Geordi's VISOR And The Future Of Humanity

[XFilesFan502]

Star Trek TNG is my jam. One of the reasons I think I love it so much is that it shows us what humanity COULD be. I can't even tell you how many times I've watched the series from beginning to end - maybe a dozen or so? My sister even tried to stage a halfhearted intervention at one point lol.

I like other series that aren't so optimistic. The X-Files has always had a special place in my heart even though it's all conspiracies and bad aliens. But when the news of what's happening in the world gets too real I always go back to Star Trek TNG for a glimpse of what could be.

Which brings us to Geordi LaForge's VISOR. In this Utopian future humanity has finally cut the crap and started working together to actually solve problems. That's the thing - we have the ABILITY to SOLVE problems but we don't use it. I don't get it. But I digress.

Geordi's VISOR is a symbol of what could be. I hope we start going in that direction in my lifetime so I can start to have hope again.

Anyhow, here's an infographic about SciFi vision. What direction do you think humanity is headed?

Link

 

[Unicron]

Welcome to the board. I changed your image to a linked version instead, because it was hotlinked (posted from a business website which I infer you're not actually associated with). We prefer you use a free online image host instead for posting images.

Are you more interested in the VISOR as a symbol for more "evolved" humans than the technical aspects? If so I might move this thread to a different forum that might fit it better, like General Trek Discussion. Interesting topic.

 

[XFilesFan502]

Well I think I'm talking about both. The VISOR is a symbol of a more evolved version of humanity, but also there is actual tech that is the beginning of that type of future technology. That was actually the purpose of that infographic - it drew comparisons between the SciFi tech and the tech that is actually being used or developed today. My concern is whether we are going to be able to see this tech to fruition in the good cases, as in Geordi's VISOR, or whether we are going to see this tech through with the demise of humanity, as in Ready Player One. I think we have to stop fighting and start working together as the human race, but right now I don't see that happening any time soon. Do you?

 

[JasonJ]

Honest inquiry, can you please explain how Geordi's VISOR is a symbol of what humanity can be, as opposed to what we have today, like eyeglasses, or hearing implants? We don't relegate the blind to a lower class of society now, so I do not see how giving them sight in the future showcases how humanity has improved.

I don't see the connection, but if it's there, I'd like to as this could be an interesting conversation.

 

[Timo]

What's interesting about the VISOR is that it's much better than eyes - so much better that LaForge flat out turns down the cures that could restore his human eyesight, opting instead for the pain that using the superior VISOR causes.

No other Trek character seems enthusiastic about superhuman abilities, be they from machine augmentation or from the magic of higher lifeforms. But for LaForge, being human simply isn't enough.

I could well see that being the future of mankind: a division into mere humans and those who choose to (can afford to?) be more. Clearly, though, it is not the future of mankind in Trek, what with LaForge remaining such a rarity.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[XFilesFan502]

Honest inquiry, can you please explain how Geordi's VISOR is a symbol of what humanity can be, as opposed to what we have today, like eyeglasses, or hearing implants? We don't relegate the blind to a lower class of society now, so I do not see how giving them sight in the future showcases how humanity has improved.

I don't see the connection, but if it's there, I'd like to as this could be an interesting conversation.

Yeah, so it's a great question and I think it would have been more clear if the moderator hadn't removed the infographic accompanying my post. It draws connections between different futures and the types of alternative vision devices they use. So in Ready Player One the course of humanity has gone the way of dystopia and people are using virtual reality to escape the harsh reality of their daily lives. That's the result of where we are headed today as a society, marginalizing as many people as possible and giving all the power to a few.

On the other hand you have the utopian future of star trek, where humanity struggled but ultimately overcame its differences. This allowed people to work together to solve additional problems such as giving sight to the blind and building warp drive for space travel (of course we all know that warp drive came from the emergence of the dystopian reality Zephram Cochraine was living in but that is widely seen as the point where humanity started to improve).

So yes, we don't actively relegate blind people to the lower levels of society, but our society is built in such a way that the sighted have an advantage, as do able bodied people over non able bodied people, et cetera.

Does this make any sense? I'm not sure I've had quite enough coffee yet

 

[XFilesFan502]

What's interesting about the VISOR is that it's much better than eyes - so much better that LaForge flat out turns down the cures that could restore his human eyesight, opting instead for the pain that using the superior VISOR causes.

