From: Max Hunter (maxhuntr@arn.net)
Date: Fri Feb 06 1998 - 11:24:57 MST
I'm a newbie to this list, and have a lot of reading to do. The
current spat of mail seems to be mainly concerned with the efficacy
of hemp and why more women are not extropians. I have been a closet
libertarian since college so I have no qualms about a discussion
as to the medical uses of THC. But quite honestly, while I believe
the current controlled substance laws are ridiculous, I think it is
a waste of time fighting for its legalization, or developing religious
type zeal over spurious benefits it may or may not provide. My goal
in life is to help make the transhuman and extropian dreams come true.
I am drawn to this group, because I am convinced that Dr. More has
the same goals. He also has his Sociology right. Humanity is
already on the road to transhumanism. Easy examples can be found in
my own family. My daughter has a tooth implant to replace one
that never developed. My ex-wife has breast implants to enhance
her sexuality (not that I personally have benefited from them).
My mother is a Prosaic and Ritalin televangelist. She's always trying
to prescribe them to anyone she meets. Thank goodness she is no
longer a Valium queen. The list goes on and on. From pacemaker
implants to nicotine patches, humankind is already on the road.
While I dream about physical enhancements that will eventually
change the course of human evolution, or rescue us from the
devolution I believe has already begun, I think the first priority
should be those devices and pharmacological substances that might
extend our life-spans. Exciting research is underway on the Telemerese
magic bullet. Tremendous research is going on to find mechanical
replacements for our organs. These are the efforts that will
eventually make our transhuman dreams real.
I'm looking for a lay working group, of bio-medical engineers and
practical theorists, to discuss the current state of the art in
artificial organ development, and to be a springboard for new ideas.
I agree with the recent comments by Natasha Vita More, this group
if full of highly intelligent people all going down their own paths
with zeal. Surely, practical (and marketable) ideas can find their
birth here.
Sociologically humanity will accept and embrace small steps where
large ones would be feared. Should I come from the operating room
as a Borg, I fully expect to be stoned to death on a street corner.
If I instead, get a second or third heart, no one will care. If I
get an artificial gill tucked neatly inside my Henley, no one will
be the wiser.
As I can think of no enhancement that could possibly make Natasha
more perfect than she already is, I will concentrate my efforts
on the one defeatable enemy...Death.
Max Hunter
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