[extropy-chat] Transhumanism: Social Equality and Politics

[Jef Allbright]

Natasha -

It isn't productive to challenge the entrenched political forces 
directly on their own playing field.  Such an attempt is sure to fail, 
not only due to the disparity in size and clout, but also because the 
existing powers are highly tuned to popular sentiment  and exploit it 
effectively.

Technological, social, and political change is happening, and the 
overall trend is toward ever-increasing complexity which includes 
greater awareness, freedom and potential.  This process will continue in 
any case, because the underlying drivers are much more fundamental than 
our current social structures.

The challenge, and the opportunity, is to facilitate this change in the 
most effective way, and minimize the pain and loss that accompanies all 
great change.

Interestingly, and perhaps to be expected, we are just now acquiring the 
tools to achieve this.  Tools for effective information management, 
sharing, and collaboration are augmenting the awareness and intelligence 
of individual humans and groups.  This synergetic, bottom up process 
will eventually displace strong top-down government.

The question is, how much pain and loss will go through as we proceed?

There are some who have looked at this problem and promote racing to 
create a friendly AI that will save us.  Despite noble intentions, the 
glory of the quest, and a comforting wish to be saved by a higher power, 
these efforts are missing the mark, in part due to an elitist arrogance 
that inhibits collaboration.

Natasha, if you want to make a difference toward this cause, I would 
suggest using ExI as a clearing house and resource for extropian and 
transhumanist thinking.  Create an example of what can be done by 
establishing highly effective collaborative and knowledge management 
tools.  Promote constructive dialogue that stimulates young people, by 
maintaining a dynamic list of intriguing questions and thoughts on 
extropian issues.  Direct the creative thoughts of members into a 
growing knowledge base rather than the dissipative ego battles that 
currently predominate. Be prepared when the mainstream media begin to 
come calling -- they're already waking up to these issues.

We're going to get there.  And it will be in a pervasively intelligent 
environment where governments no longer hold their historical monopoly 
on power. The best thing we can do right now is help promote greater 
awareness and effective intelligence among humankind.

- Jef
http://www.jefallbright.net