Archive July 2007

I recently came across a document produced by a Christian group that takes on the admirable task of presenting “Everyday Theology.” The document includes a chapter on Transhumanism. Unfortunately, however, it does not accurately characterize Transhumanists. For example, it claims Transhumanists believe “whatever can be done scientifically and technologically should ... Read the article →

Demonization of Transhumanism abounds, and ironically arises for apparently contradictory reasons. Just the other day, I commented on how “Everyday Theology” characterized Transhumanists too narrowly as radical individualists. Well, today Frederick Meekins, writing for “Ether Zone,” characterizes Transhumanists as radical communalists that are intent on absorbing all individuality into something ... Read the article →

Are you skeptical of the ideas proposed by Transhumanists? Perhaps you have something in common with the folks quoted below. “… so many centuries after the Creation it is unlikely that anyone could find hitherto unknown lands of any value.” — committee advising Ferdinand and Isabella regarding Columbus’ proposal, 1486 ... Read the article →

I was happy to read this morning of a decision by Senator Harry Reid (a Mormon) to invite a Hindu to offer prayer at the beginning of the Senate session, despite protests from three “Christians and patriots” that were removed by police from the visitors’ gallery. A part of my ... Read the article →

Some have wondered whether Singularitarianism, with which a subset of Transhumanists identify, is the true religion. Their point, with which I readily agree, is that, whether we think of Transhumanism as a religion or not, what matters is whether it will deliver on the future it advocates. In reaction, some ... Read the article →

Helen Whitney recently interviewed several leaders of the LDS Church for the PBS documentary on the Mormons. PBS posted transcripts of some of the interviews to their site. Recently, the LDS Church posted transcripts of a couple more interviews to their site, including the interview of Boyd Packer, Acting President ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Tuesday morning session I. Charlie Kam opened the TransVision conference. Anders Sandberg Anders Sandberg discussed brain emulation. What level of detail is needed? Down to quantum states? Include spin or more? How do we simulate? Need body ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Aubrey de Grey’s keynote. Aubrey de Gray spoke about his new book “Ending Aging”. He then continued on to talk about how persons are considered lunatics for advocating slowing the aging process. Too little biomedical funding (perhaps ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Tuesday morning session II. James Hughes James Hughes spoke on Cyborgs today and in the future. Ideas of improving human nature emerged along with the enlightenment. They anticipated the ideas advocated by Transhumanism. Diderot speculated on machine ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Tuesday afternoon session II. Ralph Merkle Ralph Merkle discussed how cryonics is making its way slowly into mainstream awareness and acceptance. Cryonics puts bodies into preservation until future tech can revive and rejuvenate. Cooling down is done ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Ed Begley’s keynote. Ed Begley talked about the importance of the moment and planning for the future. He talked about environmental and other world problems facing us. He’s not depressed because of what we’ve done already. He ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Wednesday morning session II. Marvin Minsky Marvin Minsky spoke about problems that we need to solve. The most serious are population and longevity. Others include epidemics, pollution, energy sources, income-gap poverty, education, terrorism, biological diversity, cultural diversity, ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Thursday morning session I. Max More Max More spoke on evidenced-based Transhumanism. There is not much evidenced-based business. Medicine is getting better, but Transhumanism is overly focused on best practices rather than evidences. Not all groups place ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Thursday morning session II. Peter Diamandis spoke on getting off earth. In the early days of space exploration, there were no regulations or old engineers to say what could not be done. The laws of physics are ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Thursday afternoon session I. Giorgio Gaviraghi Giorgio Gaviraghi spoke on the eva project. Mothership eva is a space settlement. Main obstacles are high costs, long times government regulation and poor public perception. There are various strategies for ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Thursday afternoon session II. Natasha Vita-More Natasha Vita-More spoke on the future of the human body. The posthuman … Is it disembodied, a cyborg, an aggregate of such things? The impending future human is the posthuman. There ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Ray Kurzweil’s keynote. William Shatner began with the star trek intro about “space, the final frontier.” He spoke about the importance of innovation and imagination. Keep exploring. The WTA is very trek-like. It holds that we cannot ... Read the article →

I’m in Chicago for TransVision 2007. Here are some notes and thoughts from Ray Kurzweil’s keynote. Ray Kurzweil mentioned that he usually has to explain accelerating change. This group is different. Why do some people get it quick, and why do some resist? It might be attacking their coping mechanisms. ... Read the article →