‘Meeting a real-life cyborg was gobsmacking’

Neil Harbisson is a remarkable individual who has gained attention for his unique perspective on the world. Born in Barcelona, he has a rare condition known as achromatopsia, which means he can only see in black, white, and shades of grey. For the past two decades, he has identified as a 'cyborg artist' due to his surgically implanted antenna, which he refers to as an 'eyeborg. ' This antenna allows him to hear colors by transforming light waves into sound. In 2004, Neil made the life-changing decision to undergo surgery to attach this antenna to the back of his head, significantly altering his sensory experience. When film director Carey Born encountered Neil, she was left in awe and decided to create a documentary titled 'Cyborg: A Documentary' about his life. The film delves into how Neil navigates his daily existence and the implications of his extraordinary surgical modification. Carey emphasizes that Neil's motivation for the surgery was not to replace a lost sense but to enhance his abilities, which she found to be a captivating aspect of his story. Neil and his partner, Moon Ribas, share a vision of body augmentation and believe in the potential of technology to improve human experiences. During his time as a student, Neil met Adam Montandon, a cybernetics expert from Plymouth University, who introduced him to the concept of hearing colors through a combination of headphones, a webcam, and a laptop. This experience sparked Neil's desire for more, leading him to merge technology with his own body. Despite facing repeated rejections from Spain's bioethical committees, Neil eventually convinced anonymous doctors to perform the surgery, which involved removing a portion of his skull to implant the antenna. Neil describes himself as a 'cyborg artist,' stating, 'I don't feel like I'm using technology; I feel like I am technology. ' The term 'cyborg' refers to a being that combines human and machine elements, granting them enhanced capabilities. Cyborgs have become a popular theme in culture and science fiction, appearing in shows like 'Doctor Who' and films such as 'The Terminator. ' The antenna implanted in Neil's head allows him to perceive colors not through his ears but through the bones of his skull. It also connects to nearby devices and the internet, expanding his sensory experience. Moon Ribas, Neil's partner, describes him as brave and someone who enjoys doing things differently. In the documentary, Neil shares that after the surgery, he experienced five weeks of headaches and took about five months to adjust to the antenna. Carey notes that Neil faced depression following the procedure, similar to the side effects experienced by individuals who underwent trepanning in the past. When Carey first met Neil, she was uncertain about what to expect, but she found both him and Moon to be warm and approachable. The film captures the reactions of people to Neil's appearance and showcases his artwork, which is inspired by his perception of color. However, life after the surgery has not been without challenges. The documentary reveals that Neil has received death threats from individuals who oppose his body modifications. Neil addresses these threats in the film, stating, 'For many years, we’ve had different types of death threats from people who really hate what we’re doing because they think it’s anti-natural or anti-God. ' As a result of these threats, Neil and Moon have relocated to a new home, the location of which they keep secret for safety reasons. Carey expresses her sadness over this situation, describing Neil and Moon as gentle individuals. She believes her film raises important questions about the ethics of body augmentation. Neil's motto, 'Design Yourself,' reflects his belief in the power of self-modification. However, Carey urges viewers to consider the safety and potential risks associated with body enhancements. She questions who is performing these procedures and what the possible consequences may be. In the United States, public opinion appears to be generally positive towards the idea of enhancing human abilities, but many individuals remain hesitant or undecided about the implications of biomedical interventions. Neil's work has sparked discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding body modifications. He asserts that his organization, the Cyborg Foundation, aims to make these enhancements accessible to everyone, not just those with financial means. He believes that creating new senses should not be expensive and that people should have the opportunity to extend their perception. Jenova Rain, a body modification artist, admires Neil's work and views him as a pioneer in pushing the boundaries of human potential. She combines technology with the human body by implanting microchips that can assist individuals with disabilities. Dani Clode, a designer at Cambridge University, finds Neil's journey fascinating but acknowledges that the field of augmentation is still being explored. She creates devices that can aid individuals, such as an extra thumb or a robotic arm. The documentary concludes with Carey reminding viewers that technology is advancing rapidly, and we must be cautious about who controls it. If only a select few individuals or organizations hold power over cybernetic technology, it could lead to significant societal issues. 'Cyborg: A Documentary' is set to be released in UK cinemas on September 20.