From: Mark Walker (tap@cgocable.net)
Date: Mon Jul 23 2001 - 17:08:09 MDT
----- Original Message -----
From: J. R. Molloy <jr@shasta.com>
> > The _Journal of Transhumanism_ is now called _The Journal of Evolution
and
> > Technology_.
>
> Good idea, and media savvy too. I think you'll sell much better as a
result of
> this name change.
>
The name change was indeed motivated by PR considerations. The JET board
kicked around several names before deciding on this one. (It was one of N.
Bostrom's suggestions). I confess to being the one who initiated the
change. Here's why: Recently, I
had some good conversations about transhumanism at the Canadian
Philosophical Association congress. I gave a couple of transhumanist papers
where I studiously avoided mentioning the word
'transhumanism'. After words, in private discussion, I
mentioned the 't' word and it was a real conversation stopper.
(You know that glazed look people get). I think the perception among many
academics is that a name like 'transhumanism' is flaky. This is not the
first time I have received this reaction either. One of my friends at the U.
of Toronto asked if transhumanists dress in women's clothing. (I said
dressing so is not
mandatory). I wish there was a good synonym for 'transhumanism' that did not
sound quite so new-agey. Does anyone know of any? Mark.
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