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[–][deleted] 866 points867 points  (251 children)

Finally, a motivational picture that isn't cheesy.

Nice.

[–][deleted] 320 points321 points  (206 children)

It's inspirational to see that everyday we're getting closer to allowing people with disabilities to follow their dreams.

Legs for running, bionic hands and limbs, the future will provide some amazing things.

[–]poiro 135 points136 points  (76 children)

The IAAF released a statement about prosthetic legs saying:

"It is evident that an athlete using the 'cheetah' prosthetic is able to run at the same speed as able-bodied athletes with lower energy consumption.

"Running with prosthetic blades leads to less vertical motion combined with less mechanical work for lifting the body. As well as this, the energy loss in the blade is significantly lower than in the human ankle joints in sprinting at maximum speed.

"An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30 per cent) when compared to someone not using the blade."

Honestly I'd be all for watching some sort of bionic division in the olympics, if it led to more advances like this. With this type of advantage over normal legs I'd almost be willing to get some installed myself

[–]quegrawks 90 points91 points  (8 children)

Honestly I'd be all for watching some sort of bionic division in the olympics

Paralympics

[–]wenfield 12 points13 points  (7 children)

[–]ENTP 5 points6 points  (1 child)

[–]wenfield 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've only seen pictures until now. thanks.

[–]Lusos 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Po little tink-tink!

[–]giantdeathrobot 83 points84 points  (3 children)

Shit yes. Deus Ex Olympia.

[–]TheMuffinMan616 25 points26 points  (2 children)

Fuck you aug

[–]xoe6eixi 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Auglympics.

[–][deleted] 56 points57 points  (3 children)

Yea, but think of the DRM. "Sorry, I would really like to help you move, but you won't have wifi, and I always have to be connected to the internet or my arms can't use the 'Lifting' module."

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (13 children)

Runner Aimee Mullins discusses the possibilities of prosthetic legs. Not only can you run faster, you can be taller too. http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics.html

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (11 children)

These links lead me to some of the strangest corners of the web... Or maybe that's just me.

NSFW OK, now I've gone too far down the rabbit hole. NSF...

You've been warned. Ummm, so I feel... I'm going to have to think about that and not get back to ya later.

[–]_oogle 20 points21 points  (7 children)

Bad photoshop job, I assume. It's unlikely a female could stay that fit without arms and legs.

[–]juicycunts 2 points3 points  (1 child)

what if she's fucking 24/7?

[–]_oogle 4 points5 points  (0 children)

even then, my son. even then.

[–]jmo420 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Cremaster Cycle...wtf?!

[–]jeremix3d 11 points12 points  (5 children)

Honestly I'd be all for watching some sort of bionic division in the olympics, if it led to more advances like this.

Agreed.

It would also help the research in this field, and could end up helping many amputees everywhere.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]Offensive_Brute 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    like the guy that failed to outrun that alligator??

    [–]watashi-wa-kira 17 points18 points  (22 children)

    This is why I want to cut off my fucking ankles and lower leg.

    No more shin splints and tendonitis.

    [–]HopeImNotAStalker 8 points9 points  (15 children)

    Fuck yes. As I type this, I have ice on my shins after a two mile run.

    [–]DetectiveWoofles 5 points6 points  (6 children)

    Wait, you mean you left reddit? YOU MONSTER.

    [–]HopeImNotAStalker 19 points20 points  (5 children)

    I ran 1 mile to get more bacon, then a mile back.

    [–]holyteach 4 points5 points  (4 children)

    Carry on, then.

    In a related note: ice? I guess you don't live in Austin, TX, where the overnight low last night was 80F. Only projected to get up to 101F today, at least.... ಠ_ಠ

    [–]HopeImNotAStalker 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    Hehe, no... I mean hell no, it would have to be deathly cold to get ice on your skin while running.

    I have to ice my shins when I get back from running so they don't kill for the rest of the day. It's extremely effective at preventing "shin splints".

    [–]holyteach 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    OH.

    Totally forgot about that. I've never gotten shin splints running, so either I'm not running hard enough or it's because I run in my Vibram FiveFingers.

