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Testosterone, serotonin, dopamine, cholesterols, everything

Testosterone, serotonin, dopamine, cholesterols, everything

(post is archived)

[–] [deleted] 3 pts

Bruce Sterling wrote a bunch of short stories that covers this subject. I read them long ago back in high school. They are pretty good cyberpunk sci fi.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaper/Mechanist_universe

“The Shapers attempt to push the limits by manipulating the human body itself, through genetic modification and highly specialized psychological training. The Shapers are aristocratic, placing heavy emphasis on "gene-lines"—to be "unplanned" (i.e., born) is considered a serious disadvantage. Their methods could best be described as "organic". Shaper society, based around the Military-Academic complex, is described as fascist.

In contrast, the Mechanists have disdain for the Shapers' methods and instead prefer to use cybernetic augmentation, advanced computer software, technical expertise, and drugs to achieve their goals. The "Lobsters" are Mechanists who permanently seal their bodies into life-support shells allowing them to live and work in deep space. Some Mechanists even go as far as to become "wireheads"—individuals with no corporeal body who are simply manifested as computer simulations. The Mechanist philosophy favors individualism more than the collectivist Shapers.”