Transhumanism

[The Great Devourer of All]

For those of you who don't know, Transhumanists are people who believe that humans are imperfect and can be made better via the use of cybernetics, consciousness uploading, genetic engineering, or some other method. They have been a relatively small group until fairly recently, with advancements in prosthetics, virtual reality, and advanced gene editing techniques such as the use of CRISPR making many people believe that the human body and mind can be made better through science. Of course, many religious people are strongly opposed to this, as they often believe that their God or gods made humanity a certain way and that the human body is sacred.

For more information on Transhumanism, read this article.



So, my questions to you, NSG, are as follows: Is Transhumanism a positive or negative thing? Is it likely to play a major role in our future? If so, how?

I personally believe that Transhumanism will become a more and more prevalent ideology in the coming decades, and the Transhumanist Party (yes, this is a thing) may even be able to challenge other major political parties in the US by the middle of the century. I feel certain that, unless the practice is banned, the modification of fetuses using CRISPR, CAS9, and TALENs will become very widespread in the West, and even if it is banned, a significant black market for 'Mods' will pop up, much like the underground abortion clinics set up in states where abortion is tightly restricted. With the rise of genetic engineering, it is possible that many dangerous diseases, including everything from Alzheimer's and Cancer to Malaria and HIV/AIDS will disappear. Human lifespans may also increase exponentially, with people living hundreds or thousands of years. Unfortunately, the downside to all of this is that rogue states like North Korea may use genetic engineering and cloning to create massive armies of expendable but highly capable soldiers, and could engineer civilian babies in utero to reduce the likelihood of rebellions. Cybernetics may also become popular, with teenagers treating small implants like tattoos or piercings. Virtual reality is already gaining popularity, but I do not believe it will become a major Transhumanist alternative to normal life until later in the century, when it may be possible to upload human minds temporarily or even permanently into virtual reality programs. At this point, the wealthy elite may begin transferring their consciousnesses to different bodies as a way to get what they perceive as the 'perfect' body.

By 2200, I predict that more than half of the population in developed countries will be altered in some way, and a significant portion of both altered and unaltered people will have used virtual or augmented reality in their day-to-day lives.

[Socialist Nordia]

I'm very open to the idea of transhumanism. The thing is, I'm fine as long as it doesn't become a means of discrimination and superiority. It can't be a thing people pay for to become superior to others. The entire human species needs to rise together.

[Stagnant Axon Terminal]

It's A+ if and only if people can't pay their way into a higher social or political status.
I mean... I have an unhealthy obsession with "perfecting" myself via plastic surgery so I can't call transhumanism a bad thing.

[The Great Devourer of All]

I'm very open to the idea of transhumanism. The thing is, I'm fine as long as it doesn't become a means of discrimination and superiority. It can't be a thing people pay for to become superior to others. The entire human species needs to rise together.

Agreed. If 'Purebloods' begin discriminating against 'Mods', or vice-versa, I think we'd have a crisis at least as bad as the racism of the early to mid-20th century on our hands. Even worse would be if altered humans were enslaved or used as ultra-cheap labor a la Cloud Atlas.

[Sanctissima]

It's great so long as you don't start hooking up peoples' brains to the internet or some other interface separate from themselves, because that has the potential to end very, very badly.

[Canton Empire]

My first thought:
"We are the borg. Drop your shields and prepapre to be assmilated. Resistance is futile."

[Dushan]

I think its a awsome idea and opens both fascinating and terrifying possibilities alike.

[Herador]

We need to fix ourselves and the planet before we can really consider bolting addons to our butts, from my point of view.

[Digital Planets]

Adam Jensen never asked for it.

[The Alexanderians]

Negative. It would give more to the haves and keep more from the have nots.

[Herador]

Negative. It would give more to the haves and keep more from the have nots.

