From: John Grigg (starman2100@lycos.com)
Date: Mon Mar 11 2002 - 19:00:12 MST
Anders wrote:
It is called communication. It is called understanding culture. It is
called public relations. The hypospray you seek has been here all along,
but far too many transhumanists prefer to dream about a less messy
solution where they do not have to do so much themselves. After all,
sitting around hoping to find some super argument that will convince
everybody requires nearly no effort, but convincing the mainstream is
going to be hard work (although it can be very fun and rewarding work
too).
(end)
I have really enjoyed reading through this thread inspired by Richard Hack. Though I admit it is very familiar ground we regularly return to for obvious reasons.
I think Anders really hit the nail on the head with the above quote. It may feel good to think of oneself as an "enlightened super-elitest" who does not want or need others from outside the group, but it is just not a productive way of accomplishing what is needed.
Max More and Natasha Vita-More have known this for a long time, and that's why they have been so involved in getting the word out through the mass media. And now we even see Anders giving lectures to the leadership of his native country. Way to go!! : )
I realize dreams of building a space colony for escaping the troubles of the Earth can be fun, but I wonder what concrete things we can do in the here-and-now to progress our agenda in the right way?
I would suggest doing the following twelve ideas as a group, and as individuals if we want to make this a better world.
1. Join the Extropy Institute.
2. Join the Foresight Institute.
3. Join a cryonics organization, and if not as a policy holding member, than as someone who will at least provide support.
4. Attend the conferences of transhumanist organizations.
5. Start up and/or participate in transhumanist groups located in your local community.
6. Share about transhumanism in a considerate way with friends and family.
7. Write politicians and business leaders as a part of group efforts to influence events.
8. Be a good citizen in your community and example in your personal life. A person's life is built upon their reputation.
9. Where possible, help to start ExI chapters in local colleges. I think this cannot be overemphasized!
10. Join the Progress Action Coalition, and similar organizations intended to counter the opponents of progress.
11. Stay learning by reading relevant books.
12. Marry and raise children who will seriously consider transhumanism when the time comes. I realize marriage and children is not for everyone. I just don't believe in the argument "with all the changes coming soon, why even have kids?" I think having raising children in the world that's coming could be a very exciting thing.
Anyway, those are my ideas. I look forward to hearing what suggestions the rest of you have. I admit many of the things on my list I have not done, but I am trying to move in the right direction.
As Natasha Vita-More says on the Pro-Act website, "What 2030 will really be like is in many ways up to us!"
best wishes,
John
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