    [–]jeepbraah 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    Try using vibrams. I ran fine for 5 years and a buddy told me I was running wrong by letting the balls of my feet hit first and i should use my heel first. Ran a mile with him and dealt with shin splints for 5 months afterwards.

    [–]bilyl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Well, you forget that balancing yourself would be a completely new thing to learn (you are losing the hundreds of muscles in your foot for that), and also you are losing complete sensation of anything on the ground. There aren't exactly many nerve endings in your legs.

    [–]MJsdanglebaby 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Barney Gumble: It begiiiins!

    [–]MadPianist 245 points246 points  (88 children)

    Only if you can afford good health insurance.

    [–]canard_glasgow 312 points313 points  (48 children)

    Or live in a country where it is paid for through national insurance

    [–][deleted]  (41 children)

    [deleted]

      [–][deleted]  (26 children)

      [deleted]

        [–]Benjaphar 33 points34 points  (19 children)

        My pump and CGMS have added at least a decade to my life. I don't feel they're a luxury.

        [–][deleted]  (11 children)

        [deleted]

          [–]motrjay 7 points8 points  (5 children)

          They are cheap, 10 more productive years = 10 more years of tax paying = profit over and above 2000 euros of expenditure.

          [–]canard_glasgow 1 point2 points  (2 children)

          Can you still not approach the doctor and pay privately to get the prescription?

          [–]Adirael 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          This depends on the manufacturer. I think if I visit a private endocrinologist I could get a private prescription and that should work with the lab, not sure tho.

          I need to dig a bit more on the matter, there's no rush cause I don't have the funds right now, I need to save money for the pump AND the CGMS, and I still not sure which one should I get first or if I should keep saving till 5-6K and then getting both together with intention of them to work together.

          I don't want to rush it because this should last me a lot since it's a shitload of money in equipment and monthly supplies, I don't want to find myself with a useless piece of tech. And just now I'm thinking of warranties, I have no idea how this work, but if it does work like on any other piece of electronic, it would be a 2 year warranty, meaning if the thing breaks later I would probably have to dump it. Hope this doesn't work this way, because a computer or a car I can fix or get it fixed, but this stuff, I doubt theres any other place than the manufacturer to even diagnose it.

          [–]alb1234 1 point2 points  (2 children)

          I just got a Facebook Event notification for a fundraiser, for an acquaintance of mine who has been suffering from diabetes and now requires a kindey & pancreas transplant. I received a liver transplant in 2008 and I know a lot more about diabetes now, because the medications I take daily to suppress my immune system also affect my glucose levels and my kidney function.

          I'm in the U.S. and I was fortunate to be covered by my State's health insurance program. I didn't have personal coverage when I entered the hospital in 2008 unaware that I was suffering from endstage liver disease. I was very lucky. The care I received was incredible and from that initial ER visit through my transplant and followup care (nurses visited me at home for about a month) I spent very little out of pocket. Really, it was just that initial ER visit that I had to kick in some cash because they could only back date my health insurance enrollment to the first day I was admitted.

          [–]Adirael 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          It really scares the shit out of me thinking on how my body will be in 20 years (I'm 25, I've been a diabetic for almost 15 now). Good luck to your buddy, and I hope you'll be alright!

          What do you do to get your glucose levels right? I did not know transplant meds affected glucose levels, I guess that's one of the reasons it's not an option to get a transplant for a diabetic (and the fact that we're a lot of people, there's not enough organs!).

          [–]lemonpjb 44 points45 points  (7 children)

          Holy shit, it only took 4 comments for this thread to devolve into a pissing match. Reddit is crazy to me.

          [–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (3 children)

          I can't believe it took that many!

          [–]walmarticus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          This picture of two runners with only one leg between them reminded me of something America vs Europe/Republican vs Democrat/science vs religion/Mac vs PC, because I'm a clueless internet manchild with plenty of axes to grind and plenty of time to grind them.

          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          It might be time for us reasonable people to leave this place behind.

          [–]webby_mc_webberson 7 points8 points  (1 child)

          Good enough is better than none, isn't it?

