Artificial Bodies
The alternative to artificial
reality is to build a mechanical body which carries the brain
simulator around, just as our bodies carry around our brains now. The
body would need to duplicate the senses and motor functions of a real
human body if we want to minimize the patient's adjustment.
Artificial bodies would no doubt be crude at first, with numbed senses
and clumsy muscles, but if demand is high, technology is sure to
improve. Rather than clunky metal robots such as the famous "C-3P0"
of Star Wars fame, artificial bodies will probably be made of smart polymers, ceramics, and other advanced materials.
Note that as artificial bodies will probably run on some sort of fuel cell or nuclear power source, eating will no longer be necessary. However, a properly designed body may still allow for the act of eating, for the pleasure of it. The same goes for other bodily functions (e.g., sex) -- if there is demand for it, then artificial (or simulated) bodies will no doubt be capable of it.
bodies.html . . . . . . . . 10/26/94 . . . . . . .
Joe Strout