Another step in the direction of 'The Matrix' and 'singularity'?

I am as amused by the persons who think that 'The Matrix' will actually become a reality as most of you are. However, there is something absolutely amazing about the philosophical conundrum that arises when one mixes biology and mechanics... The base question is simply, at what point does a human become a machine, and vice versa.

For example, after my accident I had pins, screws, and plates put into my leg... Now most people would agree that it is still a human leg... But what if my eyes were replaced, I received a cochlear implant to hear with, my heart was replaced, and I received a nano brain!? Would you still say that I was fully human!? Where is the 'tipping point'... Perhaps the question is moot since according to the post I made on Friday there is no truly ontological separation between sentient beings and the rest of creation...

I think that we (humans) may be in for quite an education when we come to discover that God loves ALL of God's creation with passion, care, and creativity, and that these 'hallmarks' of God's favour don't just rest upon us as humans. Perhaps a for of symbiosis between human persons and their technology is part of God's evolutionary plan for the cosmos! Now, before you react to this statement just consider how dependant you are on the technologies that are so commonplace in most of the developed world - cell phones, the internet, your car, television, medical science etc., etc. We could harldy make it through a morning, let alone a day, without relying on the inextricable link that exists between us and the technologies we have woven into our lives... what happens when we weave such technologies 'tangibly' into our very selves!?

I found this post quite interesting nonetheless! What do you think, is 'The Matrix' nearer than we thought?

John Shirley says: "Robot with a biological brain (wrote about this in my Eclipse novels, never thought it'd happen in my lifetime)."

The robot?s biological brain is made up of cultured neurons which are placed onto a multi electrode array (MEA). The MEA is a dish with approximately 60 electrodes which pick up the electrical signals generated by the cells. This is then used to drive the movement of the robot. Every time the robot nears an object, signals are directed to stimulate the brain by means of the electrodes. In response, the brain?s output is used to drive the wheels of the robot, left and right, so that it moves around in an attempt to avoid hitting objects. The robot has no additional control from a human or a computer, its sole means of control is from its own brain.

A robot with a biological brain
UPDATE: Tom Simonite, online technology editor at Newscientist.com says: "I noticed you linked to the ZDnet coverage of robot with a rat's brain at Reading University. We've put together a video of it using its brain power to avoid obstacles."

From boingboing