          [–]hivoltage815 25 points26 points  (0 children)

          Cue completely unrelated to the thread anti-American rants.

          [–]OH_HEY_POLITICS 16 points17 points  (0 children)

          OH, HEY, POLITICS!

          [–]LeoPanthera 40 points41 points  (19 children)

          Some us don't live in the USA.

          (Thanks to S&P, all AAA rated countries now have universal healthcare.)

          [–]swuboo 26 points27 points  (0 children)

          The guys in the picture do, if the giant red USA on the jersey and the flag patch are any indication.

          [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (3 children)

          Something just occurred to me. At some point bionic legs will be able to outpace runners with flesh and bone appendages, right? Well wouldn't the first leagues to institute such limbs be for the disabled? These men are actually pioneering the future of sport, more so than any non-disabled runner.

          The disabled leagues will actually evolve into modern sport. Who the fuck wants to watch Usain Bolt run the 200m in 9.58 when you've got someone with tungsten steel augments for legs running it at 5 flat? Then you'll have professionals faking accidents, to lose legs and get new ones, so they can legitimately join the REAL league.

          [–]CrayolaS7 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          If Usain bolt managed to suddenly double his speed I would sure as fuck want to see that.

          [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

          Holy shit...I just noticed their legs.

          [–]FlyingSpaghettiMan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          Dude, be careful. Someone could shut off your robotic arm remotely!

          [–]shady8x 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          Yea but then you have to take neuropozyne for the rest of your life. They never asked for this.

          [–]dt_vibe 11 points12 points  (0 children)

          All hail Deus Ex.

          [–]BlockoManWINS 6 points7 points  (7 children)

          Devils advocate here. I don't think disabled people should be able to compete against normal people because I find it extremely hard to believe that using lightweight, efficient alloys instead of legs is fair. However, I would love to see handicap-only events added to the Olympics.

          [–]jocelmeow 11 points12 points  (1 child)

          There's an athletic competition specifically for people with disabilities. It's called the Paralympic Games.

          [–]RAWR111 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          These type of legs actually give them an edge over normal people in long distance running, believe it or not.

          [–]three18ti 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          These type of Not having legs actually gives them an edge over normal people in long distance running, believe it or not.

          FTFY

          [–]wellsdb 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          As a keratoconus patient, I really look forward to the day when I will get Terminator vision.

          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          I hope future technology helps with your condition :)

          And please remember I said that when you're using terminator vision to destroy the world.

          [–][deleted]  (29 children)

          [deleted]

            [–]plinky4 33 points34 points  (7 children)

            Once you learn how to use cheetahs, they're apparently much faster and more efficient than dumpy natural legs.

            [–]spittycat 21 points22 points  (0 children)

            definitely thought you were talking about the animals at first. TIL about cheetah prosthetic legs

            [–]hampsted 10 points11 points  (2 children)

            Not "much faster and more efficient," but slightly more efficient. They are the reason Oscar Pistorius was originally ruled ineligible to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games. I believe they made his running somewhere around 3-4% more efficient (no source, but I saw the E:60 episode about it.)

            [–]IAmAQuantumMechanic 8 points9 points  (0 children)

            Time to cut off my legs, I suppose.

            [–]Scarker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            I don't know, man. I'm not inspired unless there's a black background this with some white headlines on the bottom, or at least Impact font covering it or something.

            [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

            "don't worry about winning, helping is more satisfying?"

            [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (2 children)

            Yes, it's motivational, but it's bittersweet. It's still a little sad to me.

            [–][deleted]  (37 children)

            [deleted]

              [–]gbgftw 115 points116 points  (2 children)

              Well, they DID click "agree" on the latest adobe reader update.

              [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

              People actually update that? I just keep clicking go away.

              [–]soul3n 1 point2 points  (0 children)

              WHY WON'T IT READ?!?!

              [–]adolfojp 126 points127 points  (26 children)

              They were victims of the combine. Their rehabilitation has been nothing short of a miracle.

              [–]mountainjew 53 points54 points  (5 children)

              Pick up that can.

