Beatrice Lang
Body Electric is a phrase that has been used in various contexts, including music, literature, and science. The phrase originates from Walt Whitman's poem I Sing the Body Electric, which celebrates the human body and its glory. In the poem, Whitman explores themes of physicality, interconnectedness, and sensuality, praising the body's electric nature, likely referring to the soul as the source of this electricity. This interpretation of body electric has inspired songs by artists such as Lana Del Rey and The Sisters of Mercy, and has been referenced in various media. Beyond the artistic realm, body electric has also been used in scientific discussions, referring to the electrical nature of the human body and its potential synergy with technology, such as in brain-computer interfaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | "I Sing the Body Electric", a poem by Walt Whitman from his 1855 collection Leaves of Grass |
| Theme | A celebration of the human body, its sensuality, interconnectedness of body and soul, and the equality and interconnectedness of all people |
| Influence | Allusions to Whitman's work can be found in songs by Lana Del Rey, The Sisters of Mercy, and Rush, as well as episodes of The Twilight Zone and a short story by Ray Bradbury |
| Interpretation | Praising the human body and its liveliness, the excitement and inspiration derived from it, and the quest for human selfhood |
| Scientific Perspective | The human body is inherently electrical, with cells communicating through the exchange of ions, similar to electrical circuits |
| Bioelectronics | The integration of living systems and electronic systems, such as brain-computer interfaces and retinal electrode implants |
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What You'll Learn
The human body is inherently electrical
The human body is a complex biological machine that relies on electrical signals to function. At its most fundamental level, the human body comprises atoms, which are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. These electrons carry a negative charge and their movement between atoms creates electricity. This electricity is what enables our bodies to function, from sending signals to the brain to making our hearts beat.
Nearly all of our cells have the ability to generate electricity, and this electricity is what powers our bodies and allows us to think and feel. The nervous system, which is responsible for controlling the functioning of the entire human body, operates through a combination of electrical and chemical processes. The basic building block of the nervous system is the nerve cell, or neuron, which transmits electrical impulses to other neurons, creating a network that enables us to receive and send information to and from our brains.
The electrical nature of the human body has been recognized for centuries, with references to electrical theory and devices found in scientific literature. For example, the ancient Greeks knew that rubbing amber could produce an electrical charge. Today, modern technology has allowed us to create brain-computer interfaces and retinal implants that utilize electrical signals to restore functions like sight and movement.
The human body's electrical system is incredibly powerful, with the average body at rest producing around 100 watts of power, enough to light a bulb. In some cases, humans can output over 2,000 watts of power, such as when sprinting. However, any breakdown in the body's electrical system can have serious consequences, as seen in the case of electric shocks, which can interrupt the normal functioning of the body and, in some cases, even cause death.
In conclusion, the human body is inherently electrical, with our very thoughts and feelings being created by electrical currents leaping through our brains. The study of bioelectronics and the meeting of living systems and electronic systems continue to advance our understanding of the electrical nature of the human body and its potential applications.
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Walt Whitman's poem
"I Sing the Body Electric" is a poem by Walt Whitman, first published in 1855 as part of the original edition of Leaves of Grass. The poem is written in free verse, a style Whitman is known for, which means it does not follow a standard rhyme scheme or metrical pattern.
The poem is an exuberant ode to the human form, celebrating bodily diversity and unity, and challenging societal taboos. Whitman prizes the body for its generative qualities, particularly in the creation of experience, and its ability to connect people both erotically and spiritually. The body is described as a "sacred vessel of universal connection", with the poet asserting that there is no soul separate from the body, thus elevating the physical to a status traditionally ascribed to the soul:
> "I believe the likes of you are to stand or fall with the likes of the soul, (and that they are the soul,) I believe the likes of you shall stand or fall with my poems, and that they are my poems".
The phrase "body electric" conveys the idea of celebrating the body and its dynamism. The body is "electrified" by the interaction of its parts and the way in which bodies interact with one another, whether in mutual respect or exploitation. Whitman's poem is a critique of slavery, with the poet appalled by the slave auctions that took place near his lodgings. The poem argues against the valorization of the body implicit in slavery, asserting the inherent dignity and sacredness of all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or social status.
