[extropy-chat] al-Qaeda is growing fast

[paul.bridger]

Mike Lorrey wrote:
> Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Unfortunately most depictions on
> the screen tend to portray it negatively, as if one is losing one's
> humanity: 2001: A Space Oddessy, Lawnmower Man, Charlie, etc. though
> the climax scene in the first Star Trek movie was pretty good.

An interesting counter example was the final scenes of the hit computer game 
Dues Ex. As the player finishes the game they hold the future of humanity in 
their hands: they get to make a choice between three alternatives. The game 
is set in a future society (say 20-50 years after present).
Three choices (as far as I can remember):
- Destroy the current economic regime, plunging society back into the dark 
ages. For thos who see technology and progress as evil.
- Form an autocratic world government. Control the future by force.
- Become an all-powerful AI/post-human hybrid, subtly working for the good of 
humanity.

So. There are some relatively positive portrayals of posthumanity.

Paul Bridger