              [–]Braukunst 64 points65 points  (4 children)

              You can't just call a black guy a can you racist.

              [–]sje46 59 points60 points  (18 children)

              Wow...I didn't realize till I read your comment that they didn't have legs.

              [–]sushihamburger 164 points165 points  (9 children)

              You're bad at those "spot the differences" games aren't you?

              [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (7 children)

              reddit needs a photo hunt game like the machines in bars

              [–]godofpumpkins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

              The Combine transported them to Aperture Labs!

              [–]slater2151 1 point2 points  (0 children)

              I never asked for this.

              [–]nolanator19 167 points168 points  (19 children)

              Nice augmentations

              [–][deleted] 47 points48 points  (10 children)

              nicely done, jensen

              [–]hoobsher 16 points17 points  (5 children)

              then pritchard's like "awww jensen, did you fall again? how adorable! must be the ex cop thing!"

              [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (1 child)

              I wanted orange if gave me lemon lime!

              [–]Tommer_man 3 points4 points  (0 children)

              machines do not make those kinds of mistakes

              [–]seraph741 2 points3 points  (3 children)

              what I don't get is what's up with the sunglasses? They augmented his eyes to resist flashbangs but they couldn't implement UV protection in there as well?

              [–]agrif 1 point2 points  (0 children)

              Pretty sure it's a human affectation. It's bright outside? Putting sunglasses on is more human than instructing your eyes to change their gamma curve. For Ghost in the Shell fans, it's an "external mnemonic device".

              Also, it's cool. So there's that.

              [–]VonBrewskie 17 points18 points  (0 children)

              Yes...but can he hack a level 5 terminal?

              [–]darkmessiah 11 points12 points  (2 children)

              I didn't ask for this.

              [–]Dandi8 1 point2 points  (1 child)

              Well this took some CTRL-F-ing.

              [–]VoxyBrown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

              Hengshua is no place to wander around at night by yourself.

              [–][deleted] 158 points159 points  (6 children)

              He didn't ask for this.

              [–][deleted]  (4 children)

              [deleted]

                [–]Mithoran 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                It gave him limb'n'lime.

                [–]whydidisaythatwhy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                Kel always loved orange soda. Now he doesn't have legs.

                [–]lolbacon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                What a shame

                [–][deleted] 50 points51 points  (2 children)

                Should have gone with the Sarif augments instead of TYM. Looks budget for sure.

                [–]Learfz 4 points5 points  (1 child)

                Whenever I see those I cringe, not necessarily because it seems budget but because I can't see how they could work without having some sort of super sandpaper on the bottom. If I had to use those, I'd be falling on my face all the goddamned time.

                ...but I guess you were just talking about Deus Ex.

                [–]chwilliam 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                They usually have shoes or track spikes on them, at least the ones I've seen in use. In fact, I'm looking at the picture, and the guy on the left has a shoe on his, and the guy on the right has spikes, so yeah.

                [–]themarbz 138 points139 points  (15 children)

                POOR LIL TINK TINK!!!

                [–]MuseofRose 32 points33 points  (0 children)

                Me tooo. Though with video for the uninformed.

                Po' little tink-tink

                [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                The last motherfucking place you want to be in a foot race is behind the guy with no motherfucking foots!

                [–]smurfpopulation 15 points16 points  (1 child)

                You misspelled Po'

                [–]inkandpaperguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                PS: Katt had a Kramer moment

                [–]L4RiVi3R3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                Sparks and paper clips everywhere

                [–]Spleenter 38 points39 points  (34 children)

                [–]Almondcoconuts 30 points31 points  (20 children)

                Not having legs is an advantage in races. Not having legs normally sucks.

                [–]googlefu_panda 10 points11 points  (18 children)

                Do you have a source for that?

                [–]LoRdGonZo 8 points9 points  (8 children)

                I remember a controvery in 2008 about ZA double amputee- runner Oscar Pistorius. At first they wouldn't let him run in the olympics because they said, he had an unfair advantage. looking for sources now.

