THE TRANSHUMANIST FAQ 1.

5
Nick Bostrom, PhD
[See e!ote "or !oc#met histor$ %! %cko&'e!(mets)
*ri(i%' +ersio, M%$ 1-, 1...
P%rt'$ Re/ise! +ersio, 0 M%rch, 122-
3*NTENT
4ENERA5 QUESTI*NS AB*UT TRANSHUMANISM
6h%t is tr%sh#m%ism7
6h%t is % 8osth#m%7
6h%t is % tr%sh#m%7
TE3HN*5*4IES AND PR*9E3TI*NS
6h%t is %otecho'o($7
6h%t is s#8erite''i(ece7
6h%t is /irt#%' re%'it$7
6h%t is #8'o%!i(7
6h%t is cr$oics7
6h%t is the si(#'%rit$7
S*3IET: AND P*5ITI3S
6o;t e& techo'o(ies o'$ <ee"it the rich %! 8o&er"#'7
Do tr%sh#m%ists %!/oc%te e#(eics7
Are;t these "#t#re techo'o(ies /er$ risk$7 3o#'! the$ e/e c%#se o#r e=tictio7
I" these techo'o(ies %re so !%(ero#s, sho#'!;t the$ <e <%e!7 6h%t c% <e !oe to
re!#ce the risks7
Sho#'!;t &e cocetr%te o c#rret 8ro<'ems 'ike im8ro/i( the co!itio o" the 8oor
8eo8'e or so'/i( iter%tio%' co"'icts, iste%! o" 8#tti( e""ort ito "oreseei( the >"%r>
"#t#re7
6o;t e=te!e! 'i"e &orse o/er8o8#'%tio 8ro<'ems7
Is there %$ ethic%' st%!%r! <$ &hich tr%sh#m%ists ?#!(e >im8ro/emet o" the h#m%
co!itio>7
6h%t ki! o" societ$ &o#'! 8osth#m%s 'i/e i7
Ho& &i'' 8osth#m%s or s#8erite''i(et m%chies tre%t h#m%s &ho %re;t %#(mete!7
Do tr%sh#m%ists thik techo'o($ &i'' so'/e %'' 8ro<'ems7
5IFE AND NATURE
6h$ !o tr%sh#m%ists &%t to 'i/e 'o(er7
Is;t tr%sh#m%ism t%m8eri( &ith %t#re7
6o;t tr%sh#m% techo'o(ies m%ke #s ih#m%7
Is@t !e%th 8%rt o" the %t#r%' or!er o" thi(s7
Are tr%sh#m%ist techo'o(ies e/iromet%''$ so#!7
TRANSHUMANISM AS A PHI5*S*PHI3A5 AND 3U5TURA5 +IE6P*INT
6h%t %re tr%sh#m%ism;s 8hi'oso8hic%' %! c#'t#r%' %tece!ets7
Is e=tro8i%ism the s%me %s tr%sh#m%ism7
6h%t c#rrets %re there &ithi tr%sh#m%ism7
Is tr%sh#m%ism % c#'tAre'i(io7
6o;t thi(s 'ike #8'o%!i(, cr$oics %! AI "%i' <ec%#se the$ c%;t 8reser/e or cre%te
the so#'7
Is there tr%sh#m%ist %rt7
PRA3TI3A5ITIES
6h%t e/i!ece is there th%t it &i'' h%88e7
6o@t these !e/e'o8mets t%ke tho#s%!s or mi''ios o" $e%rs7
6h%t i" it !oes;t &ork7
Ho& c% I #se tr%sh#m%ism i m$ o& 'i"e7
Ho& co#'! I <ecome % 8osth#m%7
Is;t the 8ossi<i'it$ o" s#ccess i cr$oics too sm%''7
6o@t it <e <ori( to 'i/e "ore/er i the 8er"ect &or'!7
Ho& c% I <ecome i/o'/e! i tr%sh#m%ism7
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSHUMANISM
What is transhumanism?
Tr%sh#m%ism is % r%!ic%' e& %88ro%ch to "#t#reBoriete! thiki( th%t is <%se! o the
8remise th%t the h#m% s8ecies i its c#rret "orm !oes ot re8reset the e! o#r
!e/e'o8met <#t its <e(ii(. 6e "orm%''$ !e"ie it %s "o''o&s,
C1D The ite''ect#%' %! c#'t#r%' mo/emet th%t %""irms the 8ossi<i'it$ %!
!esir%<i'it$ o" "#!%met%''$ im8ro/i( the h#m% co!itio thro#(h %88'ie!
re%so, es8eci%''$ <$ !e/e'o8i( %! m%ki( &i!e'$ %/%i'%<'e techo'o(ies to
e'imi%te %(i( %! (re%t'$ eh%ce h#m% ite''ect#%', 8h$sic%', %!
8s$cho'o(ic%' c%8%cities.
C1D The st#!$ o" the r%mi"ic%tios, 8romises %! 8oteti%' !%(ers o" the #se o"
sciece, techo'o($, cre%ti/it$, %! other me%s to o/ercome "#!%met%' h#m%
'imit%tios.
Tr%sh#m%ism c% <e /ie&e! %s % e=tesio o" h#m%ism, "rom &hich it is 8%rti%''$
!eri/e!. H#m%ists <e'ie/e th%t h#m%s m%tter, th%t i!i/i!#%'s m%tter. 6e mi(ht ot <e
8er"ect, <#t &e c% m%ke thi(s <etter <$ 8romoti( r%tio%' thiki(, "ree!om,
to'er%ce, so'i!%rit$, %! !emocr%c$. Tr%sh#m%ists %(ree &ith this <#t %'so em8h%siEe
&h%t &e h%/e the 8oteti%' to <ecome. Not o'$ c% &e #se r%tio%' me%s to im8ro/e the
h#m% co!itio %! the e=ter%' &or'!F &e c% %'so #se them to im8ro/e o#rse'/es, the
h#m% or(%ism. A! i !oi( so, &e %re ot 'imite! to tr%!itio%' h#m%istic metho!s,
s#ch %s e!#c%tio %! c#'t#r%' !e/e'o8met. 6e c% %'so #se techo'o(ic%' me%s th%t
&i'' e/et#%''$ e%<'e #s to mo/e <e$o! &h%t some &o#'! thik o" %s Gh#m%H.
It is ot o#r h#m% sh%8e or the !et%i's o" o#r c#rret h#m% <io'o($ th%t !e"ie &h%t is
/%'#%<'e %<o#t #s, <#t r%ther o#r %s8ir%tios %! i!e%'s, o#r e=8erieces %! the ki!s o"
'i/es &e 'i/e. To % tr%sh#m%ist, 8ro(ress is &he more 8eo8'e <ecome more %<'e to
!e'i<er%te'$ sh%8e themse'/es, their 'i/es, %! the &%$s the$ re'%te to others, i
%ccor!%ce &ith their o& !ee8est /%'#es.
Thro#(h the %cce'er%ti( 8%ce o" techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met %! scieti"ic #!erst%!i(,
&e %re eteri( % &ho'e e& st%(e i the histor$ o" the h#m% s8ecies. I the re'%ti/e'$
e%r "#t#re, &e m%$ "%ce the 8ros8ect o" re%' %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece. Ne& ki!s o"
co(iti/e too's &i'' <e <#i't th%t com<ie %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece &ith e& iter"%ce
techo'o($. Mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ h%s the 8oteti%' to cre%te %<#!%t reso#rces "or
e/er$<o!$ %! to (i/e #s com8'ete cotro' o/er the <iochemic%' 8rocesses i o#r <o!ies,
e%<'i( #s to e'imi%te !ise%se %! #&%te! %(i(. Thro#(h the re!esi( or
8h%rm%co'o(ic%' erichmet o" 8%rts o" o#r <r%is, &e m%$ h%/e the o8tio o" e?o$i(
icre%se! emotio%' &e''B<ei( %! % richer !i/ersit$ o" emotios, or % (re%ter c%8%cit$
"or ste%!$ commitmet to o#r 'i"e 8ro?ects or to % 'o/e! oe. * the !%rk si!e o" the
s8ectr#m, tr%sh#m%ists reco(iEe th%t some o" these comi( techo'o(ies co#'!
8oteti%''$ c%#se (re%t h%rm to h#m% 'i"eF e/e the s#r/i/%' o" o#r s8ecies co#'! <e %t
risk. Seeki( to #!erst%! the !%(ers %! &orki( to 8re/et !is%sters is % esseti%'
8%rt o" the tr%sh#m%ist %(e!%.
Tr%sh#m%ism is to!%$ eteri( the m%istre%m c#'t#re, %s icre%si( #m<ers o"
scietists, scieti"ic%''$ 'iter%te 8hi'oso8hers, %! soci%' thikers %re <e(ii( to t%ke
serio#s'$ the r%(e o" 8ossi<i'ities th%t tr%sh#m%ism ecom8%sses. There is % r%8i!'$
e=8%!i( "%mi'$ o" tr%sh#m%ist (ro#8s, !i""eri( some&h%t i "'%/or %! "oc#s, %! %
8'ethor% o" !isc#ssio (ro#8s i m%$ co#tries %ro#! the &or'!, (%there! #!er the
#m<re''% o" the 6or'! Tr%sh#m%ist Associ%tio, % oB8ro"it mem<ershi8 or(%iE%tio.

