The hottest Transhumanism Substack posts right now

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Top Philosophy Topics

🌎 My Q&A with Francis Fukuyama on technological change and liberal democracy. Some sci-fi, too!

Faster, Please! • 822 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Technology Policy Democracy Regulation Transhumanism
  1. The impact of technology on society has both positive and negative effects. While the internet has helped people access information and organize for their rights, it has also created a lot of misinformation and chaos.
  2. Government regulation of AI and new technologies is complex and challenging. It's important to have experts in the field, but the existing systems might make it hard to adapt quickly enough.
  3. Science fiction can help us think about the future and its potential dangers. While many stories focus on dystopia, they also provide us with important lessons about the risks and benefits of new technologies.

The Perpetual

Handwaving Freakoutery • 407 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Science fiction Speculative Dystopian Transhumanism Satire
  1. Different people are exploring ways to live forever, like using technology or advanced medicine. For instance, some wealthy individuals focus on using powerful medical treatments for longevity.
  2. Some people think of themselves as not just individuals but as entire organizations. This means they might have many lookalikes or replacements to keep their image alive.
  3. As humanity evolves, we might not become greater individuals but instead blend more with corporations and societies, almost losing our original identity.

DARK ÆON – Transhumanism and the War Against Humanity

SINGULARITY WEEKLY • 1847 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Transhumanism Artificial Intelligence Genetic Engineering Robots
  1. Humanity is facing threats from digital intelligence and automation.
  2. The concept of transhumanism merges scientism, apocalyptic Christianity, and satanic hubris.
  3. There is a significant choice between humanity and a potential posthuman future.
  4. The decisions made today will impact the fate of our species.

A short philosophical history

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics History Narrative Transhumanism Altruism
  1. Morality has evolved over time, influenced by intelligence, language, and culture. It can be seen as both a helpful adaptation and something that just happens without benefit, like men's nipples.
  2. The main conflict in history is between human morality and natural selection. Sometimes they work together, but other times they clash, shaping our progress as a species.
  3. We may have the chance to take control of our future and overcome natural selection through technology and ethics. Once we do this, our moral values could become the guiding force for society.

Anna Savina: Erik Davis on Longevity as a Spiritual Pursuit

Do Not Research • 339 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Longevity Religion Transhumanism Future implications
  1. Tech millionaires' interest in longevity is tied to libertarianism, radical views on overcoming limits, and control through technology.
  2. There is a connection between religion and the scientific pursuit of longevity, with religious longings affecting secular viewpoints.
  3. The transhumanist movement embraces the unnatural and questions conventional human limitations, leading to an 'uncanny valley' where prolonging life can feel repulsive.
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The Immortal

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
⚔ Fiction Transhumanism Myth
  1. The setting is a post-apocalyptic Europe in the year 2550, impacted by climate change and human greed. It shows a world that has suffered due to negligence over natural resources.
  2. There is a theme of a 'Data War' that lasted 400 years, highlighting the struggle over valuable data in a world where resources are scarce.
  3. The story features a fully immersive museum experience, illustrating the idea that memories and history are important, even in a devastated world.

There Is Hope: A dark night

storyvoyager • 3 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
⚔ Fiction Science fiction Fantasy Post-apocalyptic Transhumanism
  1. The story takes place in the year 2550 after a long war over data that ruined Europe. It's a dark time for humanity where climate change and greed led to a post-apocalyptic world.
  2. The narrative focuses on memory logs from the Dust Road, giving a glimpse into the past and the experiences of those who lived through the war.
  3. Despite the bleak setting, the title suggests there's a message of hope amidst the darkness, hinting that recovery and positivity are still possible.

True Transhumanism, Part 1

Extropic Thoughts • 176 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Transhumanism Technology Critiques Life philosophy Worldview
  1. Transhumanism is a philosophy that embraces transformative technologies for improving the human condition.
  2. Critics of transhumanism have shifted from questioning its feasibility to pondering how to control its impact.
  3. Transhumanism values continual improvement and critical rationalism, and seeks to shape better futures through science and technology.

Transhumanism: Toward a Futurist Philosophy

Extropic Thoughts • 117 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Transhumanism Meaning Religion Humanism Nihilism
  1. Transhumanism is a philosophy focusing on improving humanity through technology and science.
  2. This essay discusses the origins and persistence of religion, contrasting it with the dynamic optimism of transhumanism.
  3. Dynamic optimism of extropian transhumanism promotes continuous growth and progress, contrasting with the stagnation and resignation often encouraged by religion.

Dante's Medieval Transhumanist Fantasy

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Classics Transhumanism Religion
  1. Dante's vision of heaven in 'Paradise' shares similarities with contemporary transhumanist ideas like digital immortality and superhuman knowledge.
  2. Both Dante's medieval perspective and modern transhumanist ideas emphasize the urgency of living to secure a better future, whether in heaven or in a digital afterlife.
  3. Dante and transhumanist engineers are committed rationalists but diverge in their approach to ideal futures, with bookish utopias focusing on intellectual bliss.