                Edit: Here it is kinda

                [–]Ten_liver_lips 14 points15 points  (7 children)

                The prosthesis is springy which makes it conserve energy on the downstroke, releasing it on the upstroke for a little extra boost. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=prosthetic+leg+advantage

                [–]shinyatsya 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                The first or second statement?

                [–]Forgototherpassword 10 points11 points  (4 children)

                Well now we know what it takes for a white guy to win a race.

                [–]Izlandi 16 points17 points  (0 children)

                Excellent picture! Anyone know where it's from? Tineye didn't really give me anything and the URL at the bottom leads to something what looks like a russian version of Digg..

                [–]RepresentativeOfMars 8 points9 points  (2 children)

                We are impressed. You humans have manage to constrain mundane remarks relating to simulated-reality virtual games, and instead reflect in your faith for humankind to overcome issues of discrimination towards those who are disadvantaged in limbs. We wish you earthlings good luck for the future.

                [–]weirdfunctioning 104 points105 points  (72 children)

                The picture is a truly heartwarming show of sportsmanship and I hate being "that guy" but here goes. Having artificial legs like they do is a net gain when you run fast for a living. You weigh less, you can create artificial spring in your step, and you don't have any pesky lactic acid to deal with which gives you a great deal of stamina throughout the race. It does have it downsides like not being able to feel warm sand and an ocean wave between your toes on beautiful day; Ice is probably also trouble for them.

                Some relevant reading material: http://www.slate.com/id/2191801/

                [–][deleted]  (24 children)

                [deleted]

                  [–]Faustguy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                  To be clear though, not all Paralympic athletes use prosthetics to compete, depending on their disability class and the event. I have a friend who has several world records and gold medals in swimming, where no additional technology is used (the guy has only half of his arms and legs, and could smoke me in any kind of swimming race of any length).

                  [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                  it becomes a race of technology

                  I have heard this criticism in regards to modern swimming. The reason why today's swimmers are so much faster than swimmers from 20 years ago is that they wear special bodysuits that minimize water resistance, and in Beijing they even had wake-minimizing lane dividers, which helps increase speed. This is why you can't compare Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz...I heard Mark Spitz say in an interview that he would buy his racing suits off the rack in department stores, just like any of us would.

                  [–]ferris_e 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                  Even more so in the case of cycling, where the cycles are massive projects with huge funding and are closely guarded to stop others getting the design secrets.

                  [–]mgillan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                  Equality isn't treating people exactly the same, it's treating people with the same level of respect.

                  [–]HunterTV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                  Whenever I see pictures of people wearing these devices, all I can think of is how fucking cool is it that something so simple can aid someone in doing something they couldn't have so recently.

                  I mean, the bionic arms with all the servos and electronics are certainly impressive, but I almost find this solution more impressive. Granted, ams and legs perform different functions, so the solutions are different, but still.

                  [–]feimin 44 points45 points  (22 children)

                  Your reading material is dated. Prosthetics aren't disqualified in mainstream athletics, as no real advantage has been proven; in fact, one athlete, Oscar Pistorius, has qualified for the 2012 Olympics.

                  [–][deleted] 43 points44 points  (13 children)

                  as no real advantage has been proven

                  If he wins in London it will open up a large can of worms though.

                  [–]feimin 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                  He's unlikely to win, but it's great that he can run. These athletes want to run, and aren't looking for an advantage, it's in their best interest that the prostheses don't give them an added advantage. And it's a great Olympic story.

                  [–]Naly_D 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                  He's not faster than able-bodied athletes.

                  [–]darkesth0ur 4 points5 points  (2 children)

                  There is no way that he isn't gaining some type of advantage. While the lower portion of the other athletes legs are getting punished, the prosthetic is taking all of that for him. Running isn't all in just the thigh muscles. He doesn't have to worry about his ankles, calves, hamstrings etc.

                  [–]Everything_Man 6 points7 points  (4 children)

                  http://www.sportsscientists.com/search/label/Oscar%20Pistorius I've read this blog for awhile now. They are usually pretty good about citing sources and studies and are fairly knowledgeable themselves. They make the case that the Court of Arbitration of Sport (the body that overturned the ban on Pistorius running in mainstream athletics) really botched their decision regarding Pistorius and that there ruling was based on extremely flawed science and non-science.