Re"ereces,
The 6or'! Tr%sh#m%ist Associ%tio. htt8,AA&&&.tr%sh#m%ism.or(
What is a posthuman?
A 8osth#m% is <ei( &hose <%sic c%8%cities so r%!ic%''$ e=cee! those o" 8reset h#m%s
%s to o 'o(er #%m<i(#o#s'$ h#m% <$ o#r c#rret st%!%r!s. M%$ tr%sh#m%ists
&%t to <ecome 8osth#m%s o" some sort.
As % 8osth#m% $o# co#'! <e %s ite''ect#%''$ s#8erior to %$ c#rret h#m% (ei#s %s
&e %re to other 8rim%tes. :o#r <o!$ &o#'! <e resist%t to !ise%se %! imm#e to %(i(,
(i/i( $o# #'imite! $o#th %! /i(or. :o# &o#'! h%/e cotro' o/er $o#r o& !esires,
moo!s, %! met%' st%tes, (i/i( $o# the o8tio o" e/er "ee'i( tire!, <ore!, or irrit%te!
%<o#t 8ett$ thi(sF $o# co#'! iste%! choose to e=8eriece itese 8'e%s#re, 'o/e, %rtistic
%88reci%tio, "oc#se! sereit$, or some other st%te o" coscio#sess th%t c#rret'$ h#m%
<r%is m%$ ot e/e <e %<'e to %ccess.
Posth#m%s co#'! <e com8'ete'$ s$thetic %rti"ici%' ite''i(eces, or the$ co#'! <e
eh%ce! #8'o%!s [see G6h%t is #8'o%!i(7H), or the$ co#'! <e the res#'t o" m%ki( m%$
8%rti%' <#t c#m#'%ti/e'$ 8ro"o#! %#(met%tios to % <io'o(ic%' h#m%. The '%tter
%'ter%ti/e &o#'! 8ro<%<'$ reI#ire either the re!esi( o" the h#m% or(%ism #si(
%!/%ce! %otecho'o($ or its r%!ic%' eh%cemet #si( some com<i%tio o"
techo'o(ies s#ch %s (eetic e(ieeri(, moo! !r#(s, %tiB%(i( ther%8ies, e#r%'
iter"%ces, %!/%ce! i"orm%tio m%%(emet too's, memor$ eh%ci( !r#(s, &e%r%<'e
com8#ters, %! co(iti/e techiI#es.
Some %#thors, &ho h%/e "%i'e! to (r%s8 the coce8t o" % 8osth#m%, &rite %s i" simply by
changing our self-conception &e h%/e <ecome or co#'! <ecome 8osth#m%. This is
osese. The ch%(es reI#ire! to m%ke #s 8osth#m% %re too 8ro"o#! to <e %chie/%<'e
<$ mere'$ %'teri( o" some %s8ect o" 8s$cho'o(ic%' theor$ or the &%$ &e thik %<o#t
o#rse'/es. R%!ic%' techo'o(ic%' mo!i"ic%tios to o#r <r%is %! <o!ies %re ee!e!.
It is h%r! "or #s to im%(ie &h%t it &o#'! <e 'ike to <e % 8osth#m%. The$ m%$ h%/e
e=8erieces %! cocers th%t &e c%ot "%thom, tho#(hts th%t c%ot "it i the threeB
8o#!s '#m8s o" e#r%' tiss#e th%t &e #se "or thiki(. Some 8osth#m%s m%$ "i! it
%!/%t%(eo#s to ?ettiso their <o!ies %! 'i/e %s i"orm%tio 8%tters o /%st s#8erB"%st
com8#ter et&orks. Their mi!s m%$ <e ot o'$ more 8o&er"#' th% o#rs <#t m%$ %'so
em8'o$ !i""eret co(iti/e %rchitect#res or ic'#!e e& sesor$ mo!%'ities e%<'i( them
to "#''$ 8%rtici8%te i their /irt#%' re%'it$ setti(s. Posth#m% mi!s mi(ht <e %<'e to
sh%re memories %! e=8erieces, (re%t'$ icre%si( the e""iciec$, I#%'it$, %! #m<er o"
&%$s i &hich 8osth#m%s co#'! comm#ic%te &ith e%ch other. The <o#!%ries <et&ee
8osth#m% mi!s m%$ ot <e %s sh%r8'$ !e"ie! %s those <et&ee h#m%s.
Posth#m%s mi(ht sh%8e themse'/es %! their e/iromet i so m%$ e& %!
"#!%met%' &%$s th%t s8ec#'%tios %<o#t the !et%i'e! "e%t#res o" 8osth#m%s %! the
8osth#m% &or'! %re 'ike'$ to "%i'.
What is a transhuman?
The term Jtr%sh#m%; &%s itro!#ce! <$ the "#t#rist FMB12-2 %s shorth%! "or
Jtr%sitio%' h#m%;, % 8oteti%' ste8 to&%r!s !e/e'o8met ito % 8osth#m% [see G6h%t
is % 8osth#m%7H). 3%''i( tr%sh#m%s the Ge%r'iest m%i"est%tio o" e& e/o'#tio%r$
<ei(s,H FM tho#(ht th%t si(s o" tr%sh#m%it$ ic'#!e! 8rostheses, 8'%stic s#r(er$,
itesi/e #se o" te'ecomm#ic%tios, % cosmo8o'it% o#t'ook %! % ('o<etrotter 'i"est$'e,
%!ro($$, me!i%te! re8ro!#ctio Cs#ch %s in vitro "erti'iE%tioD, %<sece o" re'i(io#s
<e'ie"s, %! % re?ectio o" tr%!itio%' "%mi'$ /%'#es. I FM;s ori(i%' "orm#'%tio,
tr%sh#m%s %re ot ecess%ri'$ the most "#t#reBoriete! or techo'o(ic%''$ %!e8t
8ersos, or &o#'! the$ ecess%ri'$ <e %&%re o" their G<ri!(i( ro'e i e/o'#tio.H
As FM;s i!e%s s8re%!, the coce8t o" the tr%sh#m% took o %s8ects o" se'"B
i!eti"ic%tio %! 8ro%ctio. I this sese, % tr%sh#m% &o#'! <e % tr%sh#m%ist &ho
%cte! o her <e'ie"s, A tr%sh#m% <ec%me oe &ho &%s %cti/e'$ 8re8%ri( "or <ecomi(
8osth#m% %! &ho &%s i"orme! eo#(h to see the r%!ic%' 8ossi<i'ities %he%!F i other
&or!s, % tr%sh#m%ist &ho %cte! o her <e'ie"s.
No&%!%$s, Gtr%sh#m%H #s#%''$ re"ers to % iterme!i%r$ "orm <et&ee h#m% %!
8osth#m%. *e m%$ %sk, (i/e th%t o#r c#rret #se o" me!icie %! i"orm%tio
techo'o($ %! so o e%<'e #s to ro#tie'$ !o m%$ thi(s th%t &o#'! h%/e <ee
%stoishi( to h#m%s 'i/i( i %ciet times, &hether &e %re ot %'re%!$ tr%sh#m%7
This is ot % /er$ me%i("#' I#estioF the coce8t o" Gtr%sh#m%H is too /%(#e "or
there to <e % %s&er.
6h%t %<o#t the ori(i%' si(s o" tr%sh#m%it$ th%t FM 'iste!7 These %88e%r to <e o"
!#<io#s /%'i!it$. It is #c'e%r &h$ %$<o!$ &ho h%s % 'ot o" 8'%stic s#r(er$ %! %
om%!ic 'i"est$'e is %$ c'oser to <ecomi( % 8osth#m% th% the rest o" #sF or, o"
co#rse, %re s#ch 8ersos ecess%ri'$ more mor%''$ comme!%<'e th% others. The "%ct is
th%t it is 8er"ect'$ 8ossi<'e to <e % %cti/e tr%sh#m%ist %! sti'' em<r%ce m%$
tr%!itio%' /%'#es %! 8rici8'es o" 8erso%' co!#ct.
Re"ereces,
FMB12-2. Are You a Transhuman? CNe& :ork, 6%rer Books, 1.K.D
TRANSHUMAN TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTIONS
What is molecular nanotechnology?
Mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ is % %tici8%te! m%#"%ct#ri( techo'o($ th%t m%ke it
8ossi<'e to <#i'! com8'e= threeB!imesio%' str#ct#res to %tomic s8eci"ic%tio #si(
chemic%' re%ctios !irecte! <$ o<io'o(ic%' m%chier$. I mo'ec#'%r m%#"%ct#ri(,
e%ch %tom &o#'! (o to % se'ecte! 8'%ce, <o!i( &ith other %toms i % 8recise'$
!esi(%te! m%er. N%otecho'o($ 8romises to (i/e #s thoro#(h, ie=8esi/e cotro' o"
the str#ct#re o" m%tter.
Sice most o" the st#"" %ro#! #s %! isi!e #s is com8ose! o" %toms %! (ets its
ch%r%cteristic 8ro8erties "rom the 8'%cemet o" these %toms, the %<i'it$ to cotro' the
str#ct#re o" m%tter o the %tomic sc%'e h%s m%$ %88'ic%tios. As L. Eric Dre='er &rote
i Engines of Creation, the "irst <ook o %otecho'o($ C8#<'ishe! i 1.KMD,
3o%' %! !i%mo!s, s%! %! com8#ter chi8s, c%cer %! he%'th$ tiss#e,
thro#(ho#t histor$, /%ri%tios i the %rr%(emet o" %toms h%/e !isti(#ishe! the
che%8 "rom the cherishe!, the !ise%se! "rom the he%'th$. Arr%(e! oe &%$, %toms
m%ke #8 soi', %ir, %! &%ter %rr%(e! %other, the$ m%ke #8 ri8e str%&<erries.
Arr%(e! oe &%$, the$ m%ke #8 homes %! "resh %irF %rr%(e! %other, the$
m%ke #8 %sh %! smoke.
N%otecho'o($, <$ m%ki( it 8ossi<'e to re%rr%(e %toms e""ecti/e'$, &i'' e%<'e #s to
ie=8esi/e'$ tr%s"orm co%' ito !i%mo!s, s%! ito s#8ercom8#ters, %! to remo/e
8o''#tio "rom the %ir, %! t#mors "rom he%'th$ tiss#e.
3etr%' to Dre='er;s /isio o" %otecho'o($ is the coce8t o" the assembler. A
%ssem<'er is % mo'ec#'%r costr#ctio !e/ice. It &i'' h%/e oe or more s#<microsco8ic
ro<otic %rms #!er com8#ter cotro'. The %rms &i'' <e c%8%<'e o" ho'!i( %!
8ositioi( re%cti/e com8o#!s so %s to cotro' the 8recise 'oc%tio %t &hich % chemic%'
re%ctio t%kes 8'%ce. The %ssem<'er %rms &i'' (r%< % mo'ec#'e %! %!! it to the
&ork8iece, costr#cti( % %tomic%''$ 8recise o<?ect ste8 <$ ste8. A %!/%ce! %ssem<'er
&i'' <e %<'e to m%ke %'most %$ chemic%''$ st%<'e str#ct#re. I 8%rtic#'%r, it &i'' <e %<'e
to m%ke % co8$ o" itse'". Sice %ssem<'ers c% re8'ic%te themse'/es, it is e%s$ to 8ro!#ce
them i '%r(e I#%tities.
N%t#re "e%t#res % <io'o(ic%' 8%r%''e' to the %ssem<'er, the ri<osome. Ri<osomes %re the
ti$ costr#ctio m%chies C% "e& tho#s%! c#<ic %ometers <i(D i o#r ce''s &hich
m%#"%ct#re %'' the 8roteis #se! i %'' 'i/i( thi(s o E%rth. The$ !o this <$ %ssem<'i(
%mio %ci!s, oe <$ oe, ito 8recise'$ !etermie! seI#eces. These the "o'! #8 to "orm
% 8rotei. The <'#e8rit th%t s8eci"ies the or!er o" %mio %ci!s, %! th#s i!irect'$ the
"i%' sh%8e o" the 8rotei, is c%''e! messe(er RNAF %! the messe(er RNA is i t#re!
!etermie! <$ o#r DNA, &hich c% <e /ie&e! Csome&h%t sim8'istic%''$D %s %
istr#ctio t%8e "or 8rotei s$thesis. N%otecho'o($ &i'' (eer%'iEe the %<i'it$ o"
ri<osomes so th%t /irt#%''$ %$ chemic%''$ st%<'e str#ct#re c% <e <#i't, ic'#!i( !e/ices
%! m%teri%'s th%t resem<'e othi( i %t#re.
M%t#re %otecho'o($ &i'' tr%s"orm m%#"%ct#ri( ito % so"t&%re 8ro<'em. To <#i'!
somethi(, %'' $o# &i'' ee! is % !et%i'e! !esi( o" the o<?ect $o# &%t to m%ke %! %
seI#ece o" istr#ctios "or its costr#ctio. R%re or e=8esi/e r%& m%teri%'s %re
(eer%''$ #ecess%r$F the %toms reI#ire! "or the costr#ctio o" most ki!s o" !e/ices
e=ist i %<#!%ce i %t#re. Dirt, "or e=%m8'e, is re8'ete &ith #se"#' %toms.
B$ &orki( i '%r(e te%ms, %ssem<'ers %! more s8eci%'iEe! %om%chies &i'' <e %<'e
to <#i'! '%r(e o<?ects I#ick'$. 3oseI#et'$, &hi'e %om%chies m%$ h%/e "e%t#res o
the sc%'e o" % <i''ioth o" % meter N % %ometer N the 8ro!#cts co#'! <e %s <i( %s s8%ce
rockets or e/e, i % some&h%t more !ist%t "#t#re, the siEe o" 8'%ets.
Bec%#se %ssem<'ers &i'' <e %<'e to co8$ themse'/es, %otech 8ro!#cts &i'' h%/e 'o&
m%r(i%' 8ro!#ctio costs N 8erh%8s o the s%me or!er %s s#ch commo!ities "rom
%t#re;s se'"Bre8ro!#ci( mo'ec#'%r m%chier$ %s "ire&oo!, h%$, or 8ot%toes. B$ es#ri(
th%t e%ch %tom is 8ro8er'$ 8'%ce!, the$ &i'' m%#"%ct#re 8ro!#cts o" hi(h I#%'it$ %!
re'i%<i'it$. 5e"to/er mo'ec#'es &o#'! <e s#<?ect to this strict cotro', m%ki( the
m%#"%ct#ri( 8rocess e=treme'$ c'e%.
The s8ee! &ith &hich !esi(s %! istr#ctio 'ists "or m%ki( #se"#' o<?ects c% <e
!e/e'o8e! &i'' !etermie the s8ee! o" 8ro(ress %"ter the cre%tio o" the "irst "#''B<'o&
%ssem<'er. Po&er"#' so"t&%re "or mo'ec#'%r mo!e'i( %! !esi( &i'' %cce'er%te
!e/e'o8met, 8ossi<'$ %ssiste! <$ s8eci%'iEe! e(ieeri( AI. Aother %ccessor$ th%t
mi(ht <e es8eci%''$ #se"#' i the e%r'$ st%(es %"ter the %ssem<'erB<re%kthro#(h is the
disassembler, % !e/ice th%t c% !is%ssem<'e % o<?ect &hi'e cre%ti( % -D m%8 o" its
mo'ec#'%r co"i(#r%tio. 6orki( i cocert &ith % %ssem<'er, it co#'! "#ctio %s %
ki! o" -D Oero= m%chie, &hich co#'! m%ke %tomic%''$ e=%ct re8'ic%s o" %'most %$
e=isti( so'i! o<?ect &ithi re%ch.
Mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ &i'' #'tim%te'$ m%ke it 8ossi<'e to costr#ct com8%ct
com8#ti( s$stems 8er"ormi( %t 'e%st 12
11
o8er%tios 8er seco!F m%chie 8%rts o" %$
siEe m%!e o" e%r'$ "'%&'ess !i%mo!F ce''Bre8%ir m%chies th%t c% eter ce''s %! re8%ir
most ki!s o" !%m%(e, i %'' 'ike'ihoo! ic'#!i( "rost<ite [see G6h%t is cr$oics7H)F
8erso%' m%#"%ct#ri( %! rec$c'i( %88'i%cesF %! %#tom%te! 8ro!#ctio s$stems th%t
c% !o#<'e c%8it%' stock i % "e& ho#rs or 'ess. It is %'so 'ike'$ to m%ke #8'o%!i(
8ossi<'e [see G6h%t is #8'o%!i(7H).
A ke$ ch%''e(e i re%'iEi( these 8ros8ects is the <ootstr%8 8ro<'em, ho& to <#i'! the
"irst %ssem<'er. There %re se/er%' 8romisi( ro#tes. *e is to im8ro/e c#rret 8ro=im%'
8ro<e techo'o($. A %tomic "orce microsco8e c% !r%( i!i/i!#%' %toms o % s#r"%ce.
T&o 8h$sicists %t IBM A'm%!e 5%<s i 3%'i"ori% /i/i!'$ i''#str%te! this i 1.K. &he
the$ #se! % AFM to %rr%(e -5 =eo %toms to s8e'' o#t the tr%!em%rk JIBBBM;, cre%ti(
the &or'!;s sm%''est 'o(o. F#t#re 8ro=im%' 8ro<es mi(ht h%/e more !e(rees o" "ree!om
%! the %<i'it$ to 8ick #8 %! !e8osit re%cti/e com8o#!s i % cotro''e! "%shio.
Aother ro#te to the "irst %ssem<'er is s$thetic chemistr$. 3'e/er'$ !esi(e! chemic%'
<#i'!i( <'ocks mi(ht <e m%!e to se'"B%ssem<'e i so'#tio 8h%se ito m%chie 8%rts.
Fi%' %ssem<'$ o" these 8%rts mi(ht the <e m%!e &ith % 8ro=im%' 8ro<e.
:et %other ro#te is <iochemistr$. It mi(ht <e 8ossi<'e to #se ri<osomes to m%ke
%ssem<'ers o" more (eeric c%8%<i'ities. M%$ <iomo'ec#'es h%/e 8ro8erties th%t mi(ht
<e e=8'ore! i the e%r'$ 8h%ses o" %otecho'o($. For e=%m8'e, iteresti( str#ct#res,
s#ch %s <r%ches, 'oo8s, %! c#<es, h%/e <ee m%!e <$ DNA. DNA co#'! %'so ser/e %s %
Gt%(sH o other mo'ec#'es, c%#si( them to <i! o'$ to !esi(%te! com8o#!s
!is8'%$i( % com8'emet%r$ t%(, th#s 8ro/i!i( % !e(ree o" cotro' o/er &h%t mo'ec#'%r
com8'e=es &i'' "orm i % so'#tio.
3om<i%tios o" these %88ro%ches %re o" co#rse 8ossi<'e. The "%ct th%t there %re m#'ti8'e
8romisi( ro#tes %!!s to the 'ike'ihoo! th%t s#ccess &i'' e/et#%''$ <e %tt%ie!.
Th%t (eer%' %ssem<'ers %re cosistet &ith the '%&s o" chemistr$ &%s sho&e! <$ Dre='er
i his techic%' <ook Nanosystems i 1..1. This <ook %'so est%<'ishe! some 'o&er
<o#!s o the c%8%<i'ities o" m%t#re %otecho'o($. Me!ic%' %88'ic%tios o"
%otecho'o($ &ere "irst e=8'ore! i !et%i' <$ Ro<ert A. Freit%s 9r. i his mo#met%'
&ork Nanomedicine, the "irst /o'#me o" &hich c%me o#t i 1.... To!%$, %otech is % hot
rese%rch "ie'!. The US (o/ermet s8et more th% M22 mi''io !o''%rs o its N%tio%'
N%otecho'o($ Iiti%ti/e i 1221. *ther co#tries h%/e simi'%r 8ro(r%ms, %! 8ri/%te
i/estmet is %m8'e. Ho&e/er, o'$ % sm%'' 8%rt o" the "#!i( (oes to 8ro?ects o" !irect
re'e/%ce to the !e/e'o8met o" %ssem<'erB<%se! %otecho'o($F most o" it is "or more
e%rBterm o<?ecti/es.
6hi'e it seems "%ir'$ &e'' est%<'ishe! th%t mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ is i 8rici8'e
8ossi<'e, it is h%r!er to !etermie ho& 'o( it &i'' t%ke to !e/e'o8. A commo (#ess
%mo( the co(osceti is th%t the "irst (eer%' %ssem<'er m%$ <e <#i't %ro#! the $e%r
121K (i/e or t%ke % !ec%!e, <#t there is '%r(e sco8e "or !i/er(i( o8iio o the #88er
si!e o" th%t estim%te.
Bec%#se the r%mi"ic%tios o" %otecho'o($ %re immese, it is im8er%ti/e th%t serio#s
tho#(ht <e (i/e to this to8ic o&. I" %otecho'o($ &ere to <e %<#se!, the
coseI#eces co#'! <e !e/%st%ti(. Societ$ ee!s to 8re8%re "or the %ssem<'er
<re%kthro#(h %! !o %!/%ce 8'%i( to miimiEe this risk [see e.(. G6h%t h%88es i"
these e& techo'o(ies %re #se! i &%r7H). Se/er%' or(%iE%tios c#rret'$ &ork to
8re8%ri( the &or'! "or %otecho'o($, the o'!est %! '%r(est <ei( the Foresi(ht
Istit#te.
Re"ereces,
Dre='er, E. The Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. CNe& :ork,
Achor Books, 1.KMD. htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(AE*3Ai!e=.htm'
Dre='er, E. Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery Manufacturing and Computation. CNe&
:ork, 9oh 6i'e$ P Sos, Ic., 1..1D.
Freit%s, 9r., R. A. Nanomedicine !olume ": #asic Capabilities. C4eor(eto&, Te=%s,
5%!es Biosciece, 1...D
The Foresi(ht Istit#te. htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(
What is superintelligence?
A s#8erite''i(ece Csometimes c%''e! % #'tr%ite''i(eceD is %$ ite''ect th%t (re%t'$
o#t8er"orms the <est h#m% <r%is i e/er$ "ie'!, ic'#!i( scieti"ic cre%ti/it$, (eer%'
&is!om %! soci%' ski''s.
Sometimes % !istictio is m%!e <et&ee &e%k %! stro( s#8erite''i(ece. $ea%
superintelligence is &h%t $o# &o#'! (et i" $o# co#'! r# % h#m% ite''ect %t %
%cce'er%te! c'ock s8ee!, s#ch %s <$ #8'o%!i( it to % "%st com8#ter [see G6h%t is
#8'o%!i(7H). I" the #8'o%!;s c'ockBr%te &ere % tho#s%! times th%t o" % <io'o(ic%' <r%i,
it &o#'! 8ercei/e re%'it$ %s <ei( s'o&e! !o& <$ % "%ctor o" % tho#s%!. It &o#'! thik %
tho#s%! times more tho#(hts i % (i/e time iter/%' th% its %t#r%' co#ter8%rt.
&trong superintelligence re"ers to % ite''ect th%t is ot o'$ "%ster th% % h#m% <r%i
<#t %'so s#8erior i some more I#%'it%ti/e'$ sese. No m%tter ho& m#ch $o# s8ee! #8
$o#r !o(;s <r%i, $o#;re ot (oi( to (et the eI#i/%'et o" % h#m% ite''ect.
A%'o(o#s'$, there mi(ht <e ki!s o" sm%rtess &o#'!;t <e %ccessi<'e to e/e /er$ "%st
h#m% <r%is (i/e their c#rret c%8%cities. Somethi( %s sim8'e %s icre%si( the siEe or
coecti/it$ o" o#r e#ro%' et&orks might (i/e #s some o" these c%8%citiesF other
im8ro/emets m%$ reI#ire &ho'es%'e reor(%iE%tio o" o#r co(iti/e %rchitect#re or the
%!!itio o" e& '%$ers o" co(itio o to8 o" the o'! oes.
CHo&e/er, the !istictio <et&ee &e%k %! stro( s#8erite''i(ece m%$ ot <e c'e%rB
c#t. A s#""iciet'$ 'o(B'i/e! h#m% &ho !i!;t m%ke %$ errors %! h%! s#""iciet st%ck
o" scr%8 8%8er %t h%! co#'! i 8rici8'e com8#te %$ T#ri( com8#t%<'e "#ctio.
Accor!i( to 3h#rch;s thesis, the c'%ss o" T#ri( com8#t%<'e "#ctios is i!etic%' to the
c'%ss o" mech%ic%''$ com8#t%<'e "#ctios.D
M%$ <#t ot %'' tr%sh#m%ists e=8ect th%t s#8erite''i(ece &i'' <e cre%te! &ithi the
"irst h%'" o" this cet#r$. S#8erite''i(ece reI#ires t&o thi(s, h%r!&%re %! so"t&%re.
3hi8Bm%#"%ct#rers 8'%i( the e=t (eer%tio o" micro8rocessors commo'$ re'$ o %
"%mo#s em8iric%' re(#'%rit$ ko& %s Moore;s '%&. I its ori(i%' 1.M5B"orm#'%tio <$
Ite' coB"o#!er 4or!o Moore, it st%te! th%t the #m<er o" com8oets o % chi8
!o#<'es e/er$ $e%r. I cotem8or%r$ #se, the G'%&H is commo'$ #!erstoo! %s re"erri(
more (eer%''$ to % !o#<'i( o" com8#ti( 8o&er, or o" com8#ti( 8o&er 8er !o''%rF the
!o#<'i( time h%s <ee %ro#! 1K moths "or the 8%st co#8'e o" !ec%!es.
The h#m% <r%i;s 8rocessi( 8o&er is h%r! to !etermie 8recise'$, <#t commo
estim%tes r%(e "rom 12
1Q
istr#ctios 8er seco! #8 to 12
10
IPS or more. The 'o&er
estim%te, !eri/e! <$ 3%re(ie Me''o ro<otics 8ro"essor H%s Mor%/ec, is <%se! o the
com8#ti( 8o&er ee!e! to re8'ic%te the si(%' 8rocessi( 8er"orme! <$ the h#m%
reti%, %! %ss#mes % si(i"ic%t !e(ree o" so"t&%re o8timiE%tio. The 12
10
IPS estim%te
is o<t%ie! <$ m#'ti8'$i( the #m<er o" e#ros i % h#m% <r%i CR122 <i''ioD &ith
the %/er%(e #m<er o" s$%8ses 8er e#ro CR1,222D %! &ith the %/er%(e s8ike r%te
CR122 HED, %! %ss#mi( R12 istr#ctios to re8reset the e""ect o oe %ctio 8oteti%'
tr%/ersi( oe s$%8se. CA e/e hi(her estim%te &o#'! <e o<t%ie! e.(. i" oe &ere to
s#88ose th%t "#ctio%''$ re'e/%t %! com8#t%tio%''$ itesi/e 8rocessi( occ#rs
&ithi com8%rtmets o" % !e!rite tree.D
Most e=8erts, Moore ic'#!e!, thik th%t com8#ti( 8o&er &i'' coti#e to !o#<'e %<o#t
e/er$ 1K moths "or %t 'e%st %other t&o !ec%!es. This e=8ect%tio is <%se! i 8%rt o
e=tr%8o'%tio "rom the 8%st %! i 8%rt o cosi!er%tio o" !e/e'o8mets c#rret'$
#!er&%$ i '%<or%tories. The "%stest com8#ter #!er costr#ctio is IBM;s B'#e 4eeA5,
&hich &he it is re%!$ i 1225 is e=8ecte! to 8er"orm R1S12
1Q
IPS. Th#s it is %88e%rs
I#ite 'ike'$ th%t h#m%BeI#i/%'et h%r!&%re &i'' h%/e <ee %chie/e! &ithi ot m#ch
more th% % co#8'e o" !ec%!es.
Ho& 'o( it &i'' t%ke to so'/e the so"t&%re 8ro<'em is h%r!er to estim%te. *e 8ossi<i'it$
is th%t 8ro(ress i com8#t%tio%' e#rosciece &i'' te%ch #s %<o#t the com8#t%tio%'
%rchitect#re o" the h#m% <r%i %! &h%t 'e%ri( r#'es it #ses. 6e c% the im8'emet
the s%me %'(orithms o % com8#ter. I this %88ro%ch, the s#8erite''i(ece &o#'! ot <e
com8'ete'$ s8eci"ie! <$ the 8ro(r%mmers <#t &o#'! iste%! h%/e to (ro& <$ 'e%ri(
"rom e=8eriece the s%me &%$ % h#m% i"%t !oes. A %'ter%ti/e %88ro%ch &o#'! <e to
#se (eetic %'(orithms %! metho!s "rom c'%ssic%' AI. This mi(ht res#'t i %
s#8erite''i(ece th%t <e%rs o c'ose resem<'%ce to % h#m% <r%i. At the other e=treme,
&e co#'! seek to cre%te % s#8erite''i(ece <$ #8'o%!i( % h#m% ite''ect %! the
%cce'er%ti( %! eh%ci( it Csee G6h%t is #8'o%!i(7HDF the o#tcome o" this mi(ht <e %
s#8erite''i(ece th%t is % r%!ic%''$ #8(r%!e! /ersio o" oe 8%rtic#'%r h#m% mi!.
The %rri/%' o" s#8erite''i(ece &i'' c'e%r'$ !e%' % he%/$ <'o& to %$ %thro8ocetric
&or'!/ie&. M#ch more im8ort%t th% its 8hi'oso8hic%' im8'ic%tios, ho&e/er, %re its
8r%ctic%' e""ects. 3re%ti( s#8erite''i(ece is the '%st i/etio th%t h#m%s &i'' e/er
ee! to m%ke, sice s#8erite''i(eces co#'! themse'/es t%ke c%re o" "#rther scieti"ic
%! techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met. The$ &o#'! !o so more e""ecti/e'$ th% h#m%s. The
<io'o(ic%' h#m% s8ecies &o#'! o 'o(er <e the sm%rtest 'i"e "orm %ro#!.
The 8ros8ect o" s#8erite''i(ece r%ises m%$ <i( iss#es %! cocers th%t sho#'! <e
tho#(ht h%r! %<o#t o&, i %!/%ce o" %ct#%' !e/e'o8mets. The 8%r%mo#t I#estio is,
6h%t c% <e !oe to m%=imiEe the ch%ces th%t the %rri/%' o" s#8erite''i(ece &i''
<ee"it r%ther th% h%rm #s7 The r%(e o" e=8ertise ee!e! to %!!ress this I#estio
e=te!s "%r <e$o! th%t o" AI rese%rchers. Ne#roscietists, ecoomists, co(iti/e
scietists, com8#ter scietists, 8hi'oso8hers, ethicists, socio'o(ists, scieceB"ictio
&riters, mi'it%r$ str%te(ists, 8o'itici%s, 'e(is'%tors %! m%$ others &i'' h%/e to 8oo' their
isi(hts i" &e %re to !e%' &ise'$ &ith &h%t m%$ <e the most im8ort%t t%sk o#r s8ecies
&i'' e/er h%/e to t%ck'e.
M%$ tr%sh#m%ists &o#'! 'ike to <ecome s#8erite''i(et. This is o</io#s'$ % 'o(B
term %! #cert%i (o%', <#t it mi(ht <e %chie/%<'e either thro#(h #8'o%!i( %!
s#<seI#et eh%cemet or thro#(h the (r%!#%' %#(met%tio o" o#r <io'o(ic%' <r%is, <$
me%s o" "#t#re ootro8ics Cco(iti/e eh%cemet !r#(sD, co(iti/e techiI#es, IT too's
Ce.(. &e%r%<'e com8#ters, sm%rt %(ets, i"orm%tio "i'teri( s$stems, /is#%'iE%tio
so"t&%re etc.D, e#r%'Bcom8#ter iter"%ces or <r%i im8'%ts.
Re"ereces,
Mor%/ec, H. Mind Children CH%r/%r!, H%r/%r! Ui/ersit$ Press, 1.K.D.
Bostrom, N. GHo& 5o( Be"ore S#8erite''i(ece7H "nternational 'ournal of (utures
&tudies) +o'. 1. C1..KD
What is virtual reality?
A /irt#%' re%'it$ is % sim#'%te! e/iromet th%t $o#r seses 8ercei/e %s re%'.
The%tre, o8er%, ciem%, te'e/isio c% <e re(%r!e! %s 8rimiti/e 8rec#rsors to /irt#%'
re%'it$. The !e(ree o" immersio Cthe "ee'i( o" G<ei( thereHD th%t $o# e=8eriece &he
&%tchi( te'e/isio is I#ite 'imite!. 6%tchi( the "oot<%'' o T+ !oes;t re%''$ com8%re
to <ei( i the st%!i#m. There %re se/er%' re%sos "or this. For st%rters, e/e % <i( scree
!oes;t "i'' #8 $o#r etire /is#%' "ie'!. The #m<er o" 8i=e's e/e o hi(hBreso'#tio
screes is %'so too sm%'' Ct$8ic%''$ 11K2S111Q r%ther th% %<o#t 5222S5222 %s &o#'! <e
ee!e! i % "'%&'ess &i!eB%('e !is8'%$D. F#rther, -D /isio is '%cki(, %s is 8ositio
tr%cki( %! "oc#s e""ects Ci re%'it$, the 8ict#re o $o#r reti% ch%(es coti#%''$ %s
$o#r he%! %! e$e<%''s %re mo/i(D. For %!!e! re%'ism, it &o#'! %'so <e (oo! to ic'#!e
more sesor$ mo!%'ities, s#ch %s -D so#! Cthro#(h he%!8hoesD to he%r the cro&!;s
ro%ri(, %! t%cti'e stim#'%tio thro#(h % &ho'eB<o!$ h%8tic iter"%ce so th%t $o# !o;t
miss o#t o the ses%tio o" sitti( sti'' "or ho#rs o % h%r! <ech i the co'!.
A esseti%' e'emet o" immersio is iter%cti/it$. 6%tchi( T+ is % 8%ssi/e e=8eriece.
F#''B<'o& /irt#%' re%'it$, <$ cotr%st, &i'' <e iter%cti/e. :o# c% mo/e %<o#t i the
/irt#%' &or'!, 8ick #8 o<?ects $o# see, %! comm#ic%te &ith 8eo8'e $o# meet C% re%'
"oot<%'' e=8eriece cr#ci%''$ ic'#!es the 8ossi<i'it$ o" sho#ti( %<#se %t the re"eree.D For
there to <e iter%cti/it$, the s$stem m#st h%/e sesors th%t 8ick #8 o $o#r mo/emets
%! #tter%ces %! %!?#st the 8reset%tio to icor8or%te the coseI#eces o" $o#r
%ctios.
+irt#%' &or'!s c% <e mo!e'e! o 8h$sic%' re%'ities. I" $o# %re 8%rtici8%ti( i % remote
e/et thro#(h +R, %s i the e=%m8'e o" the im%(ie! "oot<%'' s8ect%tor, $o# %re s%i! to <e
telepresent %t th%t e/et. +irt#%' e/iromets c% %'so <e &ho''$ %rti"ici%', 'ike c%rtoos,
&hich h%/e o co#ter8%rt i 8h$sic%' re%'it$. Aother 8ossi<i'it$, ko& %s augmented
reality, is to h%/e $o#r 8erce8tio o" $o#r imme!i%te s#rro#!i(s 8%rti%''$ o/er'%i! &ith
sim#'%te! e'emets. For e=%m8'e, <$ &e%ri( s8eci%' ('%sses, %met%(s co#'! <e m%!e to
%88e%r o/er the he%!s o" (#ests $o# meet %t % 8%rt$, or $o# co#'! o8t to h%/e %o$i(
<i''<o%r! %!/ertisemets <'otte! o#t "rom $o#r /ie&.
M%$ #sers o" to!%$;s +R s$stems e=8eriece Gsim#'%tor sickess,H &ith s$m8toms
r%(i( "rom #8'e%s%tess, !isoriet%tio, to he%!%ches, %#se% %! /omiti(.
Sim#'%tor sickess %rises <ec%#se !i""eret sesor$ s$stems 8ro/i!e co"'icti( c#es. For
e=%m8'e, the /is#%' s$stem m%$ 8ro/i!e stro( c#es o" se'"Bmotio &hi'e the /esti<#'%r
s$stem i $o#r ier e%r te''s $o#r <r%i th%t $o#r he%! is st%tio%r$. He%/$ he%!B
mo#te! !is8'%$ he'mets %! '%( times <et&ee tr%cki( !e/ice %! (r%8hics #8!%te c%
%'so c%#se !iscom"ort. 4oo! +R, th%t o/ercomes these 8ro<'ems, is techic%''$
ch%''e(i(.
Primiti/e /irt#%' re%'ities h%/e <ee %ro#! "or some time. E%r'$ %88'ic%tios ic'#!e!
tr%ii( mo!#'es "or 8i'ots %! mi'it%r$ 8ersoe'. Icre%si('$, +R is #se! i com8#ter
(%mi(. Bec%#se +R is com8#t%tio%''$ /er$ itesi/e, sim#'%tios %re sti'' I#ite cr#!e.
As com8#t%tio%' 8o&er icre%ses, %! %s sesors, e""ectors %! !is8'%$s im8ro/e, +R
&i'' <e(i to %88ro=im%te 8h$sic%' re%'it$ i terms o" "i!e'it$ %! iter%cti/it$.
I the 'o( r#, +R &i'' #'ock 'imit'ess 8ossi<i'ities "or h#m% cre%ti/it$. 6e &i''
costr#ct %rti"ici%' e=8erieti%' &or'!s, i &hich the '%&s o" 8h$sics c% <e s#s8e!e!,
<#t &hich &i'' %88e%r %s re%' %s 8h$sic%' re%'it$ to 8%rtici8%ts. Peo8'e &i'' /isit these
&or'!s "or &ork %! etert%imet, %! to soci%'iEe &ith "rie!s &ho m%$ <e 'i/i( o
the o88osite site o" the ('o<e. U8'o%!s [see G6h%t is #8'o%!i(7), &ho co#'! iter%ct &ith
sim#'%te! e/iromets !irect'$ &itho#t the ee! o" mech%ic%' iter"%ce !e/ices, mi(ht
s8e! most o" their time i /irt#%' re%'ities.
What is cryonics?
3r$oics is % e=8erimet%' me!ic%' 8roce!#re th%t seeks to s%/e 'i/es <$ 8'%ci( i 'o&B
tem8er%t#re stor%(e 8ersos &ho c%ot <e tre%te! &ith c#rret me!ic%' 8roce!#res %!
&ho h%/e <ee !ec'%re! 'e(%''$ !e%!, i the ho8e th%t techo'o(ic%' 8ro(ress &i''
e/et#%''$ m%ke it 8ossi<'e to re%im%te them.
For cr$oics to &ork to!%$, it is ot ecess%r$ th%t &e c% c#rret'$ re%im%te cr$oB
8reser/e! 8%tiets C&hich &e c%otD. A'' th%t is ee!e! is th%t &e c% 8reser/e 8%tiets
i % st%te s#""iciet'$ it%ct th%t some possible technology, to <e !e/e'o8e! i % 8erh%8s
!ist%t "#t#re, &i'' oe !%$ <e %<'e to re8%ir the "reeEi( !%m%(e %! re/erse the ori(i%'
c%#se o" !e%im%tio. It is th#s i the %t#re o" cr$oics th%t it c%ot 8reset'$ <e
s#<?ecte! to or!i%r$ c'iic%' tri%'s to !etermie its e""ecti/eess.
6h%t &e ko& is th%t it is 8ossi<'e to st%<i'iEe % 8%tiet;s co!itio <$ coo'i( them i
'iI#i! itro(e CB 1.M 3TD. A cosi!er%<'e %mo#t o" ce'' !%m%(e is c%#se! <$ the
"reeEi( 8rocess. This i?#r$ c% <e miimiEe! <$ "o''o&i( s#s8esio 8rotoco's th%t
i/o'/e s#""#si( the !e%im%te! <o!$ &ith cr$o8rotect%ts. The "orm%tio o" !%m%(i(
ice cr$st%'s c% e/e <e s#88resse! %'to(ether i % 8rocess ko& %s /itri"ic%tio, i
&hich the 8%tiet;s <o!$ is t#re! ito % ki! o" ('%ss. CThis mi(ht so#! 'ike %
im8ro<%<'e tre%tmet, <#t the 8#r8ose o" cr$oics is to 8reser/e the structure o" 'i"e
r%ther th% the processes o" 'i/e, <ec%#se the 'i"e 8rocesses c% i 8rici8'e <e reBst%rte!
%s 'o( %s the i"orm%tio eco!e! i the str#ct#r%' 8ro8erties o" the <o!$, i 8%rtic#'%r
the <r%i, %re s#""iciet'$ 8reser/e!.D *ce "roEe, the 8%tiet c% <e store! "or mi''ei%
&ith /irt#%''$ o "#rther tiss#e !e(r%!%tio.
M%$ e=8erts i mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ <e'ie/e th%t i its m%t#re st%(e,
%otecho'o($ &i'' e%<'e the re%im%tio o" cr$oics 8%tiets. Hece, it is 8ossi<'e th%t
the s#s8e!e! 8%tiets c% <e re/i/e! i %s 'itt'e %s % "e& !ec%!es "rom o&. The
#cert%it$ %<o#t the #'tim%te techic%' "e%si<i'it$ o" re%im%tio m%$ /er$ &e'' <e
sm%''er th% #cert%it$ i other "%ctors, s#ch %s the 8ossi<i'it$ th%t $o# !e%im%te i the
&ro( ki! o" &%$ Ce.(. 'ost %t se%, or the <r%i;s i"orm%tio cotet <ei( er%se! <$
A'Eheimer;s !ise%seD, th%t $o#r cr$oics com8%$ (oes <#st, th%t ci/i'iE%tio co''%8ses,
or th%t the 8eo8'e i the "#t#re &o;t <e itereste! i re/i/i( $o#. So % cr$oics cotr%ct
is "%r short o" % 122U (#%r%tee o" s#r/i/%'. As % cr$oicist s%$i( (oes, <ei(
cr$oic%''$ s#s8e!e! is the seco! &orst thi( th%t c% h%88e to $o#.
Is it r%tio%' to si( #8 "or cr$oics7 I or!er to sho& th%t cr$oics &i'' ot &ork, it is
ecess%r$ to sho& th%t o "#t#re techo'o($, o m%tter ho& %!/%ce!, &i'' e/er <e %<'e
to re/i/e the s#s8e!e! 8%tiet. 6he &e cosi!er &h%t is ro#tie to!%$ %! ho& it
mi(ht h%/e <ee /ie&e! i Cs%$D the 1022;s, &e c% <e(i to see ho& !i""ic#'t it is to
m%ke % &e''B"o#!e! %r(#met th%t "#t#re me!ic%' techo'o($ &i'' e/er <e %<'e to
re/erse the i?#ries th%t occ#r !#ri( cr$oic s#s8esio. B$ cotr%st, $o#r ch%ces o" %
thisB&or'!'$ come<%ck i" $o# o8t "or oe o" the 8o8#'%r %'ter%ti/e tre%tmets N s#ch %s
h%/i( $o#r <o!$ <#rt or t#re! ito &orm "oo! N %re Eero. See i this 'i(ht, si(i( #8
"or cr$oics, &hich is #s#%''$ !oe <$ m%ki( % cr$oics "irm oe o" the <ee"ici%ries o"
$o#r 'i"e is#r%ce, c% 'ook 'ike % re%so%<'e is#r%ce 8o'ic$. I" it !oes;t &ork, $o#
&o#'! <e !e%! %$&%$F i" it &orks, it m%$ s%/e $o#r 'i"e. A! $o#r s%/e! 'i"e &o#'! the
'ike'$ <e % /er$ 'o( %! he%'th$ oe, (i/e ho& %!/%ce! me!icie m#st <e to
re%im%te $o#.
B$ o me%s %'' tr%sh#m%ists %re si(e! #8 "or cr$oics, <#t % si(i"ic%t "r%ctio "i!s
th%t, "or them, the costB<ee"it %%'$sis ?#sti"ies the e=8ese. Becomi( % cr$oicist
reI#ires co#r%(e, the co#r%(e to co"rot the 8ossi<i'it$ o" $o# o& !e%th, %! the
co#r%(e to resist the (ro#8B8ress#re th%t is <ro#(ht to <e%r <$ the '%r(e 8ortio o" the
8o8#'%tio &ho c#rret'$ em<r%ce % !e%thist c#'t#re %! &ho %!/oc%te com8'%cec$ i
"%ce o" % coti#%' m%ssi/e 'oss o" h#m% 'i"e.
Re"ereces,
Merk'e, R. GThe Mo'ec#'%r Re8%ir o" the Br%i.H Cryonics maga*ine, +o'. 15, No;s 1 P
1. C1..QD. htt8,AA&&&.merk'e.comAcr$oAtechFe%s.htm'
What is uploading?
U8'o%!i( Csometimes c%''e! G!o&'o%!i(H, Gmi! #8'o%!i(H or G<r%i
recostr#ctioHD is the 8rocess o" tr%s"erri( % ite''ect "rom % <io'o(ic%' <r%i to %
com8#ter.
*e &%$ o" !oi( this &o#'! <e <$ "irst sc%i( the s$%8tic str#ct#re o" % 8%rtic#'%r
<r%i %! the im8'emeti( the s%me com8#t%tios i % e'ectroic me!i#m th%t &o#'!
orm%''$ t%ke 8'%ce i the e#r%' et&ork o" th%t <r%i. A <r%i sc% o" s#""iciet
reso'#tio co#'! <e 8ro!#ce! <$ !is%ssem<'i( the <r%i %tom "or %tom <$ me%s o"
%otecho'o($. *ther %88ro%ches, s#ch %s %%'$Ei( 8ieces o" the <r%i s'ice <$ s'ice i
% e'ectro microsco8e &ith %#tom%tic im%(e 8rocessi( h%/e %'so <ee 8ro8ose!. I
%!!itio to m%88i( the coectio 8%tter %mo( the 122 <i''ioBorBso e#ros, the sc%
&o#'! 8ro<%<'$ %'so h%/e to re(ister some o" the "#ctio%' 8ro8erties o" e%ch o" the
s$%8tic itercoectios, s#ch %s the e""ic%c$ o" the coectio %! ho& st%<'e it is o/er
time Ce.(. &hether it is shortBterm or 'o(Bterm 8oteti%te!D. NoB'oc%' mo!#'%tors s#ch
%s e#rotr%smitter cocetr%tios %! hormoe <%'%ces m%$ %'so ee! to <e
re8resete!, %'tho#(h s#ch 8%r%meters 'ike'$ cot%i m#ch 'ess !%t% th% the e#ro%'
et&ork itse'".
I %!!itio to % (oo! threeB!imesio%' m%8 o" % <r%i, #8'o%!i( &i'' reI#ire 8ro(ress i
e#rosciece to !e/e'o8 "#ctio%' mo!e's o" e%ch s8ecies o" e#ro Cho& the$ m%8
i8#t stim#'i to o#t(oi( %ctio 8oteti%'s, %! ho& their 8ro8erties ch%(e i res8ose to
%cti/it$ i 'e%ri(D. It &i'' %'so reI#ire % 8o&er"#' com8#ter to r# the #8'o%!, %! some
&%$ "or the #8'o%! to iter%ct &ith the e=ter%' &or'! or &ith % /irt#%' re%'it$. CPro/i!i(
IA* or % /irt#%' re%'it$ "or the #8'o%! %88e%rs e%s$ i com8%riso to the other ch%''e(es.D
A %'ter%ti/e h$8othetic%' #8'o%!i( metho! &o#'! 8rocee! more (r%!#%''$, *e
e#ro co#'! <e re8'%ce! <$ % im8'%t or <$ % sim#'%tio i % com8#ter o#tsi!e o" the
<o!$. The %other e#ro, %! so o, #ti' e/et#%''$ the &ho'e corte= h%s <ee
re8'%ce! %! the 8erso;s thiki( is im8'emete! o etire'$ %rti"ici%' h%r!&%re.
A !istictio is sometimes m%!e <et&ee !estr#cti/e #8'o%!i(, i &hich the ori(i%'
