Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Tagtranshumanism

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SPIDERMEN
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 12, 2024
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism
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Green Goblin, the Hasty Transhumanist

A classic Marvel villain presents a picture of hurried science gone wrong
Peter Biles
April 12, 2024
3
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

“The product is certified ready for human testing.” I’m not quoting Elon Musk in relation to Neuralink. That’s the line from the fictional Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man movie, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and the green maniac himself, Willem Dafoe. I’ve seen this movie dozens of times, so maybe it’s due to the weird fact that twenty-plus years after this film hit the scene, we now live in a world where big science organizations like Osborn’s Oscorp seem to be dealing with similar conflicts that ultimately produced the iconic Green Goblin. Not that Elon Musk or Sam Altman are going to start flying around on saucers and terrorize New York City. But they are eager to rush Read More ›

in-a-dystopian-future-a-group-of-people-wearing-white-futuristic-clothing-stands-inside-a-virtual-reality-an-ominous-reminder-of-the-uncertain-fate-of-humanity-stockpack-adobe-stock
In a dystopian future, a group of people wearing white, futuristic clothing stands inside a virtual reality, an ominous reminder of the uncertain fate of humanity
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post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
January 23, 2024
Categorized
Arts & Culture
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Tech Billionaires and Their Science Fiction Dreams

They're mistaking cautionary tales for instruction manuals.
Peter Biles
January 23, 2024
3
Arts & Culture
Tech investors and entrepreneurs are self-fulfilling old prophecies. One also thinks of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a dystopian classic published in 1953. Read More ›
world-war-ii-airplane-on-formation-stockpack-adobe-stock
World War II airplane on formation
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
January 16, 2024
Categorized
Transhumanism
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The Transhumanist Delusion of the Nazis

"All the Light We Cannot See" shows what can happen when the delusions of transhumanism join forces with an appalling ideology.
Peter Biles
January 16, 2024
4
Transhumanism
The Nazis were keen on creating a superhuman race with unsurpassable physical, intellectual, and (ironically) moral qualities. Read More ›
modern-glass-elevator-and-escalator-in-a-shopping-mall-empty-mall-stockpack-adobe-stock
Modern glass elevator and escalator in a shopping mall. Empty mall.
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
October 14, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture
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Zero K: A Novel About Escaping the World Through Technology

Zero K by novelist Don DeLillo is a frightening but prophetic tale of transhumanism and the temptation to evade suffering at all costs.
Peter Biles
October 14, 2023
4
Arts & Culture
The book is prophetic, merging two pertinent issues into one speculative tale: euthanasia and transhumanism. Read More ›
stained-glass-collage-of-stores-from-the-bible-stockpack-adobe-stock
Stained glass collage of stores from the Bible
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
September 17, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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AI as Refashioned Religion

How AI fits into the transhumanist utopian dream, and where that dream might have come from
Peter Biles
September 17, 2023
3
Transhumanism
AI's greatest threat may not be its sophistication, but our own over-reliance on it. As a technology, it has its uses and benefits. As a religion, it fails. Read More ›
a-robot-or-a-woman-half-a-robot-with-mechanical-technological-body-parts-and-upgrades-transhumanism-cyborg-and-artificial-intelligence-stockpack-adobe-stock
a robot or a woman half a robot with mechanical technological body parts and upgrades, transhumanism cyborg and artificial intelligence,
Type
post
Author
Gary Varner
Date
September 2, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism
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Wrapping Up the Westworld Series

Ultimately, the moral of the story is transhumanism
Gary Varner
September 2, 2023
7
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

The first time I watched Westworld, I remember enjoying it, but upon revisiting the series, my opinion of it has dropped a great deal. There are a variety of problems. First, it’s a bait and switch. It teases the idea of showing how robots can come to life, and it plays with your expectations for most of the series. It even goes as far as to discuss theories like The Bicameral Mind, and The Turing Test. Then, in the last episode, it confirms what the viewer has been slowly growing to suspect. The robots had been coming to life the entire time, and Ford had been wiping their memories. The show says that Ford programmed the robots to experience everything Read More ›

odessa-ukraine-july-26-2023-barbie-doll-and-barbie-doll-accessories-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
ODESSA, UKRAINE - JULY 26, 2023: Barbie doll and barbie doll accessories concept
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
August 7, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism
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Barbie: A Subtle Critique of Transhumanism?

