de-programming

challenging conventional thought, exploring conspiracy theories,
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June 3, 2010

"Telescopic Evolution"

A short excerpt about the telescopic nature of evolution.
Posted by Sagacious D at 10:50 AM
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3 comments:

  1. koala_bears_scatterJune 3, 2010 at 11:20 PM

    The whole process of neohuman/transhuman evolution (just before the "crescendo") is really unsettling to me. It starts to border on eugenics at some point.

    I'd prefer if we could pursue that route just far enough to help get rid of certain chronic health problems, then stop. I never want to see the phases where the rich can choose their genes and get cybernetic enhancements, while the poor are considered increasingly deficient. And I really don't ever want to see specially-engineered athletes or politicians.

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  2. Willow TreeJune 4, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Humans - no matter their state in the evolutionary process - always push limits. It has allowed us great success. When we find ourselves faced with absolute limits, we find a way around them. For this reason, I would think that the greatest concern facing humanity is not the method of existence, but rather the dehumanizing condition of complacency. I would rather be a "synthetic human" than an automaton.
    If there is an advantage to being transhuman, then it will be done. We are, in many ways, simply an expression of nature. If our technology helps to expand life on the planet (in whatever form) and also helps perhaps to spread life to other worlds, then I say it is a perfectly natural process to improve the state and rate of our own evolution.
    Most ethical concerns derive from the "Don't play God" forum: as if God were a singular, concrete understanding shared by all. But I argue that the greater ethical dilemma would be to limit our capabilities when faced with abstract authority. And I don't see it happening.

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  3. Sagacious DJune 5, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    You make some good points. I agree with you that in many ways it is a natural progression, and that it is human nature to push the limits. And I'm not so much concerned with the "playing God" aspect of it. I'm more concerned that, as the technologies advance, they will be kept from the majority of the public and eventually sub-divide the human species into superior neo-human ruling class elites and a sickly "sub-human" populace that is controlled like what K said. If you wanna get an idea of some of the things they're already capable of you should watch "Technocalypse: Transhuman." It's pretty interesting.

    K: I agree about the athletes and politicians. lol. That would be the worse.

    Willow: Also, could you maybe elaborate on your statement about the greatest concern facing humanity is the dehumanizing condition of complacency? I'm not quite sure I follow. Do you mean by those in power, or just in general?

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