While in Austin, TX for Wanderlust 108, I found out that there is something called Body Hacking Convention and that it takes place precisely in the Texan capital! Of course, I will be attending. Hacking ourselves towards improvement is precisely what DIY Mind-Body Upgrade is all about! except more focused on the tech options available; something I am also very interested in for various reasons.
What is Body Hacking?
It is a mindblowing branch of medicne and science that is growing at an exciting rate and, rather than fear it, we should embrace the advances that can lead to longer, healthier lifespans. Not only that, but some body hacking tech actually can bring us closer to nature. The North Sense, for example, is an implant that helps keep you well-oriented by helping you always be aware of where North is. And then there are more tech-related implants like RFID chips and such, which you can program to unlock/start your car, log you into systems, and some have even programmed their train pass so they’ll never be without it! And then there’s genetic therapy to treat otherwise deadly diseases, as well as fight aging.
This is just a tiny taste of what body hacking can entail, so I invite you to do research, there’s bound to be something that will blow your mind and pique your interest!
What is BDYHAX?
BDYHAX is a 3-day celebration of human enhancement, transhumanism, and biohacking. With a special focus on DIY healthcare and other body hacks, BDYHAX brings together industry experts, curious newcomers, and everyone else in between. -bodyhackingcon.com
On its third year, BDYHAX has steadily grown and drawn more and more speakers and attendees. From sociologists discussing cyborg rights, to innovators developing pleasure-focused vibrating implants, to people taking about DIY gene and life extension, there is a lot of potential, and a lot of people experimenting!
Besides all the conferences and educational panels, there are also art installations and exhibits, as well as a screening of FIXED, a documentary about the current state and development of the technology to “better the human”.
The BodyHacking Convention (BDYHAX)
Location: Austin Sheraton Downtown
Dates: Feb. 2 – Feb. 4
Twitter: @bdyhax
Instagram: @bdyhax
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BodyHackingCon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxudEPi-2P8Kt0WeSBy9Fpg
BDYHAX Speakers and Guests
They have put together a growing list of dynamic speakers who are influential in the BodyHacking &
Transhumanist community. Some of the guests include Liz Parrish, known as “the woman who wants to genetically engineer you” and who is the Founder and CEO of BioViva, a company committed to extending healthy lifespans using gene and cell technologies; the keynote will be given by Justin Sanchez from DARPA; Mal Harrison will be talking about sex and gender in the age of cyborgs; and so many others are being added as we near closer. You can find the rest of the guest speakers here.
It’s not al lectures, though, there is also a fashion show of sorts, showcasing wearables, a dance party and several performances, including Stelarc, an experimental artist who implements implants and other body modifications.
BDYHAX Special Events
The Wormhole is another thing to look forward to. It’s a pumping cyberpunk-themed party on Saturday night with guest DJs! This year, electronic trio Magic sword is headlining. I’ve been listening to the Spotify playlist, and it is pretty good! Check it out here.
And then, also for the 18+ crowd, BDYHAX begins on Friday night with SexTech Friday. An honest and open conversation about what sex may look like in the future.
Find out more at: https://bodyhackingcon.com/special-events
It’s really exciting to get a look into the future of human health and technology! I’ll come back with reports on some of the topics I found most interesting and/or useful. I’m definitely hitting the DIY Gene Therapy and Life Extension, as well as DIY Personalized Health! So stay tuned!
Hopefully you’ve decided to join the party and attend! If so, see you there! If not, I’ll keep you posted! 😉
Fit Lizzy's DIY Mind-Body Upgrade 