Extropy Institute: New Mission Statement and Information

Max More (maxmore@primenet.com)
Thu, 13 Nov 1997 20:22:12 -0800


E X T R O P Y I N S T I T U T E
---Catalyzing the Future---

13428 Maxella Avenue, #273, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA
Tel: (310) 398-0375 www.extropy.org exi-info@extropy.org
___________________________________

Extropy = the extent of a system’s intelligence, information,
vitality, diversity,
opportunity, and capacity for growth.

E X T R O P Y I N S T I T U T E

Extropy Institute (ExI) is a 501[c][3] tax-exempt educational corporation,
founded in 1992 as an outgrowth of the Extropy journal. ExI acts a catalyst
for a better future by helping individuals extend their lives, augment
their intelligence, optimize their psychology, and improve their
communities. The Institute pursues this catalytic role in two ways: through
a creative process of networking and an educational process of
disseminating ideas.

In its creative role, the Institute brings together the finest critical and
innovative minds in an intellectual and social network. This network of
thinkers challenges conventional ideas about human limits and develops new
ideas about the use of technologies of all kinds to improve the future.
Seeking to develop careful thinking about extending the human life span,
augmenting human intelligence, improving human psychology, and refining
economic and political organization, Extropy Institute provides several
forums for networking and creative thinking. The Exponent newsletter
gathers news of developments, members’ projects, and Institute activities.
The EXTRO conferences bring together thinkers from numerous fields of
study. Other seminars and local meetings, the Extropians email list, and
the web site provide additional forums for developing and refining ideas.

In its educational role, the Institute brings these (always open and
evolving) extropian ideas to the public in order to encourage more rational
practices and beliefs. The Institute’s web site provides information on
extropian thinking and links to further resources. Extropy Online presents
extropian thinking gathered from the best minds in a manner accessible to
intelligent non-specialists. The EXTRO conferences, in addition to their
networking role, also act as a means of communicating current extropian
thinking to the public. The Institute disseminates ideas and educates the
public through appearances of its members on television and in newspapers,
magazines, and books, and by representing extropian perspectives at
conferences and in debates.

In essence, the Institute seeks to catalyze continual discoveries that
extend our lives and increase the power and depth of our minds. While
Institute members may hold diverse and sometimes conflicting ideas about
how to pursue these ends, we agree in affirming the values expressed in the
Extropian Principles: Boundless Improvement, Self-Transformation,
Self-Ownership, Dynamic Optimism, Intelligent Technology, and Spontaneous
Order. [see www.extropy.org/extprn26.htm]

E X T R O P I A N S O N T H E N E T

Extropy Institute sponsors a number of forums for sharing limit-busting,
life-extensionist, pro-technology, and other extropian ideas with bright,
like-minded individuals around the globe.

You can also access the Frequently Asked Questions file, and other
Extropian writings, on the World Wide Web. The official ExI Web page:
http://www.extropy.org

The most popular service is the Extropians e-mail list (founded in 1991),
which boils over with lively discussion and debate on numerous topics. You
can join the members-only list by sending a message to:
extropians-request@extropy.org

In the body of your message put only the following:
subscribe extropians <your e-mail address>

You can also unsubscribe yourself at any time in the same way, by replacing
"subscribe" with "unsubscribe". For other Majordomo commands, send to the
above address with "help" in the body of the message (and nothing else).

You can find a web-based interface to the lists at:
http://www.lucifer.com/cgi-bin/exi-lists

There are several local lists for announcements and discussions around Los
Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the East Coast, and Europe. To
subscribe, substitute for "extropians" in the first command above:
exi-la or exi-bay or exi-east exi-can (Canada) or exi-euro

A Hypermail archive of postings to the Extropian list can be found at:
http://www.lucifer.com/extropians/

E X T R O P Y O N L I N E

Moving to the web in its tenth year, Extropy is a magazine covering the
full range of advanced, emerging, and future technologies with an emphasis
on making you more informed and prepared. Some of the technologies and
issues covered in EXTROPY:

