Fashion for chipping
Thousands of Swedes are implanting microchips under their skin, and here's why
Igor Abramov, MixStuff
Thousands of Swedish residents have voluntarily implanted microchips into their bodies that can function as contactless credit cards, keys and travel tickets.
Once the chip is under the skin, you no longer need to worry about losing your credit card or carrying a heavy wallet. However, for many people, the idea of implanting a microchip into their body seems more like a dystopia than a dream come true.
Some argue that the reason for this recent trend is probably the high level of well-being in Sweden. But in fact, the factors explaining why about 3,500 Swedes chose such microchips are more complicated than one might expect.
This phenomenon reflects the unique biohacking environment in Sweden. If you look at the problem deeper, the Swedes' addiction to all sorts of digital gadgets goes much further than these microchips.
The term "biohackers" is used in relation to amateur biologists who conduct experiments in the field of biomedicine, but do so outside of traditional institutions such as universities, medical companies and other scientifically controlled structures. Just as computer hackers hack into other people's servers, biohackers hack into biological systems.
Biohacking is also a culture, and a diverse one, with many subgroups, each of which has its own range of interests, goals and even ideology. However, with all the diversity, there are two main groups: vetver hackers and transhumanists.
The first category includes amateur biologists who create laboratory equipment from household utensils. They practice the so-called "lean science", finding low-cost solutions that are designed to improve the standard of living of people in developing countries.
However, they also conduct more frivolous experiments, such as genetic modification of plants in order to make them fluorescent, or the use of algae to produce new beers.
Another group is transhumanists, who focus primarily on strengthening and improving the human body, with the ultimate goal of improving the human breed. They are convinced that only by improving themselves and going beyond the original biological limitations, people will be able to compete with artificial intelligence in the future.
Often, the situation in the field of biohacking reflects the peculiarities of society and the culture that develops in it. For example, European biohackers, as a rule, differ from their North American "colleagues". American groups are developing alternatives to established healthcare practices. Meanwhile, European biohackers are more focused on finding ways to help people in poor countries or to participate in various artistic bioprojects.
It should be emphasized that the Swedish biohacking culture is different from the rest of Europe. Most Swedish biohackers belong to the transhumanist movement. It is transhumanists, or, more specifically, a subgroup calling themselves "grinders", who insert NFC chips replacing credit cards into thousands of Swedes under the skin between the thumb and index finger. These are the same microchips that have been used for decades to track the migration routes of animals or the movement of mail.
So, why are the Swedes so willing to offer their body for microchip implantation? One of the available theories is that they are more likely to share personal data, due to the peculiarities of the structure of the national social security system.
However, this myth about the "naive Swede" who unconditionally trusts the government and national institutions is an exaggeration, which was even highlighted by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If this can be considered an explanation, then, of course, it is not exhaustive.
More convincing is the fact that in Sweden people have a lot of trust in digital technologies. Most Swedes are deeply convinced of their positive potential. Over the past two decades, the Swedish government has invested heavily in technological infrastructure – and it has not gone unnoticed. The Swedish economy today is largely based on digital exports, digital services and digital technologies.
Sweden has become one of the most successful countries in the world in creating and exporting digital products. Well-known companies such as Skype and Spotify were founded in Sweden. The belief in digital technologies and their potential have greatly influenced Swedish culture. And the transhumanist movement is based on this foundation. In fact, Sweden has played an important role in shaping the global transhumanist ideology.
The world transhumanist organization Humanity+ was founded by the Swede Nick Bostrom in 1998. Since then, many Swedes have become convinced that they should try to improve their biological bodies.
While the whole world is shocked by the number of people who undergo microchip implantation in Sweden, we should take the opportunity to get deeper into the essence of the amazing attitude of Swedes to everything related to digital technologies. After all, this phenomenon is just one of the many manifestations of a deep belief in progress that makes Sweden a completely unique country.
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