No other Trek character seems enthusiastic about superhuman abilities, be they from machine augmentation or from the magic of higher lifeforms. But for LaForge, being human simply isn't enough.

I could well see that being the future of mankind: a division into mere humans and those who choose to (can afford to?) be more. Clearly, though, it is not the future of mankind in Trek, what with LaForge remaining such a rarity.

Timo Saloniemi

Great points! Two things to keep in mind tho - La Forge does eventually replace his VISOR with optical implants. Not exactly human sight, sure, but closer to. Second, the issue of whether to allow people to become genetically modified superhumans was addressed in DS9. Julian's parents had genetically modified him in childhood and it almost cost him his commission. La Forge is a rarity in Star Fleet, sure, but likely not in humanity.

 

[JasonJ]

Yeah, so it's a great question and I think it would have been more clear if the moderator hadn't removed the infographic accompanying my post. It draws connections between different futures and the types of alternative vision devices they use. So in Ready Player One the course of humanity has gone the way of dystopia and people are using virtual reality to escape the harsh reality of their daily lives. That's the result of where we are headed today as a society, marginalizing as many people as possible and giving all the power to a few.

On the other hand you have the utopian future of star trek, where humanity struggled but ultimately overcame its differences. This allowed people to work together to solve additional problems such as giving sight to the blind and building warp drive for space travel (of course we all know that warp drive came from the emergence of the dystopian reality Zephram Cochraine was living in but that is widely seen as the point where humanity started to improve).

So yes, we don't actively relegate blind people to the lower levels of society, but our society is built in such a way that the sighted have an advantage, as do able bodied people over non able bodied people, et cetera.

Does this make any sense? I'm not sure I've had quite enough coffee yet

I see what you're saying, an interesting correlation for sure. But, where I think I diverge from you is that I don't see existing society in as much of a downward spiral. If we focus solely on the correction of medical disabilities, ailments and diseases, we need to be aware that there have been so many advancements made in the last 20 years that are rarely if ever known about.

Think about how 3D printing has allowed amputees to have cost effective replacement limbs; how advancements in computers and processing have allowed for more advanced prosthetics at the high end; the 64 pixel b&w vision able to be given to some completely blind patients; advancements not just in vaccines and disease eradication, but also in their administration to those who need it most in impoverished communities around the world.

Human genome research has lead to the successful repair or correction of what would otherwise be debilitating or fatal conditions; discoveries in the proper combination of medications for AIDS patients has increased years-to-live by 3-5 up to nearly 50. Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries have become commonplace and help save thousands of lives. Look at what face transplants have done to help restore the lives of many people; this is something that could never be done in the 20th century.

The ability to now treat and ultimately cure Hep C is a big one too. What about the MiniMed 670G, known as the artificial pancreas, has given new freedoms and life to so many.

These are just a handful of ways society is doing GOOD, and working towards a better future for all of us, and these are just some of the medical breakthroughs and treatments.. since we starting by talking about treating/curing blindness.

In a world of 24 hour news reports, social media, and seemingly endless violence, we have to look hard to see the good things that happen in the world. But I assure you they are there. For every kid you see with their face planted deep into a connected device, tuning out the world, there are others who are shutting off their phones and going outside to play and learn. We'll get there... it just won't happen as quickly as we all feel it should. Remember that there was a time, perhaps about 400-700 years ago when everyone except royalty and the nobility thought it was teh end-times, and that life would NEVER get any better.. that the world would burn and we would all be relegated to living in filth and squalor our entire miserable lives.

We made it out then, we'll get past this rough spot too.

 

[XFilesFan502]

I see what you're saying, an interesting correlation for sure. But, where I think I diverge from you is that I don't see existing society in as much of a downward spiral. If we focus solely on the correction of medical disabilities, ailments and diseases, we need to be aware that there have been so many advancements made in the last 20 years that are rarely if ever known about.

Think about how 3D printing has allowed amputees to have cost effective replacement limbs; how advancements in computers and processing have allowed for more advanced prosthetics at the high end; the 64 pixel b&w vision able to be given to some completely blind patients; advancements not just in vaccines and disease eradication, but also in their administration to those who need it most in impoverished communities around the world.

Human genome research has lead to the successful repair or correction of what would otherwise be debilitating or fatal conditions; discoveries in the proper combination of medications for AIDS patients has increased years-to-live by 3-5 up to nearly 50. Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries have become commonplace and help save thousands of lives. Look at what face transplants have done to help restore the lives of many people; this is something that could never be done in the 20th century.