<r%i is !estro$e! i the 8rocess, %! oB!estr#cti/e #8'o%!i(, i &hich the ori(i%'
<r%i is 8reser/e! it%ct %'o(si!e the #8'o%!e! co8$. It is % m%tter o" !e<%te #!er &h%t
co!itios 8erso%' i!etit$ &o#'! <e 8reser/e! i !estr#cti/e #8'o%!i(. M%$
8hi'oso8hers &ho h%/e st#!ie! the 8ro<'em thik th%t %t 'e%st #!er some co!itios, %
#8'o%! o" $o#r <r%i &o#'! <e $o#. A &i!e'$ %cce8te! 8ositio is th%t $o# s#r/i/e so 'o(
%s cert%i i"orm%tio 8%tters %re coser/e!, s#ch %s $o#r memories, /%'#es, %ttit#!es
%! emotio%' !is8ositios, %! so 'o( %s there is c%#s%' coti#it$ so th%t e%r'ier st%(es
o" $o#rse'" he'8 !etermie '%ter st%(es o" $o#rse'". +ie&s !i""er o the re'%ti/e
im8ort%ce o" these t&o criteri%, <#t the$ c% both <e s%tis"ie! i the c%se o" #8'o%!i(.
For the coti#%tio o" 8ersohoo!, it m%tters m#ch 'ess &hether $o# %re im8'emete! o
% si'ico chi8 isi!e % com8#ter or i th%t (r%$, chees$ '#m8 isi!e $o#r sk#'', %ss#mi(
<oth im8'emet%tios %re coscio#s.
Trick$ c%ses %rise, ho&e/er, i" &e im%(ie th%t se/er%' simi'%r co8ies %re m%!e o" $o#r
#8'o%!e! mi!. The &hich oe o" them is $o#7 Are the$ %'' $o#, or is either o" them
$o#7 6ho o&s $o#r 8ro8ert$7 6ho is m%rrie! to $o#r s8o#se7 Phi'oso8hic%', 'e(%', %!
ethic%' ch%''e(es %<o#!. M%$<e these &i'' <e hot'$ !e<%te! 8o'itic%' iss#es '%ter i this
cet#r$.
A commo mis#!erst%!i( %<o#t #8'o%!s is th%t the$ &o#'! ecess%ri'$ <e
G!isem<o!ie!H %! th%t this &o#'! me% th%t their e=8erieces &o#'! <e im8o/erishe!.
U8'o%!i( %ccor!i( to this /ie& &o#'! <e the #'tim%te esc%8ism, oe th%t o'$ e#rotic
<o!$B'o%thers co#'! 8ossi<'$ <e %ttr%cte! to. B#t cosi!er th%t % #8'o%!;s e=8eriece
co#'! i 8rici8'e <e i!etic%' th%t o" % <io'o(ic%' h#m%. A #8'o%! co#'! h%/e % /irt#%'
Csim#'%te!D <o!$ (i/i( the s%me ses%tios %! the s%me 8ossi<i'ities "or iter%ctio %s %
oBsim#'%te! <o!$. 6ith %!/%ce! /irt#%' re%'it$, #8'o%!s co#'! e?o$ "oo!, %! #8'o%!
se= co#'! <e %s mess$ %s $o# 8'e%se. A! #8'o%!s &o#'!;t h%/e to <e co"ie! to /irt#%'
re%'it$, the$ co#'! iter%ct &ith the 8eo8'e o the o#tsi!e %! e/e ret ro<ot <o!ies i
or!er to &ork or e=8'ore 8h$sic%' re%'it$.
Perso%' ic'i%tios re(%r!i( #8'o%!i( !i""er. M%$ tr%sh#m%ists h%/e % 8r%(m%tic
%ttit#!e, &hether the$ &o#'! 'ike to #8'o%! or ot !e8e!s o the 8recise co!itios i
&hich the$ &o#'! 'i/e %s #8'o%!s %! &h%t the %'ter%ti/es %re. The %!/%t%(es o" <ei(
% #8'o%! ic'#!e,
U8'o%!s &o#'! ot <e s#<?ect to <io'o(ic%' %(i(.
B%ckB#8 co8ies o" #8'o%!s co#'! <e cre%te! re(#'%r'$ so th%t $o# co#'! <e reB
<oote! i" somethi( <%! h%88ee!. CTh#s $o#r 'i"es8% &o#'! 8oteti%''$ <e %s
'o( %s the #i/erses;.D
:o# co#'! 8oteti%''$ 'i/e m#ch che%8er %s % #8'o%! sice $o# !o;t ee!
8h$sic%' "oo!, ho#si(, or tr%s8ort%tio etc.
I" $o# &ere r#i( o % "%st com8#ter $o# &o#'! thik "%ster th% i % <io'o(ic%'
im8'emet%tio. For ist%ce, i" $o# %re r#i( o % com8#ter % tho#s%! times
more 8o&er"#' th% % h#m% <r%i, the $o# &o#'! thik % tho#s%! times "%ster
C%! the e=ter%' &or'! &o#'! %88e%r to $o# %s i" it &ere s'o&e! !o& <$ % "%ctor
o" % tho#s%!D. :o# &o#'! th#s (et to e=8eriece more s#<?ecti/e time, 'i/e more,
!#ri( %$ (i/e !%$.
:o# co#'! tr%/e' %t the s8ee! o" 'i(ht %s % i"orm%tio 8%tter, &hich co#'! <e
co/eiet i % "#t#re %(e o" '%r(eBsc%'e s8%ceBco'oiE%tio.
R%!ic%' co(iti/e eh%cemets &o#'! 'ike'$ <e e%sier to im8'emet i % #8'o%!
th% i % or(%ic <r%i.
A co#8'e o" other 8oits %<o#t #8'o%!i(,
U8'o%!i( sho#'! &ork "or cr$oics 8%tiets 8ro/i!e! their <r%is %re 8reser/e!
i % s#""iciet'$ it%ct st%te.
U8'o%!s co#'! re8ro!#ce e=treme'$ I#ick'$ Csim8'$ <$ m%ki( co8ies o"
themse'/esD. This im8'ies th%t reso#rces co#'! /er$ I#ick'$ <ecome sc%rce #'ess
re8ro!#ctio is re(#'%te!.
What is the singularity?
Some thikers h$8othesiEe th%t there &i'' <e % 8oit i the "#t#re &he the r%te o"
techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met <ecomes so r%8i! th%t the 8ro(ressBc#r/e <ecomes e%r'$
/ertic%'. 6ithi % /er$ <rie" time Cmoths, !%$s, or e/e ?#st ho#rsD, the &or'! mi(ht <e
tr%s"orme! %'most <e$o! reco(itio. This h$8othetic%' 8oit is re"erre! to %s the
si(#'%rit$. The o'$ cre!i<'e c%#se o" % si(#'%rit$ &o#'! <e the cre%tio o" some "orm
o" r%8i!'$ se'"Beh%ci( (re%terBth%Bh#m% ite''i(ece.
The coce8t o" the si(#'%rit$ is o"te %ssoci%te! &ith +eror +i(e, &ho re(%r!s it %s
oe o" the more 8ro<%<'$ sce%rios "or the "#t#re Ce%r'ier itim%tios o" the s%me i!e% c%
<e "o#! e.(. i 9oh /o Ne#m% %! I. 9. 4oo!D. Pro/i!e! th%t &e m%%(e to %/oi!
!estro$i( ci/i'iE%tio, +i(e thiks th%t % si(#'%rit$ is 'ike'$ to h%88e %s %
coseI#ece o" %!/%ces i %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece, '%r(e s$stems o" et&orke! com8#ters,
com8#terBh#m% ite(r%tio or some other "orm o" ite''i(ece %m8'i"ic%tio. Eh%ci(
ite''i(ece &i'', o this sce%rio, %t some 8oit 'e%! to % 8ositi/e "ee!<%ck 'oo8, sm%rter
s$stems c% !esi( s$stems th%t %re e/e more ite''i(et, %! c% !o so more s&i"t'$
th% the ori(i%' h#m% !esi(ers. This 8ositi/e "ee!<%ck e""ect is 8o&er"#' eo#(h to
!ri/e % ite''i(ece e=8'osio th%t I#ick'$ 'e%!s to the emer(ece o" % s#8erite''i(et
s$stem o" s#r8%ssi( %<i'ities.
The si(#'%rit$Bh$8othesis is sometimes 8%ire! &ith the c'%im th%t it is im8ossi<'e "or #s
to 8re!ict &h%t comes %"ter the si(#'%rit$. The res#'ti( 8osth#m% &or'! mi(ht <e so
%'ie th%t &e c% ko& othi( %<o#t it. *e e=ce8tio mi(ht <e the <%sic '%&s o"
8h$sics, <#t e/e there it is sometimes s#((este! th%t there m%$ <e #!isco/ere! '%&s
C"or ist%ce, &e !o;t $et h%/e % %cce8te! theor$ o" I#%t#m (r%/it$D or 8oor'$
#!erstoo! coseI#eces o" ko& '%&s th%t 8osth#m%s co#'! e=8'oit to !o thi(s &e
&o#'! orm%''$ thik o" %s 8h$sic%''$ im8ossi<'e, s#ch %s cre%ti( tr%/ers%<'e
&ormho'es, s8%&i( e& G<%semetH #i/erses, or tr%/e'i( <%ck&%r! i time.
Ho&e/er, #8re!ict%<i'it$ is 'o(ic%''$ !istict "rom %<r#8tess o" !e/e'o8met %! &o#'!
ee! to <e %r(#e! "or se8%r%te'$.
Tr%sh#m%ists !i""er &i!e'$ i the 8ro<%<i'it$ the$ %ssi( to +i(e;s sce%rio. A'most
%'' o" those &ho !o thik th%t there &i'' <e % si(#'%rit$ <e'ie/e it &i'' h%88e i this
cet#r$, %! m%$ thik it is most 'ike'$ to h%88e &ithi % "e& !ec%!es.
Re"ereces,
+i(e, +. 1..-. GThe 3omi( Techo'o(ic%' Si(#'%rit$.H
htt8,AA&&&.#(cs.c%'tech.e!#AR8hoei=A/i(eA/i(eBsi(.htm'
SOCIETY AND POLITICS
Wont new technologies only benefit the rich and powerful?
*e co#'! m%ke the c%se th%t the %/er%(e citiEe o" % !e/e'o8e! co#tr$ to!%$ h%s %
hi(her st%!%r! o" 'i/i( th% %$ ki( "i/e h#!re! $e%rs %(o. The ki( mi(ht h%/e h%!
% co#rt orchestr%, <#t $o# c% %""or! % 3D 8'%$er th%t 'ets $o# to 'iste to the <est
m#sici%s %$ time $o# &%t. I" the ki( (ot 8e#moi% he mi(ht &e'' !ie, <#t $o#
&o#'! t%ke %ti<iotics. The ki( mi(ht h%/e % c%rri%(e &ith si= &hite horses, <#t $o#
co#'! h%/e % c%r th%t (oes "%ster %! is more com"ort%<'e. A! $o# h%/e te'e/isio,
Iteret, 3oc% 3o'%, %! % sho&er &ith &%rm &%terF $o# c% t%'k &ith re'%ti/es &ho 'i/e
i % !i""eret co#tr$ o/er the 8hoeF %! $o# ko& more %<o#t the E%rth, %t#re %! the
cosmos th% %$ me!i%e/%' mo%rch.
The t$8ic%' 8%tter &ith e& techo'o(ies is th%t the$ <ecome che%8er %s time (oes <$. I
the me!ic%' "ie'!, "or e=%m8'e, e=8erimet%' 8roce!#res %re #s#%''$ %/%i'%<'e o'$ to
rese%rch s#<?ects %! the /er$ rich. As these 8roce!#res <ecome ro#tie, their cost
!ecre%ses %! more 8eo8'e c% %""or! them. E/e i the 8oorest co#tries, mi''ios o"
8eo8'e h%/e <ee"ite! "rom /%ccies %! 8eici''i. I the "ie'! o" cos#mer e'ectroics,
the 8rice o" com8#ters %! other !e/ices th%t &ere c#tti(Be!(e o'$ % co#8'e o" $e%rs
%(o !ro8s 8reci8ito#s'$ &he e& mo!e's %re itro!#ce!.
It is c'e%r th%t e/er$<o!$ c% <ee"it (re%t'$ "rom im8ro/e! techo'o($. Iiti%''$,
ho&e/er, the (re%test %!/%t%(es &i'' (o to those &ho h%/e the reso#rces, the ski''s, %!
the &i''i(ess to 'e%r to #se e& too's. *e c% s8ec#'%te th%t some techo'o(ies m%$
c%#se soci%' ieI#%'ities to &i!e. For e=%m8'e, i" some "orm o" ite''i(ece
%m8'i"ic%tio <ecomes %/%i'%<'e, it m%$ %t "irst <e so e=8esi/e th%t o'$ the &e%'thiest
c% %""or! it. The s%me co#'! h%88e &he &e 'e%r ho& to (eetic%''$ eh%ce o#r
chi'!re. The %'re%!$ &e'' o"" &o#'! <ecome sm%rter %! m%ke e/e more moe$. This
8heomeo is ot e&. Rich 8%rets se! their ki!s to <etter schoo's %! 8ro/i!e them
&ith reso#rces s#ch %s i"orm%tio techo'o($ %! &e''B8'%ce! 8erso%' cot%cts th%t
m%$ ot <e %/%i'%<'e to the 'ess 8ri/i'e(e!. S#ch %!/%t%(es 'e%! to (re%ter e%ri(s '%ter
i 'i"e %! ser/e to icre%se soci%' ieI#%'ities.
Tr$i( to <% techo'o(ic%' io/%tio o these (ro#!s &o#'! <e mis(#i!e!. I" % societ$
?#!(es e=isti( ieI#%'ities to <e #%cce8t%<'e, % &iser reme!$ &o#'! <e &e%'th
re!istri<#tio, "or e=%m8'e <$ me%s o" t%=%tio %! the 8ro/isio o" "ree ser/ices s#ch
%s e!#c%tio /o#chers, IT %ccess i 8#<'ic 'i<r%ries, (eetic eh%cemets co/ere! <$
soci%' sec#rit$, %! so "orth. For ecoomic%' %! techo'o(ic%' 8ro(ress is ot % Eero s#m
(%meF it;s % 8ositi/e s#m (%me. Techo'o(ic%' 8ro(ress !oes ot so'/e the h%r! o'!
8o'itic%' 8ro<'em o" &h%t !e(ree o" icome re!istri<#tio is !esir%<'e, <#t it c% (re%t'$
icre%se the siEe o" the 8ie th%t is to <e !i/i!e!.
Do transhumanists advocate eugenics?
E#(eics i the %rro& sese re"ers to the 8reB66II mo/emet i E#ro8e %! the Uite!
St%tes to i/o'#t%ri'$ steri'iEe the G(eetic%''$ #"itH %! eco#r%(e the <ree!i( o" the
(eetic%''$ %!/%t%(e!. These i!e%s %re etire'$ cotr%r$ to the to'er%t, h#m%istic %!
scieti"ic teets o" tr%sh#m%ism. I %!!itio to co!emi( the coercio i/o'/e! i
s#ch 8o'icies, tr%sh#m%ists stro('$ re?ect the r%ci%'ist %! c'%ssist %ss#m8tios o
&hich the$ &ere <%se!, %'o( &ith the otio th%t e#(eic im8ro/emets co#'! <e
%ccom8'ishe! i % 8r%ctic%''$ me%i("#' time"r%me thro#(h se'ecti/e <ree!i(.
Tr%sh#m%ists #8ho'! the 8rici8'es o" <o!i'$ %#toom$ %! 8rocre%ti/e 'i<ert$. P%rets
m#st <e %''o&e! to choose "or themse'/es &hether to re8ro!#ce, ho& to re8ro!#ce, %!
&h%t techo'o(ic%' metho!s the$ #se i their re8ro!#ctio. The #se o" (eetic me!icie
or em<r$oic screei( to icre%se the 8ro<%<i'it$ o" % he%'th$, h%88$, %! m#'ti8'$
t%'ete! chi'! is % res8osi<'e %! ?#sti"i%<'e %88'ic%tio o" 8%ret%' re8ro!#cti/e
"ree!om.
Be$o! this, oe c% %r(#e th%t 8%rets h%/e % mor%' res8osi<i'it$ to m%ke #se o" these
metho!s, %ss#mi( the$ %re s%"e %! e""ecti/e. 9#st %s it &o#'! <e &ro( "or 8%rets to
"%i' i their !#t$ to 8roc#re the <est %/%i'%<'e me!ic%' c%re "or their sick chi'!, so it &o#'!
<e % <'%me&orth$ choice to e('ect to t%ke re%so%<'e 8rec%#tios to es#re th%t % chi'!B
toB<e &i'' <e %s he%'th$ %s 8ossi<'e. This, ho&e/er, is % mor%' ?#!(met th%t is <est 'e"t to
i!i/i!#%' cosciece r%ther th% im8ose! <$ '%&. C*'$ i e=treme %! ##s#%' c%ses
mi(ht st%te i"ri(emet o" 8rocre%ti/e 'i<ert$ <e ?#sti"ie!, "or e=%m8'e i" % &o#'!B<e
8%ret so#(ht to #!ert%ke % (eetic mo!i"ic%tio th%t &o#'! <e c'e%r'$ h%rm"#' to the
chi'! or th%t &o#'! !r%stic%''$ c#rt%i' its o8tios i 'i"e. This &o#'! <e %%'o(o#s to the
st%te t%ki( c#sto!$ o" % chi'! i c%ses o" (ross 8%ret%' e('ect or %<#se.D
This !e"ese o" 8rocre%ti/e 'i<ert$ is com8%ti<'e &ith the /ie& th%t st%tes c% s#<si!iEe
8#<'ic he%'th, 8re%t%' c%re, (eetic co#se'i(, cotr%ce8tio, %<ortio %! (eetic
ther%8ies so th%t 8%rets c% m%ke "ree %! i"orme! re8ro!#cti/e !ecisios th%t res#'t i
"e&er !is%<i'ities i the e=t (eer%tio. Some !is%<i'it$ %cti/ists &o#'! c%'' these
8o'icies e#(eic, <#t tr%sh#m%ists <e'ie/e th%t it m%kes o sese "or societ$ to <e
e#tr%' %s to &hether chi'!re i the e=t (eer%tio %re he%'th$ or !is%<'e! "rom <irth.
6he !isc#ssi( the mor%'it$ o" (eetic eh%cemets, it is #se"#' to <e %&%re o" the
!istictio <et&ee eh%cemets th%t %re itrisic%''$ <ee"ici%' to the chi'! or to
societ$, o the oe h%!, %!, o the other, eh%cemets th%t 8ro/i!e % mere'$ 8ositio%'
%!/%t%(e to the chi'!. For e=%m8'e, he%'th, co(iti/e %<i'ities, emotio%' &e''B<ei( %re
/%'#e! <$ most 8eo8'e "or their o& s%ke. It is sim8'$ ice to <e he%'th$ %! h%88$ %! to
<e %<'e to #!erst%! &e'', I#ite i!e8e!et'$ o" %$ other %!/%t%(es th%t come "rom
8ossessi( these %ttri<#tes. B$ cotr%st, tr%its s#ch %s %ttr%cti/eess, %th'etic 8ro&ess,
hei(ht, %! %sserti/eess seem to co"er <ee"its th%t %re most'$ 8ositio%', i.e. the$
<ee"it % 8erso <$ m%ki( her more com8etiti/e Ce.(. i s8orts or %s % 8oteti%' m%teD, %t
the e=8ese o" those &ith &hom she &i'' com8ete, &ho s#""er % corres8o!i(
!is%!/%t%(e "rom her eh%cemet. Eh%cemets o" this '%tter ki! o#(ht to <e !eB
em8h%siEe!, &hi'e eh%cemets o" the "ormer ki!, &hich cre%te et <ee"its, o#(ht to
<e eco#r%(e!.
It is sometimes c'%ime! th%t the #se o" (ermi%' choice techo'o(ies &o#'! 'e%! to %
#!esir%<'e #i"ormit$ o" the 8o8#'%tio. Some !e(ree o" #i"ormit$ is !esir%<'e %!
e=8ecte! i" &e %re %<'e to m%ke e/er$oe co(eit%''$ he%'th$, stro(, ite''i(et %!
%ttr%cti/e. Fe& &o#'! %r(#e th%t &e sho#'! 8reser/e c$stic "i<rosis <ec%#se o" its
cotri<#tio to !i/ersit$. B#t other ki!s o" !i/ersit$ %re s#re to "'o#rish i % societ$ &ith
(ermi%' choice, es8eci%''$ oce %!#'ts %re %<'e to %!%8t their o& <o!ies %ccor!i( to
their o& %esthetic t%stes. Pres#m%<'$ most Asi% 8%rets &i'' sti'' choose to h%/e
chi'!re &ith Asi% "e%t#res, %! i" some 8%rets choose (ees th%t eco#r%(e
%th'eticism, others &i'' choose (ees th%t corre'%te &ith m#sic%' %<i'it$.
It is #'ike'$ th%t (ermB'ie (eetic eh%cemets &i'' e/er h%/e % '%r(e im8%ct o the
&or'!. It &i'' t%ke % miim#m o" "ort$ or "i"t$ $e%rs "or the reI#isite techo'o(ies to <e
!e/e'o8e!, teste!, %! &i!e'$ %88'ie! %! "or % si(i"ic%t #m<er o" eh%ce!
i!i/i!#%'s to <e <or %! re%ch %!#'thoo!. Be"ore this h%88es, more 8o&er"#' %!
!irect metho!s "or i!i/i!#%'s to eh%ce themse'/es &i'' 8ro<%<'$ <e %/%i'%<'e, <%se! o
%ome!icie, %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece, #8'o%!i( or som%tic (ee ther%8$. CTr%!itio%'
e#(eics, <%se! o se'ecti( &ho is %''o&e! to re8ro!#ce, &o#'! h%/e e/e 'ess 8ros8ect
o" %/oi!i( 8reem8ti/e o<so'escece, %s it &o#'! t%ke m%$ (eer%tios to !e'i/er its
8#r8orte! im8ro/emets.D
Arent these future technologies very risky? Could they even cause
our extinction?
:es, %! this im8'ies % #r(et ee! to %%'$Ee the risks <e"ore the$ m%teri%'iEe %! to
t%ke ste8s to re!#ce them. Biotecho'o($, %otecho'o($, %! %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece 8ose
es8eci%''$ serio#s risks o" %cci!ets %! %<#se. [See %'so GI" these techo'o(ies %re so
!%(ero#s, sho#'!;t the$ <e <%e!7 6h%t c% <e !oe !o re!#ce the risks7H).
*e c% !isti(#ish <et&ee, o the oe h%!, e!#r%<'e or 'imite! h%E%r!s, s#ch %s c%r
cr%shes, #c'e%r re%ctor me't!o&s, c%rcio(eic 8o''#t%ts i the %tmos8here, "'oo!s,
/o'c%o er#8tios, %! so "orth, %!, o the other h%!, e+istential ris%s N oes th%t &o#'!
c%#se the e=tictio o" ite''i(et 'i"e or 8erm%et'$ %! !r%stic%''$ cri88'e its 8oteti%'.
6hi'e e!#r%<'e or 'imite! risks c% <e serio#s %! m%$ i!ee! <e "%t%' to the 8eo8'e
imme!i%te'$ e=8ose!, the$ !o ot m%teri%''$ im8%ct o the 'o(Bterm 8ros8ects o"
h#m%it$ %s % &ho'e. H#m%it$ h%s 'o( e=8eriece &ith s#ch risks %! % /%riet$ o"
istit#tio%' %! techo'o(ic%' mech%isms h%/e <ee em8'o$e! to re!#ce their
ici!ece. E=isteti%' risks %re !i""eret ki! o" <e%st. For most o" h#m% histor$, there
&ere o si(i"ic%t e=isteti%' risks, %t 'e%st oe th%t o#r %cestors co#'! !o %$thi(
%<o#t. B$ !e"iitio, o" co#rse, o e=isteti%' !is%ster h%s $et h%88ee!. As % s8ecies, &e
m%$ <e 'ess &e'' 8re8%re! to #!erst%! %! m%%(e this e& ki! o" risk. F#rthermore,
re!#ctio o" e=isteti%' risk is % ('o<%' 8#<'ic (oo! Ce/er$<o!$ <$ ecessit$ <ee"its "rom
s#ch s%"et$ me%s#res, &hether or ot the$ he'8 <ri(i( it %<o#tD, cre%ti( % 8oteti%'
"reeBri!er 8ro<'em, i.e. % '%ck o" s#""iciet se'"ish iceti/es "or 8eo8'e to m%ke s%cri"ices
to re!#ce e=isteti%' risk. Decet 8eo8'e sho#'! there"ore reco(iEe % mor%' !#t$ to
8romote e""orts to re!#ce e=isteti%' risk.
The (r%/est e=isteti%' risks "%ci( #s i the comi( !ec%!es &i'' <e o" o#r o& m%ki(.
These ic'#!e,
,estructive uses of nanotechnology. The %cci!et%' re'e%se o" % se'"Bre8'ic%ti( %o<ot
ito the e/iromet, &here it &o#'! 8rocee! to !estro$ the etire <ios8here, is ko& %s
the G(r%$ (oo sce%rioH. Sice mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ &i'' m%ke #se o" 8ositio%'
%ssem<'$ to cre%te oB<io'o(ic%' str#ct#res %! to o8e e& chemic%' re%ctio
8%th&%$s, there is o re%so to s#88ose th%t the eco'o(ic%' checks %! <%'%ces th%t 'imit
the 8ro'i"er%tio o" or(%ic se'"Bre8'ic%tors &o#'! 8ose % o<st%c'e to %oBre8'ic%tors.
:et, &hi'e (r%$ (oo is cert%i'$ % 'e(itim%te cocer, re'%ti/e'$ sim8'e e(ieeri(
s%"e(#%r!s h%/e <ee !escri<e! th%t &o#'! m%ke the 8ro<%<i'it$ o" s#ch % mish%8 %'most
%r<itr%ri'$ sm%'' CForesi(ht 1221D. M#ch more serio#s is the thre%t 8ose! <$ %o<ots
!e'i<er%te'$ !esi(e! to <e !estr#cti/e. A terrorist (ro#8 or e/e % 'oe 8s$cho8%th,
h%/i( o<t%ie! %ccess to this techo'o($, co#'! !o e=tesi/e !%m%(e or e/e %ihi'%te
'i"e o e%rth, #'ess e""ecti/e !e"esi/e techo'o(ies h%! <ee !e/e'o8e! <e"oreh%!
C3RN 122-D. A #st%<'e %rms r%ce <et&ee %otechic st%tes co#'! %'so res#'t i o#r
e/et#%' !emise C4#<r#! 1222D. AtiB8ro'i"er%tio e""orts &i'' <e com8'ic%te! <$ the "%ct
th%t %otecho'o($ !oes ot reI#ire !i""ic#'tBtoBo<t%i r%& m%teri%'s or '%r(e
m%#"%ct#ri( 8'%ts, %! <$ the !#%'B#se "#ctio%'it$ o" m%$ o" the <%sic com8oets
o" !estr#cti/e %om%chier$. 6hi'e % %otechic !e"ese s$stem C&hich &o#'! %ct %s %
('o<%' imm#e s$stem c%8%<'e o" i!eti"$i( %! e#tr%'iEi( ro(#e re8'ic%torsD %88e%rs
to <e 8ossi<'e i 8rici8'e, it co#'! t#r o#t to <e more !i""ic#'t to costr#ct th% % sim8'e
!estr#cti/e re8'ic%tor. This co#'! 'e%! there <ei( % &i!o& o" ('o<%' /#'er%<i'it$
<et&ee the 8oteti%' cre%tio o" !%(ero#s re8'ic%tors %! the !e/e'o8met o" %
e""ecti/e imm#e s$stem. It is critic%' th%t %oB%ssem<'ers !o ot "%'' ito the &ro(
h%!s !#ri( this 8erio!.
#iological -arfare. Pro(ress i (eetic e(ieeri( &i'' ot o'$ 'e%! to im8ro/emets i
me!icie <#t %'so to the c%8%<i'it$ to cre%te more e""ecti/e <io&e%8os. It is !ist#r<i( to
cosi!er &h%t &o#'! h%/e h%88ee! i" the HI+ h%! <ee %s cot%(io#s %s the /ir#s th%t
c%#ses the commo co'!. E(ieeri( s#ch micro<es mi(ht soo <ecome 8ossi<'e to
icre%si( #m<ers o" 8eo8'e. I" the RNA seI#ece o" % /ir#s is 8oste! o the Iteret,
the %$<o!$ &ith some <%sic e=8ertise %! %ccess to % '%< &i'' <e %<'e to s$thesiEe the
%ct#%' /ir#s "rom this !escri8tio. A !emostr%tio o" this 8ossi<i'it$ &%s o""ere! <$ %
sm%'' te%m o" rese%rchers "rom Ne& :ork Ui/ersit$ %t Sto$ Brook i 1221, &ho
s$thesiEe! the 8o'io /ir#s "rom scr%tch, %! i?ecte! it ito mice &ho s#<seI#et'$
<ec%me 8%r%'$Ee! %! !ie!.
Artificial intelligence. No thre%t to h#m% e=istece is 8ose! <$ to!%$;s AI s$stems or
their e%rBterm s#ccessors. B#t i" %! &he s#8erite''i(ece is cre%te!, it &i'' <e o"
8%r%mo#t im8ort%ce th%t it <e e!o&e! &ith h#m%B"rie!'$ /%'#es. A im8r#!et'$ or
m%'icio#s'$ !esi(e! s#8erite''i(ece, &ith (o%'s %mo#ti( to i!i""erece to h#m%
&e'"%re, co#'! c%#se o#r e=tictio. Aother cocer is th%t the "irst s#8erite''i(ece,
&hich m%$ <ecome /er$ 8o&er"#' <ec%#se o" its s#8erior 8'%i( %<i'it$ %! <ec%#se o"
the techo'o(ies it co#'! s&i"t'$ !e/e'o8, &o#'! <e <#i't to ser/e o'$ % si('e 8erso or %
sm%'' (ro#8 Cs#ch %s its 8ro(r%mmers or the 8eo8'e &ho commissioe! itD. 6hi'e this
sce%rio m%$ ot et%i' the e=tictio o" %'' ite''i(et 'i"e, it costit#tes % e=isteti%'
risk e/erthe'ess <ec%#se the "#t#re th%t &o#'! res#'t &o#'! <e oe i &hich % (re%t 8%rt
o" h#m%it$;s 8oteti%' h%! <ee 8erm%et'$ !estro$e! %! i &hich %t most % ti$
"r%ctio o" %'' h#m%s (ot to e?o$ the <ee"its o" 8osth#m%it$. [See %'so GHo& &i''
8osth#m%s or s#8erite''i(et m%chies tre%t h#m%s &ho %re;t %#(mete!7H)
Nuclear -ar. To!%$;s %rse%'s %re 8ro<%<'$ ot s#""iciet to c%#se the e=tictio o" %''
h#m%s, <#t "#t#re %rms r%ces co#'! res#'t i e/e '%r(er <#i'!B#8s. It is %'so cocei/%<'e
th%t % %''Bo#t #c'e%r &%r &o#'! 'e%! to the co''%8se o" mo!er ci/i'iE%tio, %! it is ot
com8'ete'$ cert%i th%t the s#r/i/ors &o#'! s#ccee! i re<#i'!i( % ci/i'iE%tio c%8%<'e o"
s#st%ii( (ro&th %! techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met.
&omething un%no-n. A'' the %<o/e risks &ere #ko& % cet#r$ %(o %! se/er%' o" them
h%/e o'$ <ecome c'e%r'$ #!erstoo! i the 8%st t&o !ec%!es. It is 8ossi<'e th%t there %re
"#t#re thre%ts o" &hich &e h%/e;t $et <ecome %&%re.
For % more e=tesi/e !isc#ssio o" these %! other e=isteti%' risks, see CBostrom 1221D.
E/%'#%ti( the tot%' 8ro<%<i'it$ th%t some e=isteti%' !is%ster &i'' !o #s i <e"ore &e
re%ch the 8osth#m% er% c% <e !oe <$ /%rio#s !irect or i!irect metho!s. A'tho#(h %$
estim%te ie/it%<'$ ic'#!es % '%r(e s#<?ecti/e "%ctor, it seems th%t to set the 8ro<%<i'it$ to
'ess th% 12U &o#'! <e #!#'$ o8timistic, %! the <est estim%te m%$ <e cosi!er%<'$
hi(her. B#t !e8e!i( o the %ctios &e t%ke, this "i(#re c% <e r%ise! or 'o&ere!.
Re"ereces,
Bostrom, N. 1221. GE=isteti%' Risks, A%'$Ei( H#m% E=tictio Sce%rios %!
Re'%te! H%E%r!s,H 'ournal of Evolution and Technology) +o'. ..
htt8,AA&&&.ick<ostrom.comAe=isteti%'Arisks.htm'
3eter "or Res8osi<'e N%otecho'o($. 122-. GD%(ers o" N%otecho'o($H
htt8,AA&&&.cr%o.or(A!%(ers.htm
Foresi(ht Istit#te. 1222. GForesi(ht 4#i!e'ies o Mo'ec#'%r N%otecho'o($, /ersio
-.0H htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(A(#i!e'iesAc#rret.htm'
4#<r#!, M. 1..0. GN%otecho'o($ %! Iter%tio%' Sec#rit$,H (ifth (oresight
Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology.
htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(A3o"erecesAMNT25AP%8ersA4#<r#!Ai!e=.htm'
6immer, E. et %'. 1221. G3hemic%' S$thesis o" Po'io/ir#s cDNA, 4eer%tio o"
I"ectio#s +ir#s i the A<sece o" N%t#r%' Tem8'%te,H &cience, +o'. 150, No. 55K-, 88.
121MB121K.
If these technologies are so dangerous shouldnt they be banned?
What can be done do reduce the risks?
The 8ositio th%t &e o#(ht to re'iI#ish rese%rch ito ro<otics, (eetic e(ieeri(, %!
%otech h%s <ee %!/oc%te! i % %rtic'e <$ Bi'' 9o$ C1222D. 9o$ %r(#e! th%t some o" the
"#t#re %88'ic%tios o" these techo'o(ies %re so !%(ero#s th%t rese%rch i those "ie'!s
sho#'! <e sto88e! o&. P%rt'$ <ec%#se o" 9o$;s 8rior'$ im8ecc%<'e techo8hi'%c
cre!eti%'s Che is % so"t&%re !esi(er %! % co"o#!er o" S# Micros$stemsD, his %rtic'e,
&hich %88e%re! i $ired, %ttr%cte! % (re%t !e%' o" %ttetio.
M%$ o" the res8oses to 9o$;s %rtic'e 8oite! o#t th%t there is o re%'istic 8ros8ect o" %
&or'!&i!e <% o these techo'o(iesF th%t the$ h%/e eormo#s 8oteti%' <ee"its th%t &e
&o#'! ot &%t to "ore(oF th%t the 8oorest 8eo8'e m%$ h%/e % hi(her to'er%ce "or risk i
!e/e'o8mets th%t co#'! im8ro/e their co!itioF %! th%t % <% m%$ %ct#%''$ icre%se the
!%(ers r%ther th% re!#ce them, <oth <$ !e'%$i( the !e/e'o8met o" 8rotecti/e
%88'ic%tios o" these techo'o(ies, %! <$ &e%kei( those &ho choose to com8'$ &ith
the <% re'%ti/e to 'ess scr#8#'o#s (ro#8s &ho !e"$ it.
A more 8romisi( %'ter%ti/e to % <'%ket <% is differential technological development,
i &hich &e &o#'! seek to i"'#ece the se.uence i &hich techo'o(ies !e/e'o8e!. *
this %88ro%ch, &e &o#'! stri/e to ret%r! the !e/e'o8met o" h%rm"#' techo'o(ies %!
their %88'ic%tios, &hi'e %cce'er%ti( the !e/e'o8met o" <ee"ici%' techo'o(ies,
es8eci%''$ those th%t o""er 8rotectio %(%ist the h%rm"#' oes. 6ith techo'o(ies th%t
h%/e !ecisi/e mi'it%r$ %88'ic%tios, #'ess the$ c% <e /eri"i%<'$ <%e!, &e m%$ seek to
es#re th%t the$ %re !e/e'o8e! %t % "%ster 8%ce i co#tries &e re(%r! %s res8osi<'e th%
i those th%t &e see %s 8oteti%' eemies. C6hether % <% is /eri"i%<'e %! e"orce%<'e
c% o" co#rse ch%(e o/er time %s res#'t o" !e/e'o8mets the iter%tio%' s$stem or i
s#r/ei''%ce techo'o($.D
I the c%se o" %otecho'o($, the !esir%<'e seI#ece o" !e/e'o8met is th%t %otech
imm#e s$stems %! other !e"esi/e me%s#res <e !e8'o$e! <e"ore o""esi/e c%8%<i'ities
<ecome %/%i'%<'e to m%$ i!e8e!et 8o&ersF "or oce % techo'o($ is sh%re! <$ m%$,
it <ecomes e=treme'$ h%r! to 8re/et "#rther 8ro'i"er%tio. I the c%se o" <iotecho'o($,
&e sho#'! seek to 8romote rese%rch ito /%ccies, %tiB/ir%' !r#(s, 8rotecti/e (e%r,
sesors %! !i%(ostics, %! to !e'%$ %s m#ch %s 8ossi<'e the !e/e'o8met %!
8ro'i"er%tio o" <io'o(ic%' &%r"%re %(ets %! their me%s o" &e%8oiE%tio. 6ith
%rti"ici%' ite''i(ece, % serio#s risk &i'' emer(e o'$ &he c%8%<i'ities %88ro%ch or
s#r8%ss those o" h#m%s, %! %t th%t 8oit oe sho#'! seek to 8romote the !e/e'o8met o"
"rie!'$ AI %! to 8re/et #"rie!'$ or #re'i%<'e AI s$stems.
S#8erite''i(ece is % e=%m8'e o" % techo'o($ th%t seems es8eci%''$ &orth 8romoti(
<ec%#se it c% he'8 re!#ce <ro%! r%(e o" thre%ts. S#8erite''i(ece co#'! %!/ice #s o
8o'ic$ %! it co#'! m%ke the 8ro(ress c#r/e "or %otecho'o($ stee8er, th#s shortei(
the 8erio! o" /#'er%<i'it$ <et&ee the !e/e'o8met o" !%(ero#s %ore8'ic%tors %! the
!e8'o$met o" e""ecti/e !e"eses. CI" &e h%/e % choice, it seems 8re"er%<'e th%t
s#8erite''i(ece <e !e/e'o8e! <e"ore %!/%ce! %otecho'o($, %s s#8erite''i(ece
co#'! he'8 re!#ce the risks o" %otecho'o($ <#t ot /ice /ers%.D *ther techo'o(ies th%t
h%/e % &i!e riskBre!#ci( #ses ic'#!e ite''i(ece %#(met%tio, i"orm%tio
techo'o($, %! s#r/ei''%ce. These c% m%ke #s sm%rter i!i/i!#%''$ %! co''ecti/e'$ or
m%ke e"orcemet o" ecess%r$ re(#'%tio more "e%si<'e. A stro( 8rim% "%cie c%se
there"ore e=ists "or 8#rs#i( these techo'o(ies %s /i(oro#s'$ %s 8ossi<'e. It (oes &itho#t
s%$i( th%t &e sho#'! %'so 8romote oBtecho'o(ic%' !e/e'o8mets th%t %re <ee"ici%' i
%'most %'' sce%rios, s#ch %s 8e%ce %! iter%tio%' coo8er%tio.
I co"roti( the h$!r% o" risks, ic'#!i( <oth e=isteti%' %! 'imite! oes, ('%ri( %t #s
"rom the "#t#re, it is #'ike'$ th%t %$ oe si'/er <#''et &i'' 8ro/i!e %!eI#%te 8rotectio.
Iste%!, % %rse%' o" co#terme%s#res &i'' <e ee!e! so th%t &e c% %!!ress the /%rio#s
risks o m#'ti8'e 'e/e's.
The "irst ste8 to t%ck'i( % risk is to reco(iEe its e=istece. More rese%rch ee!s to <e
!oe, %! e=isteti%' risks i 8%rtic#'%r sho#'! <e si('e! o#t "or %ttetio <ec%#se o"
their e=tr%or!i%r$ serio#sess %! <ec%#se o" the s8eci%' %t#re o" the ch%''e(es the$
8ose. S#r8risi('$ 'itt'e &ork h%s <ee !oe i this %re% Csee e.(. 5es'ie C1..MD, Bostrom
C1221D, %! Rees C122-D "or some 8re'imi%r$ e=8'or%tiosD. The str%te(ic !imesios o"
o#r choices m#st <e t%ke ito %cco#t, (i/e th%t some o" the techo'o(ies i I#estios
h%/e im8ort%t mi'it%r$ r%mi"ic%tios. I %!!itio to scho'%r'$ st#!ies o" the thre%ts %!
their 8ossi<'e co#terme%s#res, 8#<'ic %&%reess ee!s to <e r%ise! to e%<'e % more
i"orme! !e<%te o" o#r 'o(Bterm o8tios.
Some o" the 'esser e=isteti%' risks, s#ch %s % %8oc%'$8tic %steroi! im8%ct or Cthe hi(h'$
s8ec#'%ti/e sce%rio i/o'/i( somethi( 'ikeD the #8setti( o" % met%st%<'e /%c##m st%te
i some "#t#re 8%rtic'e %cce'er%tor e=8erimet, co#'! <e s#<st%ti%''$ re!#ce! %t
re'%ti/e'$ sm%'' e=8ese. Pro(r%ms to !o this N e.(. % e%r'$ !etectio s$stem "or
!%(ero#s e%rBe%rth o<?ects, or the commissioi( o" %!/%ce 8eer re/ie& o" 8'%e!
hi(hBeer($ 8h$sics e=8erimets N%re 8ro<%<'$ costBe""ecti/e. Ho&e/er, these 'esser risks
sho#'! ot !istr%ct #s too m#ch "rom the more serio#s cocer r%ise! <$ the more
8ro<%<'e e=isteti%' !is%sters [see GAre;t these "#t#re techo'o(ies /er$ risk$7 3o#'!
the$ e/e c%#se o#r e=tictio7H).
I 'i(ht o" ho& eormo#s'$ (re%t the h#m% <ee"its o" techo'o($ c% #'tim%te'$ <e, it
m%tters 'ess th%t &e re%ch %'' o" these <ee"its i the 8recise'$ the most o8tim%' m%er,
%! more th%t &e re%ch them %t %''. For m%$ 8r%ctic%' 8#r8oses, it m%kes sese to %!o8t
the r#'e o" th#m< th%t &e sho#'! %ct so %s to m%=imiEe the 8ro<%<i'it$ o" % Gok%$H
o#tcome, me%i( oe i &hich &e %tt%i some Cre%so%<'$ <ro%!D re%'iE%tio o" o#r
8osth#m% 8oteti%'F or, 8#t i e(%ti/e terms, th%t &e sho#'! %ct so %s to miimiEe the
et e=isteti%' risk.
Re"ereces,
Bostrom, N. 1221. GE=isteti%' Risks, A%'$Ei( H#m% E=tictio Sce%rios %!
Re'%te! H%E%r!s,H 'ournal of Evolution and Technology) +o'. ..
htt8,AA&&&.ick<ostrom.comAe=isteti%'Arisks.htm'
9o$, B. 1221. G6h$ the F#t#re Does;t Nee! UsH. $ired, K,2Q.
htt8,AA&&&.&ire!.comA&ire!A%rchi/eAK.2QA?o$V8r.htm'
5es'ie, 9. 1..M. The End of the $orld: The Ethics and &cience of /uman E+tinction.
C5o!o, Ro#t'e!(eD.
Rees, M. 122-. 0ur (inal /our. CNe& :ork, B%sic BooksD
Sho#'!;t &e cocetr%te o c#rret 8ro<'ems 'ike im8ro/i( the co!itio o" the 8oor
8eo8'e or so'/i( iter%tio%' co"'icts, iste%! o" 8#tti( e""ort ito "oreseei( the >"%r>
"#t#re7
6e sho#'! !o <oth. *'$ cocetr%ti( o the c#rret 8ro<'ems %! tr$i( to %88'$ the
c#rret so'#tios !oes@t &orkBBB&e &i'' <oth <e #8re8%re! "or the e& 8ro<'ems %!
o#r c#rret metho!s %re o"te i%!eI#%te.
M%$ o" the tr%sh#m% techo'o(ies or tre!s %'re%!$ e=ist %! h%/e <ecome 8%rt o"
c#rret !e<%te. Biotecho'o($ is %'re%!$ % re%'it$. I"orm%tio techo'o($ h%s
tr%s"orme! '%r(e sectors o" o#r ecoomies. As "%r %s tr%sh#m%ism is cocere!, the
"#t#re h%88es %'' the time.
Most o" the tr%sh#m% techo'o(ies &ork &e'' to(ether, cre%ti( s$er(etic e""ects &ith
other 8%rts o" h#m% societ$. *e im8ort%t "%ctor i 'i"e e=8ect%c$ is %ccess to (oo!
me!ic%' c%reBBBim8ro/emets i me!ic%' c%re &i'' e=te! 'i"e, %! &ork %t 'i"e e=tesio
is 'ike'$ to <ee"it or!i%r$ c%re. 6ork %t %m8'i"$i( ite''i(ece h%s o</io#s
%88'ic%tios i e!#c%tio, r%tio%' m%%(emet %! im8ro/i( comm#ic%tios.
Im8ro/emets i comm#ic%tios, r%tio%' thiki(, tr%!e %! e!#c%tio %re % /er$
8o&er"#' me%s to 8romote 8e%ce"#' so'#tios to iter%tio%' co"'icts.
N%otecho'o(ic%' m%#"%ct#ri( 8romises to <e <oth ecoomic%''$ 8ro"it%<'e %!
e/iromet%''$ so#!.
6orki( to&%r!s % &or'! or!er ch%r%cteriEe! <$ 8e%ce, iter%tio%' coo8er%tio %!
res8ect "or h#m% ri(hts &o#'! m#ch im8ro/e the o!!s th%t the !%(ero#s %88'ic%tios o"
cert%i "#t#re techo'o(ies &i'' ot <e #se! irres8osi<'$ or i &%r"%re. It &o#'! %'so "ree
#8 reso#rces c#rret'$ s8et o mi'it%r$ %rm%mets, %! 8ossi<'$ ch%e' them to
im8ro/e the co!itio o" the 8oor.
Tr%sh#m%ists !o ot h%/e % sim8'e 8%tet so'#tio th%t &o#'! %chie/e this o#tcome %$
more th% %$<o!$ e'se, <#t o !o#<t techo'o($ h%s % 8%rt to 8'%$. For e=%m8'e,
im8ro/e! comm#ic%tios m%$ <#i'! more #!erst%!i( <et&ee 8eo8'e. As more %!
more 8eo8'e (et %ccess to the Iteret %! %re %<'e to recei/e s%te''ite r%!io %! te'e/isio
<ro%!c%sts, !ict%tors %! tot%'it%ri% re(imes &i'' "i! it h%r!er to si'ece /oices o"
!isset %! to cotro' the i"orm%tio "'o& to their 8o8#'%tios. A! %s m%$ #sers o" the
Iteret %re !isco/eri(, the 6or'! 6i!e 6e< (i/es $o# "rie!s %! %cI#%it%ces %!
<#siess 8%rters "rom %'' o/er the &or'!. This c% o'$ <e % (oo! thi(.

