Wednesday, November 22. 2006
Transhumanism
"Man" was created in the image of God himself according to Abrahamic religions Christianity. The Quran has it that God made Adam, the first human, "complete" and then breathed life into him with the "Spirit of God". Humans have lived as these complete beings with no further need of improvement on himself for millions of years. But that time is to become history...
Transhumanism is an intellectual movement promoting the next stage in human development - a stage that will lead to the stage called PostHuman. Curiously enough, it is not about the development of man's shelter, food or any fancy modern "necessities" but about the very development of man himself. More interestingly though, the sort of development transhumanist movement is pushing involves advancing and massively augmenting the very nature of humanity, of humans, through the use of logic, reason and technology to transcend fundamental human limitations.
So in a couple of decades(or possibly years?), instead of a Pimp My Ride TV show we might be watching Pimp the Human. 300W surround sound speakers instead of your vocal cords... anyone?
Read up the Frequently Asked Questions page at the World Transhumanist Association for more information. If transhumanism catches your fancy, I recommend reading up the writings by Ray Kurzweil - I've been a fan for years. Mind you it is not fiction but makes for a fascinating read nonetheless.
Transhumanism is an intellectual movement promoting the next stage in human development - a stage that will lead to the stage called PostHuman. Curiously enough, it is not about the development of man's shelter, food or any fancy modern "necessities" but about the very development of man himself. More interestingly though, the sort of development transhumanist movement is pushing involves advancing and massively augmenting the very nature of humanity, of humans, through the use of logic, reason and technology to transcend fundamental human limitations.
So in a couple of decades(or possibly years?), instead of a Pimp My Ride TV show we might be watching Pimp the Human. 300W surround sound speakers instead of your vocal cords... anyone?
Read up the Frequently Asked Questions page at the World Transhumanist Association for more information. If transhumanism catches your fancy, I recommend reading up the writings by Ray Kurzweil - I've been a fan for years. Mind you it is not fiction but makes for a fascinating read nonetheless.