The ability to now treat and ultimately cure Hep C is a big one too. What about the MiniMed 670G, known as the artificial pancreas, has given new freedoms and life to so many.

These are just a handful of ways society is doing GOOD, and working towards a better future for all of us, and these are just some of the medical breakthroughs and treatments.. since we starting by talking about treating/curing blindness.

In a world of 24 hour news reports, social media, and seemingly endless violence, we have to look hard to see the good things that happen in the world. But I assure you they are there. For every kid you see with their face planted deep into a connected device, tuning out the world, there are others who are shutting off their phones and going outside to play and learn. We'll get there... it just won't happen as quickly as we all feel it should. Remember that there was a time, perhaps about 400-700 years ago when everyone except royalty and the nobility thought it was teh end-times, and that life would NEVER get any better.. that the world would burn and we would all be relegated to living in filth and squalor our entire miserable lives.

We made it out then, we'll get past this rough spot too.

I like your optimism. I wish it were contagious.

I know that we are safer than ever and we are generally healthier than ever and that the news makes things look worse than they are. But I also know that social mobility is stagnating and even reversing, and that the difference in life expectancy between the very rich and the very poor has widened significantly in the last 30 years. Class warfare is real.

But you're totally right - there are advancements being made. It just feels like at the moment we are taking more steps backward than we are forward. And I don't understand why we are choosing backward steps when the forward steps are right there and available, ya know?

 

[JasonJ]

I like your optimism. I wish it were contagious.

I know that we are safer than ever and we are generally healthier than ever and that the news makes things look worse than they are. But I also know that social mobility is stagnating and even reversing, and that the difference in life expectancy between the very rich and the very poor has widened significantly in the last 30 years. Class warfare is real.

But you're totally right - there are advancements being made. It just feels like at the moment we are taking more steps backward than we are forward. And I don't understand why we are choosing backward steps when the forward steps are right there and available, ya know?

I hear ya friend... it sure can seem like we're swirling down the crapper some times. The life expectancy issue is for real, and I don't know much about it but did some quick research before posting back here. It seems there are huge socioeconomic but also racial/ethnic drivers behind that. I can see that, take a look at Chicago for example... so much murder (which obviously factors into reducing ones life expectancy), but we need to consider the who and the why of that. Poor black communities with high crime and a lot of murdering among themselves certainly does not help any of them live longer. Or the Native American peoples out in the Dakotas... yes medical treatments are hard to come by at times, but I do know that at least with the tribes local to my area, alcoholism and suicide runs rampant in that culture as well. There are certainly reasons behind that that need to be addressed, but it matters when talking about how long these people will likely live.

The point is, that's a lot bigger potato to boil than might be seen on the surface.. it's more than just "he's rich and I'm poor therefore I will automatically die 15 years younger." Yeah, kinda, but no, not really.. it all depends. I wouldn't use that as a sole indicator (not that I think you are).

It sure does feel as all we are doing is going backwards, but despite that, and again this is because all of the positive stories are not shared or broadcast in our news feeds and social media, we are still making huge gains forwards as well.. rising tide lifts all boats sort of thing, ya know? I don't know that anyone is consciously driving human civilization backwards... perhaps not purposely. I'm sure there are a few in key political or business positions that wouldn't mind, provided they stay on the top, but overall I do not think that we are heading into Hunger Games style way of life either.

As with most things, I think there's a precarious balance between the good and the bad... for all the great things new technology and medicine will bring us, there is going to be an equally as strong dark side to that as well, with people abusing the medicines (opioid epidemic anyone?), people attacking and stealing form others with technology (ransomware), and eventually we'll see people bio-hacking, and integrating tech with the organic, and that too will be subject to abuse, attack/hacking, and it will get TONS of airtime on the news... but the equally powerful good stories about how little Charlene was given new life by a 3D printed artificial heart where no compatible donor could be found, in the year 2035, will be but a sideline story of her local newspaper (if they still exist then).

All we can do as individuals is everything we can at our own level... to stay optimistic and be the force of change we want to see. Worst case, I'm off this rock and will start over on a new human colony somewhere out there. lol. Humanity 2.0 might do better.

 

[Unicron]

What's interesting about the VISOR is that it's much better than eyes - so much better that LaForge flat out turns down the cures that could restore his human eyesight, opting instead for the pain that using the superior VISOR causes.