6o;t e=te!e! 'i"e &orse o/er8o8#'%tio 8ro<'ems7
Po8#'%tio icre%se is % iss#e &e &o#'! #'tim%te'$ h%/e to come to (ri8s &ith e/e i"
'i"eBe=tesio &ere ot to h%88e. Some 8eo8'e <'%me techo'o($ "or h%/i( (i/e rise
to the 8ro<'em o" o/er8o8#'%tio. Aother &%$ o" 'ooki( %t it is to cosi!er th%t &ere it
ot "or techo'o($ the most 8eo8'e %'i/e to!%$ &o#'! ot h%/e e=iste!BBBic'#!i( the
oes &ho %re com8'%ii( %<o#t o/er8o8#'%tioW 6ere &e to sto8 #si( mo!er
%(ric#'t#re, most h#m%s &o#'! soo !ie o" st%r/%tio %! the !ise%ses "o''o&i( i its
tr%i'. 6here it ot "or %ti<iotics %! me!ic%' iter/etio es8eci%''$ %t chi'! <irth, m%$
o" #s &o#'! h%/e !ie! i o#r i"%c$. It;s &orth thiki( t&ice <e"ore c%''i( somethi( %
>8ro<'em> &he &e o&e o#r /er$ e=istece to it.
This is ot to !e$ th%t too r%8i! 8o8#'%tio (ro&th c%#ses cro&!i(, 8o/ert$ %!
!e8'etio o" %t#r%' reso#rces. I this sese there is % re%' 8ro<'em. Pro(r%ms to 8ro/i!e
cotr%ce8tio %! "%mi'$ 8'%i(, es8eci%''$ to co#8'es i the 8oorer co#tries &here
8o8#'%tio (ro&th is "%stest, sho#'! <e s#88orte!. The cost%t 'o<<$i( <$ some
re'i(io#s 8ress#re (ro#8s i the Uite! St%tes to <'ock these h#m%it%ri% e""orts %re
serio#s'$ mis(#i!e! i the o8iio o" tr%sh#m%ists.
Ho& m%$ 8eo8'e the E%rth c% s#st%i %t % com"ort%<'e st%!%r! o" 'i/i( %! &itho#t
!%m%(i( the e/iromet is % "#ctio o" techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met. Ne& techo'o(ies,
"rom sim8'e im8ro/emets i irri(%tio %! m%%(emet to c#rret <re%kthro#(hs i
(eetic e(ieeri( sho#'! coti#e to im8ro/e &or'! "oo! o#t8#t C&hi'e re!#ci(
%im%' s#""eri(D.
*e thi( th%t the e/iromet%'ists %re ri(ht %<o#t is th%t the st%t#s I#o is #s#st%i%<'e.
Thi(s c%ot, %s % m%tter o" 8h$sic%' ecessit$, rem%i the &%$ the$ %re to!%$
i!e"iite'$ or e/e "or /er$ 'o(. I" &e coti#e to #se #8 reso#rces %t the c#rret 8%ce
the &e &i'' r# ito serio#s short%(es sometime i the "irst h%'" o" the e=t cet#r$. The
!ee8 (rees h%/e % %s&er to this, the$ s#((est &e t#r <%ck the c'ock %! ret#r to %
i!$''ic 8reBi!#stri%' %(e th%t &%s i h%rmo$ &ith %t#re. The 8ro<'em is th%t the 8reB
i!#stri%' %(e &%s %$thi( <#t i!$''icBBB8o/ert$, miser$, !ise%se, he%/$ m%#%' toi' "rom
!%& to !#sk, s#8erstitio#s "e%r %! c#'t#r%' 8%rochi%'ism C%! it &%s@t e/iromet%''$
so#! eitherBBB&itess !e"orest%tio o" E('%! %! the Me!iterr%e%, !eserti"ic%tio o"
'%r(e 8%rts o" the mi!!'e e%st, %! soi' !e8'etio <$ the A%s%Ei i!i%sD. 6e !o;t &%t
th%t. A'so, it;s h%r! to see ho& more th% % "e& h#!re! mi''io 8eo8'e co#'! <e
m%it%ie! %t % re%so%<'e st%!%r! o" 'i/i( &ith 8reBi!#stri%' 8ro!#ctio metho!s, so
.2U o" the &or'! 8o8#'%tio &o#'! someho& h%/e to <e (ot ri! o".
Tr%sh#m%ists 8ro8ose % m#ch more re%'istic %'ter%ti/e, ot to (o <%ck&%r! <#t to 8#sh
%he%! %s h%r! %s &e c%. The e/iromet%' 8ro<'ems th%t techo'o($ cre%tes %re
8ro<'ems o" iterme!i%r$, ie""iciet techo'o($. Techo'o(ic%''$ 'ess %!/%ce!
i!#stries i the "ormer So/ietB<'ock 8o''#te m#ch more th% !o their 6ester
co#ter8%rts. Hi(hBtech i!#str$ is re'%ti/e'$ <ei(. 6he &e !e/e'o8 mo'ec#'%r
%otecho'o($ &e &i'' ot o'$ h%/e 8er"ect'$ c'e% %! e""iciet 8ro!#ctio o" %'most
%$ commo!it$ <#t &e &i'' %'so <e %<'e to c'e% #8 the mess cre%te! <$ to!%$;s cr#!e
8ro!#ctio metho!s. This sets % st%!%r! "or % c'e% e/iromet th%t tr%sh#m%ists
ch%''e(e %$ tr%!itio%' e/iromet%'ist to tr$ to m%tch.
N%otecho'o($ &i'' %'so m%ke it che%8 to co'oiEe s8%ce. From % cosmic 8oitBo"B/ie&,
E%rth is % tot%''$ isi(i"ic%t 'itt'e s8eck. It h%s <ee s#((este! th%t &e o#(ht to 8reser/e
s8%ce it i its 8ristie ('or$ %! 'e%/e it #to#che!. This /ie& is h%r! to t%ke serio#s'$.
E/er$ ho#r, thro#(h etire'$ %t#r%' 8rocesses, /%st %mo#ts o" reso#rcesBBBmi''ios o"
times more th% the tot%' o" &h%t the h#m% s8ecies h%s #se! thro#(ho#t its c%reerBBB%re
tr%s"orme! ito r%!io%cti/e s#<st%ces or &%ste! %s r%!i%tio esc%8i( ito iter(%'%ctic
s8%ce. *e h%s % /er$ 'imite! im%(i%tio i" oe c%ot thik o" some more cre%ti/e &%$
o" #si( %'' this m%tter %! eer($.
E/e &ith "#''B<'o& s8%ce co'oiE%tio, ho&e/er, 8o8#'%tio (ro&th c% coti#e to <e
% 8ro<'em Ce/e i" &e %ss#me th%t % #'imite! #m<er co#'! <e tr%s8orte! "rom E%rth
ito s8%ceD. I" the e=8%sio s8ee! is 'imite! <$ the s8ee! o" 'i(ht the the %mo#t o"
reso#rces #!er h#m% cotro' &i'' o'$ (ro& 8o'$omi%''$ CR t-D. Po8#'%tio o the
other h%! c% e%si'$ (ro& e=8oeti%''$ CR etD. I" th%t h%88es, the, sice % "%ctor th%t
(ro&s e=8oeti%''$ &i'' e/et#%''$ o/ert%ke %$ "%ctor th%t (ro&s 8o'$omi%''$, the
%/er%(e icome &i'' #'tim%te'$ !ro8 to the M%'th#si% s#<sistece 'e/e', "orci(
8o8#'%tio (ro&th to s'o&. Ho& soo this &o#'! h%88e !e8e!s 8rim%ri'$ o
re8ro!#ctio r%tes. A icre%se i %/er%(e 'i"e s8% !oes ot h%/e % <i( e""ect. E/e
/%st'$ im8ro/e! techo'o($ c% o'$ 8ost8oe the ie/it%<'e "or % re'%ti/e'$ <rie" time.
The o'$ 'o(Bterm so'#tio is 8o8#'%tio cotro' restricti( the #m<er e& 8ersos
cre%te! 8er $e%r. This !oes ot me% th%t 8o8#'%tio co#'! ot (ro&, o'$ th%t the (ro&th
&o#'! h%/e to <e 8o'$omi%' r%ther th% e=8oeti%'.
A "e& more 8oits to cosi!er, I techo'o(ic%''$ %!/%ce! co#tries, co#8'es te! to
h%/e "e&er chi'!reBBB<e'o& the re8'%cemet r%te. The o'$ c%#se o" 8o8#'%tio (ro&th i
m#ch o" the 6est is immi(r%tio. As % m%tter o" em8iric%' "%ct, (i/i( 8eo8'e icre%se!
r%tio%' cotro' o/er their 'i/es C%! es8eci%''$ "em%'e e!#c%tio %! eI#%'it$D c%#ses
them to h%/e "e&er chi'!re.

