The Human Race (
Technological)
Very recently (compared to our genetic evolutionary changes) we have developed an understanding of virtual presence.
The future human may not require a flesh and blood body.
The movie
Transcendence (2014) explores mind-uploading and nanotechnology.
In real life, the
Foresight Institute works to make such a thing a future possibility.
There is real science right now which promises bionic augmentation and replacement. There are already a primitive form of cyborgs in our population right now.
Exoskeletons are robotic suits that boost the
wearer’s strength and endurance, greatly reducing
the physical strain of manual handling activities.
They are becoming increasingly applicable and
demanded in logistics to replace bulky tools to lift
heavy objects. Various solutions focusing on parts
(or all of) the body are being developed for mass
adoption (e.g., Panasonic Power Loader Suit).
Human augmentation is the use of technology
to boost the physical and cognitive abilities
of humans and enable new forms of human-
machine interaction. Smart contact lenses and
smart chip implants can be used for security
procedures as well as access control. Advanced
chips are also being used to “connect” humans
for exchanging concepts without the necessity
of speech. Brain-computer interfaces that focus
on using brain waves for controlling machines
could potentially enable new ways of immersive
interaction between humans and machines.
REF:
http://www.dhl.com/content/dam/dhl/global/core/documents/pdf/g0-core-bionic-enhancement.pdf
It is entirely possible if given enough time and opportunity, augmentation and enhancement could change the human body design in such a way the organism itself would no longer be able to function on its own.
We see early examples of such changes when someone loses the normal function of their legs. The wheelchair is the locomotive device which supports the body. The person's legs wither and lose mass. Their arms get beefy and strong.
As augmentation replaces muscles our evolutionary future will also wither our body style. If we can control mechanisms as we do our muscles, they will be stronger and faster than our fleshy counterparts. As our extremities fade away, our heads/brains will become larger. The human will be cerebral instead of dexterous.
Our sensory organs may become larger or sharper. We might develop new sensory organs and lose some. We might grow specific appendages for new purposes.
Add to these biological change the advanced nanotechnology and we might be able to manifest appendages at will.
I personally explored (slightly) the effects of nanotechnology on the future human.
In the distant future:
Bathrooms became obsolete.
The nanites break down body waste into its atomic components and reuses the atoms to maintain the body. Houses and buildings started being built without toilet facilities and many older homes had theirs removed.
Medical facilities became obsolete.
Nobody ever got sick anymore. Injuries were healed or prevented by the nanites immediately. Schools and universities closed worldwide. Pharmaceutical companies closed down and there was no need for doctors, nurses or support personnel.
Funeral homes & cemeteries became obsolete.
Since nobody was dying anymore, there was no need for burial facilities.
Riskier lifestyles became the norm.
Since nanites controlled the pain threshold and make instantaneous body repairs, people were able to perform death defying acts on a regular basis. Personal protection devices and methods became obsolete. Not only could someone walk into a burning building they could jump from an airplane without a chute and work in space without a suit.
Personal farming became the standard.
Since the nanites only needed raw materials and very little of those, there was no need for a large food supply. People started eating once per month. Kitchens were removed from homes. Restaurants and grocery stores became obsolete.
Wars became obsolete.
Since bodies heal instantaneously, war and assaults no longer had any affect. Nanites could morph your body to form a hard protective shell or separate your parts to avoid excessive damage. The world's military forces were disbanded. Weapons were recycled.
Religions became obsolete.
Aside from the few that chose to keep their religions there was no longer a reason to believe in an afterlife. Churches closed and all the drama, fighting and racism related to the opposing views died shortly after. People became content with life and pursued active productive lifestyles in harmony.
Our civilization, technology and morality have a direct affect on how we evolve now.
What many fail to realize is the fact our civilization, technology and morality also evolves.
The future of the human species lies in our ability to evolve beyond our current limitations. Limitations which are not only biological but cerebral/technical as well.
Just like the sound barrier we face a moral barrier. Whether we destroy ourselves or push past our current barrier is determined by our ability to evolve the maturity (as a species) to use our collected wisdom for a unified purpose.