From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Sun Jan 20 2002 - 11:57:49 MST
Mike Lorrey wrote,
> Harvey Newstrom wrote:
> > This is not an accurate history. Humanists did indeed create
> transhumanism.
> > However those same transhumanists went on to define extropian
> philosophy. I
> > don't see how you can separate their history or try to claim
> they evolved
> > independently of each other.
>
> Why Harvey, do you have such an aversion to libertarianism? It is
> certainly NOT an anti-humanist philosophy.
You misread my intent. I am a libertarian. I have no aversion to it. I
believe that libertarianism is the most extropic political position, and
that libertarians contributed to the transhumanist movement more than other
political positions. My point was not against libertarianism.
However, estropico and others seem to be trying to claim that extropians are
not and never have been transhumanist. They call us libertarians, not to
describe our political beliefs, but to take away our historical significance
in the transhumanist movement. They claim that all our work in the '80s and
90's until now were in promotion of our libertarian beliefs and have nothing
to do with transhumanist movement. This is what I am objecting to.
Libertarianism is a great political position. Libertarians comprised most
of the early extropians. However, the libertarian political movement did
not overshadow the transhuman movement to the point that we cannot be
considered transhumanists.
Extropy Institute is a transhumanist organization. The Extropian Principles
define a transhumanist philosophy. This list is the longest running
transhumanist list. Natasha defined Transhumanist Arts. Her manifesto
speeding to Saturn declares, "We are Transhumans...." It is impossible to
claim that extropians have no historical or philosophical connection to the
transhumanist movement.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant, Newstaff Inc. <www.Newstaff.com> Board of Directors, Extropy Institute <www.Extropy.org> Cofounder, Pro-Act <www.ProgressAction.org>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 13:37:35 MST