Transhumanism

[x3n]

From the Wikipedia entry:

QUOTETranshumanism is an emergent school of speculative philosophy analysing or favouring the use of certain technologies to improve the human condition beyond the constraints of biological evolution.
and from Philosopher, Dr. Max Moore, co-founder and Chairman of the Extropy Institute (also, a psycho-looking muthafukka)
QUOTETranshumanism is a class of philosophies that seek to guide us towards a posthuman condition. Transhumanism shares many elements of humanism, including a respect for reason and science, a commitment to progress, and a valuing of human (or transhuman) existence in this life ... Transhumanism differs from humanism in recognizing and anticipating the radical alterations in the nature and possibilities of our lives resulting from various sciences and technologies[†™ ¢‚¬„¢¢‚¬Å¡‚¢†™‚¢‚¢¢¢‚¬Å¡‚¬¦‚¡¢‚¬Å¡‚¬†™¢¢¬…¡¢‚¬Å¡‚¦]
I've been discussing these types of ideas with some peers for a while now, and it seems worthy of consideration, due to the slow but steady advances in science and technology, namely, cloning and nanotech (which, I advice you to peep as well). So, read some more on it, if you wish, or share your thoughts on what you just read. These kats argue that there is an "ethical imperative" for human improvement, while others argue that the concept alone is unmeasurably dangerous as it also proposes a more "technical" approach to transcendence. Anyways, I want some imput on your ethical and spiritual views on this subject.

[AYHJA]

Excellent topic, x3n...

I would never claim to be the smartest man in the world...I know, I know, the title "God's Favorite" is a bit extreme, and seemingly in contrast of that, but, believe it or not, that's not my idea..! People I know, and people that I don't tell me that I live a charmed life...So, just when I think I'm going to have to grab some juice to eat this shit sandwich called life, I get a bit of confidence from that, to finish the meal...

These past few years, I've been studying REALLY hard to uncover the mysteries that have surrounded these vittles...And while I do not know everything, the bit that I do know, it is hard to tell me otherwise....

First things first, I am not completely against the idea, that us humans here aren't already the product of some of this "transhumanism"...One could put together an interesting argument for such a thing...So, I'm not saying, that it isn't possible, for modern day manipulation of the human species to be successful...

However...The human body is much, much more advanced that it is given credit for...And that involves a spiritual and divine method of thinking...As in, you don't have to think, for your heart to beat...If "we" are going to decide to tamper with the elegant and complex strings of DNA codes that make us who we are, then certain things need to be understood...

The first thing, is that we are a manipulation of code from being a completely different species...We could easily live to be hundreds of years old again, a change of eye color, etc...I said that, to say that if we know these things are possible, then we need to be able to cure degenerative diseases and such first...I say that, because to me, that warrants the explicit knowledge needed to tamper with the code in the first place....

Secondly...In ancient Egypt, on the high priests and those that showed extreme spirtual enlightenment and devotion, had access to these type secrets...I doubt very much, that many of the scientists that are practicing these things are in tune with the harmony of the universe, and all that it is...

I have as eloquently as possible said this....If they start fucking with human DNA, they will surely fail....

AYHJA

[x3n]

No doubt these kats, IF they are allowed to go forward will, inevitably, run into unforseen problems. Now, on the subject of illness and degenarative deseases, the proponents see this as "a given". They talk about this almost in past tense, they are looking at an even LARGER picture and seemingly endless possibilities. What they are presenting is the possibility of "designer" code, meaning that eventually a child can be manufactured as "flawless" (if that is indeed possible). Those against these ideas, or at the very least, cautious, are concerned mainly, on the problems that plague our society today, which in turn, has gone largely unresolved for ages. Our struggles with class, race, and social strata will still be present, even worse when the issue is no longer color or race, rather human or enhanced, superhuman (not in a comic-book way). I'm not too clear on the spiritual repercussions yet, as I'm only recently exploring below the crust in this issue. This is why I wanted some discussion from heds here, because I feel a bit in the dark about the spiritual side of this, as I could offer a million pros and cons on the social spectrum.

[Aemeth]

Yea, the Spiritual side of this is what gets me..

[AYHJA]

Truly, if these genetic masterpieces are allowed to come to the front, life as we know it, again, would change beyond the scope of what we could see...Man, in essence, would become God...By the time these things are able to take place on a public and world wide scale, I wouldn't doubt for a minute, that galactic travel becomes possible...

Before you know it, we'll be taking these genetic creations off to other parts of the galaxy, putting them in ideal enviorments, and watching the grow...As they grow, and seek to know more about which they come from, they'll find out that they are created in our image, and will want to know what's up with that "chariot of fire" we ride down in on...

Haha...Sound familiar..? The more I think about it, the more it sounds like there's no stopping it...They will succeed, try to make the means to do so exclusive and expensive beyond all means, before it is stolen, and people are living forever and a day...

The loss of spirit would be unavoidable, as without the fear of death, people would soon forget about the precious breath first given...What's that..? Little Johnny, my only son, got shot in a drive by..? Damn, I'll explain my case to the court, and they'll see to it that I can get another one...

How tragic...

AYHJA

[raum]

stem cell research is the kind of science I prefer in this mode. stem cell is the potential for limitless DETERMINED growth. For the spiritual side, I say we make host bodies for species not inherently attuned to the materialization of their essence. If there are no aliens, let's make some.

but i am not exactly on the board of directors, ya know?

vertical,
raum

[x3n]

If given the opportunity and the means, would you submit your offspring to a few "upgrades"? (ignore the flu shots, for now).

[AYHJA]

Seeing as that I'm probably the only guy here w/a child that we all know of, NO...

Could be parents pride or whatever, but I don't see anything that I'd change about my son, at all...He's such a perfect little person to me...I pity anyone that could answer otherwise to that question...

AYHJA

[x3n]

well, it was a hypothetical question...but now feeling "pity" for a different POV has pretty much laid this to rest. :roll: New drink, as you say.

[AYHJA]

Haha...

Didn't mean to incinuate that it was time to leave the bar...I would, however, have doubts or at least have a troubling decision on my hands about such an action, if Ra was set to have a very different life than most children...

Serious birth defects, for example...Even in that case, I still don't think that I could go through with it, though I definitely would consider it...As a parent, you want your kids to have every opportunity in life to be successful, and not have to go through any more turmoil than necessary...

If such a thing was necessary to maintain a "normal" standard of living, I would be forced to probably consider these genetic upgrades...But it's just so hard to imagine something like that in that context...

AYHJA