"Better" is perhaps a relative term, as our few glimpses of the VISOR's image seems to suggest it's not inherently better than the images formed in a normal eye. But it does offer a range of visual enhancements that living eyes can't match, like being able to see changes on a molecular level in a bulkhead or a wounded crewmate. According to LeVar Burton, the VISOR lets you see the full electromagnetic spectrum and you can also "see" sound. LeVar had the misfortune of bumping into a lot of stuff on set because of the visual restriction of the VISOR prop.

If you watch the ep in question, Geordi doesn't flat out reject the possibility of cloned eyes, but says he has to think about it. It would be less painful but it would also be a different form of vision.

 

[XFilesFan502]

"Better" is perhaps a relative term, as our few glimpses of the VISOR's image seems to suggest it's not inherently better than the images formed in a normal eye. But it does offer a range of visual enhancements that living eyes can't match, like being able to see changes on a molecular level in a bulkhead or a wounded crewmate. According to LeVar Burton, the VISOR lets you see the full electromagnetic spectrum and you can also "see" sound. LeVar had the misfortune of bumping into a lot of stuff on set because of the visual restriction of the VISOR prop.

If you watch the ep in question, Geordi doesn't flat out reject the possibility of cloned eyes, but says he has to think about it. It would be less painful but it would also be a different form of vision.

But let us not forget that he does eventually get ocular implants.

 

[JasonJ]

But let us not forget that he does eventually get ocular implants.

And thankfully for him, the image they produce is so much better than that weird multi-colored mess from his VISOR. It would take decades to get used to that and to train one's brain to understand it. The ST:FC implants were a huge improvement.

They also allowed for a lot more facial expression from Burton, which was his main beef with the VISOR to begin with.

 

[XFilesFan502]

And thankfully for him, the image they produce is so much better than that weird multi-colored mess from his VISOR. It would take decades to get used to that and to train one's brain to understand it. The ST:FC implants were a huge improvement.

They also allowed for a lot more facial expression from Burton, which was his main beef with the VISOR to begin with.

That's a good point. I guess I never thought about that!

 

[bigglesworth]

I voted "Not Sure".

I think medical technology (and technology in general) will continue to advance and make lives easier. Using Geordi as the OP's example, blind people with have the choice of bionic eyes or maybe even real eyes produced from a sample of their own DNA (not today obviously, but maybe in 20-50 years).

The problem is humanity itself. The humans of the Star Trek universe were prodded to go the right direction partially due to the horrible wars, but by and large by first contact with the Vulcans. Unless there's some sort of first contact event for us, I really can't see humanity putting aside their issues for the betterment of humanity. I think there's always going to be greed in the sense of crooks (most politicians, Bernie Madoff, etc...) who place personal gain above the lives of others. Going further I believe there's always going to be a new Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot waiting around the corner to murder countless people in the pursuit of power.

 

[XFilesFan502]

I voted "Not Sure".

I think medical technology (and technology in general) will continue to advance and make lives easier. Using Geordi as the OP's example, blind people with have the choice of bionic eyes or maybe even real eyes produced from a sample of their own DNA (not today obviously, but maybe in 20-50 years).

The problem is humanity itself. The humans of the Star Trek universe were prodded to go the right direction partially due to the horrible wars, but by and large by first contact with the Vulcans. Unless there's some sort of first contact event for us, I really can't see humanity putting aside their issues for the betterment of humanity. I think there's always going to be greed in the sense of crooks (most politicians, Bernie Madoff, etc...) who place personal gain above the lives of others. Going further I believe there's always going to be a new Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot waiting around the corner to murder countless people in the pursuit of power.

You're so right. But I have to hope that we are in the midst of hitting rock bottom as a society? How much farther down do we have to go before we realize what we have to fix?

 

[Tenacity]

But I have to hope that we are in the midst of hitting rock bottom as a society? How much farther down do we have to go before we realize what we have to fix?

I disagree with your appraisal of modern society. Things are consistently getting better, and they have been for some time now. You could say it isn't happening fast enough, and that's debatable yes. The portion of the Human population that lives in abject poverty, both in percentages and real numbers, is dropping and has been for decades.

There are places like North Korea, other places too, not all the problems are gone or being addressed, but as a people Humans continue to grow and improve.

 

[Timo]

As for the VISOR, sure, it takes decades to learn to use that thing. But after you do, you're Superman. Why give that up? (Indeed, it would take further decades for LaForge to learn to cope with the near-blindness we call the "human vision"! Or more, as he's an adult now, and not a good learner any longer.)

