The Transhumanist Reader (eBook)

Max More, PhD is President of Alcor Life Extension Foundation Natasha Vita-More, PhD is a Professor at the University of Advancing Technology

The Transhumanist Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and Philosophy of the Human Future 5
Copyright 6
Contents 7
Contributor Biographies 11
Part I Roots and Core Themes 17
1 The Philosophy of Transhumanism 19
The Philosophy 19
History 24
Currents 28
Misconceptions 30
References 31
2 Aesthetics Bringing the Arts & Design into the Discussion of Transhumanism
Introduction 34
Current Discussion 35
Form and Perception 36
Adaptation 37
Relationship 38
A Field 39
A Study 39
Concluding Thoughts 40
Notes 41
References 42
3 Why I Want to be a Posthuman When I Grow Up 44
Setting the Stage 44
Becoming Posthuman 47
Healthspan 49
Cognition 51
Emotion 52
Structure of the Argument, and Further Supporting Reasons 54
Personal Identity 56
Commitments 59
Ways of Life 59
Human Nature 61
Brief Sketches of Some Objections and Replies 62
Conclusion 65
Notes 66
References 68
4 Transhumanist Declaration (2012) 70
5 Morphological Freedom – Why We Not Just Want It, but Need It 72
Morphological Freedom as a Right 72
What Possibilities Do We See Today and Tomorrow? 74
Morphological Freedom and Society 74
Why Do We Want It? 75
Why Do We Need Morphological Freedom? 76
Morphological Freedom and Future Healthcare 78
Conclusions 79
Note 79
References 79
Part II Human Enhancement The Somatic Sphere 81
6 Welcome to the Future of Medicine 83
Introduction 83
What is Nanomedicine? 84
Nanorobotics 84
Nanorobotics Revolution by the 2020s 85
Conclusions 87
References 87
7 Life Expansion Media 89
Living 89
Matter 90
Degeneration/Regeneration 90
Transmutation 91
Dialectics of Desirability and Viability 91
Cybernetics 93
Human-machine Interfaces and the Prosthetic Body 93
Life Expansion 94
Notes 96
References 97
8 The Hybronaut Affair A Ménage of Art, Technology, and Science 99
Techno-Organic Environment 99
The Umwelt Bubble 101
Network and the Hybronaut 102
The Appendix-tail 103
Conclusion 104
Notes 105
References 105
9 Transavatars 107
Avatars and Simulation 107
Avatar Censuses 109
Secondary and Posthumous Avatars 114
Conclusion 114
Note 115
References 115
10 Alternative Biologies 116
Biology as Technology 117
The Rise of Machines 117
Complexity 117
The Science of Complexity 118
Synthetic Biology – Complex Embodied Technology 118
Top-Down Synthetic Biology 119
Bottom-Up Synthetic Biology 119
Protocells 120
Artificial Biology 122
From Proposition to Reality 122
Future Venice 123
Artificial Biology and Human Enhancement 125
References 125
Further Reading 125
Part III Human Enhancement The Cognitive Sphere 127
11 Re-Inventing Ourselves The Plasticity of Embodiment, Sensing, and Mind 129
Introduction: Where the Rubber Meets the Road 129
What’s in an Interface? 130
New Systemic Wholes 132
Incorporation Versus Use 135
Extended Cognition 136
Profound Embodiment 138
Enhancement or Subjugation? 140
Conclusions 141
Notes 141
References 142
Further Reading 143
12 Artificial General Intelligence and the Future of Humanity 144
The Top Priority for Mankind 145
AGI and the Transformation of Individual and Collective Experience 146
AGI and the Global Brain 147
What is a Mind that We Might Build One? 148
Why So Little Work on AGI? 149
Why the “AGI Sputnik” Will Change Things Dramatically and Launch a New Phase of the Intelligence Explosion 151
The Risks and Rewards of Advanced AGI 152
References 153
Further Reading 153
13 Intelligent Information Filters and Enhanced Reality 154
Preface 154
Text Translation and Its Consequences 154
Enhanced Multimedia 156
Structure of Enhanced Reality 157
Historical Observations 158
Truth vs. Convenience 159
Biofeedback and Self-Perception 159
Distant Future 160
Terminological Exercises: ER< ->
Social Implications 161
Note 161
14 Uploading to Substrate-Independent Minds 162
Your Mind, but not Constrained to the Biological Brain 162
Whole Brain Emulation 163
Main Developments toward SIM 165
Structural Connectomics and Functional Connectomics 167
Structure-Function and Questions of Resolution and Scope 169
SIM within our Life-Spans 170
What is the Rationale for Investing in SIM Projects Now? 171
References 171
15 Uploading 173
How Many Bits to Describe a Molecule? 174
Do We Really Need to Describe Each Molecule? 175
How Many Bits Do We Really Need? 175
A Functional Estimate of Human Long-Term Memory Capacity 175
How Much Computing Power? 176
The Brain Uses Energy 177
Nerve Impulses Use Energy 177
The Energy of a Nerve Impulse 177
Our Model Isn’t Perfect 178
The Ultimate in Experimental Evidence: Try it and See! 179
Summary 179
References 180
Part IV Core Technologies 181
16 Why Freud Was the First Good AI Theorist 183
17 Pigs in Cyberspace 193
Mind without Body? 194
18 Nanocomputers 198
What’s a Nanocomputer? 199
Nanotechnology 199
General Computer Principles 200
Additional Constraints for Nanocomputers 201
Entropy 202
Drexler’s Mechanical Logic 205
Registers and Memory 207
Motors 208
Other Logics for Nanocomputers 208
Other Mechanical Logics 210
Electronic Logic 210
Conclusion 210
Reference 211
Further Reading 211
19 Immortalist Fictions and Strategies 212
Introduction: Something Like Penicillin for Immortality 212
Immortality in Fiction 213
