cover of episode Relaxed Fit: Transhumanism Part II - Violent Optimism

Relaxed Fit: Transhumanism Part II - Violent Optimism

2022/5/27
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Last Podcast On The Left

Key Insights

Why do transhumanists believe in human enhancement technologies?

Transhumanists aim to take the human body to the next phase of evolution by enhancing it with technology, viewing our current bodies as suboptimal and inefficient.

What is the main concern of transhumanists regarding human bodies?

Transhumanists see the human body as a flawed design that needs technological enhancement to reach its full potential and overcome biological limitations.

How do transhumanists view the relationship between humans and technology?

Transhumanists advocate for a merging of technology and biology to expand human capabilities, viewing technology as a means to transcend biological constraints.

What is the concept of the singularity in transhumanism?

The singularity is the belief that machine intelligence will surpass and consume human intelligence, leading to a merging of humans and machines into a singular entity.

Why do some transhumanists support cryogenics?

Cryogenics is seen as a way to bet on the future, allowing individuals to be frozen until technology advances to a point where they can be revived and enhanced.

What are biohackers and what do they aim to achieve?

Biohackers are practical transhumanists who aim to enhance human biology using implants and devices in the present, bypassing traditional medical channels.

How does the idea of transhumanism relate to ancient Gnosticism?

Both Gnosticism and transhumanism view the human body as a flawed vessel that needs liberation, with Gnostics seeing it as a creation of evil and transhumanists as inefficient.

What is the role of biohacking in the transhumanist movement?

Biohacking is a subset of transhumanism that focuses on immediate, practical enhancements using technology and implants, often done outside traditional medical settings.

What are the risks and challenges associated with cryogenics?

Cryogenics faces challenges such as the inability to freeze individuals after death due to rapid decomposition and the lack of scientific certainty about future revival technologies.

How do transhumanists envision the future of human-machine integration?

Transhumanists foresee a future where humans can transfer their consciousness to robotic bodies, achieving immortality and overcoming biological limitations.

Chapters

Transhumanism aims to enhance the human body through gene sequencing, technological implants, and other modifications to address physical limitations and improve capabilities.
  • Transhumanists view the human body as suboptimal and seek to merge technology with biology for enhancement.
  • Some transhumanists explore biological modifications, while others focus on technological enhancements.
  • Examples of transhumanist pursuits include gene sequencing, implants to control external devices, and biohacking to address physical limitations.

Shownotes Transcript

On this week's Relaxed Fit the boys return to the subject of Transhumanism, this time focusing on "human-enhancement technologies" and just how Transhumanism aims to take the human body to the next phase of our evolution.