RE: Betterhumans: Have Feminists Forsaken the Future?

From: natashavita@earthlink.net
Date: Mon Oct 28 2002 - 15:51:31 MST


>From: George Dvorsky

(Please forward this reply to the groups I am not subscribed to, which is
all but Extropy.)

>My latest Transitory Human column should interest the subscribers of this
list. It's a rebuttal to the agenda of the World Congress of Bioethics that
will be held in Brazil next week, and a subsequent call for the seemingly
absent Transhumanist feminists:<
_________________

Thank you for sending this message and article.

Considering what a feminist represents, are transhumanists really
feminists? Just as we have outgrown many discriminatory views, have we
outgrown the need to separate the genders? It seems to me that part and
parcel to being transhumanist is being a human and transhumanist rights
advocate, not any one gender. Just as we want to instill a sense of
compassion and opportunity to all who work toward achieving equality by
encouraging merit.

Perhaps we are beyond feminism. I may still have the temperament of a
feminist, but I don't affiliate with feminists because, like so many
subcultures, the cause served a different time and a different set of
problems. Over the years, our needs have changed. Our problems become
challenges. The very profile of a feminist has changed. Instead of using
the word "feminist," I simply use transhumanist.

Many feminist organizations do not support transhumanist science and
technology, culture or socialization. Camilla Paglia is espouses views on
this quite fluently.

However, Wendy McElroy is a well-known female and transhumanist. Her
organization is "ifeminists." You can find a number of female
transhumanists there. I'm so sorry that you did not meet with her because
she has a broad perspective on many issues related to technology and
values. http://www.independent.org/tii/news/020924McElroy.html

Further, some questions came to mind after thinking about your concerns:

How many links do you have to female transhumanists that advocate
transhumanist ideas to the public?

Does TTA have any links, or quotes from transhumanist females in direct
relation to bioethics?

Have you spoken to any female transhumanists who have been working in the
area of public interests and bioethics?

Did you see the film "Precipice" directed and produced by two women in
Stanford University's film department?

In order for us to get more women, that is women who work directly in the
field of bioethics, or in related fields such as new technologies, culture,
economics, science, psychology, etc., - we must first recognize them in our
own environment. While we all want more women involved in all areas of
transhumanity, not just the ones that seemingly affect women.

BTY, I am speaking on bioethics in a panel featuring female transhumanists
at the Alcor Technology Conference in November. You might enjoy attending.

Natasha Vita-More
  http://www.ifeminists.com/interaction/members/n/NatashaVita-More.html
  Founder Transhumanist Arts & Culture
  http://www.natasha.cc

 

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