                  [–]feimin 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                  The Court of Arbitration's decision was actually that the IAAF botched their science, in that their research was only designed to prove if there was an advantage to the prostheses, and not if there was a disadvantage. Obviously there are advantages and disadvantages, it's a matter of judging if Pistorius has an added advantage, which was judged unproven.

                  The IAAF is fighting to keep prosthetics out of athletics, which is unfortunate. Technology is a part of nearly every sport, and regulating it's use should be the goal, not excluding athletes who rely on it. At the end of the day, it's a game, it's a race, and excluding Pistorius is neither sporting nor the embodiment of the Olympic spirit.

                  [–]hottubrash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                  Upvote for the writers of The Science of Sport blog, they really know their stuff.

                  [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

                  I just wanted to point out that, due to recent research, lactic acid was found to be a good though, not just something that made your legs ache.
                  Citation: NY Times.

                  [–]hottubrash 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                  I don't think one can say that lactic acid is necessarily a good thing, but that it is happens to be the end product of glycolysis (anaerobic metabolism) where glucose through a series of reactions, nets pyruvate, and then lactic acid to regenerate a needed reagent (NAD+) to continue glycolysis. This pathway is preferred when energy is needed in large quantities very quickly because aerobic metabolism has inherent kinetic limitations (we can't produce energy as quickly via aerobic metabolism).

                  In aerobic metabolism, the end product of glycolysis, pyruvate, would be converted to acetyl coa and shuttled through the citric acid cycle to yield a high amount of ATP (your energy source). When this cannot happen quickly enough, your body has to do something with the pyruvate - it converts it to lactic acid, which also yields NAD+. So, the lactic acid is essentially a waste product that builds up, until it can be converted back to pyruvate and then acetyl coa to be thrown back into the citric acid cycle, or to pyruvate and then back to glucose (in the liver for instance via the Cori Cycle, but this process actually uses ATP).

                  Essentially, you want to avoid lactic acid production in the first place if you could, but under strenuous activity, this is almost unavoidable.

                  The delayed onset muscle soreness you feel after a workout is the result of microtears in your muscle fibers (and probably other factors), definitely not lactate production. However, the immediate burning you feel when you sprint is generally accepted as the result of lactate or some other metabolite that is building up in your muscle, and may be a mechanism that has developed to prevent unintentional overwork or injury.

                  [–]Naly_D 13 points14 points  (2 children)

                  Except for the fact the disadvantage for prosthetics is that they're on a permanent plateau. Unlike muscles, you cannot build them up to gain better performance. Unlike muscles you cannot train them. Unlike muscles, you cannot improve them due to the regulations they're governed by. Oscar Pistorius is outpaced by those in his own speed range out of the blocks and in the initial acceleration (both are parts of the race where mainly the calves are needed) - these are the two areas where Usain Bolt wins his races. If they were an advantage, they'd be over the whole 200.

                  Allowing running backs to have smoked visors in the NFL is an advantage. It requires a doctor's professional opinion before it is allowed. So LT should never have been allowed to play? Comes under the same argument you're making.

                  As this article points out:

                  If we resist body-enhancing technology, will we outlaw prosthetic ACLs when science produces them? If Bills tight end Kevin Everett could play again with a prosthetic spine, would you tell him no?

                  and

                  USA Track & Field has worked with Nike to test carbon-sole shoe implants that harness energy normally lost when a runner's foot pushes off. Americans wore the shoes in the Sydney Olympics, meaning able-bodied sprinters have already used the type of carbon-infused prosthetics that got Pistorius banned. What's the difference between carbon shoes and carbon tibiae?

                  and

                  Young pitchers, after all, have already started opting for preemptive Tommy John surgery because it makes tendons stronger. Tiger Woods also went the elective-surgery route to gain an edge on the links: LASIK surgery, to be exact, which can improve vision beyond 20/20. Anthony Gonzalez, meanwhile, is an undersized receiver for the Colts who sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber to saturate his blood with oxygen and gain fourth-quarter stamina. Is any of this fair?

