[ExI] Are transhumanists becoming the bad guys?

[Keith Henson]

Sheesh.  The AIs can express themselves better than I can.

The fact is, transhumanists are a tiny, tiny minority.  I doubt there
are enough to gain the negative attention of society at large.  Plus
not that many take it seriously enough to make a lot of noise.  Big
overlap with cryonicists, but together they are still tiny.

Keith

On Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 3:34 AM BillK via extropy-chat
<extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>
> On Thu, 30 Nov 2023 at 09:11, efc--- via extropy-chat
> <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Darin, and thank you for the background!
> >
> > So since you've been active since the mid-90s, have you seen the
> > "transhumanist bad guy" narrative coming and going throughout the years?
> >
> > I've never seen it before, but if you've seen it coming and going, it's
> > just old news, and that I never saw or heard it.
> >
> > Best regards, Daniel
> >_______________________________________________
>
>
> An AI summary-
>
> List some of the biggest misconceptions about transhumanism, and how
> transhumanists respond to them.
> GPT-3.5-Turbo
>
> 1. Loss of humanity: One common misconception is that transhumanism
> seeks to eliminate or devalue what it means to be human. In response,
> transhumanists emphasize that their goal is not to replace humanity
> but to enhance it. They argue that embracing technological
> advancements can help humans overcome limitations, improve well-being,
> and evolve mentally and physically.
>
> 2. Immortality: Another misconception is that transhumanists aim for
> immortality. While some individuals may desire extended lifespans,
> transhumanism is not solely focused on achieving eternal life.
> Transhumanists emphasize the importance of quality of life and argue
> that advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and rejuvenation can
> help humans live healthier and longer lives.
>
> 3. Inequality: Critics often argue that transhumanism will exacerbate
> existing social inequalities by only benefiting the wealthy.
> Transhumanists respond by advocating for equal access to technologies
> and advocating for policies that ensure these advancements are
> available to everyone. They argue that widespread adoption of
> technologies can ultimately reduce inequalities by advancing
> healthcare, education, and other fields.
>
> 4. Loss of individuality: Some people fear that transhumanism will
> lead to a homogenized society where everyone is the same due to
> technological enhancements. Transhumanists argue that individuality
> will be preserved and enhanced by enabling individuals to choose and
> shape their own enhancements. They believe that personalization and
> diversity will thrive in a technologically advanced society.
>
> 5. Ethical concerns: Critics often raise ethical concerns related to
> transhumanism, such as the potential for playing with nature or
> creating a "post-human" world. Transhumanists acknowledge the need for
> ethical considerations and advocate for responsible development and
> regulation of technologies. They emphasize the importance of open
> dialogue, ethical frameworks, and democratic decision-making to ensure
> the responsible use of transformative technologies.
>
> 6. Dystopian future: Some fear that transhumanism could lead to a
> dystopian future where humanity loses control over technology or faces
> oppression by a superintelligent AI. Transhumanists address these
> concerns by emphasizing the need for robust safety measures, ethical
> guidelines, and responsible development. They advocate for proactive
> engagement with AI and other technologies to ensure they align with
> human values and benefit society as a whole.
>
> Overall, transhumanists aim to dispel misconceptions by promoting the
> idea that transhumanism is an inclusive movement that seeks to empower
> individuals, enhance human capabilities, and address societal
> challenges through responsible and beneficial applications of
> technology.
> ==================
>
> BillK
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