in the same.  One is composed of genetic material and the other is just information until its shot into your head by the network.  Then its a tiny bolt of lightning.


It seems to me that they are both exactly the same - packets of information - but in different formats - electronic versus genetic.  By the time this all comes to fruition, there may be as-yet-unthought-of formats for viral transmission - such as nano-viruses that alter specific biological and cybernetic structures.  OK, now that one is thought-of.

A traditional virus can give you diarrhea - an electronic virus can cause a short in your brain circuitry and also give you diarhea - or a weird twitch, etc.  It will just be a different strain of virus, stemming from different causes, and requiring a different (software) remedy.  But the effects will be pretty similar.  IMHO.

To my knowledge, an electrical current does circulate through the human body. In fact, that current can be related to the concept of chi presented in asian mysticism and martial arts. Controlling or having a deep understanding of this current is really beyond me and most people I've ever met. I have come across a few martial artists who have in fact done some extraodinary things but funny thing is they weren't exactly spiritual people. What does this have to do with viruses affecting human beings?

Simply, computers function on electricity...binary (zero's and one's) is based off of two electrical voltages being zero volts and five volts (I think). If someone was able to successfully bridge the gap between these two forms of electricity I could understand being able to mess with someone's body like a virus. Realistically, this probably won't occur in our lifetimes. Biotechnology is a very new and bleeding edge field which isn't even close to bridging these types of gaps.

The likelihood of cybernetic enhancements taking place really seems illogical to me. I mean if you have such an in depth understanding of the human body to wire a peice of metal to it why not just create a "natural" biological version. Biotech is the future, I mean...the fastest computer in the world is the brain. Its all a matter of working that out.

Woo! I'm babbling but I hope my shitload of assumptions actually have some truth to them because they're primarily based on hearsay, theories, and personal opinion.

I wonder what would happen if your mind crashed...

To my knowledge, an electrical current does circulate through the human body. In fact, that current can be related to the concept of chi presented in asian mysticism and martial arts.

Current dosn't circulate through the human body, and Chi is unrelated to electrical impulses.

-Kevlar

Chi is spiritual energy.

And in my dojo the only electric currents we channel come from Tasers.

*screams at Tai Chi Guy, is hurled through wall.*

Eh...I was wrong. :)