From: John Grigg (starman2100@lycos.com)
Date: Thu Mar 07 2002 - 02:23:23 MST
Richard Hack wrote:
Agreed. I see this as one of the primary possible applications of the even
pre-AI technology such as the "augmented reality" concept. I envision a
system which tracks the behavior of ourselves and others and the
circumstances in our lives and gives us advice from the best of Asian
martial spiritual philosophy and other sources on dealing with these
circumstances and people.
(end)
Combined with this technology I would like to see the means to carefully monitor and control my emotions. I would love to be able to "tone down" a certain painful feeling, or raise up my mood if I wanted to.
you wrote:
There is a concept called "Three Steps, No Fail". You decide on three
actions which are so small that there is no possibility than you can fail
to accomplish them within one week. You do those. They in turn will
suggest the next three, and so on, until suddenly - Wallah! - one has
achieved one's goal. Now if I could just figure out three small things I
can't fail at - I'm VERY good at failing at EVEN small things! :-}
(end)
I REALLY loved this whole idea! I had never heard of the "three steps, no fail" concept before. It seems to be a variation of the old "break a goal down into simple doable steps" plan.
I'm also good at failing at the small stuff. I think people often don't appreciate how much the little things matter in the end. I like the classic saying, "in the end our habits will either make us or break us." Robert Ettinger shared that wisdom with me.
Natasha wrote:
>4. Cultivate A Support System - Surround yourself with positive people.
>Discontinue relationships with people who criticize and are negative. You
>must make a conscious decision to disassociate with negative,
>narrow-minded people who rob you of your confidence. When a negative
>person attempts to get in your way, do damage control by discovering yet
>another smart and worthwhile aspect of yourself. Your support system of
>friends and colleagues will watch for your cue.
you wrote:
Problem with this one is it depends on how out of kilter you are with the
people around you in terms of your values and purposes. I am a
Transhumanist - yet even on this list I find an amazing number of people
who are negative about things I believe in.
(end)
Richard, they're not negative, they're being realistic! lol I think some transhumanists
are disturbed by the image we have developed over the years of being "wild eyed believers in technology and progress!" And so they want to temper matters with what they consider an evenhanded take on things.
I have found my interest in cryonics to make me feel out of kilter with many of the people around me. It is a problem I still have not really resolved. In the end I may go either way.
you wrote:
Solitude can also be a prison. Or - as I know well - even a prison can
bring solitude. I spent two years in "The Hole" in Leavenworth USP - which
is not really solitude (it's noisy as hell for one thing) - but it was
there that I firmed up my theories of Transhumanism. But it was the
enforced solitude of being "too different" for many years that confined me
to my room, prevented me from achieving anything, and resulted in the loss
of eight years of my life to the State. (But I don't complain - I'm here
now. As Richard Marcinko, the ex-SEAL said,. "Doom on you. I will be back
- and I will not fail.")
(end)
Wow! You have lead a fascinating life. I find it astounding that you firmed up your theories of transhumanism while in solitary confinement! I bet many people here would be very interested in learning more about your life. But I would understand if you did not want to.
you wrote in a following post:
I'm not much of an art enthusiast except in two respects - I like comic
books, and I like fantasy art such as Boris Vallejo and the like. In both
forms of art, which are essentially modern forms of the old mythic tales,
the focus is on the Transhuman (technologically or otherwise). And in both
forms, the essence of the art is *intensity* - the art is *striking* - it
has *impact*. That is the hallmark of all good actors as well - their
*intensity* of expression. Pallid, purposeless art does not interest
me. I use art (music, movies, comics, whatever) to inspire me and to
strengthen my conviction that a better world and a better life are
*possible* (if it seems on a daily basis highly improbable).
(end)
I really what you had to say here. Have you seen the film "Unbreakable" yet? I liked the scene where the art dealer explains in detail about a particular panel of comic book art in his upscale gallery. He used terms similar to yours in describing a hero and villian doing battle.
I recently saw the Julie Bell X-Men book which just blew me away! I hope you have seen it. The beauty, intensity and power of the characters she depicts is very transhuman to me. Bell's artwork and vision in general is extremely impressive. I hope one day Natasha Vita-More and Julie Bell can work together on a project.
I have been a fan of comics for many years(starting around age seven? lol). They certainly are not only(when well written and drawn) great fun, but are filled with transhumanistic ideas about greatly surpassing the human norm to make a better world.
Richard, I just want to take this time to welcome you to the list, because as far as I know you are new around here. You are certainly not the only person on the list who has had a challenging time finding there way here. I'm just glad you're now here among us.
very best wishes to you,
John
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