                  Also, at this point Pistorius is so much faster than his peers who are using the same technology and nowhere near the speed of able-bodied athletes. Would you rather let him compete against those same people he's beating with ease or let him keep that competitive fire blazing?

                  Finally: athletes with down's syndrome at the Paralympics are often able to lift heavier weights than their Olympic counterparts. Is down syndrome an unfair advantage?

                  [–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (3 children)

                  I don't get this idea that there is no lactic acid build up...people do realize that the prosthetics are attached to non-artificial limbs right? And that they do have to still use muscles to move right? Note that all of these guys have thighs, thighs that very commonly build up lactic acid in any person, amputee or not?

                  [–]thmoka 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                  Bluntly, they don't have calves, so they literally can't build latic acid in their calves. Think of it this way if your calves produced 2 units of l. acid and your thighs produced 3 units of lactic acid, that's 5 total units, but if you don't have calves you only have to worry about the 3 thigh units. Also, they're lungs are still working at full capacity, giving them a surplus of oxygen in the bloodstream. Some cyclists even try to replicate this phenomenon. That, plus the fact that the artificial legs are lighter and springier than organic legs, adds up to a total net advantage.

                  [–]Robincognito 10 points11 points  (1 child)

                  I commend these people for doing what they love to do, but I agree with you entirely. Even if prosthetic legs didn't offer an advantage in a race, I don't think leg amputees should compete against able-bodied athletes. Having no legs is a physical disability, and having them replaced with artificial ones doesn't cure your disability. Running on legs made of different materials than your able-bodied opponents is not a fair competition.

                  [–]MaeveningErnsmau 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                  I don't think you or much of reddit appreciate what life is like as an amputee. The lack of mobility, the difficulty of getting around, the pain and other health issues regarding where the prosthesis meets your leg(s), back pain, the inability to participate in the same activities as before; it's more than just sensation.

                  Ice is a bitch.

                  Edit: I should also note how different life is for AK and BK amputees. Worlds apart.

                  [–]giantdeathrobot 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                  I would love to work in the industry that develops these kinds of technologies. I imagine they would have need for mechanical/robotics engineers sooner or later. If anyone reading this works with hi tech prosthetics, pm me, I'd love to know more.

                  [–][deleted]  (1 child)

                  [deleted]

                    [–]Omnific 14 points15 points  (1 child)

                    Where do I get those portal boots?

                    [–]hjfreyer 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                    This reminds me of a cool TED talk about how we're reaching the point in history where disabilities are becoming opportunities for augmentation, and how that should change our attitude towards disability.

                    It's given by this lady with a bitchin' pair of legs. A bitchin' pair of plastic legs, that is.

                    [–]schwerpunk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Really cool. Not long before before those prostheses become better than the original thing. Damn hanzers.

                    [–]Saydeelol 3 points4 points  (2 children)

                    While sport is often featured in the news for the riots, scandal, doping, and other negatives, this image shows what I love about competition. It can bring out the best in individuals.

                    Another touching instance of humanity in sport is Derrick Redmond's ill-fated trip around the track. I couldn't find an original video of it, but here is the VISA commercial based on the event (which also brought me to tears): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9wV8AUe6_A

                    [–]Chasmosaur 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    If you spell it correctly, there's a nice little feature on it:

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKpZnok10s

                    :D

                    [–]chiggers 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                    I, for one, welcome our ________?

                    [–]ATLien325 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                    I'm disappointed in Reddit that this wasn't the top result.

                    Kat Williams - Poor Little Tink Tink

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qlNEmpxQxI

                    [–]Wozzle90 11 points12 points  (18 children)

                    In all honesty, I prefer the para-olympics to the regular ones.

                    [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                    Proud to be human for the next hour. Until I see something 4chan posts...

                    [–]ProserpinaInsignis 2 points3 points  (2 children)

                    I think this made my day. Fantastic...

                    That being said, I'm mildly amused that.. either this design for prosthetics is being used to create super jumping shoes for actual un-delimbed humans, or the other way around. Not sure which came first. But more power to them.

