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Category: transhumanism – Page 90

I Tried Direct Neurofeedback and the Results Surprised Me

My new story for my #transhumanism column at Psychology Today on Direct Neurofeedback:

Transhumanism—the movement of using science and technology to improve the human being—covers many different fields of research. There are exoskeleton suits to help the disabled; there are stem cell treatments to cure disease; there are robots and AI to perform human chores. The field is wide open and booming as humanity uses more and more tech in its world.

It’s not that often I get to participate directly in these radical technologies, but I did so recently when Grant Rudolph, Clinical Director at Echo Rock Neurotherapy in Mill Valley, California invited me to try his Direct Neurofeedback techniques. Via his computer and EEG wire hookups, Mr. Rudolph echoed my brainwave information back into my head at an imperceptible level. I did two sessions of Direct Neurofeedback.

At first, I was skeptical that I’d even feel anything since the EEG information can’t be detected by the skin as a sensation, but within five minutes of having the wires stuck onto my forehead, I began feeling different. I can compare it to a light dose of a recreational drug: I felt happy, content, and worry-free. I also felt more introspective than normal. The feedback only took a few seconds, and after about 15 minutes, I seemed to notice the world’s colors were sharper and my hearing was more acute. The heightened awareness and calming effect lasted about 24 hours and then most of it gradually wore off. Some of the clarity must still be working, because getting things done sometimes still seems easier. I’m told that continued sessions would make this state of clarity my new norm.

Zoltan Istvan

2017 Baillie Gifford Longlist Announced

More great news with the book Mark O’Connell’s “To Be a Machine”, whose closing chapter is on The Immortality Bus journey and my presidential run. It was nominated on the longlist of UK’s Baillie Gifford award for nonfiction. This is one of the most prestigious nonfiction prizes in the UK: http://www.foyles.co.uk/news/2017-Baillie-Gifford-Longlist%20Announced #transhumanism

Non-Fiction.

There’s no need to fear a robot taking your job – not if you become one yourself

A new article recently out discussing issues of #transhumanism:

Hello reader, are you trans? Transhuman, that is.

Probably not, but one day you might be – or, failing that, your kids or grandkids. In what is very much a ‘guest’ piece for the American Conservative, Zoltan Istvan – the Libertarian candidate for Governor of California – explains his transhumanist vision:

“…transhumanism is the international movement of using science and technology to radically change the human being and experience. Its primary goal is to deliver and embrace a utopian techno-optimistic world—a world that consists of biohackers, cyborgists, roboticists, life extension advocates, cryonicists, Singularitarians, and other science-devoted people.”

There’s no need to fear a robot taking your job – not if you become one yourself!

‘Becoming Machines Is Part of Our Destiny,’ Says Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan [Podcast]

I was honored to be interviewed by Nick Gillespie (editor in chief of Reason.com and Reason TV) in a 40 minute podcast about transhumanism and my run for California Governor as a libertarian. Give it a listen—or read the text of the conversation in the link below: http://reason.com/blog/2017/09/07/transhumanism-libertarianism-zoltan

The “California Dream of Transhumanism” on why he’s pro-robot, running for governor of California, and still angry about getting busted at 18 for selling pot.

Should We be Cautious about Envisioning Dystopias?

How will our relationship to technology evolve in the future? Will we regard it as something apart from ourselves, part of ourselves, or as a new area of evolution? In this new video from the Galactic Public Archives, Futurist Gray Scott explains that we are a part of a technological cosmos. Do you agree with Scott that technology is built into the universe, waiting to be discovered?

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Christian transhumanism? Yes, says pastor

Facts of life, even for passionate seperation of church and state advocates like me: Religious #transhumanism is growing.

WASHINGTON – A Christian pastor from Florida is promoting acceptance of some forms of transhumanism, saying believers should be open to finding an “ethical alternative” to the complete rejection of the scientific, technical and philosophical transhumanist movement that has already begun.

Rev. Christopher Benek, associate pastor of family ministries and mission at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, writes in the Christian Post that it’s time for the development of “Christian transhumanism.”

“If you have read the The American Conservative’s recent postings about the evolving transhumanist movement, you have likely developed reasonable concerns,” Benek wrote. “People should be dismayed at Zoltan Istvan’s misguided article in TAC from two weeks ago entitled: ‘The Growing World of Libertarian Transhumanism.’ And, if one believes that Istvan’s transhumanism represents all transhumanists, then Kai Weiss’ follow-up piece “Transhumanism is Not Libertarian, It’s an Abomination,” is correct and appropriately titled. But these two depictions do not represent the majority of transhumanist thought. As such I would request: Please folks do not throw the transhumanist-baby out with Zoltan Istvan’s bathwater. There is an ethical transhumanist alternative: Christian Transhumanism.”

Benek says “Christians can make a positive moral impact” on the debate over transhumanism rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater.

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