[ExI] CHAT: geeky stuff = be human

[M1N3R]

I've come across a lot of materials quite recently about transhumanists 
being decadent 'geeks'. Hah! I'm most convinced that members of the list are 
open-minded. That is, intelligent, able to adapt etc. Which people who say 
these words might not be. Those who are given the spark and the will to 
learn, however, still can improve their physical self. Sport is good. Heavy 
physical work is good. And it is nice to be strong. The human body is really 
perfect in itself, if healthy. I value health because I'm an allergic and 
have had my own problems with that (now I'm fine). But apart from that I 
like the body give to me. I could always be better, but I'm among the 
strongest (speaking about my acquaintances). Perfect is the human body if 
the mind and the body are in harmony. Easterners have their way in this 
respect. And it works fine, I tell you. Actually, the organic human body is 
miraculous, despite its many defects, despite our weakness compared to a 
lion for example. And it is the mind which makes the difference. So, getting 
back to the geeks, I'd advise only one thing to all: develop your body. Up 
till the age of, say forty, using your own body should suffice. Provided 
that you don't suffer from anything terrible (like I've had a double 
fracture in my left arm and the muscles, the tendons are of worse quality 
there).

Being a healthy, young human is nice and thus the term geek should be 
eliminated. To those sitting before the computer all day and all night (and 
I have some friends who do) I'd say: come on, get real! Real knowledge is 
knowing all you can. Going out with friends, getting drunk, falling asleep 
in the bus and waking up with toothpaste around your eyes. Yeah, youth is 
the age to do such stooooopid things. Besides, I'm less than 20 years old 
and I still think that impossible is nothing. I can have part of me think 
about transhumanism while the other engages in social life (and suffers from 
hangover :P). And based on my little experience, my cognition is more 
effective if the body hosting it is in green condition. I always say I'm not 
good enough for the rational approach, the empirical works far better. Like 
you can't eat a virtual banana, right (this was from an electrical engineer 
:))? I tend to haul my laptop around wherever I go but I don't really like 
being at home. Being mobile and free has a special feeling to it (plus 
broadband Wi-Fi at the plaza is faster than my crappy 3G LOL).

Even though it is quite obvious that perfection is impossible, striving for 
perfection is not a crime. And what results is just another Homo Superior, 
superior to the original one. This is mostly a battle of the self against 
the self. Happiness always comes from the inside, right? Happy people are 
open to new ideas, right? I'd think so. And I still trust that a rapid 
improvement will begin with our generation. To end this line of thoughts, I 
suggest that we offer (to those unwilling to see the truth over the false 
veils of the system) the best we can. Why would you be more friendly, more 
understanding, socially more advanced than the ones who keep on yelling 
'geek'? Because you can and that is all that matters. We all intend to 
change something for the better. Then why not do it in everyday life as 
well. Like Sun-Tzu said: "A leader leads by example not by force."

And excuse me for the many personal references and the longevity of this 
message. I'm most convinced you'll agree with me in many aspects. And I 
trust we are most alike, regardless of age or education. Well, if you took 
the time to tear through all this, thank you.

Thomas Pardy, M1N3R