[ExI] My confusion, the Kurzweil critique

[Anna Taylor]

I've taken notice lately how Singularitarians,
Extropians and Transhumanists have somehow been
grouped together, was this intended by the groups?
  
I have read every post available on the Extropy list,
The WTA list, sl4 list, overcoming bias blog, the
Singularity Blog, (amongst many others) and I hadn't
ever thought that everybody was like and grouped
together. 

I honestly enjoy reading many different views and
ideas of many of the contributors on each list and I
learn quite a lot.  
I will be honest and say I probably wouldn't make for
a really good Singularitarian:) I suppose that my lack
of interest in building an AI stems from being worried
about the consequences such technology could create
yet I still believe that one day these issues will
need to be dealt if ever such technology should be
made available.

My confusion lies is within the realm of
Transhumanism.
I do have questions regarding what technology will
become and how it will used but I also have some
concerns for the real issues that are happening at
this present moment.  Issues such as child pornography
on the internet, sites that promote recluse and put
children in harms way.  As an artist I worry about DVD
and CD fraud and unlawful downloads.  I think of
privacy issues and wonder how ignorant people really
are in regards to there own computer.  Please don't
get me wrong, I have the highest regards for
technology that allows me to grow and become a better
person, technology has allowed me to expand in ways I
never knew possible but there are many more questions
I have before I fully understand the realm of
Transhumanism.  I understand why most critiques
haven't taken the time to try and understand it and
I'm not even too sure what category (if there is one)
I fit into but I am still at this point a believer in
many senses to the many ideas and thoughts that have
been brought up on the Extropy List as well as the WTA
list, so thank you!

I have been thinking lately at starting a blog called
Goosebumps. I was thinking that maybe if people had a
different approach to understanding Transhumanism they
would more than likely want to be part of it.  I have
some ideas but would be in need of help in finding out
what are the core ideas of Transhumanism from those
that are interested.  Please keep in mind that you
need not refer me to lectures, papers or any other
source of information stemming from the above
categories as I've probably read it.  I am looking for
honest philosophies that encourage change and positive
memes and that will educate the public and help me to
grow.  Please feel free to e-mail with ideas and
thoughts, I would greatly appreciate it.  If you have
no ideas you could start by telling me what does
Transhumanism mean to you?

Thank you 
Anna:)


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