I" oe took serio#s'$ the i!e% o" 'imiti( 'i"e s8% to cotro' 8o8#'%tio, &h$ ot <e more
%cti/e %<o#t it7 6h$ ot eco#r%(e s#ici!e7 6h$ ot e=ec#te %$oe re%chi( the %(e o"
057BBBTh%t is c'e%r'$ %<s#r!.

E=te!i( the h#m% 'i"e s8% &o#'! ot ee! to &orse the o/er8o8#'%tio 8ro<'em
%$ more th% &o#'! im8ro/i( %#tomo<i'e s%"et$ or &orker s%"et$, or re!#ci( /io'et
crime.

6he tr%sh#m%ists s%$ the$ &%t to e=te! 'i"e s8%s, &h%t the$ me% is the$ &%t to
e=te! he%'th s8%s. No 8oit 'i/i( % e=tr% te $e%rs i the st%te o" !emeti%. This
me%s th%t the e=tr% m%B$e%rs &o#'! <e 8ro!#cti/e %! &o#'! %!! ecoomic /%'#e to
societ$.

The 8o8#'%tio (ro&th r%te h%s <ee !ecre%si( "or se/er%' !ec%!es. It re%che! its 8e%k
i 1.02 %t 1.20U. I 1..K, the r%te &%s %<o#t 1.--U. It;s e=8ecte! to !ro8 <e'o& 1U i
121M. [UNBre8ort C1..KD). The !ooms!%$ 8re!ictios <$ the 3'#< o" Rome "rom the e%r'$
1.02;s h%/e cosistet'$ t#re! o#t to <e &ro(.

The more h#m%s there %re, the more <r%is there &i'' <e &orki( to i/et e& i!e%s
%! so'#tios.

I" 8eo8'e c% 'ook "or&%r! to % 'o(er 'i"e, the$ &i'' h%/e % 8erso%' st%ke i the "#t#re
%! &i'' ho8e"#''$ <e more cocere! %<o#t the 'o(Bterm coseI#eces o" their %ctios.

Re"ereces,
Uite! N%tios. 6or'! Po8#'%tio Pros8ects, The 1..K Re/isio CUite! N%tios, Ne&
:orkD. htt8,AA&&&.8o8i.or(A8o81..KA

Is there %$ ethic%' st%!%r! <$ &hich tr%sh#m%ists ?#!(e >im8ro/emet o" the h#m%
co!itio>7
Tr%sh#m%ism is com8%ti<'e &ith % /%riet$ o" ethic%' s$stems, %! tr%sh#m%ists
themse'/es ho'! m%$ !i""eret /ie&s. Noethe'ess, the "o''o&i( seems to costit#te %
commo core o" %(reemet,
Accor!i( to tr%sh#m%ists, the h#m% co!itio h%s <ee im8ro/e! i" the co!itios o"
i!i/i!#%' h#m%s h%/e <ee im8ro/e!. I 8r%ctice, the i!i/i!#%' is #s#%''$ the ?#!(e o"
&h%t is (oo! "or himse'" or herse'". There"ore, tr%sh#m%ists %!/oc%te i!i/i!#%'
"ree!om, es8eci%''$ the mor%' ri(ht "or those &ho so &ish to #se techo'o($ to e=te!
their met%' %! 8h$sic%' c%8%cities %! to im8ro/e their cotro' o/er their o& 'i/es.
From this 8ers8ecti/e, % im8ro/emet to the h#m% co!itio is % ch%(e th%t (i/es
icre%se! o88ort#it$ "or i!i/i!#%'s to sh%8e themse'/es %! their 'i/es %ccor!i( to
their i"orme! &ishes. Notice the &or! >i"orme!>. It is im8ort%t th%t 8eo8'e %re %&%re
o" &h%t the$ %re choosi( <et&ee. E!#c%tio, "ree!om o" i"orm%tio, i"orm%tio
techo'o($, i!e% "#t#res, %! 8oteti%''$ ite''i(ece %m8'i"ic%tio, c% he'8 8eo8'e m%ke
choices th%t %re more i"orme!. CI!e% "#t#res is % 8ro8ose! m%rket &here 8eo8'e &o#'!
8'%ce <ets o #cert%i scieti"ic h$8otheses or 8re!ictios %<o#t the "#t#re, th#s
eco#r%(i( % hoest coses#s. H%so C1..2D.D
Re"ereces,
H%so, R. 1..2. >3o#'! 4%m<'i( S%/e Sciece7>. Proc. Ei(hth It'. 3o". o Risk %!
4%m<'i(, 5o!o. htt8,AAh%so.<erke'e$.e!#A(%m<'e.htm'

What kind of society would posthumans live in?
Not eo#(h i"orm%tio is %/%i'%<'e %t the c#rret time to 8ro/i!e % "#'' %s&er to this
I#estio.
I 8%rt, tho#(h, the %s&er is, G:o# !eci!e.H The o#tcome m%$ <e i"'#ece! <$ the
choices &e m%ke o& %! o/er the comi( !ec%!es. I this res8ect the sit#%tio is the
s%me %s i e%r'ier e8ochs th%t h%! o tr%sh#m% 8ossi<i'ities, <$ <ecomi( i/o'/e! i
8o'itic%' str#(('es %(%ist to!%$;s soci%' i''s %! i?#stices, &e c% he'8 m%ke tomorro&;s
societ$ <etter.
Tr%sh#m%ism !oes, ho&e/er, i"orm #s %<o#t e& costr%its, 8ossi<i'ities, %! iss#es,
%! it hi(h'i(hts #mero#s hi(hB'e/er%(e 8oits "or iter/etio, &here % sm%'' %mo#t
o" reso#rces c% m%ke % <i( 'o(Bterm !i""erece.
For e=%m8'e, oe iss#e th%t mo/es ito 8romiece is the ch%''e(e o" cre%ti( % societ$
i &hich <ei(s &ith /%st'$ !i""eret or!ers o" c%8%<i'ities Cs#ch %s 8osth#m%s %! %sB
$et oB%#(mete! h#m%sD c% 'i/e h%88i'$ %! 8e%ce"#''$ to(ether.
Aother cocer th%t <ecomes 8%r%mo#t is the ee! to <#i'! % &or'! or!er i &hich
!%(ero#s %rms r%ces c% <e 8re/ete!, %! i &hich the 8ro'i"er%tio o" &e%8os o"
m%ss !estr#ctio c% <e s#88resse! or %t 'e%st !e'%$e! #ti' e""ecti/e !e"eses h%/e <ee
!e/e'o8e! [see G6h%t is e=isteti%' risk7H).
The i!e%' soci%' or(%iE%tio m%$ <e oe th%t ic'#!es the 8ossi<i'it$ "or those &ho so
&ish to "orm i!e8e!et societies /o'#t%ri'$ sec'#!e! "rom the rest o" the &or'!, i
or!er to 8#rs#e tr%!itio%' &%$s o" 'i"e or to e=8erimet &ith e& "orms o" comm#%'
'i/i(. Achie/i( % %cce8t%<'e <%'%ce <et&ee the ri(hts o" s#ch comm#ities "or
%#toom$, o the oe h%!, %! the sec#rit$ cocers o" o#tsi!e etities %! the ?#st
!em%!s "or 8rotectio o" /#'er%<'e %! o88resse! i!i/i!#%'s isi!e these comm#ities
o the other h%!, is % !e'ic%te t%sk th%t is ot #"%mi'i%r i 8o'itic%' 8hi'oso8h$.
6h%t t$8es o" societ$ 8osth#m%s &i'' 'i/e i !e8e!s o &h%t t$8es o" 8osth#m% th%t
!e/e'o8s. *e c% 8ro?ect /%rio#s 8ossi<'e 8%ths to 8osth#m%it$ [see G6h%t is %
8osth#m%7H), &hich m%$ res#'t i /er$ !i""eret ki!s o" 8osth#m%, 'i/i( i /er$
!i""eret sorts o" societies. I %ttem8ti( to im%(ie % 8osth#m% societ$, &e m#st <e%r i
mi! th%t &e %re 'ike'$ to <%se o#r e=8ect%tios o the e=8erieces, !esires, %!
8s$cho'o(ic%' ch%r%cteristics o" h#m%s, <#t m%$ o" these m%$ h%/e o re'e/%ce %t %''
to 8osth#m%s. 6he h#m% %t#re ch%(es, e& &%$s o" or(%iEi( % societ$ m%$
<ecome "e%si<'e. B#t &e m%$ ho8e to "orm % c'e%rer #!erst%!i( o" &h%t those e&
8ossi<i'ities %re %s &e o<ser/e the see!s o" 8osth#m%it$ !e/e'o8i(.

Ho& &i'' 8osth#m%s or s#8erite''i(et m%chies tre%t h#m%s &ho %re;t %#(mete!7
Th%t !e8e!s o the moti/%tios o" 8osth#m%s, %! o<o!$ ko&s the 8recise %s&er.
5et;s e=%mie three 8ossi<'e sce%rios,
C%D It is 8ossi<'e th%t % "#t#re societ$ &i'' ecom8%ss <oth h#m%s %! 8osth#m%s, %s
&e'' %s % m%$ !i""eret ki!s o" tr%sh#m%s. Es8eci%''$ i" 8osth#m%s !e/e'o8
(r%!#%''$, oe c% e%si'$ im%(ie th%t there &i'' <e % 8erio! !#ri( &hich /er$ !i""eret
'i"e "orms &i'' coe=ist 8e%ce"#''$. M%$<e h#m%s &i'' iiti%''$ !omi%te <ec%#se o" their
/%st #m<ers, <#t the i"'#ece o" 8osth#m%s &i'' icre%se <$ %! <$.
6he the 8osth#m%s <ecome m#ch more 8o&er"#' th% the h#m%s C%! this co#'!
h%88e I#ick'$ or it co#'! t%ke !ec%!esD, it is 'ike'$ th%t the re'%tioshi8 ch%(es "rom
oe <et&ee eI#%'s to somethi( e'se. Here &e c% !isti(#ish t&o 8ossi<i'ities, oe
o8timistic %! oe 8essimistic.
C<D The o8timistic o#tcome is i" 8osth#m%s coti#e to res8ect %! to'er%te h#m%s.
Posth#m%s co#'! 'i/e %s <ee/o'et !emi(o!s %mo( h#m%s %! he'8 them o#t &he
the$ %re i tro#<'e, "or e=%m8'e <$ t%ki( c%re o" the e/iromet or es#ri( th%t e/er$
h#m% &i'' h%/e eo#(h to e%t. A$ h#m% &ho &o#'! 'ike to <ecome % 8osth#m%
&o#'! <e (i/e the o88ort#it$, <#t those &ho 8re"erre! to rem%i h#m% &o#'! !o so
%! the$ &o#'! <e %<'e to coti#e to 'i/e tr%!itio%' h#m% 'i/es. I" #%#(mete!
h#m%s 8re"erre! ot to h%/e 8osth#m%s 'i/i( %mo( them, the 8osth#m%s co#'! "i!
%m8'e 5e<esr%#m C>s8%ce to 'i/e i>D o other 8'%ets %! i other so'%r s$stems.
CcD The 8essimistic o#tcome C%t 'e%st "rom % h#m% 8ers8ecti/eD is i" the 8osth#m%s
!eci!e th%t h#m%s <ei(s re8reset ho8e'ess'$ ie""iciet &%$s o" #si( m%tter %!
eer($ th%t co#'! <e 8#t to <etter #ses. I" the 8osth#m%s %re ot <o#! <$ h#m%B
"rie!'$ '%&s %! the$ !o;t h%/e % mor%' co!e th%t s%$s th%t it &o#'! <e &ro(, the$
mi(ht the !eci!e to t%ke %ctios th%t &o#'! et%i' the e=tictio o" the h#m% s8ecies.
M%$<e the$ &o#'! tr%s"orm o#r 8'%et ito % (i%t com8#ter or ito s8%ce 8ro<es th%t
&o#'! <e set o#t to s8ee! #8 the 8rocess o" co'oiEi( the #i/erse.
H#m%s %! tr%sh#m%s c% <e 8ro%cti/e i m%ki( C<D more 'ike'$ th% CcD. For e/e
tho#(h 8osth#m%s &i'' #'tim%te'$ <ecome m#ch more 8o&er"#' th% h#m%s, the
8osth#m%s &i'' either <e %rti"ici%' ite''i(eces ori(i%''$ costr#cte! <$ h#m%s, or
the$ &i'' %ct#%''$ <e h#m%s &ho h%/e tr%sce!e!. I the "irst c%se, &e co#'! m%ke s#re
th%t the /%'#es o" to'er%ce %! res8ect "or h#m% &e''B<ei( %re icor8or%te! %s core
e'emets o" the 8ro(r%mmi(, m%ki( 8%rt o" % i/io'%<'e mor%' co!e. I the seco!
c%se, &e co#'! im8ro/e the o!!s <$ "osteri( those s%me /%'#es %mo( h#m%s to!%$, so
th%t the h#m%s th%t #'tim%te'$ tr%sce! &i'' h%/e hi(h ethic%' st%!%r!s. A! i <oth
c%ses, it co#'! he'8 i" &e coti#e to <#i'! st%<'e !emocr%tic tr%!itios %! costit#tios,
i!e%''$ e=8%!i( the r#'e o" '%& to the iter%tio%' 8'%e %s &e'' %s the %tio%'.

Do tr%sh#m%ists thik techo'o($ &i'' so'/e %'' 8ro<'ems7
Techo'o($ &i'' ot so'/e %$ 8ro<'em. 6h%t techo'o($ &i'' !o is (i/e #s icre%si('$
8o&er"#' too's th%t h#m%s c% #se to so'/e most %$ m%teri%' 8ro<'em Cic'#!i( (i/i(
%<#!%t &e%'th to e/er$<o!$DBBB8ro/i!e! &e h%/e the "oresi(ht to t%ke the ecess%r$
s%"et$ me%s#res %! 8ro/i!e! &e %re coo8er%ti/e eo#(h th%t &e !o;t #se the e&
techo'o(ies to &%(e &%r %(%ist e%ch other.
These %re <i( i"s, %! the$ i!ic%te th%t the (re%test !i""ic#'t$ &e &i'' "%ce is ot
techo'o(ic%' or scieti"ic. H%r! %s the techic%' o<st%c'es %re, the$ &i'' %'most cert%i'$
<e o/ercome sooer or '%ter. Techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met is 8rett$ m#ch (oi( i %
tr%sh#m%ist !irectio <$ its o& momet#m.
The re%''$ trick$ 8%rt &i'' <e 8o'itic%'. 3% 8eo8'e %ro#! the &or'! %! their 'e%!ers
m#ster eo#(h "oresi(ht %! coo8er%tio to 8%ss %! e"orce iter%tio%' %(reemets
th%t &i'' 8re/et hosti'e mi'it%r$ %88'ic%tios7 *r %t 'e%st !e'%$ them #ti' e""ecti/e
!e"ese s$stems h%/e <ee !e/e'o8e!7 No<o!$ ko&s, <#t o#r s#r/i/%' mi(ht !e8e! o
it.


TRANSHUMANISM AND NATURE
Why do transhumanists want to live longer?
This is % 8erso%' m%tter, % m%tter o" the he%rt. H%/e $o# e/er <ee so h%88$ th%t $o# "e't
'ike me'ti( ito te%rs7 H%s there <ee % momet i $o#r 'i"e o" s#ch !e8th %! s#<'imit$
th%t the rest o" e=istece seeme! 'ike !#'', (r%$ s'#m<er "rom &hich $o# h%! o'$ ?#st
&oke #87
It is so e%s$ to "or(et ho& (oo! thi(s c% <e &he the$ %re %t their <est. B#t o those
occ%sios &he &e !o remem<er N &hether it comes "rom the tot%' "#'"i''met o" <ei(
immerse! i cre%ti/e &ork, or "rom the te!er ecst%s$ o" reci8roc%te! 'o/e N the &e
re%'iEe ?#st ho& /%'#%<'e e/er$ si('e mi#te o" e=istece c% <e, &he it is this (oo!.
A! $o# mi(ht h%/e tho#(ht to $o#rse'", GIt o#(ht to <e 'ike this %'&%$s. 6h$ c%;t this
'%st "ore/er7H
6e'', m%$<e N ?#st m%$<e N it co#'!.
6he tr%sh#m%ists seek to e=te! h#m% 'i"e, the$ %re ot tr$i( to %!! % co#8'e o"
e=tr% $e%rs %t % c%re home s8et !roo'i( %t oe;s shoes. Th%t &o#'! %!mitte!'$ <e
8oit'ess. No, the (o%' is more he%'th$, h%88$, 8ro!#cti/e $e%rs. I!e%''$, e/er$<o!$
sho#'! h%/e the ri(ht to choose &he %! ho& to !ie N or ot to !ie. Tr%sh#m%ists &%t
to 'i/e 'o(er <ec%#se the$ &%t to !o, 'e%r, %! e=8eriece moreF h%/e more "# %!
s8e! more time &ith 'o/e! oesF coti#e to (ro& %! m%t#re <e$o! the 8%'tr$ ei(ht
!ec%!es %''otte! to #s <$ o#r e/o'#tio%r$ 8%stF %! i or!er to (et to see "or themse'/es
&h%t &o!ers the "#t#re mi(ht ho'!. As the s%'es 8itch "or oe cr$oics or(%iE%tio
(oes,
GThe co!#ct o" 'i"e %! the &is!om o" the he%rt %re <%se! #8o timeF i the '%st I#%rtets
o" Beetho/e, the '%st &or!s %! &orks o" Jo'! me; 'ike So8hoc'es %! R#sse'' %!
Sh%&, &e see ('im8ses o" % m%t#rit$ %! s#<st%ce, % e=8eriece %! #!erst%!i(, %
(r%ce %! % h#m%it$, th%t is;t 8reset i chi'!re or i tee%(ers. The$ %tt%ie! it
<ec%#se the$ 'i/e! 'o(F <ec%#se the$ h%! time to e=8eriece %! !e/e'o8 %! re"'ectF
time th%t &e mi(ht %'' h%/e. Im%(ie s#ch i!i/i!#%'s N % Be?%mi Fr%k'i, % 5ico', %
Ne&to, % Sh%kes8e%re, % 4oethe, % Eistei N erichi( o#r &or'! ot "or % "e&
!ec%!es <#t "or cet#ries. Im%(ie % &or'! m%!e o" s#ch i!i/i!#%'s. It &o#'! tr#'$ <e
&h%t Arth#r 3. 3'%rke c%''e! J3hi'!hoo!;s E!; N the <e(ii( o" the %!#'thoo! o"
h#m%it$.H C3r$oics Istit#teD
Re"ereces,
3r$oics Istit#te. htt8,AA&&&.cr$oics.or(A

Is;t tr%sh#m%ism t%m8eri( &ith %t#re7
This I#estio (oes to the /er$ he%rt o" tr%sh#m%ism. Tr%sh#m%ists s%$ it is ri(ht to
t%m8er &ith %t#re. It is othi( to <e %sh%me! o". There is %<so'#te'$ o mor%' or ethic%'
re%so &h$ &e sho#'! ot iter"ere &ith %t#re %! im8ro/e it i" &e c%, &hether it;s <$
e'imi%ti( !ise%ses, im8ro/i( the e""iciec$ o" %(ric#'t#re to "ee! % (ro&i( &or'!
8o8#'%tio, or 8#tti( comm#ic%tio s%te''ites #8 ito or<it to 8ro/i!e homes &ith
s%te''ite e&s %! etert%imet.
I m%$ 8%rtic#'%r c%ses there %re o" co#rse (oo! 8r%ctic%' re%sos &h$ &e !o <est to re'$
o >%t#r%'> 8rocesses. The 8oit is, $o# c%;t !eci!e &hether somethi( is (oo! or <%!
sim8'$ <$ %ski( &hether it;s %t#r%' or ot. Some %t#r%' thi(s %re <%!, 'ike st%r/%tio,
t#<erc#'osis, or <ei( e%te %'i/e <$ % ti(er. Some s$thetic thi(s %re <%!, 'ike DDTB
8oisoi(, c%r %cci!ets, %! #c'e%r &e%8os.
To t%ke % e=%m8'e, cosi!er the !e<%te %<o#t h#m% c'oi(. Some %r(#e! th%t c'oi(
h#m%s &%s ot #%t#r%' <ec%#se h#m% c'oes %re esseti%''$ ?#st i!etic%' t&is. The$
&ere ri(ht. B#t the more "#!%met%' 8oit to m%ke is th%t it !oes;t m%tter &hether
h#m% c'oes %re %t#r%' or ot. 6he &e %re !isc#ssi( &hether &e sho#'! c'oe
h#m%s, &e h%/e to com8%re the /%rio#s 8ossi<'e !esir%<'e coseI#eces &ith the
/%rio#s 8ossi<'e #!esir%<'e coseI#eces. 6e the h%/e to tr$ to estim%te ho& 'ike'$
e%ch o" these coseI#eces is. This !e<%te is m#ch h%r!er th% sim8'$ !ismissi( c'oi(
%s #%t#r%', <#t it;s %'so more 'ike'$ to res#'t i (oo! !ecisios.
Does %'' this seem tri/i%'7 6e'', it sho#'!W :et, it;s %m%Ei( ho& 8eo8'e c% sti'' (et %&%$
&ith %r(#mets th%t %re <%sic%''$ Cthi'$ !is(#ise!D &%$s o" s%$i(, >It;s (oo! <ec%#se
it;s the &%$ it h%s %'&%$s <eeW> or >It;s (oo! <ec%#se th%t;s the &%$ N%t#re m%!e itW>.