Science of Biological Immortality 216
Technological Prospects for Near-Term Human Biological Immortality 217
Fictitious Technology vs Actual Technology 219
References 220
20 Dialogue between Ray Kurzweil and Eric Drexler 221
Part V Engines of Life Identity and Beyond Death 229
21 The Curate’s Egg of Anti-Anti-Aging Bioethics 231
References 235
Further Reading 235
22 Medical Time Travel 236
References 240
23 Transhumanism and Personal Identity 243
Personal Identity and the Enlightenment 243
Enhancement, Transhumanism and Personal Identity 245
Note 248
References 248
24 Transcendent Engineering 250
Cornerstones of Transcendent Engineering 251
Two Possibilities of Resurrection 253
Conclusion 254
Notes 256
References 256
Part VI Enhanced Decision-Making 257
25 Idea Futures Encouraging an Honest Consensus 259
Introduction 259
Concept 261
Scenario 262
Scope 264
Procedures 265
Advantages 267
Criticisms 268
Related Work 269
An Appeal 270
Conclusion 271
Math Appendix 271
References 272
Further Reading 273
26 The Proactionary Principle Optimizing Technological Outcomes 274
The Origin of the Proactionary Principle 275
The Wisdom of Structure 275
The Failure of the Precautionary Principle 276
The Proactionary Principle 279
Preamble to the Proactionary Principle 280
Be Objective and Comprehensive 281
Prioritize Natural and Human Risks 281
Embrace Diverse Input 282
Make Response and Restitution Proportionate 282
Revisit and Revise 282
27 The Open Society and Its Media 284
Improving Society 284
Media Matter 285
Xanadu 285
Links 286
Hyperlinks 286
Emergent Properties 287
Transclusion 288
Remembering the Past: Historical Trails 288
Preparing for the Future: Detectors 289
The WidgetPerfect Saga 289
Permissions 290
Reputation-Based Filtering 291
Hypertext+Multimedia=Hypermedia 291
External Transclusion 291
Conclusions 292
Notes 293
References 293
Part VII Biopolitics and Policy 295
28 Performance Enhancement and Legal Theory: An Interview with Professor Michael H. Shapiro 297
Notes 304
References 305
29 Justifying Human Enhancement: The Accumulation of Biocultural Capital 307
Rationalizing Medical Interventions on a Slippery Slope 307
Life as a Commodity 310
The Accumulation of Biocultural Capital 311
Counterpoint: Reducing Human Diversity? 314
Conclusion 315
Notes 316
References 316
Further Reading 317
30 The Battle for the Future 318
Who Will the Early Enhancers Be? 320
The Threat of Human Enhancement 323
Protecting the Human Race 325
A Spiritual Crossroads 328
Notes 331
References 331
31 Mind is Deeper Than Matter: Transgenderism, Transhumanism, and the Freedom of Form 333
Persona Creatus 334
The Sex of an Avatar 334
Counting Cyberfolks 335
Papering a Transhuman 336
Is Consciousness Like Pornography? 337
Bio-Cyber-Ethics 338
Notes 340
References 342
32 For Enhancing People 343
Do the Technologies that Enable Human Physical and Intellectual Enhancement Undermine Virtue? 343
The Dangers of Immortality 345
The Politics of Toleration 349
What about the Genetically Engineered Children? 350
Enhancement Wars? 353
The End of Gene Tyranny 355
Moral Toleration 357
So How Will Enhancement Enable People to Flourish? 358
Note 358
References 358
33 Is Enhancement Worthy of Being a Right? 361
Introduction 361
So What Does Putting the Question of Enhancement in Terms of Rights Do? 362
What is the Problem with Putting the Question of Enhancement in Terms of Rights? 362
How Might One Make the Case that Enhancement Be Treated as a Right? 363
Appeal to Autonomy 364
Appeal to Interests 366
Appeal to Natural Law 367
Conclusion 368
Notes 368
References 369
34 Freedom by Design: Transhumanist Values and Cognitive Liberty 371
Introduction 371
Legal Right by Design: Cognitive Liberty 372
Design Thinking and Cognitive Liberty 372
Caveats on Concept: Fictions of Freedom 373
Freedom in Spite of All Else 374
Notes 375
References 376
Part VIII Future Trajectories Singularity 377
35 Technological Singularity 381
What is the Singularity? 381
Can the Singularity Be Avoided? 384
Other Paths to the Singularity 386
Strong Superhumanity and the Best We Can Ask For 388
Notes 389
References 390
Further Reading 390
36 An Overview of Models of Technological Singularity 392
Introduction 392
Definitions of Technological Singularity 393
Models 394
Accelerating Change 396
Discussion 406
Notes 408
References 408
37 A Critical Discussion of Vinge’s Singularity Concept 411
Comment by David Brin: Singularities 411
Comment by Damien Broderick 413
Comment by Nick Bostrom: Singularity and Predictability 415
Comment by Alexander Chislenko: Singularity as a Process, and the Future Beyond 418
Comment by Robin Hanson: Some Skepticism 420
Comment by Max More: Singularity Meets Economy 422
Comment by Michael Nielsen 425
Comment by Anders Sandberg: Singularity and the Growth of Differences 427
Note 432
References 433
Part IX The World’s Most Dangerous Idea 435
38 The Great Transition: Ideas and Anxieties 437
What is Transhumanism? 437
Anxieties 439
Evolution and Ethics 441
Naïvety about Progress 442
The Apocalyptic Temptation 444
Notes 445
References 445
39 Trans and Post 446
Note 453
References 453
40 Back to Nature II: Art and Technology in the Twenty-First Century 454
References 464
41 A Letter to Mother Nature 465
42 Progress and Relinquishment 467
Note 469
Index 470

