TED演讲:我们的大问题(4)
时间:2018-11-02 02:13:54
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(单词翻译)
Now, when we think about changing human nature, 那么,当我们考虑改变人类本质时,
the first thing that comes to mind are these human
modification1 technologies 首先想到的便是那些人类改造技术
stimulants4 like Ritalin, Adderall, anti-depressants, anabolic steroids, artificial hearts. 如利他林,安非他命缓释剂之类的兴奋剂,抗抑郁剂,合成代谢类固醇,人造心脏。
It's a pretty pathetic list. 这是一张可悲的清单。
They do great things for a few people who suffer from some specific condition, 这些技术极大地帮助了一部分人,这些人患有某些特定的病症。
but for most people, they don't really transform what it is to be human. 但对与大多数人来说,它们并不能真正改变人的本质。
And they also all seem a little bit 并且,它们看起来也有点
most people have this instinct that, well, sure, 大多数人都会本能地认为,
there needs to be anti-depressants for the really
depressed5 people. 虽然抗抑郁剂对严重抑郁的人来说确实是必须的,
But there's a kind of
queasiness6 that these are
unnatural7 in some way. 但这里面总有一点让人不舒服的成分,因为在某种程度上说,这毕竟是很不自然的。
It's worth recalling that there are a lot of other modification technologies 值得一提的是,有许多其他的改造技术
and enhancement technologies that we use. 和改善技术供我们使用。
We have skin enhancements, clothing. 我们有改善皮肤的产品,服装。
As far as I can see, all of you are users of this enhancement technology in this room, so that's a great thing. 据我的观察,你们所有人都是这改善技术的使用者,所以这是个好东西。
Mood modifiers have been used from time immemorial -- 自古以来,情绪改善剂就一直为人们所使用——
caffeine, alcohol,
nicotine8, immune system enhancement, vision enhancement, anesthetics 咖啡因、酒精、尼古丁、免疫系统增强剂、视力增强品、麻醉剂。
we take that very much for granted, 我们通常认为这些是理所当然的,没什么稀奇,
but just think about how great progress that is -- like, 但想想看这是多么伟大的进步--比如,
having an operation before anesthetics was not fun. 不实施麻醉而进行手术可不是好玩的。
Contraceptives,
cosmetics9 and brain reprogramming techniques -- that sounds
ominous10, 避孕药、美容用品和大脑重新编程技术--听起来并不像什么好事。
but the distinction between what is a technology -- a
gadget11 would be the archetype -- 但技术--典型的例子就是小装置,
and other ways of changing and rewriting human nature is quite subtle. 以及其他改变和重塑人类本质的方法,这两者的差别很微妙。
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