Re: Frontierism..

Anders Sandberg (nv91-asa@nada.kth.se)
Fri, 25 Jul 1997 12:25:28 +0200 (MET DST)


On Fri, 25 Jul 1997, Nigel Jacob wrote:

> It is my contention that the notion of a physical Frontier to be
> explored, settled, tamed, understood etc. is central in determining
> whether or not humanity(either en masse, or individually) can "evolve", in
> any meaningful use of that term. Thus, I am curious as to whether or not
> any of you think that extropianism can succeed as a movement within the
> confines of a society without an accessable Frontier.

I think plenty of extropians (and transhumanists) believe there are
accessible frontiers. The most obvious is space; practically all
transhumanists I know think space colonization is important. Another
interesting possibility is the net as a new frontier: not a physical
frontier but an information frontier where new structures and worlds
can be created or discovered.

Perhaps these movements are really a reaction to the lack of
accessible frontier? If there is no physical frontier, we must create
our own frontier, in space, on the net or in human evolution.

> Is it likely that extropianism, or any phenomological decendent of
> such, can truly take hold within this society? And if so, do we risk
> becoming a subculture?

I don't think this society is compatible with extropianism, but it
might change so that (and be changed by) extropianism can take hold.
If this society does not change in such a direction, extropianism is
likely to become a subculture instead.

It is my personal belief that it is possible to "infiltrate" the
mainstream with extropian memes, methods and projects in the long
run. The result might by something completely new.

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Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension!
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