In the beginning sure, but as time went on it'd become more available. If you ask me, widely so. Seems to me that only a few years ago, big LCD tv's were going for thousands of dollars, I just picked up a nice 36" for about 250. It isn't one to one, I'll be the first to admit, but technological proliferation is something humans do well, you have to agree.

[The Alexanderians]

Negative. It would give more to the haves and keep more from the have nots.

In the beginning sure, but as time went on it'd become more available. If you ask me, widely so. Seems to me that only a few years ago, big LCD tv's were going for thousands of dollars, I just picked up a nice 36" for about 250. It isn't one to one, I'll be the first to admit, but technological proliferation is something humans do well, you have to agree.

And top line stuff is still only affordable by the richest people, go into a poor neighborhood tell me how many TVs are LCD never mind approaching top line. Proliferation isn't perfect not by a long shot and this would only compound the gaps by an exponential margin. And what of the people that wish to hold on to their humanity and remain as themselves? How would they even fair in a society based around how much machine you are made of? Or how many gene's you've altered?

[Imperium Sidhicum]

We need to fix ourselves and the planet before we can really consider bolting addons to our butts, from my point of view.

Or we can enhance ourselves to survive and thrive on the planet that we fucked up.

I find that embracing some form of augmentation technology is a logical natural step in the evolution of any sapient species. If this species has survived long enough to develop the necessary technology without destroying itself somewhere along the line, then it would be logical to embrace that technology in order to adapt to the environmental consequences caused by technological development.

The bigger problem of human enhancement is the increased reliance on technology, and the dependence on those with the knowledge and means to maintain it that it creates. Knowledge is power, and those who know how to rewrite the codes for protein synthesis in your body sure do hold a lot of power, especially if you don't.

[Herador]

In the beginning sure, but as time went on it'd become more available. If you ask me, widely so. Seems to me that only a few years ago, big LCD tv's were going for thousands of dollars, I just picked up a nice 36" for about 250. It isn't one to one, I'll be the first to admit, but technological proliferation is something humans do well, you have to agree.

And top line stuff is still only affordable by the richest people, go into a poor neighborhood tell me how many TVs are LCD never mind approaching top line. Proliferation isn't perfect not by a long shot and this would only compound the gaps by an exponential margin. And what of the people that wish to hold on to their humanity and remain as themselves? How would they even fair in a society based around how much machine you are made of? Or how many gene's you've altered?

I agree with you, see my earlier post, but I think that we need to accept that with any technology, those with the means and the methods to get better tech will. We can't really stop that from happening. What we can do, from my perspective, is attempt to make the technology affordable, safe, and effective at all levels, giving those with fewer means at least the ability to be competitive. Call me a pessimist, I guess you wouldn't be too far off in this case, but I just can't see an industry hamstringing itself like that for the benefit of people who would at best limit their profits.

[The Alexanderians]

And top line stuff is still only affordable by the richest people, go into a poor neighborhood tell me how many TVs are LCD never mind approaching top line. Proliferation isn't perfect not by a long shot and this would only compound the gaps by an exponential margin. And what of the people that wish to hold on to their humanity and remain as themselves? How would they even fair in a society based around how much machine you are made of? Or how many gene's you've altered?

I agree with you, see my earlier post, but I think that we need to accept that with any technology, those with the means and the methods to get better tech will. We can't really stop that from happening. What we can do, from my perspective, is attempt to make the technology affordable, safe, and effective at all levels, giving those with fewer means at least the ability to be competitive. Call me a pessimist, I guess you wouldn't be too far off in this case, but I just can't see an industry hamstringing itself like that for the benefit of people who would at best limit their profits.

Easy answer. Regulate the industries to prevent thee issues from arising.

[Dominated Earth]

I'm a massive enthusiast of transhumanism. Hell I'd opt to be given an entirely robotic body if it proved superior to human bodies.