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Lana Del Rey's song
In her song, Del Rey borrows the title and chorus from Whitman's poem, with lines like "I sing the body electric, baby/I sing the body electric". The song is about Del Rey's struggle to get over the loss of her boyfriend. She pretends not to be hurt but is actually escaping from reality, trying to have fun and party on a Friday night. The song also includes references to vintage pop culture figures, such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Jesus, as well as the poet Whitman himself.
The phrase "body electric" can be interpreted as a person praising the human body and its liveliness or dynamism. It can also be seen as a metaphor for the physical feeling of energy, with electricity being seen as a life force that gives energy and excitement.
Del Rey's song "Body Electric" is featured in her short film "Tropico", where she presents herself as Eve in an off-kilter Garden of Eden, eating the forbidden fruit. The song also appears in the film alongside "Bel Air" and "Gods & Monsters", with Del Rey reciting an excerpt from Whitman's poem.
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The Sisters of Mercy's song
The song "Body Electric" by The Sisters of Mercy draws its title from Walt Whitman's 1855 poem "I Sing The Body Electric". The poem is a celebration of the human body and human contact.
The song's lyrics are filled with imagery of cables, underground tubes, and walls, which some interpret as references to a club or a dingy location in Leeds. For instance, the line "Through the cables and the Underground now" could be about travelling by tube, while "The faceless, breathless calls" could refer to announcements over a PA system. The song also includes the line "And the body electric flashes on the bathroom wall", which has been interpreted as a reference to LSD and the walls in London tube stations, which are tiled like bathroom walls.
Some listeners have speculated that the song is autobiographical, detailing the experiences of someone named Von who frequented a place called "The Phono", located underneath a shopping mall in Leeds. The song could be about this person's encounters with the wrong crowd and their experiences with drugs, such as LSD or speed.
"Body Electric" was released in 1982 and has been a beloved part of The Sisters of Mercy's live sets ever since. It has also been recognised as a significant advancement in the band's musical and lyrical development.
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Brain-computer interfaces
BCIs can be used to help people with disabilities, such as paralysis, to communicate and regain control of their limbs. For example, a person with paralysis could use an implanted BCI attached to specific neurons to regain control of a limb. BCIs can also be used to control computerized machinery using thoughts, such as operating a drone hands-free on a battlefield. BCI implementations range from non-invasive methods like EEG and MRI to more invasive methods like microelectrode arrays, depending on how physically close the electrodes are to the brain tissue.
One of the first scientists to produce a working brain interface to restore sight was the private researcher William Dobelle. In 1978, Dobelle implanted a single-array BCI containing 68 electrodes onto the visual cortex of a man blinded in adulthood, producing the sensation of seeing light. Initially, the implant allowed the patient to see shades of grey in a limited field of vision at a low frame rate, but as electronics became smaller and computers became faster, his artificial eye became more portable and enabled him to perform simple tasks unassisted.
Another example of BCI in action is the BrainGate chip-implant, which was used by tetraplegic Matt Nagle in 2005 to control a robotic arm and a computer cursor using an implant in the area of the motor cortex responsible for arm movement. In addition to controlling robotic limbs, researchers are also developing BCI-controlled limbs that can provide users with a sense of touch.
While BCI technology offers exciting possibilities, there are also concerns and challenges to be addressed. For example, creating a direct connection between the brain and machine may give users unfair advantages or raise security concerns if brain signals are hacked. Additionally, the cost of wearable BCIs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, which may result in unequal access. Furthermore, there are risks associated with implanted BCIs, such as infection and rejection, and the training required to use some types of BCIs may be burdensome to users.
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Frequently asked questions
"Body electric" is a phrase that originates from Walt Whitman's poem "I Sing the Body Electric", which celebrates the human body and its liveliness. The poem explores themes of the body, its parts and its whole, the interconnectedness of body and soul, the sensuality of the body, and equality and interconnectedness.
Whitman used the word "electric" because he believed that all bodies are charged with electricity, the source of which is the soul.
The phrase "body electric" has been referenced in popular culture numerous times. It is the title of a song by Lana Del Rey, an album by the jazz fusion group Weather Report, a short story and book by Ray Bradbury, and an episode of The Twilight Zone.