6o;t tr%sh#m% techo'o(ies m%ke #s ih#m%7
This I#estio is <%se! o co"#si( >h#m%> &ith >h#m%e>. H#m% me%s >Be'o(i(
to m% or m%ki!F h%/i( the I#%'ities or %ttri<#tes o" % m%F o" or 8ert%ii( to m% or
to the r%ce o" m%> C6e<ster@s Re/ise! U%<ri!(e! Dictio%r$ 1.1-D. Tr%sh#m%s &i''
ch%(e m%$ o" these %ttri<#tes %! I#%'ities. M%$ h#m% %ttri<#tes %re ico/eiet or
!estr#cti/eF most tr%sh#m%ists &%t to 8romote the 8ositi/e si!es o" h#m%it$ Cs#ch %s
<ei( >h#m%e> B ki! or com8%ssio%teD %! (et ri! o" Cor %t 'e%st cotro'D the <%!.
There is o itrisic /%'#e i <ei( h#m%, ?#st %s there is o itrisic /%'#e i <ei( %
rock, % "ro( or % 8osth#m%. The /%'#e resi!es i &ho &e %re %s i!i/i!#%'s, %! &h%t &e
!o &ith o#r 'i/es.
Isnt death part of the natural order of things?
Tr%sh#m%ists isist th%t &hether somethi( is %t#r%' or ot is irre'e/%t to &hether it
is (oo! or !esir%<'e [see %'so GIs;t tr%sh#m%ism t%m8eri( &ith %t#re7H, G6o;t
e=te!e! 'i"e &orse o/er8o8#'%tio 8ro<'ems7H, %! G6h$ !o tr%sh#m%ists &%t to
'i/e 'o(er7H).
A/er%(e h#m% 'i"e s8% ho/ere! <et&ee 12 %! -2 $e%rs "or most o" o#r s8ecies;
histor$. Most 8eo8'e to!%$ %re th#s 'i/i( hi(h'$ #%t#r%''$ 'o( 'i/es. Bec%#se o" the
hi(h ici!ece o" i"ectio#s !ise%se, %cci!ets, st%r/%tio, %! /io'et !e%th %mo( o#r
%cestors, /er$ "e& o" them 'i/e! m#ch <e$o! si=t$ or se/et$. There &%s there"ore
'itt'e se'ectio 8ress#re to e/o'/e the ce''#'%r re8%ir mech%isms C%! 8%$ their met%<o'ic
costsD th%t &o#'! <e reI#ire! to kee8 #s (oi( <e$o! o#r me%(er three scores %! te.
As % res#'t o" these #"ort#%te circ#mst%ces i the !ist%t 8%st, &e o& s#""er the
ie/it%<'e !ec'ie o" o'! %(e, !%m%(e %cc#m#'%tes %t % "%ster 8%ce th% it c% <e re8%ire!F
tiss#es %! or(%s <e(i to m%'"#ctioF %! the &e "%'' o/er %! !ie.
The I#est "or immort%'it$ is oe o" the most %ciet %! !ee8Broote! o" h#m%
%s8ir%tios. It h%s <ee % im8ort%t theme i h#m% 'iter%t#re "rom the /er$ e%r'iest
8reser/e! &ritte stor$, The Epic of 1ilgamesh, %! i i#mer%<'e %rr%ti/es %! m$ths
e/er sice. It #!er'ies the te%chi(s o" the &or'! re'i(ios %<o#t s8irit#%' immort%'it$
%! the ho8e o" % %"ter'i"e. I" !e%th is 8%rt o" the %t#r%' or!er, so too is the h#m% !esire
to o/ercome !e%th.
Be"ore tr%sh#m%ism, the o'$ ho8e o" e/%!i( !e%th &%s thro#(h reic%r%tio or
other&or'!'$ res#rrectio. Those &ho /ie&e! s#ch re'i(io#s !octries %s "i(mets o" o#r
o& im%(i%tio h%! o %'ter%ti/e <#t to %cce8t !e%th %s % ie/it%<'e "%ct o" o#r
e=istece. Sec#'%r &or'!/ie&s, ic'#!i( tr%!itio%' h#m%ism, &o#'! t$8ic%''$ ic'#!e
some sort o" e=8'%%tio o" &h$ !e%th &%s ot s#ch % <%! thi( %"ter %''. Some
e=isteti%'ists e/e &et so "%r %s to m%it%i th%t !e%th &%s ecess%r$ to (i/e 'i/e
me%i(W
Th%t 8eo8'e sho#'! m%ke e=c#ses "or !e%th is #!erst%!%<'e. Uti' recet'$ there &%s
%<so'#te'$ othi( %$<o!$ co#'! !o %<o#t it, %! it m%!e some !e(ree o" sese the to
cre%te com"orti( 8hi'oso8hies %ccor!i( to &hich !$i( o" o'! %(e is % "ie thi(
CG!e%thismHD. I" s#ch <e'ie"s &ere oce re'%ti/e'$ h%rm'ess, %! 8erh%8s e/e 8ro/i!e!
some ther%8e#tic <ee"it, the$ h%/e o& o#t'i/e! their 8#r8ose. To!%$, &e c% "oresee the
8ossi<i'it$ o" e/et#%''$ %<o'ishi( %(i( %! &e h%/e the o8tio o" t%ki( %cti/e
me%s#res to st%$ %'i/e #ti' the, thro#(h 'i"e e=tesio techiI#es %! cr$oics. This
m%kes the i''#sios o" !e%thist 8hi'oso8hies !%(ero#s, i!ee! mort%', sice the$ te%ch
he'8'essess %! eco#r%(e 8%ssi/it$.
Es8o#si( % !e%thist /ie&8oit te!s to (o &ith % cert%i e'emet o" h$8ocris$. It is to <e
ho8e! %! e=8ecte! th%t % (oo! m%$ o" !e%th;s %8o'o(ists, i" the$ %re oe !%$ 8resete!
&ith the cocrete choice <et&ee CAD (etti( sick, o'!, %! !ie, %! CBD <e (i/e % e&
shot o" 'i"e to st%$ he%'th$, /i(oro#s %! rem%i i the com8%$ o" "rie!s %! 'o/e! oes
to 8%rtici8%te i the #"o'!i( o" the "#t#re, &o#'!, &he 8#t 8#sh c%me to sho/e, choose
this '%tter %'ter%ti/e.
I" % "e& 8eo8'e &o#'! sti'' choose !e%th, th%t;s % choice th%t is o" co#rse to <e re(rette!,
<#t e/erthe'ess res8ecte!. The tr%sh#m%ist 8ositio o the ethics o" !e%th is cr$st%'
c'e%r, !e%th sho#'! <e /o'#t%r$. This me%s th%t e/er$<o!$ sho#'! <e "ree to e=te! their
'i"e %! to %rr%(e "or cr$oic s#s8esio o" their !e%im%te! <o!ies. It %'so me%s th%t
/o'#t%r$ e#th%%si%, #!er co!itios o" i"orme! coset, is % <%sic h#m% ri(ht.
It m%$ t#r o#t to <e im8ossi<'e to 'i/e strict'$ s8e%ki( "ore/er, e/e "or those &ho %re
'#ck$ eo#(h to s#r/i/e to s#ch % time &he techo'o($ h%s <ee 8er"ecte!, %! e/e
#!er i!e%' co!itios. The %mo#t o" m%tter %! eer($ th%t o#r ci/i'iE%tio c% '%$ its
h%!s o <e"ore the$ rece!e "ore/er <e$o! o#r re%ch C!#e to the #i/erse;s e=8%sioD is
"iite i the c#rret'$ most "%/ore! cosmo'o(ic%' mo!e's. The he%t !e%th o" the #i/erse
is th#s % m%tter o" some 8erso%' cocer to o8timistic tr%sh#m%istsW
It is too e%r'$ to te'' &hether o#r !%$s %re ecess%ri'$ #m<ere!. 3osmo'o($ %!
"#!%met%' 8h$sics %re sti'' icom8'ete %! i theoretic%' "'#=F theoretic%' 8ossi<i'ities
"or i"iite i"orm%tio 8rocessi( C&hich mi(ht e%<'e % #8'o%! to 'i/e % i"iite 'i"eD
seem to o8e %! c'ose e/er$ "e& $e%rs. 6e h%/e to 'i/e &ith this #cert%it$, %'o( &ith
the m#ch (re%ter #cert%it$ %<o#t &hether %$ o" #s &i'' m%%(e to %/oi! !$i(
8rem%t#re'$, <e"ore techo'o($ h%s <ecome m%t#re.

Are tr%sh#m%ist techo'o(ies e/iromet%''$ so#!7
Tr%sh#m%ist techo'o(ies %re (eer%''$ e/iromet%''$ so#!. Iterme!i%r$
techo'o($ t$8ic%''$ 8o''#te "%r more th% more %!/%ce! techo'o(ies. The i!#stri%'
sector o" the "ormer So/iet Uio, "or e=%m8'e, is "%r more 8o''#ti( th% its more
so8histic%te! co#ter8%rts i the 6est. I"orm%tio techo'o($, me!ic%' 8roce!#res %!
hi(hBtech i (eer%' %re re'%ti/e'$ c'e%.
Tr%sh#m%ists c% m%ke % stro(er c'%im re(%r!i( the e/irometBBBc#rret
techo'o(ies %re ot s#st%i%<'e. 6e %re #si( #8 esseti%' reso#rces Coi', met%'s,
%tmos8heric 8o''#tio c%8%cit$D more I#ick'$ th% the$ c% re(eer%te. At the 8reset
r%te o" cos#m8tio, &e &i'' e=h%#st these reso#rces some time i the e=t cet#r$.
Re%'istic %'ter%ti/es th%t h%/e <ee 8ro8ose! i/o'/e the tr%sh#m%ist
recomme!%tio, to t%ke techo'o($ to % more %!/%ce! 'e/e'. Not o'$ %re
tr%sh#m%ist techo'o(ies eco'o(ic%''$ so#!, the$ m%$ <e the o'$ e/iromet%''$
/i%<'e o8tio "or the 'o( term.
6ith m%t#re mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ &e &i'' h%/e % &%$ o" 8ro!#ci( most %$
commo!it$ &ith %<so'#te'$ o &%ste or 8o''#tio &h%te/er. 6h%t;s more, it &i'' e%<'e #s
to c'e% #8 the mess cre%te! <$ the r%ther 8rimiti/e techo'o($ &e h%/e to!%$. Th%t sets %
st%!%r! th%t other %88ro%ches to the e/iromet c%ot ho8e to m%tch. N%otecho'o($
&o#'! %'so m%ke it ecoomic%''$ "e%si<'e to <#i'! s8%ceB<%se! so'%r8'%ts, to mie
e=tr%terrestri%' <o!ies "or ore %! mier%'s %! to mo/e he%/$ i!#stries o""Be%rth. The
o'$ tr#e 'o(Bterm so'#tio to reso#rce short%(e is s8%ce co'oiE%tio.
It sho#'! %'so <e ote! th%t "rom % tr%sh#m%ist 8oit o" /ie&, h#m%it$ %! its %rti"%cts
%! %ctios %re 8%rt o" the e=te!e! <ios8here, %! h#m% iter/etio is % 'e(itim%te
8%rt o" it.
TRANSHUMANISM AS A PHILOSOPHICAL AND CULTURAL
VIEWPOINT
What are transhumanisms philosophical and cultural antecedents?
The h#m% !esire to %cI#ire (o!'ike %ttri<#tes is 8res#m%<'$ %s %ciet %s the h#m%
s8ecies itse'". H#m%s h%/e %'&%$s so#(ht to e=8%! the <o#!%ries o" their e=istece, <e
it eco'o(ic%''$, (eo(r%8hic%''$, or met%''$. There is % te!ec$ i %t 'e%st some
i!i/i!#%'s %'&%$s to tr$ to "i! % &%$ %ro#! e/er$ 'imit%tio %! o<st%c'e.
3eremoi%' <#ri%' %! 8reser/e! "r%(mets o" re'i(io#s &riti(s sho& th%t 8rehistoric
h#m%s &ere !ee8'$ !ist#r<e! <$ the !e%th o" their 'o/e! oes %! so#(ht to re!#ce the
co(iti/e !isso%ce <$ 8ost#'%ti( % %"ter'i"e. :et, !es8ite the i!e% o" % %"ter'i"e,
8eo8'e sti'' e!e%/ore! to e=te! 'i"e. I the S#meri% Epic of 1ilgamesh C%88ro=. 1222
B.3.D, % ki( em<%rks o % I#est to "i! % her< th%t c% m%ke him immort%'. It;s &orth
oti( th%t it &%s %ss#me! <oth th%t mort%'it$ &%s ot iesc%8%<'e i 8rici8'e, %! th%t
there e=iste! C%t 'e%st m$tho'o(ic%'D me%s o" o/ercomi( it. Th%t 8eo8'e re%''$ stro/e to
'i/e 'o(er %! richer 'i/es c% %'so <e see i the !e/e'o8met o" s$stems o" m%(ic %!
%'chem$F '%cki( scieti"ic me%s o" 8ro!#ci( % e'i=ir o" 'i"e, oe resorte! to m%(ic%'
me%s. This str%te($ &%s %!o8te!, "or e=%m8'e, <$ the /%rio#s schoo's o" esoteric T%oism
i 3hi%, &hich so#(ht 8h$sic%' immort%'it$ %! cotro'Ah%rmo$ &ith the "orces o"
%t#re.
The 4reeks &ere %m<i/%'et %<o#t h#m%s tr%s(ressi( o#r %t#r%' co"ies. * the
oe h%!, the$ &ere "%sci%te! <$ the i!e%. 6e see it i the m$th o" Promethe#s, &ho
sto'e the "ire "rom Xe#s %! (%/e it to the h#m%s, there<$ 8erm%et'$ im8ro/i( the
h#m% co!itio. A! i the m$th o" D%e!%'#s, the (o!s %re re8e%te!'$ ch%''e(e!, I#ite
s#ccess"#''$, <$ % c'e/er e(ieer %! %rtist, &ho #ses oBm%(ic%' me%s to e=te!
h#m% c%8%<i'ities. * the other h%!, there is %'so the coce8t o" hubris, th%t some
%m<itios %re o""B'imit %! &o#'! <%ck"ire i" 8#rs#e!. I the e!, D%e!%'#s; eter8rise
e!s i !is%ster Cot, ho&e/er, <ec%#se it &%s 8#ishe! <$ the (o!s <#t o&i( etire'$ to
%t#r%' c%#sesD.
4reek 8hi'oso8hers m%!e the "irst, st#m<'i( %ttem8ts to cre%te s$stems o" tho#(ht th%t
&ere <%se! ot 8#re'$ o <e'ie" <#t o 'o(ic%' re%soi(. Socr%tes %! the so8hists
e=te!e! the %88'ic%tio o" critic%' thiki( "rom met%8h$sics %! cosmo'o($ to ic'#!e
the st#!$ o" ethics %! I#estios %<o#t h#m% societ$ %! h#m% 8s$cho'o($. *#t o" this
iI#ir$ %rose c#'t#r%' h#m%ism, % /er$ im8ort%t c#rret thro#(ho#t the histor$ o"
6ester sciece, 8o'itic%' theor$, ethics %! '%&.
I the Re%iss%ce, h#m% thiki( &%s %&oke "rom me!ie/%' other&or'!'iess %! the
scho'%stic mo!es o" re%soi( th%t h%! 8re!omi%te! "or % mi''ei#m, %! the h#m%
<ei( %! the %t#r%' &or'! %(%i <ec%me 'e(itim%te o<?ects o" st#!$. Re%iss%ce
h#m%ism eco#r%(e! 8eo8'e to re'$ o their o& o<ser/%tios %! their o& ?#!(met
r%ther th% to !e"er i e/er$ m%tter to re'i(io#s %#thorities. Re%iss%ce h#m%ism %'so
cre%te! the i!e%' o" the &e''Bro#!e! 8erso%'it$, oe th%t is hi(h'$ !e/e'o8e!
scieti"ic%''$, mor%''$, c#'t#r%''$, %! s8irit#%''$. A mi'estoe is 4io/%i Pico !e''%
Mir%!o'%;s G*r%tio o the Di(it$ o" M%H C1QKMD, &hich st%tes th%t m% !oes ot
h%/e % re%!$ "orm <#t th%t it is m%;s t%sk to "orm himse'". A! cr#ci%''$, mo!er sciece
<e(is to t%ke "orm, thro#(h the &orks o" 3o8eric#s, Le8'er, %! 4%'i'eo.
The A(e o" E'i(htemet c% <e s%i! to h%/e st%rte! &ith the 8#<'ic%tio o" Fr%cis
B%co;s Novum 0rganum, Gthe e& too'H C1M12D, i &hich he 8ro8oses % scieti"ic
metho!o'o($ <%se! o em8iric%' i/esti(%tio r%ther th% % 8riori re%soi(. B%co
%!/oc%tes the 8ro?ect o" Ge""ecti( %'' thi(s 8ossi<'e,H <$ &hich he me%t the
%chie/emet o" m%ster$ o/er %t#re i or!er to im8ro/e the co!itio "or h#m% <ei(s.
The herit%(e "rom the Re%iss%ce com<ies &ith the i"'#eces o" Is%%c Ne&to,
Thom%s Ho<<es, 9oh 5ocke, Imm%#e' L%t, M%rI#is !e 3o!orcet %! others to "orm
the <%sis "or r%tio%' h#m%ism, &hich em8h%siEes sciece %! critic%' re%soi( N r%ther
th% re/e'%tio %! re'i(io#s %#thorit$ N %s &%$s o" 'e%ri( %<o#t the %<o#t the %t#r%'
&or'! %! the !esti$ %! %t#re o" m%, %! o" 8ro/i!i( % (ro#!i( "or mor%'it$.
R%tio%' h#m%ism is % !irect 8re!ecessor o" tr%sh#m%ism.
I the ei(hteeth %! ieteeth cet#ries &e <e(i to see ('im8ses o" the i!e% th%t e/e
h#m%s themse'/es c% <e !e/e'o8e! thro#(h the %88'i%ce o" sciece. Be?%mi
Fr%k'i %! +o't%ire s8ec#'%te! %<o#t e=te!i( h#m% 'i"e s8% thro#(h me!ic%'
sciece. Es8eci%''$ %"ter D%r&i;s theor$ o" e/o'#tio, %theism or %(osticism c%me to <e
see %s icre%si('$ %ttr%cti/e %'ter%ti/es to 3hristi%it$. Ho&e/er, the o8timism o" the
'%te ieteeth cet#r$ o"te !e(eer%te! ito %rro&Bmi!e! 8ositi/ism %! the <e'ie"
th%t 8ro(ress &%s %#tom%tic. 6he this /ie& co''i!e! &ith re%'it$, some 8eo8'e re%cte!
<$ t#ri( to irr%tio%'ism, coc'#!i( th%t sice re%so &%s ot s#""iciet, it &%s
&orth'ess. This res#'te! i the %tiBtecho'o(ic%', %tiBite''ect#%' setimets &hose
seI#e'%e &e c% sti'' &itess to!%$, "or e=%m8'e some 8ostmo!erist &riters, i the Ne&
A(e mo/emet, %! %mo( the eoB5#!!ite &i( o" the %tiB('o<%'iE%tio %(it%tors.
A si(i"ic%t stim#'#s i the "orm%tio o" tr%sh#m%ism &%s the ess%$ GD%e!%'#s,
Sciece %! the F#t#reH C1.1-D <$ the British <iochemist 9. B. S. H%'!%e, i &hich he
!isc#sses ho& scieti"ic %! techo'o(ic%' "i!i(s m%$ come to %""ect societ$ %!
im8ro/e the h#m% co!itio. This ess%$ set o"" % !i%'ectic ch%iBre%ctio o" "#t#reB
oriete! !isc#ssios, ic'#!i( GThe 6or'!, the F'esh %! the De/i'H <$ 9. D. Ber%'
C1.1.D, &hich s8ec#'%tes %<o#t s8%ce co'oiE%tio %! <ioic im8'%ts %s &e'' %s met%'
im8ro/emets thro#(h %!/%ce! soci%' sciece %! 8s$cho'o($F the &orks o" *'%"
St%8'e!oF %! the ess%$ GIc%r#s, the F#t#re o" ScieceH C1.1QD <$ Bertr%! R#sse'', &ho
took % more 8essimistic /ie&, %r(#i( th%t &itho#t more ki!'iess i the &or'!,
techo'o(ic%' 8o&er &i'' m%i'$ ser/e to icre%se me;s %<i'it$ to i"'ict h%rm o oe
%other. Sciece "ictio %#thors s#ch %s H. 4. 6e''s %! *'%" St%8'e!o %'so (ot m%$
8eo8'e thiki( %<o#t the "#t#re e/o'#tio o" the h#m% r%ce. *e "reI#et'$ cite! &ork
is A'!o#s H#='e$;s #rave Ne- $orld C1.-1D, % !$sto8i% &here 8s$cho'o(ic%'
co!itioi(, 8romisc#o#s se=#%'it$, <iotecho'o($, %! o8i%te !r#(s %re #se! to kee8 the
8o8#'%tio 8'%ci! %! cotete! i % st%tic, tot%'it%ri% societ$ r#'e! <$ % e'ite cosisti(
o" te G&or'! cotro''ersH. H#='e$;s o/e' &%rs o" the !eh#m%iEi( 8oteti%' o"
techo'o($ <ei( #se! to %rrest (ro&th %! to !imiish the sco8e o" h#m% %t#re r%ther
th% to eh%ce it.
The Seco! 6or'! 6%r ch%(e! the !irectio o" some o" those c#rrets th%t em%%te i
to!%$;s tr%sh#m%ism. The e#(eics mo/emet, th%t h%! 8re/io#s'$ "o#! %!/oc%tes ot
o'$ %mo( r%cists o the e=treme ri(ht <#t %'so %mo( 'i<er%'s %! 8ro(ressi/ist soci%'
!emocr%ts, &%s thoro#(h'$ !iscre!ite!. The (o%' o" % cre%ti( % e& %! <etter &or'!
thro#(h % cetr%''$ im8ose! /isio <ec%me t%<oo %! 8%ssYF %! the horrors o" St%'iist
So/iet Uio %(%i #!erscore! the !%(ers o" s#ch % %88ro%ch. Mi!"#' o" these
historic%' 'essos, tr%sh#m%ists %re o"te !ee8'$ s#s8icio#s o" co''ecti/e'$ orchestr%te!
ch%(e, %r(#i( iste%! "or the ri(ht o" i!i/i!#%'s to re!esi( themse'/es %! their o&
!esce!%ts.
I the 8ost&%r er%, o8timistic "#t#rists te!e! to !irect their %ttetio more to&%r!
techo'o(ic%' 8ro(ress, s#ch %s s8%ce tr%/e', me!icie, %! com8#ters. Sciece <e(% to
c%tch #8 &ith s8ec#'%tio. Tr%sh#m%ist i!e%s !#ri( this 8erio! !isc#sse! %! %%'$Ee!
chie"'$ i the 'iter%r$ (ere o" sciece "ictio. A#thors s#ch %s Arth#r 3. 3'%rke, Is%%c
Asimo/, Ro<ert Hei'ei, St%is'%& 5em, %! '%ter Br#ce Ster'i(, 4re( E(%, %!
+eror +i(e h%/e e=8'ore! /%rio#s %s8ects o" tr%sh#m%ism i their &riti(s %!
cotri<#te! to its 8ro'i"er%tio.
Ro<ert Etti(er 8'%$e! % im8ort%t ro'e i (i/i( tr%sh#m%ism its mo!er "orm. The
8#<'ic%tio o" his <ook The 2rospect of "mmortality i 1.MQ 'e! to the cre%tio o" the
cr$oics mo/emet. Etti(er %r(#e! th%t sice me!ic%' techo'o($ seems to <e cost%t'$
8ro(ressi(, %! sice chemic%' %cti/it$ comes to % com8'ete h%'t %t 'o& tem8er%t#res, it
sho#'! <e 8ossi<'e to "reeEe % 8erso to!%$ %! 8reser/e the <o!$ #ti' s#ch % time &he
techo'o($ is %!/%ce! eo#(h to re8%ir the "reeEi( !%m%(e %! re/erse the ori(i%'
c%#se o" !e%im%tio. I % '%ter &ork, Man into &uperman C1.01D, he !isc#sse! % #m<er
o" cocei/%<'e im8ro/emets to the h#m% <ei(, coti#i( the tr%!itio st%rte! <$
H%'!%e %! Ber%'.
Aother i"'#eti%' e%r'$ tr%sh#m%ist &%s F. M. Es"%!i%r$, &ho '%ter ch%(e! his
%me to FMB12-2. *e o" the "irst 8ro"essors o" "#t#re st#!ies, FM t%#(ht %t the Ne&
Schoo' "or Soci%' Rese%rch i Ne& :ork i the 1.M2;s %! "orme! % schoo' o" o8timistic
"#t#rists ko& %s the U86i(ers. I his <ook Are you a transhuman? C1.K.D, he
!escri<e! &h%t he s%& %s the si(s o" the emer(ece o" the tr%sh#m% 8erso, %
e/o'#tio%r$ 'ik to&%r!s 8osth#m%it$. CA termio'o(ic%' %si!e, % e%r'$ #se o" the &or!
Jtr%sh#m%; &%s i the 1.01B<ook o" Etti(er, &ho !oes;t o& remem<er &here he
"irst eco#tere! the term. The &or! Jtr%sh#m%ism; &%s coie! <$ 9#'i% H#='e$ i
Ne- #ottles for Ne- $ine C1.50DF the sese i &hich he #se! it, ho&e/er, &%s ot I#ite
the cotem8or%r$ oe.D
I the se/eties %! ei(hties, se/er%' or(%iE%tios s8r#( #8 "or %88e%re! "or 'i"e
e=tesio, cr$oics, s8%ce co'oiE%tio, sciece "ictio, or "#t#rism. The$ &ere o"te
iso'%te! "rom oe %other, %! &hi'e the$ sh%re! simi'%r /ie&s %! /%'#es, the$ !i! ot
$et %mo#t to %$ #i"ie! coheret &or'!/ie&. *e 8romiet /oice "rom % st%!8oit
&ith stro( tr%sh#m%ist e'emets !#ri( this er% &%s M%r/i Misk$;s, % emiet
%rti"ici%' ite''i(ece rese%rcher.
I 1.KM, Eric Dre='er;s 8#<'ishe! Engines of Creation, the "irst <ookB'e(th e=8ositio o"
mo'ec#'%r m%#"%ct#ri(. CThe 8ossi<i'it$ o" %otecho'o($ h%! <ee %tici8%te! <$
No<e' 5%#re%te 8h$sicist Rich%r! Fe$m% i % "%mo#s %"terB!ier %!!ress i 1.5.D. I
this (ro#!<re%ki( &ork, Dre='er ot o'$ %r(#e! "or the "e%si<i'it$ o" %ssem<'erB<%se!
%otecho'o($ <#t %'so e=8'ore! its coseI#eces %! <e(# ch%rti( the str%te(ic
ch%''e(es 8ose! <$ its !e/e'o8met. Dre='er;s '%ter &riti(s s#88'ie! more techic%'
%%'$ses th%t co"irmi( his iiti%' coc'#sios. To 8re8%re the &or'! "or %otecho'o($
%! &ork to&%r!s it s%"e im8'emet%tio, he "o#!e! the Foresi(ht Istit#te to(ether &ith
his &i"e 3hristie Peterso i 1.KM.
E! Re(is;s 1reat Mambo Chic%en and the Transhuman Condition C1..2D took %
h#moro#s 'ook %t tr%sh#m%ism;s h#<ristic scietists %! 8hi'oso8hers. Aother co#8'e
o" i"'#eti%' <ooks &ere ro<oticist H%s Mor%/ec;s semi%' Mind Children C1.KKD %<o#t
the "#t#re !e/e'o8met o" m%chie ite''i(ece, %! more recet'$ R%$ L#rE&ei';s
<estse''i( Age of &piritual Machines C1...D, &hich 8reset i!e%s simi'%r to Mor%/ec;s.
Fr%k Ti8'er;s 2hysics of "mmortality C1..QD, is8ire! <$ the &riti(s o" Tei'h%r! !e
3h%r!i C% 8%'eoto'o(ist %! 9es#it theo'o(i% &ho s%& % e/o'#tio%r$ te'os i the
!e/e'o8met o" % ecom8%ssi( oos8here, % ('o<%' coscio#sessD %r(#e! th%t
%!/%ce! ci/i'iE%tios mi(ht come to h%/e % sh%8i( i"'#ece o the "#t#re e/o'#tio o"
the cosmos, %'tho#(h some &ere 8#t o"" <$ Ti8'er;s %ttem8t to <'e! sciece &ith
re'i(io. M%$ sciece 8o8#'%riEes, s#ch %s 3%r' S%(%, Rich%r! D%&kis, Ste/e Piker,
Do#('%s Ho"st%!ter, h%/e %'so he'8e! 8%/e the &%$ "or 8#<'ic #!erst%!i( o"
tr%sh#m%ist i!e%s.
I 1.KK, the "irst iss#e o" the E+tropy Maga*ine &%s 8#<'ishe! <$ M%= More %! Tom
Morro&, %! i 1..1 the$ "o#!e! the E=tro8$ Istit#te. The m%(%Eie %! the istit#te
ser/e! %s c%t%'$sts, <ri(i( to(ether !is8%r%te (ro#8s o" "#t#ristic i!e%s %! 8eo8'e.
More &rote the "irst !e"iitio o" tr%sh#m%ism i its mo!er sese, %! cre%te! his
o& !isticti/e <r%! o" tr%sh#m%ism, Ge=tro8i%ism,H &hich em8h%siEe!
i!i/i!#%'ism, !$%mic o8timism, %! the m%rket mech%ism i %!!itio to techo'o($.
The tr%sh#m%ist %rts (ere <ec%me more se'"B%&%re thro#(h the &orks o" the %rtist
N%t%sh% +it%BMore. D#ri( this time, % itese e=8'or%tio o" i!e%s %'so took 8'%ce o
/%rio#s Iteret m%i'i('istsF 8romiet cotri<#tors ic'#!e! A!ers S%!<er( Cthe %
e#rosciece !octor%' st#!et i S&e!eD %! Ro<i H%so C% Americ% ecoomist
%! 8o'$m%thD, %mo( m%$ others.
The 6or'! Tr%sh#m%ist Associ%tio &%s "o#!e! i 1..K <$ Nick Bostrom %! D%/i!
Pe%rce to %ct %s % coor!i%ti( iter%tio%' CotB"orB8ro"it, e!#c%tio%'D or(%iE%tio "or
%'' tr%sh#m%istBre'%te! (ro#8s %! iterests, %cross the 8o'itic%' s8ectr#m. The 6TA
"oc#ses o s#88orti( tr%sh#m%ism %s % serio#s %c%!emic !isci8'ie %! o 8romoti(
8#<'ic %&%reess o" tr%sh#m%ist thiki(. The 6TA <e(% 8#<'ishi( the 'ournal of
Evolution and Technology, the "irst scho'%r'$ 8eerBre/ie&e! ?o#r%' "or tr%sh#m%ist
st#!ies i 1... C&hich is %'so the $e%r &he the "irst /ersio o" this FAQ &%s 8#<'ishe!D.
I 1221, the 6TA %!o8te! its c#rret costit#tio %! is o& (o/ere! <$ % e=ec#ti/e
<o%r! th%t is !emocr%tic%''$ e'ecte! <$ its "#'' mem<ershi8. 9%mes H#(hes %mo( others
he'8e! 'i"t the 6TA to its c#rret more m%t#re st%(e, %! % stro( te%m /o'#teers h%s
<ee <#i'!i( #8 the or(%iE%tio to &h%t it is to!%$.
I the 8%st co#8'e o" $e%rs, the tr%sh#m%ist mo/emet h%s <ee (ro&i( "%st %!
"#rio#s'$. 5oc%' (ro#8s %re m#shroomi( i %'' 8%rts o" the &or'!. A&%reess o"
tr%sh#m%ist i!e%s is s8re%!i(. Tr%sh#m%ism is #!er(oi( the tr%sitio "rom <ei(
the 8reocc#8%tio o" % "ri(e (ro#8 o" ite''ect#%' 8ioeers to <ecomi( % m%istre%m
%88ro%ch to #!erst%!i( the 8ros8ects "or techo'o(ic%' tr%s"orm%tio o" the h#m%
co!itio. Th%t techo'o(ic%' %!/%ces &i'' he'8 #s o/ercome m%$ o" o#r c#rret h#m%
'imit%tios is o 'o(er % isi(ht co"ie! to % "e& h%!"#'s o" techoBs%//$ /isio%ries.
:et #!erst%!i( the coseI#eces o" these %tici8%te! 8ossi<i'ities %! the ethic%'
choices &e &i'' "%ce, is % mometo#s ch%''e(e th%t h#m%it$ &i'' <e (r%88'i( &ith o/er
the comi( !ec%!es. The tr%sh#m%ist tr%!itio h%s 8ro!#ce! % Csti'' e/o'/i(D <o!$ o"
thiki( to i''#mi%te these com8'e= iss#es th%t is #8%r%''e'e! i its sco8e %! !e8th o"
"oresi(ht.
Re"ereces,
B%co, F. Advancement of 3earning and Novum 0rganum. CNe& :ork, 3o'oi%' Press,
1K.. [1M12)D.
Ber%', 9. D. The $orld the (lesh 4 the ,evil: An En.uiry into the (uture of the Three
Enemies of the 5ational &oul. CB'oomi(to, I!i%% Ui/ersit$ Press, 1.M. [1.1.)D.
htt8,AA&&&.s%t%"e.e!#ARsh%'iEiABer%'A
Dre='er, E. The Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. CNe& :ork,
Achor Books, 1.KMD. htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(AE*3Ai!e=.htm'
Etti(er, R. The 2rospect of "mmortality. CNe& :ork, Do#<'e!%$, 1.MQD.
htt8,AA&&&.cr$oics.or(A<ook1.htm'
Etti(er, R. Man into &uperman. CNe& :ork, St. M%rti;s, 1.01D.
htt8,AA&&&.cr$oics.or(A<ook1.htm'
E+tropy "nstitute. htt8,AA&&&.e=tro8$.or(
Fe$m%, R. GThere is P'et$ o" Room %t the BottomH. Preset%tio (i/e o Decem<er
1.
th
1.5. %t the %#%' meeti( o" the Americ% Ph$sic%' Societ$ %t the 3%'i"ori%
Istit#te o" Techo'o($, 8#<'ishe! in Engineering and &cience, Fe< 1.M2.
htt8,AA&&&.E$/e=.comA%otechA"e$m%.htm'
FMB12-2. Are you a transhuman? CNe& :ork, 6%rer Books, 1.K.D.
(oresight "nstitute. htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(
H%'!%e, 9. B. S. ,aedalus or &cience and the (uture. CNe& :ork, E. P. D#tto P 3o.,
Ic., 1.1Q [1.1-)D. htt8,AA&&&.s%t%"e.e!#ARsh%'iEiAD%e!%'#s.htm'
H#='e$, A) #rave ne- -orld. CS% Ber%!io, The Bor(o Press, 1.K. [1.-1)D
H#='e$, 9. Ne- #ottles for Ne- $ine. CNe& :ork, H%8er, 1.50D.
'ournal of Evolution and Technology. htt8,AA&&&.?et8ress.or(A
Mir%!o'%, 4io/%i Pico. 0ration on the ,ignity of Man. C1QKMD.
htt8,AA&&&.s%t%"e.e!#ARsh%'iEiAMir%!o'%A
Mor%/ec, H. Mind Children CH%r/%r!, H%r/%r! Ui/ersit$ Press, 1.KKD
Re(is, E. 1reat Mambo Chic%en and the Transhuman Condition CNe& :ork, Perse#s,
1..2D
R#sse'', B. "carus or The (uture of &cience. CNe& :ork, E. P D#tto P 3om8%$, 1.1QD.
htt8,AA&&&.s%t%"e.e!#ARsh%'iEiAIc%r#s.htm'
Ti8'er, F. The 2hysics of "mmortality CNe& :ork, Do#<'e!%$, 1..QD
$orld Transhumanist Association. htt8,AA&&&.tr%sh#m%ism.or(
Is e=tro8i%ism the s%me %s tr%sh#m%ism7
E=tro8i%ism re8resets oe !isticti/e s#<set o" tr%sh#m%ist tho#(ht Cso %'' e=tro8i%s
%re tr%sh#m%ists <#t ot /ice /ers%D. E=tro8i%s t%ke their %me "rom the coce8t o"
>e=tro8$>, !e/e'o8e! <$ M%= More %! Tom Morro&, th%t re"ers to % s$stem@s (ro&th
%! /it%'it$.
E=tro8i%ism is !e"ie! <$ the E=tro8i% Prici8'es, % !oc#met %#thore! <$ the
"o#!ers %! mem<ers o" the E=tro8$ Istit#te. +ersio -.2 o" the Prici8'es 'ists se/e
8rici8'es th%t %re im8ort%t "or e=tro8i%s i the !e/e'o8met o" their thiki(,
Per8et#%' Pro(ress, Se'"BTr%s"orm%tio, Pr%ctic%' *8timism, Ite''i(et Techo'o($,
*8e Societ$, Se'"BDirectio, %! R%tio%' Thiki(.
Po'itic%''$, the e=tro8i%s o88ose %#thorit%ri% soci%' cotro' %! "%/or the r#'e o" '%&
%! !ecetr%'iE%tio o" 8o&er. Tr%sh#m%ism %s s#ch !oes ot %!/oc%te %$ 8%rtic#'%r
8o'itic%' /ie&8oit, %'tho#(h it !oes h%/e 8o'itic%' coseI#eces. Tr%sh#m%ists
themse'/es ho'! % &i!e r%(e o" 8o'itic%' o8iios Cthere %re 'i<er%'s, soci%' !emocr%ts,
'i<ert%ri%s, (ree 8%rt$ mem<ers etc.D, %! some tr%sh#m%ists h%/e e'ecte! to rem%i
%8o'itic%'.
Re"ereces,
More, M. 1..K. The E=tro8i% Prici8'es, /. -.2. htt8,AA&&&.m%=more.comAe=t8r-.htm

