Will transhumanism take place in our lifetime?
In1957, biologist Julian Huxley, brother of Aldous, coined the term “transhumanism” for the idea that we should use technology to transcend the limitations of our bodies and brains. Huxley believed that “the human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself” through “evolutionary humanism”.
The choices we make today are deciding an answer to the question “What comes after human civilisation?”
This is an awesome topic, one that I am unfortunately not adequately prepared to answer now... but I have been setting aside nuggets of information on it so that I can one day write extensively about the matter.
That said, let me share some thoughts.
We currently, at this time, make obsolete our technological advances at a pace of around every four months or so.
What that means, is the cutting edge new Cell Phone, the newest Intel Chip, the most advanced new technological break through you can think of, is outdated in four months time... as something new has surpassed and/or upgraded it.
What is currently being developed now, is the ability to read the mind, and transfer all data from the mind, across the Nation, and into a Server. They are doing this today with rats, transferring their thoughts from CA, to a mega-server in Boston MA.
They are developing computers the size of a pea, that have the same capacity for storage and access, and processing of information that is the equivalent of the human brain.
They are creating nanotechnology/robots that will be able to 'operate' on and heal the human body from inside (Star Trek's Borg like technology).
And they have the ability to clone a human, and redesign a human's DNA to be stronger, smarter, faster, etc. than a 'natural born' human.
In ten years someone, here, China, somewhere... will be putting all these advances together into a Super Human. I think we are all smart enough to realize this, we are most likely fast tracking our becoming obsolete, and unnecessary, as a race.
BladeRunner was released at the start of the 80's and it was far closer to the future than just about any SciFi movie that came before or since... with genetically modified and superior 'humans' being manufactured, and lab created bodyparts... its still a good watch today, those who haven't seen it, if you like futuristic movies, I recommend it.
I think people will be connected to 'computers' via their own thoughts and/or through a neural implant, the computer will be at least as capable as the human mind, and it will also connect to a global 'thinknet' ... like the 'internet + cloud' only accessible through thought, through direct mind link-up, rather than through eyes + fingers + internet.
In 25 years... this time period, our lives... will appear as antiquated and unimagineable to the people living then... as 150 years in the past (no radio, tv, computers, cars) seems to us today.
It already has.
We have biological evolution and technological evolution. We humans are the ones deciding what or what not information to transfer to AI robots for them to make decisions for us in health and law. Who decides whose human's integrity is good enough to do this kind of work? Intelligence without heart is cunning and dangerous. Technology is that to me. Biological evolution is selection of the fitest. Technological evolution is also about desire and comfort but on a commercial premise. The latter spells dangerous for humankind and I would like it halted.
It is possible, but I think it is immoral. There are billions without regular electricity, clean water, sanitation. To invest a lot of money and effort into "transhumanism" for an elite few while ignoring the literal needs of the many is unfair. I've cringed when hearing people talk about AI rights - does that mean I have to cut back electricity use and those living in huts go without so your artificial ghost can continue going?
I do think cyborgs/tissue grafts will be more likely human evolution than genetic engineering, since the elderly and disabled getting implants and treatments now are normalizing it AND it is upgradable.
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