Reviews for the new "Barbie" movie abound. But have most of them missed the point?
Peter Biles
August 7, 2023
3
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

Since its release in July, Barbie has proved as controversial as it has popular. Its joint release alongside Oppenheimer has had movie theaters across the country teeming with “Barbenheimer” fans, those zealous people who watched both movies on the same day in an unprecedented feat of pink glitz and existential dread. But what is Barbie about? Is it a takedown of the patriarchy, a gentle comedy, or something a bit more subtle and powerful? The reviews have ranged between harsh critique and lavish praise. With the flood of commentary, though, have most people missed a central and yet subtle point? Elayne Allen, writing for Public Discourse, offers an alternative interpretation of the movie which might have bypassed the imaginations of Read More ›

3d-rendering-of-human-cell-or-embryonic-stem-cell-microscope-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
3d rendering of Human cell or Embryonic stem cell microscope background.
Type
post
Author
Wesley J. Smith
Date
August 1, 2023
Categorized
Biology
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Scientists Close to Creating Human Embryos from Stem Cells

The “anything goes” ethical peril in biotechnology is all too real
Wesley J. Smith
August 1, 2023
5
Biology
Once again, biotechnology is racing ahead of our capacity to intellectually digest what is happening. Read More ›
robotic-hand-study-for-object-manipulation-strategy-stockpack-adobe-stock
Robotic hand study for object manipulation strategy.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
July 16, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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Jay Richards Talks Transhumanism and AI

The underlying philosophy of transhumanism should be rejected
News
July 16, 2023
1
Transhumanism

Dr. Jay Richards, a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and a friend of the Walter Bradley Center, which publishes Mind Matters, spoke recently at the Acton University conference, discussing both transhumanism and AI. Transhumanists, Richards notes, look at the scope of “cosmic evolution,” see a kind of increasing complexity among the human race, and speculate the next dramatic step: achieving immortality through a mixture of genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Richards described the transhumanist ideology as “anti-human,” but cautioned against having a reactionary response to all new technologies that seem to be involved in transhumanism’s vision, noting that some of them, when analyzed specifically, could have benefits (such as AI). The underlying philosophy of transhumanism, however, should be rejected. Read More ›

frankenstein-stockpack-adobe-stock
Frankenstein
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post
Author
News
Date
July 5, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture
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The Modern-Day “Frankenstein” Is Coming

"Poor Things," starring Emma Stone, is about a girl brought back to life. Ring a bell?
News
July 5, 2023
1
Arts & Culture

The movie Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo, is the story of an “unorthodox” scientist who brings a girl, Bella Baxter (Stone), back to life. Baxter must learn how to navigate the world given her unwieldy demeanor and the uncoordinated connection between her brain and body. It looks to be a pretty close re-interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic science fiction novel Frankenstein. Whether it will get even close to investigating Shelley’s key questions and insights remains to be seen, of course. Interestingly, the scientist (Dafoe) has a deformed face that looks like it was stitched together piece by piece, similar to popular renderings of Frankenstein’s monster. You can watch the trailer here:

industrial-pollution-at-sunset-with-smokestacks-emitting-smoke-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
industrial pollution at sunset with smokestacks emitting smoke. Generative AI
Type
post
Author
News
Date
June 19, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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Two Writers on Transhumanist Trends

Paul Kingsnorth and Mary Harrington discuss the modern urge to throw off all natural limits
News
June 19, 2023
1
Transhumanism

This is a conversation from a year ago but nevertheless remains radically pertinent today. Paul Kingsnorth and Mary Harrington, both who have written on various modern trends to try and transcend bodily limits, sat down on the Rebel Wisdom YouTube channel to have a chat. Both have written for the online magazine UnHerd, but up until this point, had never interacted with each other. Kingsnorth is a former environmentalist who became disillusioned with the movement and eventually converted to Orthodox Christianity. He is also a novelist and currently lives a simple life in Ireland. Harrington is a contributing editor of UnHerd and writes on feminism, politics, and other pressing cultural issues. Both believe that the urge to throw off human Read More ›

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Close up on drop splash of a healthy extra-virgin oil full of oligo elements and vitamins creating circular waves by falling down on the liquid and seamless pure surface shining with golden reflects.
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post
Author
News
Date
June 4, 2023
Categorized
Medicine and Health
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Synthetic Biology: What New Therapies Are in Store?