6h%t c#rrets %re there &ithi tr%sh#m%ism7
A rich /%riet$ o" o8iio e=ist &ithi tr%sh#m%ist tho#(ht, %! m%$ s#<(ro#8s h%/e
"orme! <%se! o their s8eci"ic iterests, /ie&s, /%'#es, or (eo(r%8hic%' 'oc%tios.
4ro#8s !isti(#ishe! <$ their iterests ic'#!e, cr$oicists, 'i"e e=tesioists,
%otecho'o($ s8eci%'ists, the 6ire! comm#it$, s8%ce eth#si%sts, tr%sh#m%ist
%rtists %! 8er"ormers, sciece "ictio %"icio%!os, c$8her 8#ks %! 8eo8'e
e=8erimeti( &ith %'ter%ti/e societ%' (ro#8i(s.
The e=tro8i%s costit#te % 8romiet tr%sh#m%ist (ro#8 th%t 8'%ces % hi(h /%'#e o
se'"Bo&ershi8, se'"Btr%s"orm%tio, i!i/i!#%' "ree!om, %! "ree!om "rom st%te coercio
[see >Is e=tro8i%ism the s%me %s tr%sh#m%ism7>).
Aother tr%sh#m%ist c#rret is re8resete! <$ %!/oc%tes o" the sort o" >8%r%!iseB
e(ieeri(> o#t'ie! i D%/i! Pe%rce@s He!oistic Im8er%ti/e. Pe%rce %r(#es o ethic%'
(ro#!s "or % <io'o(ic%' 8ro(r%m to %<o'ish %'' "orms o" cr#e't$, s#""eri( %! m%'%ise. I
the shortBr#, o#r emotio%' 'i/es c% <e eriche! <$ !esi(er moo!B!r#(s Ci.e. ot streetB
!r#(sD. I the 'o(Bterm, ho&e/er, it is techic%''$ "e%si<'e to re&rite the /erte<r%te
(eome. Biotecho'o($ c% %<o'ish s#""eri( thro#(ho#t the 'i/i( &or'!. Pe%rce %r(#es
th%t >8ostBD%r&ii% s#8ermi!s> &i'' <e %im%te! 8#re'$ <$ (r%!iets o" (eetic%''$
8reB8ro(r%mme! &e'' <ei(.
Tr%sh#m%ists ho'! !i""eri( o8iios %<o#t the time sc%'e o" "#t#re ch%(es, %s &e'' %s
ho& r%!ic%' those ch%(es mi(ht <e. The si(#'%rit%ri%s, 8ersos &ho 8re!ict the
occ#rrece o" % si(#'%rit$ [see >6h%t is the si(#'%rit$7>), re8reset oe e! o" the
s8ectr#m, &hi'e other tr%sh#m%ists m%ke 8re!ictios <%se! o % more (r%!#%' 8ro(ress
o" e/o'#tio.
5oc%' tr%sh#m%ist !isc#ssio (ro#8s h%/e "orme! i m%?or Americ% cities %! i
E#ro8e% co#tries. A'tho#(h tr%sh#m%ism is cosmo8o'it%, these (ro#8s h%/e e%ch
est%<'ishe! % !istict ch%r%cter, 8ossi<'$ <ec%#se o" 'oc%' memetic co!itios.
5e%!i( tr%sh#m%ist thikers o"te !e"$ '%<e'i(. E%ch re8resets % !istict "'%/or o"
tr%sh#m%ism, ho'!i( com8'e= %! s#<t'e /ie&s th%t %re #!er cost%t re/isio %!
!e/e'o8met
Re"ereces,
5iks to i!i/i!#%' home 8%(es %! tr%sh#m%istBre'%te! s8eci%' iterest (ro#8s,
htt8,AA&&&.tr%sh#m%ism.comAhot'iks.htm'

Is tr%sh#m%ism % c#'tAre'i(io7
Tr%sh#m%ism is !e"iite'$ ot % c#'tF it !oes ot "#'"i'' %$ o" the criteri% "or % c#'t %s
est%<'ishe! <$ the 3#'t A&%reess Net&ork %! other or(%iE%tios. Tr%sh#m%ism is
ot % re'i(io either, %'tho#(h it ser/es some o" the "#ctios "or &hich 8eo8'e h%/e
tr%!itio%''$ re'ie! o re'i(io. Tr%sh#m%ism o""ers % sese o" !irectio %! 8#r8ose,
%! % /isio th%t h#m%s c% %chie/e somethi( (re%ter th% o#r 8reset co!itio.
U'ike most re'i(io#s <e'ie/ers, tr%sh#m%ists seek to m%ke their !re%ms come tr#e i
this &or'!, <$ re'$i( ot o s#8er%t#r%' 8o&ers <#t r%tio%' thiki( %! em8iricism,
thro#(h coti#e! scieti"ic, techo'o(ic%', ecoomic %! h#m% !e/e'o8met. E/e
&h%t #se! to <e the e=c'#si/e th#!er o" the 3h#rches, s#ch %s immort%'it$, cost%t
<'iss, %! % (o!'ike ite''i(ece, %re <ei( !isc#sse! <$ tr%sh#m%ists %s h$8othetic%'
e(ieeri( %chie/emetsW
Tr%sh#m%ism is % %t#r%'istic 8hi'oso8h$. At the momet, there is o h%r! e/i!ece "or
s#8er%t#r%' "orces or irre!#ci<'e s8irit#%' 8heome%, %! tr%sh#m%ists 8re"er to re'$
o r%tio%' metho!s, es8eci%''$ the scieti"ic metho!, to #!erst%! %! iter/ee i the
&or'!. A'tho#(h sciece "orms the <%sis o" m#ch tr%sh#m%ist e!e%/or, tr%sh#m%ists
re%'iEe th%t the scieti"ic metho! h%s its o& "%''i<i'ities %! im8er"ectios.
Re'i(io#s "%%ticism, s#8erstitio %! ito'er%ce %re ot %cce8t%<'e %mo(
tr%sh#m%ists. The$ thik m%$ <i%ses c% <e o/ercome thro#(h % scieti"ic %!
h#m%istic e!#c%tio, tr%ii( i critic%' thiki(, %! iter%ctio &ith 8eo8'e "rom
!i""eret c#'t#res.
It@s &orth em8h%siEi( th%t tr%sh#m%ism is ot % "i=e! set o" !o(m%s. It@s % e/o'/i(
&or'!B/ie&. *r r%ther, it@s % "%mi'$ o" e/o'/i( &or'!B/ie&sBBB"or tr%sh#m%ists te! to
!is%(ree &ith oe other o m%$ iss#es. The tr%sh#m%ist 8hi'oso8h$, sti'' i its
"orm%ti/e st%(es, is me%t to kee8 !e/e'o8i( i the 'i(ht o" e& e=8erieces %! e&
o88ort#ities. Tr%sh#m%ists &%t to "i! o#t &here the$ %re &ro( %! to ch%(e their
/ie&s %ccor!i('$.

6o;t thi(s 'ike #8'o%!i(, cr$oics %! AI "%i' <ec%#se the$ c%;t 8reser/e or cre%te
the so#'7
6hi'e the coce8t o" % so#' is ot % /er$ #se"#' or coheret oe "or % %t#r%'istic
8hi'oso8h$ s#ch %s tr%sh#m%ism, m%$ tr%sh#m%ists !o t%ke % iterest i the re'%te!
8ro<'ems coceri( 8erso%' i!etit$ %! coscio#sess. These 8ro<'ems h%/e <ee the
s#<?ect o" 'i/e'$ !e<%te %mo( cotem8or%r$ %%'$tic 8hi'oso8hers, %! tho#(h some
8ro(ress h%s <ee m%!e Ce.(. i Derek P%r"it@s &ork o 8erso%' i!etit$D the$ h%/e sti''
ot <ee reso'/e! to (eer%' s%tis"%ctio. A e%si'$ %ccessi<'e itro!#ctio to the mi!B
<o!$ 8ro<'em is 3h#rch'%! C1.KKD.
I" oe <e'ie/es th%t there is % so#' %! th%t it eters the <o!$ %t coce8tio, the cr$oics
m%$ <e %<'e to &ork sice h#m% em<r$os h%/e <ee s#ccess"#''$ <ee "roEe, store! "or
e=te!e! 8erio!s %! the im8'%te! ito their mothers, res#'ti( i he%'th$ %! or!i%r$
chi'!re C&ho 8res#m%<'$ h%/e so#'sD. U8'o%!i( &o#'! i m%$ &%$s <e % em8iric%'
test o" m%$ /ie&s o the so#'. I" #8'o%!i( t#rs o#t to &ork, cert%i /ie&s o the so#'
m#st <e re/ise!. The s%me ho'!s "or m%chie ite''i(ece. CIt is iteresti( to ote th%t
D%'%i 5%m% h%s ot r#'e! o#t the 8ossi<i'it$ o" reic%r%ti( ito com8#ters.D
Re"ereces,
3h#rch'%!, P. 1.KK. M%tter %! 3oscio#sess. MIT Press, MA.
P%r"it, D. 1.KQ. Re%sos %! Persos. *="or! Ui/. Press, *="or!.
CIter/ie& &ith D%'%i 5%m%
htt8,AA&&&.%'e8h.seATr%sA4'o<%'AU8'o%!i(A'%m%V#8'o%!.t=tD

Is there tr%sh#m%ist %rt7
:es. Emotios %re % esseti%' too' i sesi( %! #!erst%!i( 'i"e. Tr%sh#m%ist
%rtists seek to it#iti/e'$ (r%s8 %! iter8ret the tr%sh#m% co!itio %! the &or'!B
8ict#re th%t sciece re/e%'s. I tr%sh#m%ist %rt, the mer(i( o" h#m% c#'t#re &ith
sciece %! techo'o($ is o"te ch%r%cteristic o" <oth cotet %! me!i#m.
Tr%sh#m%ist %rt e=8resses tr%sh#m%ist /%'#es s#ch %s e=te!i( 'i"e, icre%si(
/it%'it$ %! cre%ti/it$, e=8'ori( the &or'!, 8#rs#i( 'imit'ess se'"Btr%s"orm%tio %!
icre%se! sesor$ e=8erieces. Some tr%sh#m%s #se %rt %s % &%$ o" 'i/i( o#t their
8hi'oso8h$.
Tr%sh#m%ist %rt is cre%te! <$ tr%sh#m%ists "rom m#'ti8'e !isci8'ies. It ecom8%sses
the ko& %rts o" 'iter%t#re, m#sic, /is#%'s, e'ectroic, ro<otic %! 8er"ormi( %rts, %s
&e'' %s mo!es o" e=8ressio $et to <e !esi(e!. The Tr%sh#m%ist %rts %'so ic'#!e
&orks <$ scietists, e(ieers, techici%s, 8hi'oso8hers, %th'etes, e!#c%tors, %!
m%them%tici%s, "or e=%m8'e. I!e%s %! /isios %<o#t e/o'#tio, tr%sh#m%s,
<iotecho'o($, AB5i"e, e=tro8$, %! immort%'it$ h%/e <ecome 8%rt o" the %rt &or'!.
Some o" the s#<(eres ic'#!e, e=tro8ic %rt, %#tomor8h %rt C% i!i/i!#%'istic %88ro%ch to
e=tro8ic se'"Btr%s"orm%tio ecom8%ssi( mi! %! <o!$BBBtr%sh#m% <ei( %s %rtD,
%! e=oterr% %rt C% "#sio o" %rt %! the #i/erseD.
Re"ereces,
htt8,AA&&&.tr%sh#m%.or(
htt8,AA&&&.e=tro8icB%rt.com


TRANSHUMAN PRA3TI3A5ITIES
6h%t e/i!ece is there th%t it &i'' h%88e7
T%ke % 'ook %ro#! i to!%$@s &or'!. 3om8%re &h%t $o# see o& &ith &h%t $o# &o#'!
h%/e see o'$ si=t$ $e%rs %(o. It@s ot % es8eci%''$ <o'! co?ect#re th%t i si=t$ $e%rs
"rom o& the st%te o" techo'o($ %! the &%$ 8eo8'e co!#ct their 'i/es &i'' <e 8rett$
&o!ro#s <$ o#r 8reset st%!%r!s. The coser/%ti/e 8ro?ectio, e/e %ss#mi( ?#st th%t
the &or'! &i'' coti#e to !e/e'o8 i % (r%!#%' &%$ %s it h%s !oe sice the se/eteeth
cet#r$, &o#'! im8'$ th%t $o# co#'! e=8ect to see !r%m%tic !e/e'o8mets o/er the
comi( !ec%!es.
This e=8ect%tio is rei"orce! &he oe cosi!ers th%t m%$ cr#ci%' %re%s seem 8oise!
"or critic%' <re%kthro#(hs. The 6or'! 6i!e 6e< is <e(ii( to 'ik #8 the &or'!@s
8eo8'e, %!!i( % e& '%$er to h#m% societ$, % '%$er &here i"orm%tio is s#8reme. 6e
%re com8'eti( the m%88i( o" the h#m% (eome %! %re !e/e'o8i( the (eetic
e(ieeri( techiI#es to #se this i"orm%tio to iter/ee i the %!#'t h#m% or(%ism
or to (i/e o#r o""s8ri( !esir%<'e tr%its. The 8er"orm%ce o" com8#ters !o#<'es e/er$
ei(htee moths %! &i'' "%ir'$ soo <e %88ro%chi( h#m%B'e/e' com8#t%tio%' 8o&er.
Ph%rm%ce#tic%' com8%ies %re re"ii( !r#(s th%t %''o& #s to re(#'%te h#m% moo! %!
%s8ects o" h#m% 8erso%'it$ &ith "e& si!eBe""ects. M%$ tr%sh#m%ist %ims c% <e
8#rs#e! &ith 8reset techo'o(ies. 3% there <e %$ !o#<t C<%rri( % ci/i'iE%tioB
!estro$i( c%t%c'$smD th%t techo'o(ic%' 8ro(ress &i'' (i/e #s m#ch more r%!ic%' o8tios
i the "#t#re7
Mo'ec#'%r m%#"%ct#ri( h%s the 8oteti%' to tot%''$ tr%s"orm the h#m% co!itio. Is it
% "e%si<'e techo'o($7 Eric Dre='er %! others h%/e sho&e! i !et%i' ho&
%otecho'o($ is cosistet &ith the '%&s o" chemistr$ %! h%/e o#t'ie! se/er%' ro#tes
<$ &hich it co#'! <e !e/e'o8e! [see >6h%t is %otecho'o($7>). N%otecho'o(ic%'
!e/e'o8met m%$ seem "%r"etche!, m%$<e <ec%#se the coseI#eces seem too
o/er&he'mi(, <#t %otecho'o($ s8eci%'ists 8oit o#t th%t there c#rret'$ e=ists o
8#<'ishe! critiI#e o" Dre='er@s techic%' %r(#mets. No<o!$ h%s <ee %<'e to 8oit to %$
error i his c%'c#'%tios. Me%&hi'e, i/estmet i the "ie'! C%'re%!$ <i''ios o" !o''%rsD is
(ro&i( r%8i!'$, %! %t 'e%st the 'ess /isio%r$ %s8ects o" mo'ec#'%r m%#"%ct#ri( %re
%'re%!$ m%istre%m.
There %re m%$ i!e8e!et metho!s %! techo'o(ies th%t c% e%<'e h#m%s to
<ecome 8osth#m%. There is #cert%it$ %<o#t &hich techo'o($ &i'' <e 8er"ecte! "irst,
%! &e h%/e % choice %<o#t &hich metho!s to #se. B#t 8ro/i!e! ci/i'iE%tio coti#es to
"'o#rish, the it seems ie/it%<'e th%t &e &i'' h%/e the o8tio o" <ecomi( 8osth#m%s.
A!, #'ess s#88resse! %! 8re/ete! <$ "orce, m%$ &i'' choose to e=8'ore th%t o8tio.
Re"ereces,
Dre='er, E. 1..1. N%os$stems, 9oh 6i'e$ P Sos, Ic., N:.

