Half Human, Half Robot | Jessica Smith | TEDxDESC Youth

TL;DR

Disability activist discusses the importance of technology and changing societal perspectives in empowering people with disabilities to embrace their abilities and redefine what it means to be human.

Transcript

[Applause] good evening my disability has empowered me to challenge the status quo and to push boundaries but when I was growing up physical and social limitations existed telling me that the world wasn't yet ready for somebody like me somebody proud of their imperfections instead the world told me to be embarrassed and ashamed to hide and to keep ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👯 The speaker emphasizes the need for social acceptance and inclusion for people with disabilities, as technology alone cannot solve all their challenges.
• 🕵️ Prosthetic technology has advanced significantly, but there are still limitations, such as the inability to detect sensory feedback.
• 🪡 The speaker highlights the importance of affordability and accessibility of advanced prosthetics to ensure that those who need them can benefit from the technology.
• 😟 Advances in technology, such as surgical implantation and integration with the brain and nervous system, offer endless possibilities for enhancing human capabilities and transforming how society views disability.
• 😨 The speaker's role as a patient advocate is to educate society about the possibilities and benefits of advanced prosthetics, aiming to change perceptions from fear to fascination.
• 🤨 The speaker raises the question of whether technology will advance to a point where disabilities are seen as advantageous, creating a world where people with disabilities become superhumans.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did social and medical perceptions of disability affect the speaker's childhood?

The speaker was told by medical professionals that she was incapable and incomplete, which led to feelings of inadequacy and the need to hide her disability. Socially, she experienced discrimination and the perception that she was broken and deformed.

Q: How did the speaker's perspective change regarding her disability and the use of technology?

The speaker initially relied on prosthetics to blend in and develop naturally, but the technology failed her in crucial moments, leading to an injury. She decided to embrace her appearance and focus on adapting and finding her own way without the use of technology.

Q: What role did sports and swimming play in the speaker's journey?

Sports, particularly swimming, allowed the speaker to prove her capabilities and be acknowledged for her abilities rather than being limited by her disability. She represented Australia in swimming for almost a decade.

Q: How has the societal view of disability started to shift?

Society is starting to view disability through a social lens, recognizing that individuals are often disabled by their environment and the discrimination they face. This shift in perspective is empowering people with disabilities and reducing stigma.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on growing up with physical and social limitations, feeling embarrassed and ashamed of her disability.

• She discusses the role of technology in expanding human capabilities and cognition, emphasizing the need for collaboration between technology and humanity.

• The speaker shares her personal experience with prosthetics and the limitations of current technology, highlighting the importance of social acceptance and inclusion for people with disabilities.