Why seek to end suffering when we are taught that it makes us stronger and wiser?
Doesn't human history suggest that you are too optimistic about the future?
Why seek to end suffering when we are taught that it makes us stronger and wiser?
Suffering is endemic to our world, and always will be at some level. It is true that suffering helps us to achieve growth, insight and compassion. But I believe we can change the nature of that suffering. Too many people who could be active, creative, productive, and fulfilled in their lives are needlessly suffering and dying today in ways that could be eliminated. I would prefer to see their suffering be from disappointment in relationships, from difficulty with their work, or from struggles to better themselves, instead of from illness, poverty, and oppression.
Isn't it wrong to tamper with nature?
On the contrary, it is not only not wrong, but clearly right to tamper with nature. There is absolutely no moral or ethical reason why we should not interfere with nature and improve it if we can, whether it’s by eliminating diseases, improving the efficiency of agriculture to feed a growing world population, or putting communication satellites up into orbit to provide homes with satellite news and entertainment.
In many cases there are good reasons why we do best to rely on "natural" processes. On the other hand, many natural things—like starvation, tuberculosis, and killer tornadoes—are bad. Some synthetic things are bad too, like car accidents and nuclear weapons. The point is, you can’t decide whether something is good or bad simply by asking whether it’s natural or not.
Shouldn’t we concentrate on current problems like poverty, pollution, or solving international conflicts, instead of putting effort into "far" future technologies?
We should do both. Research and development of emerging technologies clearly can have a positive impact on solving today's most urgent problems. For example, an important factor in bettering life expectancy is access to good medical care—advancements in medical care will extend life, and work at life extension is likely to benefit ordinary care. Similarly, work at amplifying intelligence has obvious applications in education, responsible management of natural resources, and improved communications. Expanded communications, trade and education are powerful means to promote peaceful solutions to international conflicts. Finally, nanotechnological manufacturing promises to be both economically profitable and environmentally sound.
Working toward a world order characterized by peace, international cooperation and respect for human rights will greatly improve the odds that potentially dangerous applications of future technologies will not be used irresponsibly or in warfare. It could also free up resources currently spent on military armaments, and possibly channel them to improve the condition of the poor. Transhumanists do not have a simple solution that would achieve this outcome any more than anybody else, but no doubt technology has a part to play.
Doesn't human history suggest that you are too optimistic about the future?
It is, in fact, my study of human history that provides me with such great faith in humanity and in our essential goodness. The record of progress made by the human species with the help of science, technology, and reason (applied through education, business, and government) is clear and unassailable. There is much of which we can be proud, including a centuries-long trend toward increased freedom and democracy, amazing advancements in health care and longevity, and far higher standards of living for most of the world's people. Our powers have multiplied beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors, and yet, for the most part, we have applied those powers in beneficence, not maliciousness. The experience of humankind has shown that as a species we yearn for liberty, justice, tolerance, and mercy, and—given the opportunity—we will have them and grant them to others. Certainly there are exceptions on a local scale, and perhaps there always will be, but a long look gives me great reason for optimism.
Isn't it risky to put so much trust in technology?
Technology is a tool—or really a set of tools that make it possible for us to overcome challenges. As humans have developed better and more powerful tools over the centuries, by and large we have put them to good use. As the tools continue to improve, so do the results. I see no rational reason to believe that the tools we build tomorrow or in the next 20 years will not be used to produce wonderful results overall.
It all seems a bit much, more like fantasy than reality. Do knowledgeable people take these ideas seriously?
Some of the smartest people in the world already identify themselves as transhumanists. There are millions of others who don't yet know the terminology but who are conducting their lives in a transhuman way. On the other hand, there are serious and thoughtful people who are quite skeptical. That is to be expected, and it is welcome. Only through a rigorous and forthright critical examination of these ideas will we discover the truth and be ready to act upon it.
What are the newest additions to the website?
These sections have been updated or expanded recently:
PAGE / SECTION - DATE
Destinies / Uplift - 10/26/03
Upgrades - 8/29/03
The Bad News - 8/29/03
Destinies / Extinction - 5/14/03
Concepts / Singularity - 3/30/03
About Me / My Biography - 1/31/03
Who are you anyway?
Come over here and I'll tell you.