[Herador]

I agree with you, see my earlier post, but I think that we need to accept that with any technology, those with the means and the methods to get better tech will. We can't really stop that from happening. What we can do, from my perspective, is attempt to make the technology affordable, safe, and effective at all levels, giving those with fewer means at least the ability to be competitive. Call me a pessimist, I guess you wouldn't be too far off in this case, but I just can't see an industry hamstringing itself like that for the benefit of people who would at best limit their profits.

Easy answer. Regulate the industries to prevent thee issues from arising.

I'm not entirely sure that would work, or even get past the initial stages if current lobbying practices are anything to go off of. But, I think the effectiveness of industry regulation and criticisms of US lobbying practices are better suited for another thread, no?

[AR18]

It's a concept that's both frightening and exciting.

The issue is, it's difficult to predict how it will turn out as others have noted.

If it's used to divide people, it could turn out to be a problem.

However, I won't lie and say the idea of further enhancing my abilities and lifespan with technology isn't an exciting prospect, though.

We'll just have to see how the world turns out, I suppose.

[The Alexanderians]

Easy answer. Regulate the industries to prevent thee issues from arising.

I'm not entirely sure that would work, or even get past the initial stages if current lobbying practices are anything to go off of. But, I think the effectiveness of industry regulation and criticisms of US lobbying practices are better suited for another thread, no?

Sure but I never said we had to use one a very corrupt system to regulate anything.

[Jochizyd Republic]

pls. No.

We're already disconnected with the natural world enough. And I can't see this going anywhere good.

I don't mean the whole "technology is bad lol" bullshit. I mean that technology like that will exclusively be used to exploit people. And lead to all kinds of horrible monstrosities.

Plus, being based in humanism, it's just going to lead to more forms of materialism.

[UIJ]

If I can get a gun arm, and a kick-ass flame paint job I'll support this to the grave.

[Greater Istanistan]

My main fear is that it will effectively lead to neo-feudalism, in which people will actively be able to pay for greater intelligence, endurance, and longevity and thereby solidify a permanent advantage over the underclasses. If transhumanist principles were evenly applied, that'd be great. However, given the potential of this technology and its current ownership by private-sector concerns, I really don't see much hope involved.

[Dominated Earth]

pls. No.

We're already disconnected with the natural world enough. And I can't see this going anywhere good.

I'll punch the natural world with my new cybernetic arm!

Either way define natural. I'm sure you don't mean it in the broad sense here.

[Sanctissima]

In the beginning sure, but as time went on it'd become more available. If you ask me, widely so. Seems to me that only a few years ago, big LCD tv's were going for thousands of dollars, I just picked up a nice 36" for about 250. It isn't one to one, I'll be the first to admit, but technological proliferation is something humans do well, you have to agree.

And top line stuff is still only affordable by the richest people, go into a poor neighborhood tell me how many TVs are LCD never mind approaching top line. Proliferation isn't perfect not by a long shot and this would only compound the gaps by an exponential margin. And what of the people that wish to hold on to their humanity and remain as themselves? How would they even fair in a society based around how much machine you are made of? Or how many gene's you've altered?

Ultimately, you can only stall progress for so long. Some of the more idiotic stuff, like developing and mass-producing devices that can connect peoples' brains to the internet or some wireless network; you can outlaw with relative impunity. But in terms of augmentations in general? No, science can only be postponed for so long. Eventually, you either ride the wave, or get crushed by it.

There will inevitably be problems, both societal and otherwise, but it's the same dynamic with different elements. The rich will have better augmentations than the poor, that is inevitable. Regardless, mass-production is a lovely thing, and it won't be long before the poor can also afford augmentations, albeit of a lesser quality.

As for those who refuse augmentations entirely? Well, they'll probably hold quite a bit of sway initially, but as time goes on they will become the minority. I imagine you'll see isolated communities of non-augmented people propping up here and there, but they'll be the exception to the rule. Once it becomes normalized, most people will jump on board the augmentation train.

[Dalviric UIA]

Transhumanism <3