Transhumanism does not require immortality

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Immortality Transhumanism Personal Identity Religion Aging
  1. Transhumanism does not require immortality, but it is compatible with it
  2. Different types of immortality exist, such as biological immortality, superimmortality, and hyperimmortality
  3. Avoiding the term 'immortality' in transhumanism can help prevent negative connotations and encourage a focus on defeating aging and biological death

Letter to Mother Nature: Amendments to the Human Constitution

Extropic Thoughts • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🔬 Science Transhumanism Biotechnology Evolution Genetics
  1. The essay discusses amending the human constitution to overcome limitations like aging and death.
  2. It proposes expanding human perceptual abilities and enhancing intelligence through biotechnology and neural improvements.
  3. The amendments aim to move humanity towards a posthuman condition, integrating technology into individuals for unprecedented innovation.

Why Catholics Should Support the Transhumanist Goal of Extended Life

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism Transhumanism Moral Philosophy Life Extension
  1. Catholics should have a generally favorable attitude towards transhumanism and the pursuit of greatly extended maximum life spans.
  2. The Catholic Church has no objection to supporting efforts to combat aging and extend human life spans.
  3. Extending human life spans can provide more time to develop virtue, do good works, serve God, and save souls.

True Transhumanism Part 2

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Transhumanism Perfection Criticism Technology Progress
  1. In transhumanism, the focus is on continual improvement, not on reaching perfection or paradise.
  2. The concept of perfection as a static state goes against the principles of transhumanism, which emphasizes perpetual progress.
  3. Critics often misinterpret transhumanism as seeking a utopia or ideal state, but in reality, transhumanists aim for continuous advancement towards 'extropia'.

Beyond Caution: The Party of Life

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🔬 Science Technology Bioethics Transhumanism Metaphysical Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Transhumanists faced prominent intellectual threats in 2004 from individuals like Bill Joy, Leon Kass, and Francis Fukuyama.
  2. The Precautionary Principle and philosophical opposition reflected fears of going beyond human nature and the potential risks of advancing technologies.
  3. Advocates for technological progress emphasized the importance of embracing change, exploring positive futures, and respecting differing viewpoints while pursuing an ever-improving future.

Wildfire

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
📚 Literature Fiction Speculative Transhumanism Environmental
  1. In the future, resources are scarce, and people need skills to survive and gain citizenship. It's about contributing to help create a better world.
  2. The story highlights the struggle to save the last forest and the dangers of climate change. Technology must improve to protect what little nature is left.
  3. Even in desperate situations, human connection and community can be powerful, suggesting there may be hope despite the dire circumstances.

Apocalypse, Revelation, Singularity

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Transhumanism Cultural critique Spirituality
  1. The idea of a technological Singularity suggests that machines might soon surpass human intelligence. This could change everything about our existence and how we interact with technology.
  2. Some believe that instead of fearing this future, we should find value in our current experiences and connections. Emphasizing the present can lead to a more fulfilling life than chasing after technological advances.
  3. Philosophers suggest that technology shouldn't dominate our lives. Instead, we should see it as a means to enhance our current reality and creativity, rather than a goal in itself.

7. The 3-floor hospital of 21st century medicine

Insight Axis • 19 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Information processing Transhumanism
  1. Physicians have evolved over the ages and now work in the realm of modern medicine, which is just a century old.
  2. The future of medicine lies in 3 key areas: Biotechnology for advanced personalized treatments, Informatics for better decision-making through data, and Transhumanism for a shift towards peak performance and individual responsibility.
  3. A new paradigm shift is needed in the medical field to focus beyond disease treatment to achieving peak health, ushering in a more holistic approach.

The Techtopian Belief Systems of our Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Transhumanism Libertarianism Digital Culture Technological progress Ethics
  1. Belief systems in the digital age go beyond just religion and include ideologies like transhumanism and techtopianism.
  2. Transhumanism aims to enhance humanity with technology, including genetic engineering, cybernetics, computing, and brain uploading.
  3. Techtopians believe technology can solve all problems, relying on billionaires as agents of social change while overlooking the importance of culture and sociology.

Unpaywalled: Globo Homo Economicus

Reactionary Feminist • 3 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Ideology Transhumanism Demographics Biotech Philosophy
  1. Replacism is an ideology that looks beyond just changes in demographics. It also connects to broader ideas like transhumanism and biotechnology.
  2. Renaud Camus has a significant viewpoint on the concept of replacism, suggesting it impacts our understanding of identity and existence.
  3. The discussion around replacism invites people to think about how technology and society might change our bodies and identities in the future.

Zero K by Don DeLillo - Lamenting Transhumanism

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 25 Apr 21
📚 Literature Book review Author analysis Transhumanism
  1. The novel Zero K by Don DeLillo delves into themes like mortality, technology, and human identity through the perspective of Jeffrey Lockhart at a mysterious facility.
  2. The narrative of Zero K may provoke thoughts on transhumanism and the implications of blending technology with human existence, as suggested by the title.
  3. The post hints at a desire for a film adaptation of Zero K by mentioning Alex Garland, sparking speculation on how the story would translate to the screen.