Wont these developments take thousands or millions of years?
It is o"te /er$ h%r! to 8re!ict ho& 'o( % cert%i techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met &i'' t%ke.
The moo '%!i( h%88ee! sooer th% most 8eo8'e h%! e=8ecte!, <#t "#sio eer($ is
sti'' e'#!i( #s %"ter h%'" % cet#r$ o" %tici8%tio. The !i""ic#'t$ "orec%sti( the timi(
'ies 8%rt'$ i the 8ossi<i'it$ o" #e=8ecte! techic%' o<st%c'es, %! 8%rt'$ i the "%ct th%t
the r%te o" 8ro(ress !e8e!s o 'e/e's o" "#!i(, &hich i t#r !e8e! o h%r!BtoB8re!ict
ecoomic%' %! 8o'itic%' "%ctors. There"ore, &hi'e oe c% i m%$ c%ses (i/e (oo!
(ro#!s "or thiki( th%t % techo'o($ &i'' e/et#%''$ <e, oe c% #s#%''$ o'$ m%ke
i"orme! (#esses %<o#t ho& 'o( it &i'' t%ke.
The /%st m%?orit$ o" tr%sh#m%ists thik th%t s#8erite''i(ece %! %otecho'o($ &i''
<oth <e !e/e'o8e! i 'ess th% % h#!re! $e%rs, %! m%$ 8re!ict th%t it &i'' h%88e &e''
&ithi the "irst thir! o" this cet#r$. CThe re%sos "or ho'!i( these o8iios %re o#t'ie!
i the sectios %<o#t these t&o techo'o(ies.D *ce there is <oth %otecho'o($ %!
s#8erite''i(ece, % /er$ &i!e r%(e o" s8eci%' %88'ic%tios &i'' "o''o& s&i"t'$.
It &o#'! <e 8ossi<'e to (i/e % 'o( 'ist o" e=%m8'es &here 8eo8'e i the 8%st h%/e
so'em'$ !ec'%re! th%t somethi( &%s techo'o(ic%''$ %<so'#te'$ im8ossi<'e,
GThe secrets o" "'i(ht &i'' ot <e m%stere! &ithi o#r 'i"etime N ot &ithi % tho#s%!
$e%rs.H C6i'<#r 6ri(ht, 1.21D,
or soci%''$ irre'e/%t,
GThere is o re%so &h$ %$oe &o#'! &%t % com8#ter i their home.H CLe *'se,
Presi!et, 3h%irm% %! Fo#!er o" Di(it%', 1.00D
N o'$ to see o'$ to see it h%88e "e& $e%rs '%ter. Ho&e/er, oe co#'! (i/e % eI#%''$
'o( 'ist o" c%ses o" 8re!icte! <re%kthro#(hs th%t "%i'e! to occ#r. The I#estio c%ot <e
sett'e! <$ e#mer%ti( historic%' 8%r%''e's.
A <etter str%te($ is to 'ook !irect'$ %t &h%t % c%re"#' %%'$sis o" the #!er'$i( 8h$sic%'
costr%its %! e(ieeri( costr%its mi(ht re/e%'. I the c%se o" the most cr#ci%' "#t#re
techo'o(ies N s#8erite''i(ece %! mo'ec#'%r m%#"%ct#ri( N s#ch % %%'$ses h%/e
<ee !oe, %! m%$ e=8erts <e'ie/e th%t these &i'' 'ike'$ <e %chie/e! &ithi the "irst
"e& !ec%!es o" the e=t cet#r$. *ther e=8erts thik it &i'' t%ke m#ch 'o(er. There
seems to <e % more !is%(reemet %<o#t the "e%si<i'it$ %! timeB"r%me o" s#8erite''i(ece
th% o" %otecho'o($.
Aother &%$ o" "ormi( % /ie& o" &here &e %re he%!e! is <$ 'ooki( %t tre!s. At 'e%st
sice the '%te ieteeth cet#r$, sciece %! techo'o($, %s me%s#re! <$ % &i!e r%(e o"
i!ic%tors, h%/e !o#<'e! %<o#t e/er$ 15 $e%rs. E=tr%8o'%ti( this e=8oeti%' r%te o"
8ro(ress, oe is 'e! to e=8ect to see !r%m%tic ch%(es i the e%r "#t#re. It &o#'! reI#ire
% %<r#8t re/ers%' o" c#rret tre!s, % #e=8ecte! !ece'er%tio, i or!er "or the ch%(es
th%t tr%sh#m%ists "oresee ot to h%88e &ithi the 11
st
cet#r$.
Re"ereces,
The (oresight "nstitute. GErroeo#s Pre!ictios %! Ne(%ti/e 3ommets 3oceri(
Scieti"ic %! Techo'o(ic%' De/e'o8mets.H C1221D.
htt8,AA&&&."oresi(ht.or(ANe&sAe(%ti/e3ommets.htm'
6h%t i" it !oes;t &ork7
The, 8res#m%<'$, &e &o#'! "i! o#rse'/es <%ck %t Jst%t#s I#o;, <#t %'so eriche! <$
m%$ e& isi(hts %! techiI#es !isco/ere! i the %ttem8t. B#t the iss#e is ot so m#ch
&hether it &i'' &ork %s &h%t &i'' &ork %! &he. 6ith m%$ 8oteti%''$ tr%s"ormi(
techo'o(ies %'re%!$ %/%i'%<'e %! others i!is8#t%<'$ i the 8i8e'ie, it;s c'e%r th%t there
&i'' <e '%r(e sco8e "or h#m% se'"B%#(met%tio. The more s#8er'%ti/e tr%sh#m%
techo'o(ies, s#ch %s %otecho'o($ %! s#8erite''i(ece, c% <e re%che! thro#(h
se/er%' i!e8e!et 8%ths. I" oe 8%th t#rs o#t to <e <'ocke!, %other c% <e trie!,
%!!i( to the 'ike'ihoo! o" s#ccess.
I" "or some #"oresee re%so, scietists c%ot !e/e'o8 mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ %!
s#8erh#m% %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece, %'o( &ith the techo'o(ies these &o#'! s#88ortBBB
#8'o%!i(, cr$oics, i!e"iite 'i"e e=tesioBBBtr%sh#m%ists &o#'! cosi!er th%t %s
immese'$ tr%(ic. :o# &o#'! the 8erh%8s e/er see % &or'! "ree "rom s#""eri(, !ise%se
%! !e%thF e/er e=8eriece the hi(her re%ches o" ite''ect#%' cre%ti/it$ %!
#!erst%!i( th%t %re %ccessi<'e <$ <etter i"orm%tio 8rocessors th% the h#m%
er/o#s s$stemF e/er h%/e the o88ort#it$ to tr$ o#t the emotios %! !ee8 st%tes o"
coscio#sess th%t $o#r #%#(mete! <r%i c%ot re%ch or s#st%iF $o# &o#'! e/er
ko& &h%t 'e/e' o" 8erso%' !e/e'o8met $o# co#'! %tt%i <$ 'i/i( &ith $o#th"#' /i(or
"or 112, or Q22, or e/e 52,222 $e%rs. S#re, h#m%s &o#'! "i! some so'%ce "rom %'' the
#se"#' too's th%t &o#'! o !o#<t <e !isco/ere! o the ?o#re$BBBe& too's "or (eetic
e(ieeri(, moo!B!r#(s, i"orm%tio techo'o($, "%ster com8#ters, e& #se"#'
chemic%'s, e& me!ic%' tre%tmets, or(% tr%s8'%t%tio techiI#es, <etter com8#ter
memoriesBBB<#t tr%sh#m%ists h%/e <i((er %m<itios.

Ho& c% I #se tr%sh#m%ism i m$ o& 'i"e7
Tr%sh#m%ism is % 8r%ctic%' 8hi'oso8h$ th%t c% <e /er$ !o&BtoBe%rth. There %re
coseI#et'$ i#mer%<'e &%$s i &hich $o# c% %88'$ it to $o#r o& 'i"e, r%(i( "rom
the #se o" !iet %! e=ercise to im8ro/e he%'th %! 'i"eBe=8ect%c$F to si(i( #8 "or
cr$oic s#s8esioF m%ki( moe$ "rom i/esti( i techo'o($ stocksF #si( c'iic%'
!r#(s to %!?#st 8%r%meters o" $o#r moo! %! 8erso%'it$, or ootro8ics to im8ro/e
co(iti/e 8er"orm%ceF %88'$i( /%rio#s co(iti/e or 8s$cho'o(ic%' se'"Bim8ro/emet
techiI#es Cst#!$ techiI#es, N5P, time m%%(emetF memoicsF me!it%tioF critic%'
thiki(DF 'e%ri( to t%ke %!/%t%(e o" e& i"orm%tio techo'o(iesF t%ki( #tritio%'
s#88'emets C/it%mis, mier%'s, esseti%' "%tt$ %ci!s, hormoesD to !ecre%se $o#r risk o"
he%rt !ise%se %! c%cer %! ho8e"#''$ s'o& %(i(F cre%ti( tr%sh#m%ist %rtF %! i
(eer%' t%ki( ste8s to 'i/e % richer %! more res8osi<'e 'i"e. A em8o&eri( mi!Bset
th%t is commo %mo( tr%sh#m%ists is !$%mic o8timism C%'so c%''e! 8r%ctic%'
o8timismD, the %ttit#!e th%t !esir%<'e res#'ts c% i (eer%' <e %ccom8'ishe!, <#t o'$
thro#(h h%r! e""ort %! sm%rt choices CMore C1..0DD.
:o# m%$ %'so &%t to (et i/o'/e! i tr%sh#m%istBre'%te! rese%rch or or(%iE%tio
<#i'!i( [see >Ho& c% I <ecome i/o'/e! i tr%sh#m%ism7>).
Re"ereces,
More, M. 1..K. D$%mic *8timism. htt8AA,&&&.m%=more.comAo8timism.htm

Ho& co#'! I <ecome % 8osth#m%7
At 8reset, there is o m%er <$ &hich %$ h#m% c% <ecome % 8osth#m%, % 8rim%r$
re%so "or the stro( iterest i 'i"e e=tesio %! cr$oics %mo( tr%sh#m%ists. Those
o" #s &ho c% 'i/e 'o( eo#(h to see the res#'ts o" techo'o(ic%' !e/e'o8met o/er the
'o( term m%$ (et to <ecome 8osth#m%s.
E%ch o" #s h%s the 8oteti%' to %chie/e tr%sh#m% st%t#s &ithi o#r 'i"etime, ho&e/er,
%! th%t i itse'" re8resets % e=citi( mi'estoe i h#m% e/o'#tio. 6e 'i/e i % er% i
&hich C%t 'e%st i the !emocr%tic &or'!D &e %re "ree to %!o8t % o#t'ook th%t is sh%8e!
'ess <$ %tio%' <o#!%ries, "%mi'$ 'o$%'ties, %! 8o'itic%' 8%rtis%shi8. I this er%, h#m%
mi!s h%/e <ee e=8%!e! %! re&ire! <$ e=te!e! e!#c%tios, m#'ti8'e c%reers,
icre%si( ('o<%' et&orks o" 8erso%' re'%tioshi8s, %! com8#ter comm#ic%tios.
H#m% <o!ies %re %#(mete! thro#(h im8ro/e! chi'!hoo! #tritio, im8'%ts,
re8'%cemet <o!$ 8%rts, %! 'i"e e=tesio 8ro(r%ms. 6e h%/e com<ie! o#r 8h$sic%'
<o!ies %! o#r mi!s &ith <io'o(ic%' sciece %! techo'o($ to <re%k the <%rriers th%t
ke8t o#r %cestors "rom 'i/i( <o#!'ess 'i/es.

Is;t the 8ossi<i'it$ o" s#ccess i cr$oics too sm%''7
3r$oics, the "reeEi( o" 8eo8'e &ho %re 'e(%''$ >!e%!>, c% <e re(%r!e! %s %
e=8erimet%' me!ic%' 8roce!#re. It is i the %t#re o" cr$oics th%t it c%ot 8reset'$ <e
s#<?ecte! to c'iic%' tri%'s to !etermie its e""ecti/eess. 6h%t &e ko& is th%t it is
8ossi<'e to st%<i'iEe % 8%tiet@s co!itio <$ coo'i( them i 'iI#i! itro(e CB 1.M 3TD. A
cosi!er%<'e %mo#t o" ce'' !%m%(e is c%#se! <$ the "reeEi( 8rocess, <#t oce "roEe
the 8%tiet c% <e store! "or mi''ei% &ith /irt#%''$ o %!!itio%' tiss#e !e(r%!%tio. The
h$8othesis o &hich cr$oics rests is th%t %t some 8oit i the "#t#re the techo'o($ &i''
<e !e/e'o8e! th%t &i'' e%<'e #s to re/i/e the cr$oics 8%tiet, re/ersi( the "reeEi(
!%m%(e %! the ori(i%' c%#se o" !e%im%tio.
I or!er to sho& th%t cr$oics &i'' ot &ork, it is ecess%r$ to sho& th%t o "#t#re
techo'o($, o m%tter ho& %!/%ce!, &i'' e/er <e %<'e to re/i/e the s#s8e!e! 8%tiet.
6he &e cosi!er &h%t is ro#tie to!%$ %! ho& it mi(ht h%/e <ee /ie&e! i Cs%$D the
1022@s, &e c% <e(i to see ho& !i""ic#'t it is to m%ke % &e''B"o#!e! %r(#met th%t
"#t#re me!ic%' techo'o($ &i'' e/er <e %<'e to re/erse the i?#ries th%t occ#r !#ri(
cr$oic s#s8esio.
See i this 'i(ht, si(i( #8 "or cr$oics C&hich is #s#%''$ !oe <$ m%ki( the cr$oics
"irm the <ee"ici%r$ o" $o#r 'i"e is#r%ceD c% 'ook 'ike % re%so%<'e is#r%ce 8o'ic$. I"
it !oes@t &ork $o# &o#'! <e !e%! %$&%$F i" it &orks it c% s%/e $o#r 'i"e. CA! $o#r
s%/e! 'i"e &o#'! the 'ike'$ <e % /er$ 'o( %! he%'th$ oe, (i/e ho& %!/%ce!
me!icie m#st <e to re%im%te $o#.D
E=8erts i mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ (eer%''$ <e'ie/e th%t i its m%t#re st%(e,
%otecho'o($ &i'' e%<'e the re%im%tio o" cr$oics 8%tiets. Th#s, it is 8ossi<'e th%t
the s#s8e!e! 8%tiets c% <e re/i/e! i %s 'itt'e %s % "e& !ec%!es "rom o&. The
#cert%it$ %<o#t the #'tim%te techic%' "e%si<i'it$ o" re%im%tio m%$ /er$ &e'' <e
sm%''er th% other #cert%it$ "%ctors, s#ch %s the 8ossi<i'it$ th%t $o# !e%im%te i the
&ro( ki! o" &%$ C'ost %t se%F i"orm%tio cotet i $o#r <r%i er%se! <$ A'Eheimer@s
!ise%seD, th%t $o#r cr$oics com8%$ (oes <#st, th%t ci/i'iE%tio co''%8ses, or th%t the
8eo8'e i the "#t#re &o@t <e itereste! i re/i/i( $o#. So % cr$oics cotr%ct is o"
co#rse "%r "rom % 122U (#%r%tee o" s#r/i/%'. As the cr$oicists s%$, <ei( cr$oic%''$
s#s8e!e! is the seco! &orst thi( th%t c% h%88e to $o#.
B$ o me%s %'' tr%sh#m%ists %re si(e! #8 "or cr$oics, <#t % si(i"ic%t "r%ctio "i!
th%t "or them the costB<ee"it %%'$sis ?#sti"ies the e=8ese.
Re"ereces,
Merk'e, R. 1..Q. >The Mo'ec#'%r Re8%ir o" the Br%i>. 3r$oics m%(%Eie, +o'. 15 No@s
1 P 1. htt8,AA&&&.merk'e.comAcr$oAtechFe%s.htm'
3r$oics FAQ, htt8,AA&&&.cs.cm#.e!#A%"sAcsA#serAts"AP#<'icB
M%i'Acr$oicsAhtm'A221K.1.htm'Zi!e=
A'cor, htt8,AA&&&.%'cor.or(A

6o@t it <e <ori( to 'i/e "ore/er i the 8er"ect &or'!7
Tr%sh#m%ism !oes ot 8romise % 8er"ect "#t#re &or'!. I" %'' (oes &e'', ho&e/er, the
"#t#re &i'' <e oe i &hich e%ch i!i/i!#%' h%s 'imit'ess "ree!om to !e/e'o8 their
8oteti%' %! to e=8ress their cre%ti/it$ %! 'i/e o#t their !re%ms.
I com8%riso to other tr%sh#m%ist 8ro?ects, the %<o'itio o" <ore!om &i'' 8ro<%<'$
8ro/e I#ite e%s$. I!ee!, &e %'re%!$ h%/e re'i%<'e Ctho#(h 8oteti%''$ to=icD me%s to
!is8e' <ore!om "or 'imite! 8erio!s e.(. <$ t%ki( 8s$chostim#'%ts s#ch %s
%m8het%mies. Preset c'iic%' moo!B!r#(s c% eh%ce iterest %! eth#si%sm "or 'i"e
i some, ic'#!i( 8eo8'e &ho %re ot s#""eri( "rom !e8ressio. CThese e=%m8'es m%$
<e mis'e%!i(, ho&e/er. The$ co?#re #8 ?#st the cr#!est "oret%ste o" &h%t@s i store.D
*'$ <$ com8%rtmet%'iEi( o#r thiki( to % hi(h !e(ree c% &e im%(ie % &or'! &here
there is m%t#re mo'ec#'%r %otecho'o($ %! s#8erh#m% %rti"ici%' ite''i(ece, %! the
me%s %re sti'' '%cki( to cotro' the <r%i circ#itr$ o" <ore!om.
It m%$ <e #se"#' to ret%i some "#ctio%' %%'o( o" <ore!om, sice <ore!om c% ser/e to
8re/et #s "rom &%sti( too m#ch time o mootoo#s %! me%i('ess %cti/ities.
Perh%8s % %""ecti/e (r%!iet is ee!e! to moti/%te #s to stri/e "or im8ro/emets. Th#s,
some chores i tomorro&@s &or'! m%$ come to <e %/oi!e! <ec%#se the$ %re 8ercei/e! %s
mere'$ itri(#i( r%ther th% e=hi'%r%ti(.
E! Re(is C1..2, 8. .0D s#((ests the "o''o&i( 8oits %'so <e cosi!ere!,
1. *r!i%r$ 'i"e is sometimes <ori(. So &h%t7
1. Eter%' 'i"e &i'' <e %s <ori( or %s e=citi( %s $o# m%ke it.
-. Is <ei( !e%! more e=citi(7
Q. I" eter%' 'i"e <ecomes <ori(, $o# &i'' h%/e the o8tio o" e!i( it %t %$ time.
Re"ereces,
Pe%rce, D. 1..K. The He!oistic Im8er%ti/e. htt8,AA&&&.he!&e<.com
Re(is, E. 1..2. 4re%t M%m<o 3hicke %! the Tr%sh#m% 3o!itio. Pe(#i Books
Ho& c% I <ecome i/o'/e! i tr%sh#m%ism7
There %re % (ro&i( #m<er o" or(%iE%tios th%t h%/e <ee "orme! to e=8'ore %!
!e/e'o8 tr%sh#m%ist techo'o(ies %! cotem8'%te the iss#es o the ro%! to
8osth#m%it$.
The 6or'! Tr%sh#m%ist Associ%tio &%s "orme! i 1..K %s % #m<re''% or(%iE%tio to
8#<'iciEe tr%sh#m%ist i!e%s %! to seek %c%!emic %cce8t%ce o" tr%sh#m%ism %s %
8hi'oso8hic%' %! c#'t#r%' mo/emet.
5oc%' tr%sh#m%ist or(%iE%tios e=ist i se/er%' E#ro8e% co#tries %! Americ%
cities. I Americ% there is %'so the E=tro8$ Istit#te &hich 8romotes e=tro8i%
tr%sh#m%ism. The Foresi(ht Istit#te %! the Istit#te "or Mo'ec#'%r M%#"%ct#ri(
&ork to&%r! the !e/e'o8met %! #!erst%!i( o" %otecho'o($ %! its 8e%ce"#'
%88'ic%tio to h#m% %""%irs. A'cor is oe oB8ro"it or(%iE%tio o""eri( cr$oic
s#s8esio to its c#stomers. The 5i"e E=tesio Fo#!%tio, %other oB8ro"it
or(%iE%tio, 8ro/i!es i"orm%tio %<o#t #tritio%' s#88'emets %! o""ers % r%(e o"
8ro!#cts.
A'' these or(%iE%tios o""er o88ort#ities to 'e%r more %<o#t tr%sh#m%ism %! the
/%rio#s techo'o(ies %! i!e%s th%t tr%sh#m%ists seek to %88'$ to h#m% 'i"e. The$
or(%iEe co"ereces %! meeti(s %! s8osor /%rio#s e'ectroic "or#ms to et&ork
&ith other 8eo8'e itereste! i "#rtheri( the tr%sh#m%ist %(e!%. Ne& <#siess i!e%s
%re cost%t'$ <ei( e=8'ore! <$ their mem<ers %! o88ort#ities "or em8'o$met i
&ork th%t is %cti/e'$ %! e=8'icit'$ %ime! %t !e/e'o8i( % tr%sh#m% "#t#re 'ie i the
e%r "#t#re. There %re i#mer%<'e com8%ies, #i/ersit$ !e8%rtmets %! other
istit#tios th%t !o &ork th%t is !irect'$ re'e/%t to tr%sh#m%ism.
Re"ereces,
6or'! Tr%sh#m%ist Associ%tio. htt8,AA&&&.tr%sh#m%ism.or( C"rom &hich 'iks to
the other or(%iE%tios c% <e "o#!D.

3*NTRIBUT*RS T* THIS D*3UMENT
The %otecho'o($ sectio is <%se! o % itro!#ctio <$ 9oh Storrs H%'' &hich is i
t#r <%se! o te=ts <$ Eric Dre='er %! R%'8h Merk'e. The cr$oics sectio is <%se! o
the &riti(s o" R%'8h Merk'e, "rom &hich m%$ 8hr%ses %re !irect'$ <orro&e!. The
!e"iitio o" tr%sh#m%ism #se! i this FAQ is <%se! o cotri<#tios <$ m%$ 8eo8'e,
es8eci%''$ L%thr$ Ae(is %! M%= More. The %s&ers to the I#estios %<o#t the so#' %!
%<o#t the ih#m%Aih#m%e !istictio, %! %<o#t historic%' %tece!ets %re most'$
A!ers;, %! se/er%' other %s&ers %re 8%rt'$ <%se! o i8#t "rom him %! other
mem<ers o" the S&e!ish tr%sh#m%ist or(%iE%tio A'e8h. L%thr$ &rote the %s&ers to
the I#estio o" &h%t societ$ 8osth#m%s &o#'! 'i/e i, %! to >Ho& co#'! I <ecome %
8osth#m%7>, %! most o" the %s&er to >6h%t is % tr%sh#m%7>. The %s&er to the
I#estio %<o#t tr%sh#m%ist %rt is <%se! o % re8'$ <$ N%t%sh% +it%BMore. 4re( B#rch
cotri<#te! e!itori%' commets o % e%r'$ st%(e, %! D%/i! Pe%rce %! es8eci%''$
L%thr$ Ae(is %! A!ers S%!<er( o""ere! /er$ e=tesi/e e!itori%' commets o % '%ter
st%(e. I!e%s, criticisms, I#estios, 8hr%ses %! seteces h%/e <ee cotri<#te! <$ Ci o
8%rtic#'%r or!erD,
Heri L'#$tm%s, 9oh S. No/%k III, A''e Smith, Thom Q#i, H%rmo$ B%'!&i, 9. R.
Mo''o$, 4re( B#rch, M%= More, H%r/e$ Ne&strom, Bret A''so8, 9oh L 3'%rk, R%!$
Smith, D%ie' F%<#'ich, Scott B%!(er, m%rk[#icor.com, A!ers S%!<er(, D%
3'emmese, L%thr$ Ae(is, Sh%kehi8[%o'.com, N%t%sh% +it%BMore, Mich%e' Nie'se,
4eo"" Smith, E#(ee 5eit', 6i''i%m 9oh, 8i'(rim[c$<er!#!e.com, 9oe 9ekis, D%mie
Bro!erick, D%/i! Pe%rce, Mich%e' 5orre$, Br$% Moss, Derek Stro(, 6es'e$ R.
Sch&ei, Peter 3. Mc3'#ske$, To$ Ho''ick, Ee<o[8roBs.et, Miche''e 9oes, Deis
Ste/es, D%mo D%/is, 9e"" Dee, A!re& Heesse$, Do#( B%i'e$, Bri% Atkis, Erik
Moe''er, A'e= Citech[its%r.comD, D%/i! 3%r$, E/Mick[%o'.com, Ar?e L%m8hi#s,
Remi S#ss%, D%'i<or /% !e *tter, Ro<i H%so, E'ieEer :#!ko&sk$, Mich%e' 6iik,
D$'% E/%s, 9e%BMiche'' De'hote'.
I &o#'! 'ike to th%k $o# %'' "or he'8i( cre%ti( this FAQ %! "or m%ki(
tr%sh#m%ism 8ossi<'e.
NNick Bostrom