Robin Hanson wrote:
but why not find a way of changing our emotional state into that "noble"
state - of humility and resignation or whatever - directly, rather than go
through the inefficient and horrendous process of getting to that state
through having long series of painful experiences. That would be lot more
transhumanist in my book
(end)
I can't help but say on a kneejerk level that I find this somehow a quickfix
that offends me. And as Anders pointed out, to really affect personality
and "lifescript" the technology must on a very deep and complex level
restructure the brain.
And yet the world would be a better place if people could choose early in
life certain neuro mods that gave them the type of maturity and emotional
makeup they wanted for themselves. I have known so many people who dearly
wish as youth they had the wisdom and maturity they have now in their later
years.
But even in a world of neuro mods, some questions remain. What mods are
really right for you to have a quality life that fulfills your own unique
potentials? You could choose the wrong one's? A person might decide early
on that ambition and status are key and create a driving and relentless
personality. They might never or too late realize how at least for them
this was a mistake. I would still take the chance for myself but try to be
balanced in my approach.
sincerely,
John Grigg
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