<b><i>Quote:</i></b> Humanity is still growing up. To varying degrees, depending on our culture and individual development, we still resist full self-ownership. Sometimes we think independently; other times we ignore the sovereignty of our own mind in favor of an easy deference to the minds of others. We claim to want individual freedom, yet we support political and economic systems characterized by coercion and centralization. We respond positively to the idea of personal responsibility, yet ignore it when it seems inconvenient or difficult. We affirm self-direction as a desirable, modern ideal, yet we often let ourselves drift, or yield direction to external forces. Excepting believers in original sin, we recognize the value of self-esteem, yet so many of us have too little of it. We pay verbal homage to the notion of respect for others, yet we often forget what this involves.
As our technology matures at an accelerating pace, we need to keep pace psychologically. If the gap between technological and psychological progress grows too large, we will face threats to our well-being. Becoming posthuman calls for a co-evolution of technology and human nature. Only when psychological maturity accompanies technological augmentation can we be assured that posthumans will survive and flourish as never before in the future world. By encouraging an extropic culture of self-ownership we will foster a vital aspect of posthumanity.
-Max MooreI have decided 2 start off the touchy, dangerous, controversial and exciting conversation of Transhumanism w/this quote from the conculsion of Max Moore's <i> Self-Ownership: A Core Transhuman Virtue</i>. This subject is as hideously complex as the philosophies Zindell offers in the Neverness series. Basically what i c as Transhumanism is incorporating the evolved benefits of everything man has learned and taking it 2 the next level, now and as we move in2 the future. We are, easily, seeing many thought modes, institutions and ways of living becoming simply outmoded and losing their effectiveness as we begin 2 make a "quantum leap" in2 the future, and thought evolution as the species Homo Sapien. What do we take with us? What do we discard? What r new ways of thought, relations 2 the environment, relations 2 each other, 2 God, government, science, technology etc...? What is self-ownership--what is self-responsibilty? What is collective responsibility? How do we treat our fellow man? What is dynamic optimism? Can we have freedom of choice in lieu of fear? Is fear conquerable? Can we face the future in a brave, happy and selffufilled light? Can we make the world a better place 4 our children? These r just a few of the questions the Transhumanist developement raises--and I would like 2 treat this discussion as philosophy--socio-economic-political philosophy--and keep it this way here--because when u abut the dangerous edges of Transhumanism such as questioning faith, dna manipulations and chemical brain enhancements it can get ugly and also 2 confusing 4 the "technically challenged" layperson. So let's try 2 leave those issues and all that backstabbing 2 the side. All u need 4 this discussion is and open mind, and optimistic attitude and excitement 4 the future (oh! and course DON'T 4get ur towel ). How far do you fall Pilot?<i>Edited by: danlo60 at: 5/30/02 11:00:34 pm </i>
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