As the 21st century progresses, one of the largest growing demographics will be that of the cyborg, human beings with electronic, prosthetic, chemical, or biological modification. Many will do this for medically necessary reasons, many will do it with the aim to enhance their natural capabilities, and some will do it simply for their own aesthetic reasons or sense of personal identity. Cyborg studies scholar Rich MacKinnon has proposed that the cyborg as a concept encompasses a large group of individuals’ desires to reconcile their physical identity with their mental conceptions of themselves, coining the term ‘cyborgs in waiting’ to describe those who are waiting for technology to catch up with their ideal physical self-image. As human beings merge with technology devices, many of these devices will be patented and running proprietary code, leading to thorny legal issues surrounding bodily autonomy, ownership, and rights. As the electronic frontier moves into our bodies, it is important that we cyber-libertarians march as allies alongside the cyborgs among us and the cyborgs we will all someday become. What do we want? Cyborg rights! When do we want them? Now! Join EFF-Austin president Kevin Welch and Borgfest CEO Rich MacKinnon as they lead cyborgs and their allies in the world’s first cyborg pride parade. And if you’re attending SXSW as a badge holder, catch their panel on cyborg identity, pride, and rights.
The panel and parade also hope to raise awareness of the principles advocated in The Cyborg Bill Of Rights. Read more about the proposed rights in Rich’s article on BoingBoing.
The date everything goes down is Sunday, March 11th – we hope to see you there! RSVP on Meetup!
3:30pm-4:30pm
SXSW Panel with Kevin Welch and Rich MacKinnon on cyborg pride and cyborg identity. Badge holders only. Westin Austin Downtown, 310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701, in room Continental 1-2.
4:30pm-6:30pm
Join Kevin and Rich as they walk over from the Westin to the Palmer Event Center, the meeting place for the start of the march. Or arrive at Palmer before 6:30pm to join in the march proper.
6:30pm-7:00pm
The rally! Meet in front of the Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, at 6:30pm. Rich and Kevin will have signs to show your cyborg pride, but feel free to express yourself and bring whatever/come dressed as whatever being a cyborg or cyborg ally means to you. The march will proceed down Barton Springs Road and up Dawson to The High Road on Dawson, where the EFF-Austin cyberpunk party is being held.
7:00pm-11:00pm
Join us at the EFF-Austin annual cyberpunk party at The High Road on Dawson, 700 Dawson Rd, Austin, TX 78704. All cyborgs, cyborgs-in-waiting, and cyborg allies welcome!
