http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality Cinema, Science Fiction, Futurism, Democratic Transhumanism and Technogaianism by Eric Mahleb Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:13:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-72425 Diaspora - Cinema, Sci-Fi, Futurism, Technogaianism and other banalities by Eric Mahleb Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:40:32 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-72425 [...] Egan doesn’t shy away from grand mathematical and physical speculation, and for the average reader, his lengthy descriptions of the universe’s most innate workings will seem a bit tedious at times. But sticking through these sections is quite worth it as one is rewarded by an avalanche of fantastic and awe-inspiring concepts. There is plenty to ponder in Diaspora and anyone interested in what existence might be like as an uploaded mind, in a possible direction for the future of the human race, in parallel universes and multi-dimensions, in the potential for alien life, or simply in the infinite mystery and beauty of the cosmos, then this book is an absolute must-read. [...] [...] Egan doesn’t shy away from grand mathematical and physical speculation, and for the average reader, his lengthy descriptions of the universe’s most innate workings will seem a bit tedious at times. But sticking through these sections is quite worth it as one is rewarded by an avalanche of fantastic and awe-inspiring concepts. There is plenty to ponder in Diaspora and anyone interested in what existence might be like as an uploaded mind, in a possible direction for the future of the human race, in parallel universes and multi-dimensions, in the potential for alien life, or simply in the infinite mystery and beauty of the cosmos, then this book is an absolute must-read. [...]

]]> http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-46412 On The Future of Food - Quiet Please - Film reviews by Eric Mahleb Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:43:34 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-46412 [...] As I have stated before, we live at what I consider to be the most important and interesting time in our history. Our mastery of science is increasingly enabling us to consider new horizons and to change our destiny in ways that would have seemed impossible not so long ago. I believe in technology and I believe that it can have a positive impact on society. As a futurist, I also believe in the inevitability of progress and that whatever we fear today, we will accept tomorrow. For this reason, I am not opposed to genetically modified foods in the long run, in the same way that I am not opposed to genetic engineering in general. Yet, I believe that we are at the early stages of these developments and that they are currently not safe. Consequently, it is out duty to ensure their safety by pressuring the system. A year ago, driving back from the G8 demonstrations in Northern Germany, a friend asked me why I resisted GMO’s if I loved technology. I answered that I fight it to ensure its safety as quickly as possible, before it does too much damage, rather than to try to ensure that it never happens. I also do it because corporations are out of control and are ruling too many aspects of our lives. Their power must be reduced and their greed controlled. It is our choice to decide if we want to try to make a difference. [...] [...] As I have stated before, we live at what I consider to be the most important and interesting time in our history. Our mastery of science is increasingly enabling us to consider new horizons and to change our destiny in ways that would have seemed impossible not so long ago. I believe in technology and I believe that it can have a positive impact on society. As a futurist, I also believe in the inevitability of progress and that whatever we fear today, we will accept tomorrow. For this reason, I am not opposed to genetically modified foods in the long run, in the same way that I am not opposed to genetic engineering in general. Yet, I believe that we are at the early stages of these developments and that they are currently not safe. Consequently, it is out duty to ensure their safety by pressuring the system. A year ago, driving back from the G8 demonstrations in Northern Germany, a friend asked me why I resisted GMO’s if I loved technology. I answered that I fight it to ensure its safety as quickly as possible, before it does too much damage, rather than to try to ensure that it never happens. I also do it because corporations are out of control and are ruling too many aspects of our lives. Their power must be reduced and their greed controlled. It is our choice to decide if we want to try to make a difference. [...]

]]> http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-45550 Quiet Please - Film reviews by Eric Mahleb Thu, 29 May 2008 13:44:51 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-45550 [...] Rapture. A raucous tour of cloning, Transhumanism and the new era of immortality [...] [...] Rapture. A raucous tour of cloning, Transhumanism and the new era of immortality [...]

