[ExI] My confusion, the Kurzweil critique

[Giu1i0 Pri5c0]

Anna, this is indeed the core question, but I am afraid you will get
many different answers.

Let me try to formulate my interpretation of the core ideas of
Transhumanism with simple words:

- What makes persons happy is good, what makes persons unhappy is no good.
- Persons means any conscious entity: humans, posthumans, AIs...
- Happy means being healthy, optimist, not scared of inevitable
negative outcomes, enjoying one's physical and mental life...
- Having more options to freely choose from is good, not having
options to freely choose from is no good.
- The well being of concrete persons is muuuuuch more important than
dusty abstract ideas. In particular we do not give a damn for
capitalized God, Nature, Ethics...
- Also, we don't care too much for other capitalized dusty words like
Liberalism, Socialism etc. In this sense we are upwingers. (you know
that there is much disagreement here).
- We acknowledge some limitations as something inevitable at this
moment in time, but we do not acknowledge ANY limitations as
inherently good. Limits are barriers to leave behind when one is
ready.
- Clarke's 3rd Law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic.
- Shakespeare's "There are more things in heavens and earth..."
- Immortality is not a philosophical problem, it is an engineering problem.
- Technology enabled human enhancement is a viable path to a better world.

G.



On Nov 6, 2007 4:07 AM, Anna Taylor <femmechakra at yahoo.ca> wrote:

> 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:)