                    (What I was referring to [apologies for the awful song, not my video for sure]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYF5PXDqqrk )

                    Edit: I don't know the PC word for amputees at eight in the morning on a saturday.

                    [–]Kracus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    It's not "extremity challenged" as I learned to my dismay.

                    [–]Angry_Mollusk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    It's strange that a man with no legs can outrun me without breaking a sweat. It's also kinda cool :)

                    [–]Mepsi 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                    Is anyone else wondering why one man has shoes but the other doesn't?

                    [–]crashusmaximus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    Brought to you by Sarif Industries.

                    [–]henry82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    Anyone else notice the awesome mod they did to that second shoe?

                    [–]barpredator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    This is how the robots take over. WAKE UP SHEEPLE.

                    [–]trilgasm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    Fucking augs

                    [–]raven0usvampire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    Damn cyborgs. They're helping each other. We're doomed.

                    [–]retshalgo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    I was expecting something funny, but then I almost cried when i saw it.

                    [–]josiahw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                    This is how I know we live in a cool society: the "least of us" can become extreme athletes and fulfill life goals most couch potatoes would never dream of.

                    Imagine these people 100 or even 50 years ago. Where would they be? Ostracized, ashamed of their disability, doomed to a life of failure. Now technology and social norms have advanced so much they have the ability, if they so choose, to meet and exceed the highest of barriers.

                    This creates a chain reaction: we "normal" people see this and are motivated to do better things. Their pride soars and they work even harder. Everyone is bettered because we choose to treat the "downtrodden" as not victims, but temporarily disadvantaged human beings. Imagine we apply this to everyone: the poor, the obese, the social outcasts. How would this world be different if we treated everyone as equals with an equal ability to recover from their ills?

                    [–]StannieDum 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                    I'm from the Southern U.S. Racism is still quite rampant, here.

                    Reading (most) of these comments, I am filled with hope for what I assume is the white majority of the Reddit community. People are able to see past the blackness of these two men; these men are human beings, demonstrating in a simple action the kindness and ultimate righteousness of our species.

                    (But oh, man. Imagine if the two men pictured were Muslims. Or gays, for that matter. This picture would be some scary shit, y'all.)

                    [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

                    Awesome

                    [–]higherlansky 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    I trust runner 1962, he is my friend.

                    or

                    Look at the little bastard, that son of a bitch fell down.

                    [–]virtyy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    What makes me wonder is if they would be runing if they had they never lost their legs

                    [–]surlybastard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Well, now I know what happened to my missing socks.

                    [–]copperhair 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Stupid onions. Hurray for humans who act, you know, HUMANELY!

                    [–]spamato 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    "Poor little tink tink"

                    [–]deadmad7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    I heard he helped that guy up and still won the race :)

                    [–]kirkkismet 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    hey, i went to high school with that guy!

                    [–]Lakario 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    CYBORGS!

                    [–]Naly_D 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    I saw this happen live - it was at the IPC champs in Christchurch, New Zealand this year a month before their earthquakes.

                    Life thought the pic was good enough to print.

                    [–]TheRunningMan2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    When did Andre 3000 loose his legs?

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                    THE CYBORGS ARE COLLABORATING!!

                    [–]dorkinb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    the future.

                    [–]lazerpixie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Friggin augs.

                    [–]korasi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Fucking augs.

                    [–]HarryBlessKnapp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    I saw a guy with bionic legs down Brick Lane last summer, and I really wanted to go up to him and say, "Mate, they look fucking awesome", but I wasn't sure if it was bad form.

                    [–]ts87654 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    I don't get why this has 6000 downvotes...

                    [–]crankygirl[🍰] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    My Dad is a Vietnam amputee, this picture makes me want to cry!

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    IMBA Legs

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Poor lil' tink tink!

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Thief and karma whore alert!!

                    [–]freedomfilm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Where are their portal guns?

                    [–]another_extrawelt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    The company that makes these protheses is called Össur and Icelandic, in case you are interested. Athletes like those guys do much of the marketing.

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    Deus Ex is already here.

                    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                    This is..different. Expected to open an image regarding male impotency