* Life extension treatments, nutritional supplements, the latest
anti-aging drugs.
* Advances in computers and human-computer interaction and integration.
* How to augment your intelligence through nutrients, new smart drugs,
and cognitive techniques.
* How to modify your mood and motivation with new drugs, and cognitive
management.
* Where does traditional thinking about radical technologies go wrong?
* How can we refine our political and social organization? How can
spontaneous order enable us to handle accelerating change?
* Rethinking traditional moralities in the face of scientific and
technological breakthroughs.
* Plus: Nanotechnology and molecular computers; artificial wombs and new
methods of parenting; transhumanist philosophy to make sense of rapid
change; prosexual drugs and nutrients; critical thinking about
environmental and resource issues; electronic money and competing
currencies; machine intelligence and artificial life; experimental
communities, the future of privacy.
* The Advances section will help you stay ahead of the pack with
information on crucial technological developments.

If you're tired of shallow, trendy, or uncritical thinking on the
technological frontier, Extropy will satisfy, startle, and stimulate you.

"I love it. Extropy excites the hell out of my mind." ZL, 1/93

"In general I would call it the best periodical I have ever seen in my
life..." AC, 8/92

"I just wanted to let you know that Extropy keeps getting better &
better! (as, of course, it must in order to be so named). What a uniformly
excellent, eclectic, thoughtful, well-written selection of articles. By far
the most thought-provoking, ground-breaking stuff in any magazine I read."
[PG, 7/94]

Note: Extropy is moving to the Web in late November 1997. Most back issues
are still available in print. URL: http://www.extropy.org/extropy.htm

E X T R O P Y I N S T I T U T E M E M B E R S R E C E I V E:

Student members ($30):
Exponent newsletter.
Discounts on conferences and seminars.
Subscription to Extropian email list.

Members ($95):
Exponent newsletter (quarterly).
Discounts on conferences and seminars.
Invitations to all Extropy Institute social events per year, at least in
LA/Bay Area.
Can sponsor one student or other person of your choice for membership.
Subscription to Extropians email list.
Complimentary T-shirt, mug, or mousepad on renewal.
Two complimentary copies of Extropy back issues.
One free conference audio tape.

Benefactors ($500 per year for 3 years, or $750 for 1 year):
Exponent newsletter.
Discounts on conferences, seminars, and local speaker meetings.
Invitations to all Extropy Institute social events per year, at least in
LA/Bay Area.
Complimentary T-shirt, mug, or mousepad.
One free conference audio tape.
Can sponsor one student or other person of your choice.
Subscription to Extropians email list.
Free entry to ExI NodeNet forums.
Special invitations to parties.
Special Benefactor-only gatherings.
Complimentary T-shirts and mousepad.
Two complimentary copies of Extropy back issues.
Extra access to speakers at conferences.

E X T R O C O N F E R E N C E S
Our successful third conference, EXTRO-3, took place in San Jose,
California in August 1997, with Dr. Eric Drexler of the Institute for
Molecular Manufacturing as keynote speaker. 165 attendees a range of
stimulating sessions and talked with some of the leading extropic thinkers
of today. Audio and videotapes of all the sessions are available (at a
discount for Institute members).

EXTRO-4, focusing on extension of the maximum human life span (both the
research being done, what measures can be taken today, and the economic and
psychological consequences), is being planned for August 1998, either in
California or Las Vegas. Members will receive updates, which will also
appear on the web site.

====================================================
TO SUBSCRIBE OR BECOME AN ExI MEMBER:
I would like to join Extropy Institute in shaping the future, Exponent,
other publications, information on events, and discounts on conferences,
books, tapes, and other items. Annual rates:

USA: $95 Non-USA: $60
Benefactor: $500 per year for 3 years, or $750/one year.

[Amounts over the basic membership rate are tax-deductible]

EXTROPY magazine:
Back issues available: 1,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 - $7 each (members:
$6)
(10 or more issues -- take 10% off total.)

I would like to make a tax-deductible donation to sustain and expand
Extropy Institute's activities:

$25 $50 $100 $500 $1000 Other: $

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $

Make checks payable to "Extropy Institute," and mail to:
Extropy Institute, 13428 Maxella Avenue #273, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Tel: 310-398-0375
E-mail: exi-info@extropy.org or more@extropy.org

Foreign orders: We can accept payment in either US dollars, or by
means of a check in your own currency.

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