WHAT IS transhumanism?

[Durruti's Ghost]

The belief that people can and should augment their bodies' natural abilities using technological/scientific means, ranging from genetic engineering to replacing limbs, organs, etc. with more efficient mechanical versions of themselves. Its most extreme advocates argue that people can and should scrap their human bodies entirely, perhaps by integrating the organic brain with a mechanical body or, if a method of "downloading" a consciousness is discovered, by transferring one's consciousness into a mechanical brain connected to a mechanical body. Thus, transhumanists argue, we will overcome many diseases, frailties, and even death itself.

It's a cool idea, and there's probably some truth to it. However, if people do start doing transhumanist things, they should probably wait until after the revolution; otherwise, it could result in permanent class separation--the bourgeoisie with fancy mechanical arms vs. the proletariat without them.

If any transhumanists read this, I hope I have not grossly misrepresented their views. :cool:

[The Essence Of Flame Is The Essence Of Change]

If any transhumanists read this, I hope I have not grossly misrepresented their views. :cool:

Hmm considering the fact that there are quite some transhumanists in this forum and that this is the Learning part I'd like to see myself some of them sharing their views.

[Dimentio]

Can you tell me?:)

After having met real transhumanists in an online game, I would say that transhumanism equals using female avatars with robot attachments and having lesbian sex with each-other.

Otherwise, check out the Order of Cosmic Engineers. They are the archetypical transhumanist group.

I like transhumanism as an ideal. I don't like most transhumanists though. They are blasted idealists.

[kalu]

I don't know much about transhumanism, but I figure it is closely related to posthumanism. See Donna Haraway's "Cyborg Manifesto" for a seminal statement.

[Manifesto]

Pretty much Ghost in the Shell.

[RainbowLeftist]

Sounds hawt. The idea is interesting though.

[Revy]

Transhumanism - basically cheating at evolution. Humans use technology to advance their capabilities, health, lifespan and experience.

[Dimentio]

Yes, but most transhumanists are ignorant of or ignoring social inequalities, and more pressing social problems. Most of them just seem to think individually, "what would I want". Despite that transhumanism is comparably large within some segments, I would say that it by default cannot be considered an ideology on its own. Rather, I would view it as a subculture.

[Invincible Summer]

Where the hell is Noxion? :lol:

Not all transhumanists believe in using it for equality, but I firmly believe that such advancements should be made available to everyone, and should only be implemented in a post-revolutionary society, lest corporations go around owning people's organs and stuff.

Not to mention corporate AIs or something

[New Tet]

Can you tell me?:)

Here is a satire that comes to mind when I hear labels like 'transhumanisms':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUBAx8jbYNs&feature=related

[Manifesto]

It should be used when someone has a incurable illness or is soon to die from old age. Maybe even for personal choice since that would also help solve over-population.