On Post/trans humanism and technological singularity.
My opinion on the whole subject is still quite open.
But, my intial feelings seem very similar to Raki’s. I can’t help but feel that there is a lot more we can learn about who/what we are already, (not to mention how we fit in with all the other species), including the ability to encourage amazing self-healing and other near-miraculous stuff. I personally think that we should really make sure we understand what a person -is- before trying to add in improvements, and I think there’s some way to go till we get that far.
I suspect, with no real evidence as such, that learning by ‘fiddling about with it’ in this case (life/humanity) could prove very dangerous.
I also vaguely feel that steaming ahead with technology to catapult ourselves into space and beyond is somewhat selfish when it involves wasting/wrecking the environment and the rest of the planet in the way human endeavours generally do. The consequences of our polluting are already upon us, is it right to carry on in an attempt to just get away from it?
As a side wondering, I can’t help but notice that a lot of the people pro this sort of technological-singularity-sort of stuff are male, while those who feel more uneasy with it female. I’m aware of the fact that this sounds rather much a generalisation, and also quite ‘feminist’, but I think there is something to be said for the negative effects of patriachal-society on all genders, and that the relience and focus on machine and technology over emotion/life/body etc is perhaps misguided? Boys and their toys? 😉
Maybe we can reach a ‘singularity’, but why do we have to use man-made technology for it? Isn’t it just a religious concept dressed in scientific terms?The only part of technology I feel to be truly useful in terms of helping people ‘evolve’ are the communications technology and internet – these allow for incredible exposure to and sharing of ideas, which in turn allows for a much more rapid mental growth. But it’s still only the tool – the real work and developing comes from the minds of people.
In sum : what makes us think we can do any better than what we already have? On the other hand, are the creations and technologies of people part of the ‘natural order’, and simply the ‘next stage’.?
I suppose that if my feelings are right, they’ll never develop a sufficiently realistic Artificial intelligence anyway..at least, not until they understand how to make something alive.
If you’re really interested in how to develop yourself, mind, body and soul, go and do Tai Chi for a year 😉