Blurring Human-Machine Distinctions: Tattoo-Like Monitors

'The goal is really to blur the distinction between electronics and biological tissues.' This chilling statement is the introduction of a new technology by its lead researcher.

by Heidi Stevenson

16 August 2011

"The goal is really to blur the distinction between electronics and biological tissues." This chilling statement is the introduction of a new technology by its lead researcher, John Rogers. Though the technology may have some highly valuable and useful applications, we've seen only too often that new technology will nearly always be used for its most harmful potential.

Computers were once hailed for their potential to free us of much drudgery work, giving us shorter work days and lots of free time to use for our own pursuits. We all know how that turned out. Instead of benefitting humanity as a whole, computers have replaced jobs and the people who performed them. They have resulted in downsizing workforces. They have been used to reduce most employment to its most basic and inhuman components.

At one time, creativity was valued on most jobs. One's ability to do it better was key, rather than simply doing it faster. Humans are being reduced to little more than cogs in a massive corporate machine—fully interchangeable with any other cog. The loss of so much satisfying work is a direct result of computers.

Why would we expect anything different of a technology that manages to "blur the distinction between electronics and biological tissues"?

Temporary Electronic Tattoos

The devices at issue are electronic circuits affixed to material that is attached to the skin and looks much like a tattoo, as pictured to the left in the photo by John Rogers. Initially, it's anticipated that they'll be used to monitor vital symptoms in patients. The convenience is a major step over existing technology.

At the moment, the plan is to use these temporary electronic tattoos to measure patients' vital signs. They can be attached simply by pressing them on the skin, where they will stay for about two weeks. Their small size (and presumably small cost) is the big selling point. Patients carry them on their bodies with no discomfort, and may not even realize they exist.

The spooky part is the use of the term tattoo. In fact, as you can see from the image, there is nothing tattoo-like about them! The study's author is doing a bit of redirection by attaching the devices to tattoo-like images and calling them temporary tattoos. In fact, there is nothing particularly tattoo-like at all. John Rogers' favorite image for attachment is a pirate. Isn't that cute?

It's been an effective marketing ploy, since the name, electronic tattoo, seems to have stuck, and the media consistently discusses them in terms of tattoos.

Thus far, the devices have been used to monitor the heart and brain. However, they're already being talked about—largely by suggestions from the researchers—for use as baby nursery monitors.

Convenience is nice, but why do the devices need to be attached to the skin? Wouldn't using a bandage do the job just fine? The researchers' goal, though, was to "develop an electronic technology that could integrate with the skin in a way that is invisible to the user," according to John Rogers.

The benefits in terms of medical review are obvious—but they are also invasive. Do you really want some doctors, not to mention anyone else who might be given access, having the ability to monitor you this closely? How can you know whether they're getting more information than you've been told?

Potential Uses for Electronic Tattoos

The application that is now in the forefront of Rogers' mind is computer gaming. Shades of some dystopian cyber fiction! That cannot be far from the jacking in pictured by William Gibson. Electronic tattoos, though, may be more subtle and less intrusive physically—but certainly not psychically.

As the future comes smashing in at us, mainstream medicine may be the hook that draws us in. But just around the corner may be real bionics—only without the innocence of the Six Million Dollar Bionic Man portrayed by Lee Majors.

Electronic tattoos will also be able to control our actions, and possibly even our feelings. They aren't simply receivers. They're transmitters, too. Philips is looking into their use and even has a division focused on potential uses and promoting them. They've produced a strange, moody, and highly-sexual video. Here's how they describe it:

The Electronics Tattoo film expresses the visual power of sensitive technology applied to the human body. The film subtly leads the viewer through the simultaneous emotional and aesthetic transformations between two lovers.

I found the video disturbing. Judge for yourself:

Potential Abuse of Electronic Tattoos

Clearly, a major part of the interest in this technology is in its potential to exploit, and possibly directly control, our emotions. What will actually be devised is, of course, not yet known. We have never been good at predicting how technology will be used—but we have consistently seen it misused.

The nature of electronic tattoos is so personal, and the devices are so cheap, that we must assume corporate interests will use them to further turn humans into perfect tools for production and even better consumers of their junk. Even more chillingly, they may have the ability to make us compliant in the process.

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