[ExI] The Manifesto of Italian Transhumanists

[John Grigg]

Jef Allbright wrote:
Generally speaking, the Japanese have embraced promotion of human
values via increasingly effective technological means to an extent
significantly **exceeding** popular acceptance in the US, Canada, and
Europe.  I suspect that what your perceive as non-Transhumanism is the
relative deemphasis of child-like visions of individual attainment
(god-like powers, expanded hedonism, personal immortality) favored by
many in the west.
>>>

Child-like visions!! LOL  ;  )  But that is what keeps many a Transhumanist
going! heehee  I suppose every Extro and WTA list member should read Roger
Zelazney's "Lord of Light" at least every five years to help "keep the
faith."

Keep in mind that Japan has a rapidly graying population and a very weak
replacement birthrate and so the central government is forced to deal
somehow with an extremely challenging situation that is staring them in the
face and threatens their national and economic security.  The Japanese tend
toward at least moderate xenophobia and rather than allowing
massive immigration into their nation to take up the slack they would prefer
to invest billions into robotics and A.I. research and development.  This is
a very wise gamble, all things considered, and it may pay off very
handsomely for them.

But I've watched enough anime to know that when they start developing giant
flying military robots that we better watch out! lol

John Grigg
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