For today's featured video from COSM 2022, watch Babak Parviz, Vice President at Amazon, lead a discussion on synthetic biology
News
June 4, 2023
2
Medicine and Health

For today’s featured video from COSM 2022, watch Babak Parviz, Vice President at Amazon, lead a discussion on synthetic biology, the multi-disciplinary field that applies engineering principles to redesign biological systems for new purposes. The panel focuses on bio-medical technologies that hold great promise for curing diseases and even counteracting human aging. For more material on the topic, see this piece on Altos Labs and their work on bio-longevity. Part of their project also involves artificial intelligence research: Altos Labs’ vision isn’t too far removed from that of the transhumanists who want to computerize human consciousness. For them, however, longevity is a junior varsity goal — what we really need is a way to live forever. Harrison quips at the Read More ›

the-beam-of-light-in-the-path-of-the-magic-forest-stockpack-adobe-stock
The beam of light in the path of the magic forest
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post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
May 28, 2023
Categorized
Philosophy, Religion
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The Rational Magicians

Can real meaning be experienced in a godless world? The postrationalists are trying
Peter Biles
May 28, 2023
4
Philosophy, Religion

In the era of scientific enlightenment, progress, and technological sophistication, “magic” might be the last word one might use to describe the activity of modern Western culture. We live in an age of reason, not superstition. Right? The old world of myth, mystery, and religion is holed away in museums and cathedrals; these are relics of an admirable but outdated generation. After Reason In a fascinating new article from The New Atlantis, writer Tara Isabella Burton writes about the “postrationalists,” an Internet subculture disillusioned with the technocratic rationalism of Silicon Valley and in search of a sense of the mystical and divine. “Reason,” or the modern conception of it, has left the postrationalists disappointed. Neither, however, are they flocking to Read More ›

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Neurotechnology and Neuromodulation - Conceptual Illustration
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post
Author
News
Date
May 26, 2023
Categorized
Technology
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Neuralink All Set for Human Trials

What could go wrong?
News
May 26, 2023
2
Technology

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s bio-engineering company that launched in 2016, received approval from the FDA to begin human experiments with its brain implant technology. The company has struggled for years to gain such approval, and up to this point, has been investigated on occasion for potential dangers the implants might pose. Musk, however, is optimistic about the technology, and thinks it may have the potential to heal a range of disorders and illnesses including autism, depression, and schizophrenia. However, the organization is being “probed” by various governmental agencies. According to a Reuters report, The Department of Transportation is separately probing whether Neuralink illegally transported dangerous pathogens on chips removed from monkey brains without proper containment measures. Neuralink is also under investigation by the U.S. Department Read More ›

office-building-top-view-background-in-retro-style-colors-manhattan-buildings-of-new-york-city-center-wall-street-stockpack-adobe-stock
Office building top view background in retro style colors. Manhattan buildings of New York City center - Wall street
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
May 21, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism
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HBO’s “Succession” Goes Transhumanist

The popular show about a family owned media empire hints at the desire to live forever
Peter Biles
May 21, 2023
3
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

[Warning: Spoilers Ahead] The highly-watched HBO show “Succession” tells the story of a media empire ruled by a cantankerous, manipulative businessman, Logan Roy, and his three children who are hardly any better. Most of the show is a commentary on the corrupting effects of wealth and the power dynamics involved in the media empire’s core leadership. In the dramatic fourth season, Logan Roy dies from what seems to be a stroke while he’s flying to Norway to discuss a giant merger deal with another media mogul. From there, the three Roy children, Kendall, Roman, and Shiv (along with a half-brother Connor who doesn’t care as much about his place in the kingdom) scramble to figure out the leadership, direction, and Read More ›

newborn-baby-holding-mothers-hand-stockpack-adobe-stock
Newborn baby holding mother's hand.
Type
post
Author
Wesley J. Smith
Date
May 9, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Ethics
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Abortion: Switching Off a Computer?

