transhumanism / transhumanismus

A ‘Kill Switch’ for Rogue Microbes

rheil — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:10:50 +0000

A ‘Kill Switch’ for Rogue Microbes (by Katherine Bourzac, 08/20/2010, TechnologyReview)

“A new type of genetic switch gives bioengineers better control over microbes.

Biologists often speak of switching genes on and off to give microbes new abilities–like producing biofuels or drugs, or gobbling up environmental toxins. For the most part, though, it’s nearly impossible to turn off a gene without deleting it (which means you can’t turn it on again). This limits biologists’ ability to control how much of a particular protein a microbe produces. It also restricts bioengineers’ ability to design new microbes.” [read original article]

Wenn Technik Lösungen, aber keine Antworten bietet

rheil — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:29:14 +0000

Wenn Technik Lösungen, aber keine Antworten bietet

Jörg Auf dem Hövel 20.08.2010 (telepolis)

Interview mit dem Philosophen Oliver Müller über chemo- und neurotechnologische Umbaumaßnahmen an Körper und Geist

„Der Philosoph Oliver Müller arbeitet am Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin und jetzt hat ein erhellendes Werk über den Einzug technischer Optimierungen in Lebenswelt und Körper des Menschen geschrieben. Im Interview beschreibt er, welche Auswirkungen diese Technisierungsprozesse auf Selbstsein und Selbstverständnis haben können.“ [zum Originalartikel]

„Merely Human? That’s So Yesterday

rheil — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:40:17 +0000

„Merely Human? That’s So Yesterday (New York Times, 06/11/2010, By ASHLEE VANCE)

Some of Silicon Valley’s smartest and wealthiest people have embraced the Singularity. They believe that technology may be the only way to solve the world’s ills, while also allowing people to seize control of the evolutionary process. For those who haven’t noticed, the Valley’s most-celebrated company — Google — works daily on building a giant brain that harnesses the thinking power of humans in order to surpass the thinking power of humans.

Larry Page, Google’s other co-founder, helped set up Singularity University in 2008, and the company has supported it with more than $250,000 in donations. Some of Google’s earliest employees are, thanks to personal donations of $100,000 each, among the university’s “founding circle.” (Mr. Page did not respond to interview requests.)“ [read original article]

Study Finds Poker Players Using Drugs to Enhance Performance

rheil — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:09:57 +0000

“Study Finds Poker Players Using Drugs to Enhance Performance (newswise)

Newswise — A Nova Southeastern University study recently presented at a national conference found that 80 percent of poker players around the world reported using drugs and other substances to enhance their performance in poker.

Poker players are using drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, Valium, and other prescription medications, as well as substances including caffeine, energy drinks and guarana to get an edge over their opponents.” [read original article]

Israel’s Value to Transhumanism

rheil — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:19:11 +0000

Israel’s Value to Transhumanism (h+ magazin)

„Imagine this sci-fi scenario: A small tribe with unique literature, customs and myths believes they’ve been “chosen” for a glorious destiny. But they’re driven out of their native land, forced to wander the globe for aeons, persecuted and annihilated, until they’re impelled by a utopian novel to return to their homeland. They name their new city after the inspirational book and their country becomes a technological powerhouse… but still, they’re surrounded by enemies. They wage eternal war, they hover between hope and apocalypse… their contributions to humanity are astounding but they continue to fear total extinction.“ [read original article]

Sculpting a Nano ‘World’

rheil — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:45:58 +0000

Sculpting a Nano ‘World’ (Technology Review, 30. April 2010)

“IBM researchers have invented a low-cost and relatively simple fabrication tool capable of reliably creating features as small as 15 nanometers. To show off the tool, the researchers at IBM’s Zurich lab made a three-dimensional map of the Earth so small that 1,000 of them would fit onto a single grain of salt.

Existing nano-fabrication techniques like electron beam lithography have difficulty making features much smaller than 30 nanometers and are expensive and complex instruments. In contrast, the IBM researchers say their new fabrication tool sits on a tabletop at one-fifth to one-tenth the cost. [...]” [read original article]

Werden wir ewig leben?

rheil — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:38:23 +0000

Werden wir ewig leben? (Jörg Auf dem Hövel, telepolis, 15.04.2010)

„Ein Interview-Sammelband prüft die Thesen von Ray Kurzweil und gibt den Stand der Dinge zu Enhancement und Lebensverlängerung zum besten.

Roman Brinzanik und Tobias Hülswitt haben nun unter dem Titel „Werden wir ewig leben?“ die Ideen von Kurzweil zum Anlass genommen, den heutigen Stand der Naturwissenschaften zu optimierenden und lebensverlängernden Maßnahmen mit ihren Interviewpartner abzuklären, Wissenschaft von Heilsversprechen zu treffen und die ethischen Herausforderungen auszuloten. Zu Wort kommen unter anderem der Chemie-Nobelpreisträger Jean-Marie Lehn, der Stammzellforscher Hans Schöler, der Hirnforscher Wolf Singer, der Demographen James W. Vaupel und der Technik-Ethiker Bert Gordijn.“ [zum Originalartikel]

Singularity FAQ

rheil — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:01:22 +0000

Singularity FAQ (The Rationalist Futurist, Thomas McCabe / Kaj Sotala)

„It is not intended to be an introduction to the Singularity; rather, it is intended to answer the questions of those who have already heard about the Singularity, but still have questions about some of the issues. Due to its length, this document has been broken up into many different sub-sections. Sections of the Singularity FAQ:

Alternatives to Friendly AI

AI and Consciousness

The desirability of a Singularity

The Intelligence Explosion

General Questions

Implementing the Singularity

Implementing Friendly AI

On Intelligence

Miscellaneous Questions

The Power of Intelligence

Societal Issues

The Progress of Technology“ [read original article]

Transhumanism: The way of the future

rheil — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:02:30 +0000

Transhumanism: The way of the future (Natasha Vita-More, The Scavenger)

„The only way for us to survive is to evolve. Transhumanism – a movement supporting the use of science and technology to improve the mental and physical characteristics and capacities of humans – is the way forward, writes Natasha Vita-More.“ [read original article]

Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths – Eastern, New Age Beliefs Widespread

rheil — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:07:28 +0000

Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths – Eastern, New Age Beliefs Widespread (Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)

„The religious beliefs and practices of Americans do not fit neatly into conventional categories. A new poll by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that large numbers of Americans engage in multiple religious practices, mixing elements of diverse traditions. Many say they attend worship services of more than one faith or denomination — even when they are not traveling or going to special events like weddings and funerals. Many also blend Christianity with Eastern or New Age beliefs such as reincarnation, astrology and the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects. And sizeable minorities of all major U.S. religious groups say they have experienced supernatural phenomena, such as being in touch with the dead or with ghosts.“ [read original article]