]]> http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-9580 Radical Evolution. The promise and peril of enhancing our minds, our bodies - and what it means to be human - Quiet Please - Film reviews by Eric Mahleb Mon, 21 May 2007 18:13:08 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-9580 [...] If, like me, you enjoyed Rapture, A raucous tour of cloning, Transhumanism and the new era of immortality, you will undoubtedly be captivated by Radical Evolution. Whereas Brian Alexander focused mainly on the history of genetics and Transhumanism, Joel Garreau propels us full speed ahead towards the future, not only by discussing some of the various ‘enhancements’ that await human beings in the short to medium term, but also by exploring what the term ‘human nature’ really means through the examination of three possible scenarios for the future of the human race…. [...] [...] If, like me, you enjoyed Rapture, A raucous tour of cloning, Transhumanism and the new era of immortality, you will undoubtedly be captivated by Radical Evolution. Whereas Brian Alexander focused mainly on the history of genetics and Transhumanism, Joel Garreau propels us full speed ahead towards the future, not only by discussing some of the various ‘enhancements’ that await human beings in the short to medium term, but also by exploring what the term ‘human nature’ really means through the examination of three possible scenarios for the future of the human race…. [...]

]]> http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-7837 Anticipating Our Imminent Posthuman Future | Outlaw News Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:52:57 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-7837 [...] Eric Mahlebyume.co.ukApril 23, 2007 [...] [...] Eric Mahlebyume.co.ukApril 23, 2007 [...]

]]> http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality/comment-page-1#comment-7741 News : The Trend Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:33:02 +0000 http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality#comment-7741 [...] The Trend Eric Mahleb illustrates the trend to a future of great and increasing longevity by way of reviewing Rapture: "For many years, scientists have tried to disassociate themselves from what has been perceived by many as the extravagant rants of a few delusional individuals whose only purpose is to become immortal ubermensch. Yet, in the past 15-20 years, words such as cloning, gene therapy, designer babies, artificial intelligence, stem cells, and nanotechnology have taken their place in the everyday language of millions of people. And many scientists are no longer afraid to state that they are working on ways to stop disease, aging, death, and on how to improve human performance and appearance. Whether you are against them or for them, these technologies are slowly becoming part of our lives. ... There is a counter movement, naturally, that tries to warn humanity of the perils of such a direction. ... For them, disease, sadness, death, all are part of our human nature. Try telling this to someone whose son or daughter are in a wheelchair or were born with an incurable disease that will prevent them from living past the age 30. The future can be scary, but the future is inevitable. Part of our 'nature' is to continuously move towards it, good or bad. I am prepared." People want health and life; if we can but illustrate how close we are to technologies of rejuvenation, support and resources directed towards research will increase greatly. View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/ Published Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:29 AM by Longevity Meme News and Commentary Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research [...] [...] The Trend Eric Mahleb illustrates the trend to a future of great and increasing longevity by way of reviewing Rapture: “For many years, scientists have tried to disassociate themselves from what has been perceived by many as the extravagant rants of a few delusional individuals whose only purpose is to become immortal ubermensch. Yet, in the past 15-20 years, words such as cloning, gene therapy, designer babies, artificial intelligence, stem cells, and nanotechnology have taken their place in the everyday language of millions of people. And many scientists are no longer afraid to state that they are working on ways to stop disease, aging, death, and on how to improve human performance and appearance. Whether you are against them or for them, these technologies are slowly becoming part of our lives. … There is a counter movement, naturally, that tries to warn humanity of the perils of such a direction. … For them, disease, sadness, death, all are part of our human nature. Try telling this to someone whose son or daughter are in a wheelchair or were born with an incurable disease that will prevent them from living past the age 30. The future can be scary, but the future is inevitable. Part of our ‘nature’ is to continuously move towards it, good or bad. I am prepared.” People want health and life; if we can but illustrate how close we are to technologies of rejuvenation, support and resources directed towards research will increase greatly. View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.yume.co.uk/rapture-a-raucous-tour-of-cloning-transhumanism-and-the-new-era-of-immortality Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/ Published Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:29 AM by Longevity Meme News and Commentary Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research [...]

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