We Have Never Been Human: Or Why We Have Always Been Something Else

by Juan de Dios Vázquez

Overview

We Have Never Been Human boldly reimagines what it means to be human, challenging the traditional notions that bind our identity to biology and culture. From ancient mythologies to modern technologies, this book reveals a dynamic, ever-evolving human identity shaped by external forces and technological advancements.

Blending insights from philosophy, technology studies, anthropology, and cultural critique, We Have Never Been Human offers an interdisciplinary exploration of our constructed identities and what they portend for the future of society. It raises essential questions: How has technology reshaped our self-perception? Are humans fixed beings, or are we endlessly evolving? What ethical, social, and political challenges arise as we integrate with intelligent machines?

This book is a compelling read for those intrigued by the intersection of humanity and technology, offering profound insights into the essence of what it means to be human—or perhaps, what it means to evolve beyond the human.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041036708
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	06/30/2025
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Juan de Dios Vázquez holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Harvard University, a Master’s degree in Critical Theory from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Communication from Temple University. He is a recipient of the National Prize from the Mexican Committee of Historical Sciences (2013) and co-founded the first Latin American Film Festival at New York University. For five consecutive years, he was honored with the Derek Bok Award for Excellence in Teaching as a lecturer at Harvard University, and has also taught as an Assistant Professor at New York University and as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. Juan de Dios is also the author of several academic publications, a weekly columnist, and the host of the program El Vecino Incómodo, where he interviews prominent politicians, artists, and intellectuals on pressing global issues. In the public sector, he served as Minister at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., representing Mexico before the World Customs Organization (OMA) and acting as Permanent Secretary of the Multilateral Agreement on Customs in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal (COMALEP). He also served as a customs liaison to key high-level dialogues between Mexico and the United States, including GANSEG, CEO Dialogue, DEAN, and DANS. Previously, he was Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Alfonso Durazo, Head of the Institutional Planning and Evaluation Unit, and Spokesperson for the department. During his tenure, he played a key role in establishing the SSPC and the National Guard, directing strategic programs focused on security and facilitation. As Director-General of Customs and International Affairs, he strengthened Mexico’s global trade relations, achieving technical consolidation of six bilateral customs cooperation agreements and advancing negotiations on 30 similar agreements. His leadership also saw the implementation of programs to promote Green Customs, protect cultural heritage, and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:  The Human Blueprint

Chapter 2:  Of Flesh and Faith

Chapter 3:  Humans Gone Wild

Chapter 4:  The Chronicles of Cyborg

Chapter 5:  Humanity 2.0

Chapter 6:  Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Chapter 7:  Beyond IQ

Chapter 8:  Weapons of Math Destruction

Chapter 9:  Humanity in the Age of the Algorithm

Chapter 10:  The Byte of the Earth

Epilogue:  Control+Alt+TheEnd