Re: Let's work on the FAQ!

GBurch1@aol.com
Sun, 12 Jul 1998 12:01:14 EDT

In a message dated 98-07-12 11:17:35 EDT, Nick Bostrom wrote:

> Do you mean that the FAQ should be divided into sections with
> different headings?

Yes. As I grouped (and partially rephrased) them, the questions would look like this:

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSHUMANISM

What is transhumanism?

What is a posthuman?

Transhumanism and Nature

Isn't transhumanism tampering with nature?

Won't transhuman technologies make us inhuman?

TRANSHUMANISM AS A PHILOSOPHICAL AND CULTURAL VIEWPOINT

What are transhumanism's philosophical and cultural antecedents, and how is it distinguished from other, similar ideas?

What prominent thinkers are associated with transhumanism?

Is transhumanism a cult/religion?

Won't things like uploading, cryonics and AI fail because they can't preserve or create the soul?

LIFE EXTENSION

Why do you want to live longer?

Isn't death part of the natural order of things?

Won't extended life spans cause overpopulation problems?

SOCIETY AND POLITICS

Won't new technologies only benefit the rich and powerful? What happens to the rest?

Shouldn't we concentrate on current problems like improving the condition of the poor people or solving international conflicts, instead of putting effort into foreseeing the "far" future?

What kind of society would posthumans live in?

Will these new technologies be used in war and might they cause our extinction?

How will posthumans or superintelligent machines treat humans who aren't augmented?

Do transhumanists think technology will solve all problems?

PRACTICALITIES AND THE TRANSHUMANIST PROGRAM

What evidence is there that it will happen?

What is nanotechnology?

All these transhumanist issues will not happen within a hundred years; won't they will take more like a thousand years. (MNT, Uploading)

What if it doesn't work?

How could I become a posthuman?

Isn't the possibility of success (in cryonics) too small?

Will the people of the future be interested in restoring you?

What recent progress has been made towards transhumanist goals?

How can I become involved in transhumanism? 

	Greg Burch     <GBurch1@aol.com>----<burchg@liddellsapp.com>
	   Attorney  :::  Director, Extropy Institute  :::  Wilderness Guide
	http://users.aol.com/gburch1   -or-   http://members.aol.com/gburch1
	           "Good ideas are not adopted automatically.  They must
	              be driven into practice with courageous impatience."