"The book, with the exceptions mentioned, may be read by
nearly anyone. It is a simple and straight way to make oneself an
idea about a movement it is now impossible not to
know." (Metapsychology, 19 November 2013)

"Edited by the internationally acclaimed founders of the
philosophy and social movement of transhumanism, The
Transhumanist Reader is an indispensable guide to our current
state of knowledge of the quest to expand the frontiers of human
nature." (LIS Trends, 8 March 2013)

Review appeared in href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2013/jul/10/human-evolution-next-stages">The
Guardian 1st July 2013

"We are in the process of upgrading the human species, so we
might as well do it with deliberation and foresight. A good first
step is this book, which collects the smartest thinking available
concerning the inevitable conflicts, challenges and opportunities
arising as we re-invent ourselves. It's a core text for anyone
making the future."

--Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick for Wired

"Transhumanism has moved from a fringe concern to a
mainstream academic movement with real intellectual credibility.
This is a great taster of some of the best emerging work. In the
last 10 years, transhumanism has spread not as a religion but as a
creative rational endeavor."

--Julian Savulescu, Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics,
University of Oxford

"The Transhumanist Reader is an important, provocative
compendium critically exploring the history, philosophy, and ethics
of transhumanism. The contributors anticipate crucial biopolitical,
ecological and planetary implications of a radically
technologically enhanced population."

--Edward Keller, Director, Center for Transformative Media,
Parsons The New School for Design

"This important book contains essays by many of the
top thinkers in the field of transhumanism. It's a
must-read for anyone interested in the future of
humankind."

--Sonia Arrison, Best-selling author of 100 Plus: How
The Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything