From: natashavita@earthlink.net
Date: Thu Jun 28 2001 - 15:36:26 MDT
From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
What I appreciated the most in reading Ander's post is that he recognized dignity in art and gained depth of expression.
In the artworld, “dignity” relates to the expression of an idea and technique through which it is expressed.
French sculpture Auguste Rodin expressed a sense of dignity in his pieces: “The Thinker” clearly shows the abstract idea of thought or thinking; the "Burghers of Calais" gives dignity to the chained beggars; “The Kiss” gives dignity to the blossom of love. Another observation of dignity represented by fine artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec whose Impressionistic oil paintings give dignity to prostitutes, as in paintings of the famous Jane Avril of the Moulin Rouge.
The dignity of our transhuman culture focuses on identity within the context of "transhumans and modern society." The poetic, the lyrical and the analytical of transhumanity express both the oppression of death and also transhumanity’s sense of self-worth by attempting to overcome death.
Dignity can also be recognized in transhumanity's ability to temper much of the dismissal or angst we have received in society while holding our heads high. Others may laugh at cryonics, or dismiss superlongevity; some may display irreverence toward our acceptance of human/machines; and others may mock our optimism, and slander our vision – but we continue to persevere ahead.
When I think of Posthumanity, I think of its dignity as an evolutionary accomplishment -- that posthumanity will look respectfully on transhumanity; that Posthumans will be the evolved "expression" of today’s visions. For it is transhumanity who stands up to the constraints and limitations of humanity; and Posthumanity the dignity of our efforts.
Natasha
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