[extropy-chat] Group Hug

[MIKE TREDER]

As an original and current WTA Director, and as a member of the Executive 
Advisory Team for the Extropy Institute, I’ve been dismayed and disheartened 
by the recent unpleasantness between people within the two organizations. It 
is unnecessary, unseemly, and counterproductive. In a silly fight like this, 
there are no winners, only losers.

It seems patently obvious to me that we have so much to gain by working 
together and so much to lose by defeating each other – why can’t we keep our 
eyes on the prize? The tendency of some to be offensive and provocative, and 
the tendency of others to be defensive and destructive, can only lead to 
ruin for us all.

I can easily find fault on both sides, although I prefer to focus on our 
common and complementary strengths instead of dwelling on what divides us. 
I’ve urged James Hughes and Nick Bostrom to exercise leadership by being 
inclusive and conciliatory; I’ve counseled Harvey Newstrom and Bruce Klein 
to show restraint and to seek compromises that satisfy everyone’s primary 
needs. But my efforts to be a calming influence seem to have had little 
effect.

Still, we must try. Let’s remember that none of us are transhumans yet; we 
are only imperfect humans dreaming of and working toward a better future. 
Our leaders, representatives, and fellow members are subject to flaws and 
failings, as are each of us. But there are no monsters running loose, no one 
is trying to become a dictator, and those who issue criticism are not crazy 
or evil. We’re just folks (at least until the Singularity).

I appeal to everyone – WTA members, Extropians, transhumanists of all 
stripes – to refocus on our highest priorities. Let’s begin by making 
positive statements about what we must stand for; remember why we came 
together in the first place; stand in a virtual circle, hold cyber hands, 
sing a couple of inspiring songs, have an Internet group hug, and then get 
back to work.

See you in the future!

Mike Treder
Executive Director, Center for Responsible Nanotechnology - 
http://CRNano.org
Director, World Transhumanist Association - http://transhumanism.org
Founder, Incipient Posthuman Website - http://incipientposthuman.com
Executive Advisory Team, Extropy Institute - http://extropy.org
KurzweilAI "Big Thinker" - http://kurzweilai.net/bios/frame.html

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people 
always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become 
great." - Mark Twain