LaForge turned down two painkilling methods for the VISOR in "Encounter at Farpoint", drugs and lobotomy; alternate ways of seeing were not discussed. Pulaski in "Loud as a Whisper" in turn offered restoration of sight but no painkillers; pain might have remained in some of the options at least.

What Pulaski offered was

1) implants that look like normal eyes and do 80% of the job of the VISOR (and thus probably are still way superior to human vision), supposedly plugged into the brain much the same way the VISOR was, bypassing the malformed optical nerves, and
2) repairing said nerves, after which LaForge could wear normal human eyes.

What LaForge ultimately got seems to be none of these. From ST:FC on, he has eyes he calls "implants" that show more than human ones, but (as we see in ST:INS) with normal human eyeballs beneath, not the original white orbs nor any cavity-filling machinery. Or at least it would be pretty gruesome if the Fountain of Youth grew him all-new eyeballs (along with repairing the nerves that are at the root of all the troubles) and squeezed out the bloody mess of the machinery...

Why would a Fountain of Youth repair nerves that never were functional to begin with? But never mind, he's back to wearing the "implants" in the next movie, suggesting he still despises human vision, as otherwise he'd have gone for Pulaski's cure now that he had a sample. (Or did Pulaski take her cure down the turbolift shaft she fell in?)

As for superhumans in general, it's only the civilians who aren't allowed to have any on their own. The government still churns out supermen in not-so-secret factories in "Unnatural Selection", as a matter of policy. It just isn't witnessed turning any of them loose. But it has no problem with supermen as such, either - it allows Vulcans of superior strength or Betazoids of superior telepathy to walk the streets, say. Equality clearly doesn't equate homogeneity in this brave new world.

Which is a nice way to tell stories about mankind's techno-social future, replacing "different people" with space aliens.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[XFilesFan502]

I disagree with your appraisal of modern society. Things are consistently getting better, and they have been for some time now. You could say it isn't happening fast enough, and that's debatable yes. The portion of the Human population that lives in abject poverty, both in percentages and real numbers, is dropping and has been for decades.

There are places like North Korea, other places too, not all the problems are gone or being addressed, but as a people Humans continue to grow and improve.

I get that and in a lot of ways you're right, but I think we're backsliding.

 

[XFilesFan502]

As for the VISOR, sure, it takes decades to learn to use that thing. But after you do, you're Superman. Why give that up? (Indeed, it would take further decades for LaForge to learn to cope with the near-blindness we call the "human vision"! Or more, as he's an adult now, and not a good learner any longer.)

LaForge turned down two painkilling methods for the VISOR in "Encounter at Farpoint", drugs and lobotomy; alternate ways of seeing were not discussed. Pulaski in "Loud as a Whisper" in turn offered restoration of sight but no painkillers; pain might have remained in some of the options at least.

What Pulaski offered was

1) implants that look like normal eyes and do 80% of the job of the VISOR (and thus probably are still way superior to human vision), supposedly plugged into the brain much the same way the VISOR was, bypassing the malformed optical nerves, and
2) repairing said nerves, after which LaForge could wear normal human eyes.

What LaForge ultimately got seems to be none of these. From ST:FC on, he has eyes he calls "implants" that show more than human ones, but (as we see in ST:INS) with normal human eyeballs beneath, not the original white orbs nor any cavity-filling machinery. Or at least it would be pretty gruesome if the Fountain of Youth grew him all-new eyeballs (along with repairing the nerves that are at the root of all the troubles) and squeezed out the bloody mess of the machinery...

Why would a Fountain of Youth repair nerves that never were functional to begin with? But never mind, he's back to wearing the "implants" in the next movie, suggesting he still despises human vision, as otherwise he'd have gone for Pulaski's cure now that he had a sample. (Or did Pulaski take her cure down the turbolift shaft she fell in?)

As for superhumans in general, it's only the civilians who aren't allowed to have any on their own. The government still churns out supermen in not-so-secret factories in "Unnatural Selection", as a matter of policy. It just isn't witnessed turning any of them loose. But it has no problem with supermen as such, either - it allows Vulcans of superior strength or Betazoids of superior telepathy to walk the streets, say. Equality clearly doesn't equate homogeneity in this brave new world.

Which is a nice way to tell stories about mankind's techno-social future, replacing "different people" with space aliens.

Timo Saloniemi

Good points!