What kind of graft would you get first, and why?

[Erik Mesoy]

Say it's 2020 or so, and cyborg-type grafts, replacements and transplants are becoming publicly available. For whatever reason, you're getting your first one of these. What do you want, and why?

For the purposes of this question, assume that there will not be problems with your body rejecting the graft, allergies to the substances involved, infections developing at the joint, stigmatization from puritans, or similar things. You probably won't be able to get a second graft for quite a while for a while, though. All of the grafts listed here will require between one and six month's practise to be fully operational, with the time depending on how much you use them.

Details on the various options:

ARM: A mechanical hand or arm, much stronger than a normal arm. You can attach tools or weapons onto/into it. Useful and noticeable.

LEG: A mechanical foot or leg, more discreet than the arm. Makes you better at leg-related activities, such as running, jumping and kicking stupid people in the crotch.

TAIL: An extra appendage. Usually attached to a shoulder, but the nickname "tail" still remains. Very flexible. Resembles a cross between an arm, a trunk and a prehensile tail.

EYE: A cybernetic eye, which allows you to see infrared and ultraviolet and distinguish very minor details. Comes with a small amount of memory for preserving those special snapshots.

EAR: Sort of like a hearing aid, only it replaces your ear to a greater degree, and it's much, much better. Lets you hear infra- and ultrasound if you like.

NOSE: Not much better than a normal nose, but you can identify compounds present in the air much more readily.

ANTENNA: A receiver set to a given frequency, for example a radio station, or it can replace a cellphone. If you're geeky, you can listen for ETIs on the hydrogen wavelength.

CALCULATOR: A mathematical extension of your mind. Enables you to instantly do all basic arithmetic, as well as most calculus and algebra.

DATABASE: A repository of knowledge that you have access to with a thought. Contains basic information on all subjects, and you can add specialized information from public library stations or similar.

EDIT: MEMORY: As a clarification, the database is public knowledge and science stuff. If you want to preserve bits of your life, get a memory graft instead. I have PM'ed the mods to add this option.

Post away!

 

[Kozmos]

EYE or DATABASE.....but mechanical augmentation fails in comparison with nanoaugmentation.

 

[Rambuchan]

Erik: I hope to let you know when the nostalgic whack of playing Anarchy Online has worn off.

 

[soul_warrior]

easy!

DATABASES RULE!!!!

as i work in the IT field, and in constant need for info it woyuld be great for my proffessional life and career.

it would also be highly attractive for my DJing.
all i would need is to plug in my Jack, and JACK UP THE HOUSE

 

[Shaihulud]

A genitalia graft, i need more control.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Database, no question. I could read information while boring people are talking to me.

 

[IglooDame]

An RJ-45 data jack with ethernet/TCPIP drivers.

No wireless, I don't want to get hacked by some random wardriver.

 

[Eukaryote]

The calculator sounds useful, I'm 13 so it would be useful in school, make me get done math faster, and easier, and it would help in university and a job too, and help me balence a budget.

Of course it might be useful to have a "down there" gaft.

 

[GoldEagle]

Either a calculator, a database, or an eye. The calculator would help me with everyday math, the eye would help me with paintball and poor vision, and the database would help me remember stuff, as I'm very nostalgic. But as a first upgrade, I'll say eye. It'll help me own everyone in paintball >D ... then I'd go with the database graft, and after that, the calculator. Sicne it's 2020, I wouldn't really need a calculator, but a database would help me remember stuff with my kids.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

and the database would help me remember stuff, as I'm very nostalgic. ...
Sicne it's 2020, I wouldn't really need a calculator, but a database would help me remember stuff with my kids.

OK; I ought to split that option into a Memory graft and a Database graft, since the Database was meant to be a lookup table (like an encyclopedia), not a storage device.

Will PM a mod. Funny to see multiple peoply wanting "down there" grafts.

@Rambuchan: I never played it, sorry.

@Cleric: Grafts exist and are coming into use. Make a nanotechnology poll when that becomes common.

 

[Yeeek]

Hmph, the eyes sound temptative.. though i wouldn't mind some kind of database.

 

[Truronian]

Calculator or a database.

Who on earth would want a cybernetic nose? You'd look like a crazy.

 

[GoldEagle]

I would actually enjoy a genitalia graft..."12 and a half inches of pure cybernetic steel"...haha

 

[Yeeek]

I can see the use of a cybernetic nose! Turning off the bad odors when needed. Or using it to track (read sniffing) people around.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

"12 and a half inches of pure cybernetic steel"...haha

Imagine how much that would hurt . . . on second though best not to think about it.

 

[greekguy]

i'd take the eye, it would be cool to see infared and ultraviolet.

(although the database is a close second)

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Ahem. Take the genitalia discussion to that thread. (Or vote for "tail". So much the better to grope you with.)

Who on earth would want a cybernetic nose?

I award you a medal for highly quotable material.

Hmph, the eyes sound temptative

I think you mean "tempting".

 

[Shaihulud]

..."12 and a half inches of pure cybernetic steel"...

I suppose i could plate it, but then i will have to trim off some inches...j/k

 

[El_Machinae]

Is this Erik "the prodigy" Mesoy planning which biotech start-up venture he'll endeavour when he's done college?

Anyway, though the eye is tempting, I'll have just gotten my colour-blindness cured using transgenic stem cell therapy in 2018 or so, and it seems silly to upgrade that quickly. Plus, the camera on my cell phone would probably be good enough by then that I can just use it to examine things in detail.

An internal database would also be rather nifty, if only because you could surf without anyone knowing. I have a question about the mathematics augmentation, though: would it just be a caculator, or would it augment the mind such that I understood higher-level maths than I do now? Would it allow greater understanding or just greater calculation ability? If it augmented my intuitive understanding of maths, I would choose it. If not, I would choose the memory augmentation (I'm pretty sure that would be preferable to the database)

 

[El_Machinae]

On a completely related note: the FDA has discouraged a certain type of bionic eye from being developed.

The FDA's ophthalmic devices panel recommended against the pea-sized bionic device for safety reasons, spokeswoman Heidi Valetkevitch said.

The first-of-its-kind device is called the Implantable Miniature Telescope. The telephoto lens could enable some patients to do away with the special glasses and handheld telescopes they now use to compensate for the loss in central vision caused by age-related macular degeneration, according to VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc., its manufacturer.

Erik: I think I'd want an eye that allowed me to run this software package.

Businessweek

Professor Peter Robinson has developed a "mind-reading" computer that can interpret reactions and feelings by analyzing a person's facial movements.

Developed in conjunction with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the computer uses a camera to capture people's facial expressions and then applies sophisticated pattern-matching technology to recognize emotions ranging from confusion to concentration.
...
It could even be a boon to people with autism or Asperger syndrome, by helping them interpret the emotions of others.