[extropy-chat] Transhumanism: Teilhard de Chardin - Truth or Dare

[Giu1i0 Pri5c0]

If the choice is between these two books, read Kurzweil's "The Age of
Spiritual Machines". Then if you want to read something to put things in
perspective, read also Teilhard.
Yes the science in Teilhard is all wrong according to the modern
evolutionary paradigm. Yes he was involved in a scientific hoax. But at the
same time he made a honest attempt to reduce the gap between science and
mysticism, and he is one of the few writers able to inspire some of that
sense of awe and wonder that, I believe, we also need to cultivate.
I agree with Natasha that there are more important things [more love and
understanding,
story-telling, poetry, imagination, laughter, fun and companionship] but I
would not dismiss religious mysticism either yet. It has been a very
powerful force in the evloution of humanking, for the good and for the bad
but always powerful. Perhaps what we need is rethinking Teilhard in view of
modern science. Note that if the things we use to say in this forum come
true, we will soon witness an evolutionary breakthrough caused not by random
mutation and selection, but by conscious and purposeful intervention of
thinking beings (ourselves).
G.

> I am close to finishing "The Spike" and I am searching for my next book to
> purchase. I have a long way to go before I feel I am up to speed with many
> of the conversations on this list. Should I read "The Age of Spiritual
> Machines" or "THE PHENOMENON OF MAN " next? Or should I read something
else
> entirely?