Despite my personal doubts regarding transhumanism, that consider historical experience from the failed ,,homo soveticus’’ project, hence the effectiveness and optimality of the problem-solution path, I do find the movement rather refreshing in terms of daring life-approvement absolutism. — Voidrunner
What excites me is a willingness to fuck with the code. It may be a terrible idea, but it's hard for me to expect much from the tired, other ideas that leave the code as it is. I don't expect to live long enough to see any brave new world that might arrive, so it's more of a theoretical-aesthetic point for me. — Zugzwang
I agree it's inevitable that human beings will continue to use technology to enhance and expand their natural powers (so long as we continue to exist as a species with advanced technological culture). Accordingly, it's important, perhaps even urgent, that we manage this transition in a rational and humane way.With that said, what is your opinion of Transhumanism? It will be interesting to see how we collectively perceive this technological, philosophical cultural phenomenon.[...]
The purpose of this thread is to query the zeitgeist of our community concerning an "underground" current that will certainly, eventually become mainstream — Bret Bernhoft
[W]e are now entering a new phase, of what might be called, self designed evolution, in which we will be able to change and improve our DNA.[...] At first, these changes will be confined to the repair of genetic defects, like cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. These are controlled by single genes, and so are fairly easy to identify, and correct. Other qualities, such as intelligence, are probably controlled by a large number of genes. It will be much more difficult to find them, and work out the relations between them. Nevertheless, I am sure that during the next century, people will discover how to modify both intelligence, and instincts like aggression. — Stephen Hawking
I'd say there's a great deal more involved in defining people's "relationship to the future". But of course the progress of technological culture is one of the most important drivers of change for our species and our planet.I see Transhumanism as being largely a coalescence of individual and environmental conditions that naturally lead a growing number (one day a majority) of people to view technological progress optimistically. These factors are present in every person's life in today's world, whether they're aware of those influences or not. How people respond to the omnipresence of technology is what defines their relationship to the future, now. — Bret Bernhoft
It's one thing to seek an outcome, another to expect (optimistically or otherwise) that the outcome will come to pass. One reason to allocate resources to "the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life", and thus to the implementation of "life-promoting principles and values" is that we recognize the dangers inherent in our technological culture and in human nature as it stands. We can take this stand -- seek this outcome, promote these principles and values -- whether we are pessimistic, neutral, or optimistic about our prospects for success.Transhumanism is a class of philosophies of life that seek the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means of science and technology, guided by life-promoting principles and values. — Max Moore
Likewise, we may "affirm the possibility and desirability" of using reason and technology to make basic improvements to the human condition, regardless of whether we are pessimistic, neutral, or optimistic about the prospective outcome.The intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally improving the human condition through applied reason, especially by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities. — Humanity+
In this blurb the downside risk is especially prominent. It gives equal emphasis to "promises" and to "dangers". It mentions human limitations and "ethical matters", which present us with obstacles to progress.The study of the ramifications, promises, and potential dangers of technologies that will enable us to overcome fundamental human limitations, and the related study of the ethical matters involved in developing and using such technologies. — Humanity+
The prospect of self-destruction plays an important role in Hawking's "Life in the Universe". On my reading, he presents this prospect with a rather pessimistic tone. Tone aside, I concur with Hawking in emphasizing the downside risks of human (and transhuman) technological culture.Stephen Hawking [...] and many others are all pointing at the same thing. — Bret Bernhoft
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