Sorry for the late post on this topic, but it seems I’m playing a bit of catch up ! Though out of all the topics we’ve learned about in this class, I’ve probably discussed this one the most with my friends. This is in part because I continued watching past episode 1 of Altered Carbon. A close friend had recommended it to me some time ago so I was happy to jump right in. I think I’m about halfway done with season 1 so forgive me if I accidentally drop a spoiler or two !
What I found interesting in Altered Carbon was the way bodies were treated as a resource rather than part of who we are. Because our consciousness is stored separately, the ability to change your body has become commonplace (especially for the wealthy, though that wasn’t part of the episode we watched!) In the scene where Takeshi sees his reflection for the first time after being “resleeved,” we hear the attendants warning him against doing so, as it can cause damage to his “stack” and permanently alter his mental state. I found it interesting that, despite our consciousness being stored separately, the series suggests that our sense of self is tied to our body.
In the Star Trek episode “Return to Tomorrow,” we see the bodies of Captain Kirk and his comrades being used as a similar means to an end. A resource, though we do see the importance of having a body in the scene where Sargon and company return to bodies for the first time. They marvel at the ability to feel their skin and to breathe again, not to mention the ability to kiss and touch one another. While the mind and body are physically able to separate, the body allows for a more intimate, physical connection with others. Perhaps this is why in Altered Carbon there is such a big focus on sex and physical intimacy.
I struggled to connect “The Day The Earth Stood Stupid” to this module, but I want to focus on how the brain stated that they “evolved past the need for bodies.” In this sense, a body is seen as lesser, almost as if it’s holding back their species so they discarded them like cheap toys. The lack of concern for their own bodily autonomy leads to a disregard for others safety, as well as a sense of superiority. Similarly, Sargon states he and his people had grown minds powerful enough for them to consider themselves gods.
It seems overall that bodies are seen as shells worthy of discarding in order to gain a stronger understanding of the world and yourself. And while I feel I am “supposed” to disagree, due to my relationship with my own body I almost feel that I agree. As a chronically ill queer person, there are a lot of things about my body that I would be fine giving up. In fact, sometimes I feel that my mind is working at half speed due to my day to day health struggles. If I were to be “resleeved” into a body that worked properly or one that allowed me to be perceived in a way I would prefer, perhaps I’d be a bit happier!
Additionally, as someone who streams online as a separate person with a completely different face, I have found myself looking in the mirror sometimes after a particularly long week of streaming and feeling surprised when I didn’t see my character looking back at me. I guess I’m constantly being resleeved in the process of streaming haha !
Leave a comment