[ExI] YES! to Transhumanism

[Samantha Atkins]

http://cosmeng.org/index.php/YES!_to_Transhumanism

YES! to Transhumanism

>From Order of Cosmic Engineers

YES! to Transhumanism

Transhumanism is both a reason-based worldview and a cultural movement that
affirms the possibility and desirability, for those who choose it, of
fundamentally improving the human condition by means of science and
technology. Transhumanists seek the continuation and acceleration of the
evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human
limitations by means of science and technology, guided by life-promoting
principles and values.

Visionary, bold and fun. That is what transhumanism has always been.

Transhumanists have always sought personal improvement; to free themselves
from all the limitations of biology; to radically upgrade their mental and
physical faculties; and to beat a path to the stars.

This is what transhumanism is. What it has always been. This is what
transhumanism ought to continue to be.

With due concern, we fully and deeply realize that there are, have always
been and will continue to be complex scientific, technical, cultural, moral,
societal and political challenges to deal with. They require careful
assessment, planning, and leadership. These challenges need to be met head on
with due courage, forbearance, focused attention, rationality, compassion,
empathy and wisdom.

We must and will continue to do our best to overcome them. We will persevere
to mitigate their potential and actual dangers, while safeguarding the
maximizing of their potential and actual benefits.

Some however are advancing that transhumanists should abandon their efforts
at realizing -or even promoting- their radical futurist worldview... in favor
of exclusively -or at least primarily- focusing on today's world issues.
Transhumanist organizations should, in their view, become nothing more than
nice, soft spoken, moderate, ethical, responsible and politically correct
quasi-mainstream social clubs.

To such suggestions and proposals, we unequivocally say: NO!

As citizens, we have to and will do our best to play an active and positive
role in today's world.

But that is not what transhumanism at its origin and core is about. There are
numerous suitable organizations within which transhumanist citizens can and
should play an active and positive role in today's world, including
organizations in the environmental movement, political parties and movements,
philanthropic organizations, research institutes, commercial enterprises.

We however categorically refuse to abandon our core original transhumanist
vision of a radically better future for our species and ourselves.

We say YES to transhumanism. To the undiluted, unadulterated, uncompromising
original core of transhumanism, that is.

This Position Statement YES! to Transhumanism was collaboratively authored by
members of the Order of Cosmic Engineers - http://cosmeng.org/. 
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