Hi Max, thank you for republishing this timeless essay that today's world very much needs.
I like the term "extropy" much more than "transhumanism," which I have stopped using to describe myself. You may remember that when I started posting to the extropians list in the 90s I was critical of what I saw as an overly radical form of libertarianism. Today, I call myself an extropian and a radical libertarian at heart. I still think a purely libertarian society wouldn't work because we are all assholes, but I also think today's lamentable trend toward an anti-libertarian society must be counterbalanced by a very strong dose of healthy, hardline libertarianism.
Re "It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand why California seemed to represent the future but, back then, it shined as a place of new technologies, fresh and optimistic ideas, and as the potential launching pad for humanity. Timothy Leary had mapped out the westward march of the pro-future thinkers, ending up temporarily on the west coast of the United States, but soon to blast out into space. The spaceward-ho part got stuck for a long time and has only recently revived, thanks to private enterprise and not on the west coast."
In the last few years since my daughter moved there I've been spending much time in California and finding it interesting to reflect on the differences between California in the 90s and today. Yes, it is a different place. Yet... I sense that there is still fire under the ashes and the fire could start burning again. I hope young Californians will make it happen.
Re "A case could be made that my early explorations of religion and mysticism reflected a drive for transcendence. When religion couldn’t deliver the goods, science and technology backed by philosophy had to take over."
To me, religion and mysticism are based on dim intuitions of what really powerful beings in this universe could do. So, religion and mysticism have shown us the way. Now it is up to us to walk the way, become very powerful beings ourselves, and do all that and more.
Glad you sent this out for a better understanding. I did find this gem by John C Lennox. Would like to know your thoughts on the Yuval Harari comment. A flawed project, the god power of the Ceasar and the Ai religion.
“Contemporary physics and cosmology suggest that a universe literally endless in time is not possible (at least, not one that can support expanding life) and that literal immortality is therefore not feasible.”
A physicist is giving a public lecture, “… and the universe could end in a few billion years …”.
A man in the audience suddenly leaps to his feet and demands, “What did you just say?!”
Physicist, “The universe could end in a few billion years”.
Man, “Thank God for that! I thought you said a few million years”.
Hi Max, thank you for republishing this timeless essay that today's world very much needs.
I like the term "extropy" much more than "transhumanism," which I have stopped using to describe myself. You may remember that when I started posting to the extropians list in the 90s I was critical of what I saw as an overly radical form of libertarianism. Today, I call myself an extropian and a radical libertarian at heart. I still think a purely libertarian society wouldn't work because we are all assholes, but I also think today's lamentable trend toward an anti-libertarian society must be counterbalanced by a very strong dose of healthy, hardline libertarianism.
Re "It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand why California seemed to represent the future but, back then, it shined as a place of new technologies, fresh and optimistic ideas, and as the potential launching pad for humanity. Timothy Leary had mapped out the westward march of the pro-future thinkers, ending up temporarily on the west coast of the United States, but soon to blast out into space. The spaceward-ho part got stuck for a long time and has only recently revived, thanks to private enterprise and not on the west coast."
In the last few years since my daughter moved there I've been spending much time in California and finding it interesting to reflect on the differences between California in the 90s and today. Yes, it is a different place. Yet... I sense that there is still fire under the ashes and the fire could start burning again. I hope young Californians will make it happen.
Re "A case could be made that my early explorations of religion and mysticism reflected a drive for transcendence. When religion couldn’t deliver the goods, science and technology backed by philosophy had to take over."
To me, religion and mysticism are based on dim intuitions of what really powerful beings in this universe could do. So, religion and mysticism have shown us the way. Now it is up to us to walk the way, become very powerful beings ourselves, and do all that and more.
Glad you sent this out for a better understanding. I did find this gem by John C Lennox. Would like to know your thoughts on the Yuval Harari comment. A flawed project, the god power of the Ceasar and the Ai religion.
38:40
https://youtu.be/cJNPaqvm9a4
“Contemporary physics and cosmology suggest that a universe literally endless in time is not possible (at least, not one that can support expanding life) and that literal immortality is therefore not feasible.”
A physicist is giving a public lecture, “… and the universe could end in a few billion years …”.
A man in the audience suddenly leaps to his feet and demands, “What did you just say?!”
Physicist, “The universe could end in a few billion years”.
Man, “Thank God for that! I thought you said a few million years”.