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Philosophy Bro on Transhumanism

April 4, 2014 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

Our main man Philosophy Bro was way futurist compared to us, and covered transhumanism way back in 2011. Go check it out.

I quote:

So, broadly transhumanism is a movement that seeks to move past our human limitations by using technology. Think of all the cool shit we can do - we are already giving injured bros robotic limbs. And not shitty arms that just open and close like they're trying to pick up a stuffed animal - these arms are getting more and more badass by the day. If we invent an arm strong enough to throw a car and articulate enough to write in cursive, why wait to lose an arm the hard way? Just tack that shit on...

Of course, while no one wants to be weak or dumb, what no one really wants to be is dead. Plenty of bros, especially existentialists, have written about the human condition as it relates to death; mostly, that it's fucking inevitable, and if we don't get over our fear of that we're going to waste our lives cowering. But who says we can't conquer death?

We can replace hearts, for fucksake. If we figure out a way to grow custom organs, we can get past death due to organ failure pretty much forever. Already, Dick Cheney doesn't even have a pulse thanks to his artificial circulator. If that's not a step toward Darth-Vader-style human preservation, I don't know what is. And who's to say that we can't also replace a brain?

He then talks about dualism, physicalism, "psychological continuitists," and all that. Nice and succinct. Consider this a postcog precog.

-Mark Linsenmayer

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Filed Under: Web Detritus Tagged With: philosophy blog, Philosophy Bro, transhumanism

Comments

  1. Fredbo says

    April 4, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    My biggest problem with this posthuman, let’s live forever shizzy is that the consequences will be, very likely, dire. Who wants the likes of Cheney or Kissinger or Hugh Hefner living for another 20, 50 or 1000 years? Those who have power rarely cede that power. Congress people in office for a century? Term limits you say? Not a chance because those who get in won’t want to voluntarily leave. In other facets, imagine being an intern or apprentice for 75 years before you get a chance to be a legitimate peer in your field. And wait till a kid you knew from high school is dating your great great great great grandchild. That should be an interesting holiday dinner! Yeah, when, not if, people live for a long long time the younger will be fucked!

    Reply
  2. Jason Stable says

    April 9, 2014 at 12:33 am

    Dewds Philosophy Bro is the shit. The other night I was about to crash and I got the email for this. I was watching the last episode of The Walking Dead and (SPOILER) Rick, the leader of the group, gets badass when the chips are down and says, “They’re gonna feel pretty stupid when they find out they’re screwing with the wrong people.” It’s this dramatic moment and shit, with the alpha male stepping up, then the show ends. The scene leaves you pumped, ready for some ass kickin’ action. Then I turn back to my computer. The first thing I see is the “come at me bro” mutant pussycat bodybuilder picture. I laughed pretty good. Thanks for that. As for transhumanism, well the future looks like it is going to be horrible.

    Reply
  3. Matthew m. says

    April 18, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I think immortality is a bad idea. One major loop hole is that the world will overpopulate over the roof and food and supplies will become more scarce. Eventually all human supplies will have to be spread very thin. I think if people want to be truly immortal they should strive to be so spiritually. They Should join a spiritual path where they have to meditate. That is true immortality.
    Also do you notice how grouchy , Miserable and tired very old people get? Imagine how you would be if you lived for a thousand plus years? You would be super tired and want to perish.

    Reply

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