Artificial Human Enhancement

**Artificial human enhancement** (**augmentation**) is the temporary or permanent addition of cybernetic, neural, nanotechnological, and/or pharmaceutical technologies to one's person to overcome the inherent limitations of the natural human body. Implementation of these technological augmentations to select or alter a person's characteristics and capacities is wide-reaching and commonplace in most interstellar nations. While some may call this increasingly trivial change "forced human evolution," the truth is that artificial human enhancement is nothing so dramatic.

A term more appropriate to this accepted shift to artificial from organic would be "transhumanism," or the belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current biological limitations, especially by means of science and technology.

## Types of Augmentations

### Mechanical

**Mechanical augmentations**, or **mechware**,

### Biosynthetic

**Biosynthetic augmentations**, or **synthware**,

### Neurological

**Neurological augmentation**, or **wetware**,

#### Neural Interfaces

Considered wetware, **neural interfaces** (**NIs**) allow users to interact with objects both physical and digital, internal and external as an extension of their will. The primary form of an NI is a Cranial Processor Webwork (CPW) and connecting internal wetdrive that acts as a biosynthetic computer wired into the brain. Interactions with the CPW are done through mental and willed commands, allowing users to access information by desire and thought alone viewable through inner ocular or cyberoptic implants.

Most external-interaction NIs are wireless, attributing to an augmented reality around the user, but there are methods of direct-control accessed via hardlink cables. Neural Interfacing Ports (NIPs) located on the back of the neck of base of the skull allow for a direct access to equipment and information to for willed manipulation. Users often also possess their own neural jack behind the ear that features a retractable cord for easy stowage for equipment that does not provide its own hardlink cable.

#### Augeromania

**Augeromania** is a mental disorder characterized by the obsessive augmentation of one’s person driven by a sense of physical or functional inadequacy; it is considered a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). In its delusional variant, perceived flaws are imagined. If the flaw is real, its severity is exaggerated and the sufferer may not be availed of its influence even after the flaw has been “fixed” with functional or cosmetic augmentations. Sufferers commonly share repetitive inspection and comparison of perceived flaws and will go to great lengths to keep from exposing them socially. Affected often fear the stigma of vanity, pushing them to hide their preoccupation. Despite access to augmentations that would immediately invalidate any imperfection, thoughts are pervasive and intrusive and cause sever distress, with some cases occupying the afflicted for several hours of the day, interfering with one’s everyday activities. The DSM-21 categorizes BDD and its subtypes in the obsessive-compulsive spectrum.

Augeromania is estimated to affect between 1.9% to 3.2% of the total human population. It usually starts in adolescence as BDD before escalating to augeromania in adulthood when most nations allow non-medical, invasive augmentations and implantations and affects both males and females regardless of gender. Because augeromania is often so well-hidden, it (like BDD as a whole) is underdiagnosed. As it severely impairs quality of life through social isolation and educational and occupational dysfunction, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are prevalent. [Consider not adding.]

#### Transhuman Superiority Syndrome

**Transhuman Superiority Syndrome** (**TSS**) is psychological disorder that isn't guaranteed to progress to either Augmentation-Effected Societal Dysplasia or Cybernetic Areteosis, but such progression is still entirely possible depending on certain factors within each individual. If treated soon enough, medical professionals may be able to see warning signs in Excessive Cybernetics Stress Disorder that may suggest whether or not someone is likely to developing AESD, or developing AESD before descending into Cybernetic Areteosis. Sometimes, sufferers may develop Cybernetic Areteosis without experiencing AESD, however, such cases are incredibly rare.

1. Excessive Cybernetics Stress Disorder (ECSD)
**Excessive cybernetics stress disorder** (**ECSD**) is an initial disorder in Transhuman Superiority Syndrome that comes from being unable to find others like themselves while incapable of forming commonalities between themselves and the rest of humanity. Causes depression, anxiety, aversion to those who are not as augmented as they are, sense of extreme loneliness, and more.
2. Augmentation-Effected Societal Dysplasia (AESD)
**Augmentation-effected societal dysplasia** (**AESD**) is considered a life threatening late-stage psychological illness developed from a perceived or literal lack of societal connectivity. In some cases, AESD sufferers may drive cyborgs to kill themselves out of loneliness, though it's seen as a sort of “powering off”—not opting to destroy their bodies with violence, but instead using "checkout cards" to upload a virus that shuts down all autonomic functions and suffocates the brain inside its own case. In the most extreme cases, suffers may commit serial or mass murders (either indiscriminately or those representative of a deep seeded loathing) with the intent of being caught and killed by law enforcement while causing as much harm as possible.
3. Cybernetic Areteosis
Laterally developed late-stage TSS disorder where the sufferer accepts that they are indeed more human than human and exhibit behaviors entirely detached from humanity. This often includes unfeelingly disposing of "ant-like pests" standing in the way of their desires.