Max answered that better than I could - after all he wrote The Book (on
identity).
Just a comment on Anders' thoughts re the similarity between genetic and
memetic evolution: I am quite suspicious of stretching this metaphor/analogy
too far. It is important to remember that it IS a metaphor. It might be a
useful discussion to identify differences. Any takers ?
I liked your 'hitching a ride into a posthuman world... on the brainstem'.
That may just protect us from rogue AIs.
Let me also fuel my endless (but enjoyable) debate with Robin who cautions
Max not to 'attribute too much to values and too little to social
institutions'. Social institution ARE caused by and based on values.
Philosophy can help us figure out values that may give us the kind of
institutions that we want - eg. Extropy Institute is first and foremost a
result of peoples value.
Another good thread might be Robin's suggestion as to what kind of AI's we
should fear.
Peter