OWM: (part I spoilers) Would it bother you to have to change like they did ?

[Emmanuel]

I believe I would jump at the opportunity to try a new body :)

Would you guys have any problems with the "theological or psychological ramifications", as the brochure states ?

It's a transhumanist's wet dream :)

[P. Aaron]

That seemed an odd comment in the book. Don't most religions specifically separate the soul from the body? So where's the theological friction in simply moving the self over to new digs?

Another slightly annoying instance of Scalzi glancing past a potentially intriguing topic to move the plot along. Grump. Ah well, still a more than decent popcorn novel.

[Leavey]

P. Aaron wrote: "That seemed an odd comment in the book. Don't most religions specifically separate the soul from the body? So where's the theological friction in simply moving the self over to new digs?

Another..."

At least for catholics that should actualy be a big problem, since we are told that our bodies are a gift from god that we should honor. Wich is also the reason why suicide is such a big deal.

Personaly I would jump at the opportunity, if it weren't for the sigining up for the military thing that is.

[Leesa]

I wouldn't think twice. In.

[Emmanuel]

Also, doesn't the brain of the old body has to "die" to make the transfer ?

[Liudvikas]

I would change it in a heartbeat. Who doesn't want a younger, stronger, faster, better version of yourselves.

More important question for those who read the second book is whether you would take (view spoiler)[Gameran body. All that floating in space and being so different from regular humans might be too much for most people. (hide spoiler)]

[Rob, Roberator]

Wouldn't blink at swapping. Bring it on!

[Joe Informatico]

P. Aaron wrote: "That seemed an odd comment in the book. Don't most religions specifically separate the soul from the body? So where's the theological friction in simply moving the self over to new digs?"

The new body is a clone of your old one. It is not the product of a union between your mother and father. A lot of religions have issues with cloning or any other forms of non-sexual reproduction. And the OWM setting suggests Earth is still more or less stuck in the early 21st century, technologically and sociologically.

Speaking for myself, though, I'd jump at the chance to be lean and green.

[Zach]

I would be all over it. Maybe a half second of "Good bye old body :(". But then I'm over it and trying out for the WWE.

[Nick]

I would wonder if the physical changes would bring about an actual change in the person's personality. It sort of does in that they have the hormone levels of twenty year olds. You have to wonder what other "tweaks" have been done and what those "tweaks" would mean to someones personality.

Since drugs have shown that a lot of someones personality is chemical, I'd think every little genetic change has the potential to affect the body chemistry and also affect one's personality by association.

The main protagonist doesn't show a lot of change but you'd think the new bodies would have done a bit more to the psychology of the new recruits personalities than what the novel shows.

[András]

Well I would mostly worry about the BrainPal. It seems it can even partially control your body, at least it's in contact with your smart blood so I guess it could turn it off. Is it hackable? Even if not, can the military look through your eyes, look into your mind, maybe even change your thoughts any time it wants?

It seems a huge invasion of privacy. Of course, in a military discipline is expected, but still, they didn't agree in advance to get a mind computer. I don't think even knowing this would stop me, but I'd at least like to have the information before, and not be surprised by it.

Additionally, it's a piece of human made software and I never met any software completely bug free...

[Leo]

András wrote: "Additionally, it's a piece of human made software and I never met any software completely bug free..."

Makes the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" a little more serious matter than losing your term paper!

[Dustin]

Sounds like the Cybermen dilemma to me.

[Nathan]

@Nick Since the new bodies seem to have significantly altered biochemistry, how would that affect thought, emotion and personality? Would you even be you?

[Stephanie]

Nick wrote: "I would wonder if the physical changes would bring about an actual change in the person's personality. It sort of does in that they have the hormone levels of twenty year olds. You have to wonder..."

And this touches on why I would have the biggest reservations about doing this. Who really knows if they are actually capturing your entire consciousness/personality without *any* changes? Wouldn't it be in a military's best interest to actually maybe tweak personalities (or inhibitions or drives) a little? (Or maybe that is just paranoid-me talking.)

I actually found the scene where he looks back at his old body and it is looking back at him reaaaally creepy. I am really enjoying the book, but I like my body thankyouverymuch. Then again, I am 29 and currently pregnant with my first baby, so maybe I'll feel differently in a few years...

[Trike]

I'd do it. Even if you wouldn't really be "you" any more. After all, our bodies change as we get older, pumping out different chemicals and hormones (or stopping them altogether) so we're not really the same people in our 50s or 60s that we were in our 20s or 30s.

[Jonathon]

I could get on board with the total body upgrade. Admittedly I don't much fancy being green but I'd happily take the rest of the upgrades.

As to whether it'd still be me, I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago, or 5 or even 2. Who we are is in a constant state of flux, responding to hormones and chemicals in our bodies as well as external stimuli. I'd still be who I had been up until that point so that doesn't really bother me.