Lifeboat Foundation

This month I’m participating in Cato Institute’s Cato Unbound discussion. Cato is one of the world’s leading think tanks. Here’s my new and second essay for the project:

Professor David D. Friedman sweeps aside my belief that religion may well dictate the development of AI and other radical transhumanist tech in the future. However, at the core of a broad swath of American society lies a fearful luddite tradition. Americans—including the U.S. Congress, where every member is religious—often base their life philosophies and work ethics on their faiths. Furthermore, a recent Pew study showed 7 in 10 Americans were worried about technology in people’s bodies and brains, even if it offered health benefits.

It rarely matters what point in American history innovation has come out. Anesthesia, vaccines, stem cells, and other breakthroughs have historically all battled to survive under pressure from conservatives and Christians. I believe that if formal religion had not impeded our natural secular progress as a nation over the last 250 years, we would have been much further along in terms of human evolution. Instead of discussing and arguing about our coming transhumanist future, we’d be living in it.

Continue reading “Deniers and Critics of AI Will Only Be Left Behind” »

Could Transhumanism help us overcome the Malthusian nightmare of supposed declining resources in the face of an increasing population?

As the world continues to increase, could our exponentially-growing technologies help us ensure that everyone living on this planet is accommodated for?

Continue reading “Transcending Overpopulation With a Bionic Future” »

My article for the Cato Institute via Cato Unbound is out. Cato is one of the leading think tanks in the world, so I’m excited they are covering transhumanism:

Zoltan Istvan describes a complicated future when humans aren’t the only sapients around anymore. Citizenship for “Sophia” was a publicity stunt, but it won’t always be so. Istvan insists that if technology continues on the path it has traveled, then there is only one viable option ahead for humanity: We must merge with our creations and “go full cyborg.” If we do not, then machines may easily replace us.

$5,000.00 USD will be awarded to the winner. $1,000.000 USD will be awarded to three runner-up papers, one of which could be the final winner.

About the Prize:

Humanity+, a 501©3 non-profit educational organization is sponsoring the Blockchain essay prize for papers that cover the topic of “Mutual Benefits of Blockchain and Transhumanism”.

Continue reading “Announcing The Blockchain $5,000 Essay Prize” »

We talk to Mark O’Connell about transhumanism, the evolution of the human species and his Wellcome Book Prize-shortlisted book To Be A Machine.

#Chicago friends, I’m honored to be speaking at the University of Chicago via the Chicago Society on Thursday, April 19, at 6PM CDT, Cobb 106. The Chicago Society has hosted speakers like Bill Gates, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Nobel Laureate Gary Becker, and former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, Join me for a free talk and Q & A—and ask me all questions about #transhumanism and our coming wild tech future!

Advocates of transhumanism face a similar choice today. One option is to take advantage of the advances in nanotechnologies, genetic engineering and other medical sciences to enhance the biological and mental functioning of human beings (never to go back). The other is to legislate to prevent these artificial changes from becoming an entrenched part of humanity, with all the implied coercive bio-medicine that would entail for the species.

We can either take advantage of advances in technology to enhance human beings (never to go back), or we can legislate to prevent this from happening.

Continue reading “Transhumanism: advances in technology could already put evolution into hyperdrive – but should they?” »

There are over 18 million registered voters in California. On the ballot for the primaries for CA Governor on June 5th you’ll see candidates names, as well as a designation next to their name (their current occupation). One of my two designations is “transhumanist lecturer.” This likely won’t win many votes, but I believe it might be an important first for the #transhumanism movement. Here’s the first news story I’ve seen mentioning it:

Former big city mayors, a puppeteer and a even a ‘transhumanist lecturer’ are all officially running for California governor. Voters will be able to select from 27 people on the recently published certified list of candidates.