Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

Intelligence or Counter Intelligence? Cognitive and Behavioral Implications of Mediated Cyborg Images on Children

Abstract

Indira Srinivasan M

“Human mind contained the ‘indelible stamp of his lowly origin’ Human could differ from animals only by their ability to control these passions to suppress the beast within”- Charles Darwin, The Decent of man, 1871. Neurological system plays a significant role in establishing the human as intelligent beings on the earth, distinguishing it from its predecessor. With its well built communication network and mechanism and, nervous system prepare the body and mind to react to any occasion through reciprocate actions. There is a well-built communication network system internally that facilitates communication among the innumerable cells so that the internal body organs function properly. What if when artificial intelligence in the name of cyberog is here to think, deliberate and act on our behalf and where are we heading to? How is it going to affect our abilities like thinking, reasoning, and being analytical? What happens to the socially constructed systems and agencies like families, schools, organizations and institutions that groom and shape individuals from birth to death? What might happen to the cultural diversity of this universe rooted deeply in language, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin, physical and biological features and capabilities at large are vague, wild questions posed in dark. Cyber technologies are to stay with us. Their omnipotent and ubiquitous presence reached a stage that the humanity started cohabitating with them. They are part of daily life, as human are employing them at every level. Children as young as two or three are absorbed in operating smart phones, spell bounded by the colorful moving images, sounds, music and mobile games. Computer-mediated education has long ago replaced the face to face interaction, limiting the teacher to a facilitating role, as if human are lacking physically, emotionally and intellectually (Voithofer, R.J.,). Meticulous updating of technology is constantly forcing the man to adapt to it, involving huge politics of economy. Socially, you are not fit without having adapted to the latest technology. The present study would like to deconstruct the politics of economy and polity, while unearthing the sociocultural, physiological and psychological impact of Cyborg technologies among children using the secondary data. By reviewing the existing literature in this aspect the study would like to assess the cognitive and behavioral implications of mediated cyborg on children.