Our biotech bodies said:What if, by taking a drug, you could possess an IQ of 250?
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What seems like fodder for a science fiction potboiler has become a matter of deadly serious debate among scientists and ethicists.
In a speech last year before a gathering of enhancement advocates, William Sims Bainbridge, a deputy director at the National Science Foundation who studies the societal impact of technology, warned that “scientists may be forced into rebellion in order to carry out research prohibited unnecessarily by powerful institutions.”...
Lemming3k said:How about posting our testimonies for why we gave up on christianity? Both sides of the coin if you will, mines simple, a neighbour who had always done everything he could for charity and for the good of the community up until he was into his 80's and beyond got more ill and suffered and didnt deserve it when people get away with some horrible things in this life, i decided a god would be too kind to let this happen if he existed, especially after what i always taught about him being loving. Plus i started reading examining religion more and found its flaws, but that was the catalyst.
Its for those who have ear's to 'listen'.
It will sound confused to the rest I grant you
How about posting our testimonies for why we gave up on christianity? Both sides of the coin if you will, mines simple, a neighbour who had always done everything he could for charity and for the good of the community up until he was into his 80's and beyond got more ill and suffered and didnt deserve it when people get away with some horrible things in this life, i decided a god would be too kind to let this happen if he existed, especially after what i always taught about him being loving. Plus i started reading examining religion more and found its flaws, but that was the catalyst.
Understood, although the research into anti-again has been steadily growing over these past 30+ years. But I wasn’t proposing this as some form of alternative religion but more as a practical hope that should indeed enable us to truly cheat the death that religions have been promising for many millennia but with nothing to show for it. There still remains no credible evidence for the supernatural, gods, or souls, all of which have to be true for your belief to have any practical value.Already I am doubting your way and my existing beliefs seem much stabler at this moment in time because I have personal evidence that what 'I' believe is true.
Bear in mind that was the original article and it is now over 10 years old. It has since spawned a whole set of associations and discussion forums. But whether the singularity occurs as expected or not it cannot be denied that technological changes are occurring at an increasing non-linear rate and Moores Law is still maintaining its momentum. The merger of human brain with technology has already begun and looks certain to proceed at an ever faster pace over the next few decades.Also I do not see any rules for living, nothing like that. If the Singularity was inevitable which it isnt how would you stop people from abusing the technology.
Well OK I only gave you some simple snippets. The transhumanism forums have whole discussion groups that cater for transhumanist life, art, culture, economics etc. But my point would be that I really don’t care too much about how to live if I am going to die very shortly. Once the problem of involuntary death is solved then I can give some thought about how to live.Nothing in your way seems to deal with the real issues of living, just how to extend living.
If you have only just discovered religion then a jump to these other philosophies might be difficult right now. I am pleased that you even considered looking at one of the links.It seems like a fantasy to me with all due respect but what do I know? Maybe it will happen here as you describe. I am just not sure I would fit in there.
Damn, busted! I thought everyone would be so pissed at my insults that they wouldn’t notice my real intent.you seek to convert and proselytize? how dare you!
Xev said:How about for those who know how to use apostrophes?
It was a wink at you! You wernt listening to what I was saying in my posts and then explaining why you didnt think it was relevant to you or whatever, instead you wanted to patronise and belittle my beliefs and me personally to make you feel a little bit better about yourself. You want to make me out to be some kind of weakling who has moved from one drug to the other and I'm all confused ladedadeda. I was saying politely - Ok m8 - whatever - you just come to mock. It was a wink at you! Now be a good moderator and keep order will you. Some people are making 'personal remarks'And accompanied by a snide little "smilie".
Cute.
A weakling, an undisciplined loser who substituted his addiction to one drug by becoming addicted to another, a pussy who cannot bear criticism or harsh language, is somehow of interest - much interest!
- to the most supremely powerful being that his primitive mind can dream up.
He is favoured, chosen, adored and terrorized by this superlative. For a feminine soul like yours, no higher joy is possible nor a higher honour conferrable than to be treated with interest, nay even love, by such a being.
This love bestowed, this purpose, is not extended to all, but reserved for the few, very faithful who can understand the spooky whispers of the highest spooky spook!
For the rest, not blessed by God's love or interest, there are snide emoticons.
Confused? Oh no. It makes perfect sense. Just not in the way you think it does.
Hathor said:C20
I dont want to be a biomechanical drone forced to feel chemical emotions or gentically engineered feelings. [/b
the thing is c20, you already are. there is nothing really mystical or sacred about an organism that seeks an equilibrium b/w its internal states and the environment. if external conditions change, an internal adaptation will probably occur and new balance established.
now your point of contention is that artificial changes, ie: those that are willfully affected by man are somehow qualitatively different from the spontaneous kind.
why? i fail to see any meaningful distinction.
humans are a work in progress and there is room for improvement. let us not be held back by ancient superstitions as to what our role in the universe is.
who dare presumes to know the workings of the most high? perhaps it is HIS PLAN
*i kinda dig night vision, a tail and 24/7 bliss. is that so bad?
Katazia said:C20,
The problem you might face is that there are many in the world who will very willingly embrace high technology and will enhance themselves beyond recognition and will effectively create a new race very different to current bio humans. This along with AI will give birth to super intelligence and you will appear as intelligent to them as an ant appears to us now – in short you will be at their mercy. The outcome is simply entirely unclear.
While you might want to choose the apparent simpler and safer route, others will not and as we have seen from past evolutionary cusps, you and those like you are very likely to become extinct, or seen as a worrisome threat and ruthlessly exterminated.
If given a chance to voluntary evolve then I would not hesitate. But consider, if we do develop such technology that enables unlimited lifespan, far greater intelligence and more resilient bodies then what will happen to religious beliefs? Without a need to die what would religion be able to offer?
Kat
Hathor said:please trust in god and doubt him not
Dreamwalker said:Sorry, I know this does not fit here, but what the hell are you talking about?
You some kind of New Age Christian?
Be serious, the holy spirit entered your life did I understand that correctly?
People like you somehow make me sick.
(sorry to say so)
Hathor said:there is nothing really mystical or sacred about an organism that seeks an equilibrium b/w its internal states and the environment.