This is the kind of thinking that results from rejecting the intrinsic moral value of human life
Wesley J. Smith
May 9, 2023
3
Artificial Intelligence, Ethics

This is the kind of thinking that results from rejecting the intrinsic moral value of human life. Princeton University bioethicist Peter Singer — who is most famous for secularly blessing infanticide — just compared abortion to turning off a computer. He first claims that should an AI ever become “sentient,” turning it off would be akin to killing a being with the highest moral value (which for him, as described below, need not be human). From the Yahoo News story: We asked internationally renowned moral philosopher Professor Peter Singer whether AI should have human rights if it becomes conscious of its own existence. While Professor Singer doesn’t believe the ChatGPT operating system is sentient or self-aware, if this was to change he argues it should be given some moral status. Read More ›

allure of the metaverse
Moving Forward to Metaverse, New Technology, Web3.0, Blockchain and the Next Layer of the Internet Concepts. Man Steps into Future Door. Futuristic Tone.
Type
post
Author
Eric Holloway
Date
April 17, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism
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For BitHeaven’s Sake

A satirical short story on the transhumanist quest (and failure) to achieve immortality
Eric Holloway
April 17, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism

Bob and Sue were on their way to church one morning. On their way they ran into their friend Fred. Fred was very wealthy, a billionaire in fact. Fred waved hi. Bob and Sue waved back. They asked Fred to come with them to church.  Fred said no, he had more important things to do. “What is so important,” asked Sue. “I’m off to the real deal,” beamed Fred. Bob looked confused. “Real deal about what?” “You have a fake promise of eternal life. I’m about to get the real thing.” “You can’t be serious. Start talking some sense.” “Seriously. Here’s my voucher, see it right here.” Sue grabbed the piece of paper from Fred and read it aloud. “Good for one digital immortalization Read More ›

futuristic window
A room with round glass window overlooking beautiful landscape background . Hotel futuristic showroom with modern interior . Sublime Generative AI image .
Type
post
Author
Wesley J. Smith
Date
April 10, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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Transhumanism’s Vain Search for Immortality

Transhumanism promotes its own defeat-of-death eschatology
Wesley J. Smith
April 10, 2023
2
Transhumanism

April 9th was Easter Sunday for the Western churches. Next Sunday, for Eastern Orthodox churches. For believing Christians, whether Eastern or Western, celebrating Christ’s Resurrection joyfully commemorates the permanent defeat of death and entrance into eternal life. Transhumanism, which is a quasi-religion that worships at the altar of technology, promotes its own defeat-of-death eschatology. Instead of the New Jerusalem for which Christians yearn, transhumanists hope to live indefinitely — if not forever — in the corporeal world through the wonders of AI and other human-invented methods of technologically defeating death. And it could be here by 2050! From the Daily Mail story: Despite the setback, that same year, a prominent futurist predicted that ‘electronic immortality’ would be available to humans by 2050. Dr Read More ›

nanobot
Cell repairing nanobot technology, illustration
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post
Author
News
Date
March 29, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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Pre-order Immortality Now (It’s Only 8 Years Away, Apparently)

A Google engineer predicts the "singularity" is coming and that we should get on board
News
March 29, 2023
2
Transhumanism

Ray Kurzweil, a former Google engineer, thinks that humanity is a mere “eight years away” from achieving immortality. No, he’s not a spiritual leader predicting the eschaton. He’s not telling you to seek union with God and achieve immortality the old-fashioned way. He thinks we’ll be able to live forever via age-reversing “nanobots.” These “tiny robots” will correct damaged cells and make us immune to disease, thus leading to radically increased human longevity. Stacy Liberatore writes at Daily Mail, Now the former Google engineer believes technology is set to become so powerful it will help humans live forever, in what is known as the singularity. Singularity is a theoretical point when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and changes the path Read More ›

hive mind
Artificial intelligence. Network in hive mind brain. Vintage futuristic poster.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
March 19, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Is the “Singularity” Already Here?

Two experts in the tech field warn that the singularity, as we've come to imagine it, might be right around the corner
News
March 19, 2023
2
Artificial Intelligence

The singularity refers to the future point when the human and the machine will merge––when the personal and technological distinction breaks down entirely. It sounds dystopian and far off. But, two experts in the tech field warn that the singularity, as we’ve come to imagine it, is right upon us. Writing for The Conversation, John Kendall Hawkins and Sandy Boucher comment, To understand why this isn’t the stuff of fairy tales, we need only look as far as recent developments in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs are a natural beginning to the singularity in the eyes of many futurists, because they meld mind and machine in a way no other technology so far can. Elon Musk’s company Neuralink is seeking permission from the US Food Read More ›