On Thu, Nov 15, 2001 at 04:39:48AM -0800, J. R. Molloy wrote:
> From: "Anders Sandberg" <asa@nada.kth.se>
> > ignoring them is like ignoring aerodynamics while building a space
> > shuttle.
>
> Yes, if we intend to shuttle back and forth between human and transhuman, or
> if we plan to return to human stasis after transcending it, then we need to
> dwell on strictly human issues. If, instead, we commit to a phase transition
> in which no regression occurs, then we need to focus on transhuman issues, and
> especially on how to leave entirely human ones.
This is unfortunately a rather common attitude among
transhumanists, and I seriously consider it *the* most hindering
factor if we want transhumanism to ever become more than idle
chatting on mailing lists.
Imagine if NASA had approached space in the same way: "Since
satelites are not supposed to come down again, we will not have to
deal with aerodynamics. Instead we will aim for a phase transition
where the satelites suddenly appear in orbit and stay there. How
we are going to achieve that? Well... we're going to come up with
something, I'm sure."
Do you have any practical ideas for how to bring about such a
phase transition? If not, why are you complaining that others are
looking at the "aerodynamics" of culture?
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat May 11 2002 - 17:44:19 MDT