[extropy-chat] A brief transhuman life, anyone?

[Russell Wallace]

On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 17:41:29 -0800, Rick <aperick at centurytel.net> wrote:
> Which is it for you, avoiding death? Or, transcending the issues and limits
> of a naturally evolved lifestyle? Resist the urge to not face the question
> and claim they are equal, you must pick one.

Neither. The prospect of my death is an annoying one, but there's no
point getting upset over it; in the postulated scenario, I cannot
choose whether it happens, but I can choose how I react to it. The
deciding factor for me is that if I take the offer under the terms
given (presumably by a voyeuristic and marginally Friendly alien SI or
somesuch?), I am forbidden to help humanity in any way - whereas there
is no such restriction if I decline the offer. (My chances are
obviously less, as a human, but at least I'm free to _try_.)
Therefore, I decline.

- Russell