From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Wed Jan 01 2003 - 16:32:42 MST
1. Perpetual Progress
-- Seeking more intelligence, wisdom, and effectiveness, an
indefinite lifespan, and the removal of political, cultural,
biological, and psychological limits to self-actualization
and self-realization. Perpetually overcoming constraints on
our progress and possibilities. Expanding into the universe
and advancing without end.
All the rest of the extropian principles may be found at
http://www.extropy.org/ideas/principles.html
but right now let's focus on the above. Though clearly this
can be read, and properly so, as also pertaining to an
individual, the emphasis on this first extropian principle
is on society and community.
Limits, limits, limits---they're the target. Why are there
limits? To what degree did "limits" evolve as a needed part
of evolutionarily derived societies? Our answer has to be
that extremely good explanations can be found for the
existence of almost any traditional limit---or newly imposed
limit in the name of some modern ideology---but that nonetheless
we must relentlessly question their desirability.
Progress and possibilities---they're the target too, but in the
positive sense. Embracing progress usually means examining
"disturbing" possibilities, but an especial part of extropian
consciousness is a willingness to entertain disturbing concepts.
Max More explicates "Perpetual Progress", the first extropian
principle further below, as copied from our web site.
Lee Corbin
"Extropians seek continual improvement in ourselves, our cultures, and our environments. We seek to improve ourselves physically,
intellectually, and psychologically. We value the perpetual pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Extropians question traditional
assertions that we should leave human nature fundamentally unchanged in order to conform to "God's will" or to what is considered
"natural". Like our intellectual cousins, the humanists, we seek continued progress in all directions. We go beyond many humanists
in proposed fundamental alterations in human nature in pursuit of these improvements. We question traditional, biological, genetic,
and intellectual constraints on our progress and possibility.
"Extropians recognize the unique conceptual abilities of our species, and our opportunity to advance nature's evolution to new
peaks. We see humans as a transitional stage standing between our animal heritage and our posthuman future. On the early Earth,
mindless matter combined so as to form the first self-replicating molecules and life began. Nature's evolutionary processes
generated increasingly complex organisms with ever-more intelligent brains. The direct chemical responses of single-celled creatures
led to the emergence of sensation and perception, allowing more subtle and responsive behaviors. Finally, with the development of
the neocortex, conscious learning and experimentation became possible.
"With the advent of the conceptual awareness of humankind, the rate of advancement sharply accelerated as we applied intelligence,
technology, and the scientific method to our condition. We seek to sustain and quicken this evolutionary process, overcoming human
biological and psychological limits.
"We do not accept the undesirable aspects of the human condition. We challenge natural and traditional limitations on our
possibilities. We champion the use of science and technology to eradicate constraints on lifespan, intelligence, personal vitality,
and freedom. We recognize the absurdity of meekly accepting "natural" limits to our life spans. We expect life to move beyond the
confines of the Earth -- the cradle of human and transhuman intelligence -- to inhabit the cosmos.
"Continual improvement will involve economic growth. We see no shortage of resources to allow growth, and we find growth compatible
with environmental quality. Extropians affirm a rational, non-coercive environmentalism aimed at sustaining and enhancing the
conditions for our flourishing. Intelligent management of resources and environment will be fostered by vastly extended life spans.
An effective economic system encourages conservation, substitution, and innovation, preventing any need for a brake on growth and
progress. Migration into space will immensely enlarge the energy and resources accessible to our civilization. Extended life spans
may foster wisdom and foresight, while restraining recklessness and profligacy. We pursue continued individual and social
improvement carefully and intelligently.
"We value perpetual learning and exploration as individuals, and we encourage our cultures to experiment and evolve. We are neither
conservatives nor radicals: we conserve what works, for as long as it works, and we alter that which can be improved. In our search
for continual improvement we steer carefully between complacence and recklessness.
"No mysteries are sacrosanct, no limits unquestionable; the unknown will yield to the ingenious mind. We seek to understand the
universe, not to tremble before mystery, as we continue to learn and grow and enjoy our lives ever more."
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