From: G.P. (g2002@prisco.info)
Date: Sun May 05 2002 - 04:00:20 MDT
TRANSHUMANISM - The convergence of evolution, humanism and information technology, by Jos de Mul, May 5, 2002. ...What I want to do is to illuminate the side of the confrontation between humanism and postmodernism neglected by Kunneman, and the questions which it raises. I shall do this by discussing the body of ideas of transhumanism, a movement which propagates the hypermodern program of 'bad' postmodernism in the most explicit and radical way. After an introduction of the program of this movement, which is concentrated on the work of Hans Moravec (§ 1), I will argue from an evolutionary-technological perspective that the scenario for the future propagated by the transhumanists is not without plausibility (§ 2). Finally, I shall discuss a few of the radical normative questions which the transhumanistic program presents to humanism (§ 3)...
The Transhumanist Case for Space, by George Sowers, May 5, 2002. A series of arguments is offered as to why transhumanists should be vigorous supporters of space exploration and colonization. The argument from psychology claims that there are deep aspects of the psychology of humankind that require a continuum of new experiences and frontiers to satisfy. Striving to increase the length of human life without a corresponding increase in the richness of that life - embodied by the diversity of experiences available to be savored - would only lead to boredom and frustration. The argument from resources posits that the continued escalation of quality of life requires an accelerated use of resources - resources that are limited here on earth. The argument from risk claims that the concentration of all of humanity within the confines of a single planet makes us vulnerable to any of a number of potential catastrophic events, from nuclear and biological holocaust to alien invasion or nano-technological disaster. Finally, the argument from transhumanist first principles posits that fundamentally, transhumanists seek to increase the power of humanity through the use of technology. This increased power must be applied not only to lengthen life, but also to broaden its spatial distribution - its scope. In aggregate these arguments are compelling. The resulting alignment of the transhumanist agenda with space objectives is so strong that it would be inconsistent for any transhumanist to be ambivalent on space issues...
Review - "Cyborg Citizen" by Chris Hables Gray, by Amanda Seipel, May 5, 2002. Gray gets quite liberal with his definitions of 'cyborg'. He classifies anyone who has ever been vaccinated, gotten a body piercing, used a sex toy, or walked in space, as a cyborg. The opening of the book even refers to Christopher Reeve as a cyborg...
--- G.P. g2002@prisco.info My real name (backwards) oiluiG (first) ocsirP (last) myfirstname@mylastname.info http://mylastname.info/myfirstname
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