From: Steve Nichols (steve@multisell.com)
Date: Sun Oct 14 2001 - 16:58:43 MDT
>
> Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 11:25:04 +0800
> From: "Chen Yixiong, Eric" <cyixiong@yahoo.com>
> Subject: RE: Posthuman Politics
>
> > Yes, it has to happen sooner rather than later ....
> > human-beens are proving themselves unfit
> > to run the planet, and we POSTHUMANS
> > need to organise politically in order to push
> > forward our radical futurist agenda.
>
> I agree, but I won't dare to call myself post-humans yet (especially not
at this primitive level of technology).
Then when (if ever)? There is a strong tendency
for us to become what we believe we are. Being
post- (after) humans is the inevitable and only
possible next step ... bar oblivion of the species.
>
>
> > As an evolutionist rather than a revolutionary
> > philosophy I think it is consistent to work within
> > the current democratic political framework and
> > contend ELECTIONS for political power and as
> > a platform for spreading our message. Why not?
>
> I don't wish to argue whether a progressive verses revolutionary tactic
would work better, but bear in mind that in the past human
> history (and even in the history of evolution) events do happen that have
a more revolutionary nature than a progressive one,
> bringing in an era of great change.
Maybe. Maybe proactive evolution is "revolution."
Maybe it is the difference between evolution by
radical mutation rather than by gradual cross-fertilisation?
Both methods happen for sure.
>
> Personally, I won't waste my time attempting to convince the masses of the
benefits of Extropian lifestyles, because I think we would achieve
relatively little with this. One would have to content with many irrelevant
factors and tasks even if one gets
elected, and the process by no means permit one to achieve election easily.
Absolutely I respect your personal choice. It will
probably be a lot of hassle with no immediate payback.
But it will give me greater access to media plus a way to
get radical futurist views a more mainstream airing.
>
> To convince the masses would prove difficult too. We already saw what
happened to some farmers planting GM foods or to some doctors performing
abortions. Apparently, public opinion of a close minded nature has high
resilience to change.
Yeh, not everyone is ready to evolve straight away.
But if it will take time, all the more reason to start now!
>
> I suggest again (though I know it would probably fall on deaf ears) that
we sould concentrate on building a colony and creating the technologies to
bring Transhuman living into our lives, while placing a lower priority on
PR. When we can show others how the actual
> implemention of a Transhuman lifestyle looks like, we do not need so many
words to convince others. Rather than thinking of helping
> others, we ought to consider what we ourselves had done and can do, to
ensure our success so that at least we ourselves can succeed.
Sure, go ahead and set up a Post/ Transhuman show-house.
This sounds a good idea, but the danger is of becoming
introverted and just preaching to the converted (or arguing
amongst ourselves). I would like to visit your colony.
>
>
> > I intend to stand for UK parliament in central
> > London where I am living, and encourage others
> > to stand on a POSTHUMAN ticket in their own
> > localities.
>
> Good luck to you. I hope you will prove me wrong and succeed in convincing
enough people to make a difference.
>
Thanks for that. I have some responses that convince
me that I won't be the only candidate ..... others can
promote their own individual visions in elections in
their own localities and have already indicated that they will!
ADVANCE
www.steve-nichols.com
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