Things I Need, Part One: Nanotechnology
The next couple of days, I'm going to be doing some little missives on things I need, things I want to see, in the world. They'll be of varying length, and on individual subjects. If you happen to have more knowledge on any of the subjects than I do (and I don't see how you wouldn't), then you should feel free to weigh in.

First up, Nanotech:

To begin, I want you to think about the potential for the interface of the systems of will, thought, and action. A connection of mind and body, throughout each and every cell of the body, when the cybernetic component is achieved. We can, with the proper programming, time, and knowledge come to a near-instantaneous change in matter commbinations, developing an instinctual reflexive matrix fromm adaptaion and integration of stimuli. For a pop-culture reference, see the 'Ultimates' version of The Hulk.

Which Brings me to my next point: The pain inherent in the rapid adaptations and changes to physiology, intentional or no. Think about the growth pains asssociated with the rapid development of teenagers, and accelerate that, exponentially. Pain is an inevitability. So what do we do about it? Is there any way to facilitate these biological changes, without the attendant pain? There is the option of the dispersal of anesthesia, distributed in each microscopic structure, each "nanobot," such that prior to the changes in structure being implemented the onset of pain is pre-empted. Or perhaps not.

Maybe the pain is a necessary component of the process, one that can be used to gauge the true dedication to the process. When we receive a tattoo or a piercing, we experience the pain of the needle. It is part and parcel to the experience and, as LUXT said, it lets us know that we're alive, lets us know what we're doing. Where are we, when we allow ourselves to not be hurt by the changes we make to ourselves, in ourselves?

Again, think of the ability to change our structure at will, to adapt reflexively, in all senses of the word. A visceral, intuitive interface between the mind, the body, the machines. The first stages of the complete blurring and redefinition of those lines.

I'm too tired to keep going, now, but think about it, and tell me what you think.