News Index

NEWS OF THE
WORLD TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION

February 28, 2003

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor in Chief: J. Hughes – jhughes@changesurfer.com
Managing Editor: Christopher Camp - CCamp@OMM.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

WTA News is a monthly e-newsletter of the World
Transhumanist Association, a non-profit organization
dedicated to the study of and advocacy for the use
of technology to overcome the limitations of the
human body.

To submit news about your chapter or affiliate,
or about transhumanism in general, please send
it to Managing Editor Christopher Camp <CCamp@OMM.com>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

EVENTS

NBIC CONFERENCE 2002:
CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Bionic hands that intercept nervous system signals, re-route and interpret them synthetically so that the artificial hand articulates desired movements with fidelity at rates better than 90%. Nanomachines fueled by biological processes similar to the molecular machines that create muscle movement in operation in the lab a block a way. These and many other breakthroughs presented at NBIC (popular pronunciation option include enBick or NiBick) are fact – have actually been achieved and accepted by the scientific community. What is on the immediate horizon and beyond stretches the imagination - as transhumanists we expect it but to see it really happening is still surprising, exciting and incredible. A brief survey of some anticipated NBIC technologies reinforces feelings of awe: specialized computers built from quantum dots and biologically based computers engineered from scratch out of neurons. Soldiers that can instantly adapt their metabolism to any climate or altitude and that can go 5 days without sleep or food while suffering only a marginal decrease in performance. Also discussed was a revamped K-12 education system that would take a more holistic approach to science and with reference to emergent and revolutionary new areas like nanotech and genetic engineering.

The trend of sci-fi dreams turning into reality continues and this conference reinforces the feeling that all this is happening at a remarkable, heretofore unseen, pace. It is something incredible to watch and listen to barrage of evidence at such close range, from such reliable sources and to hear of the enormous resources being poured into these technological developments in the form of time, effort and money. According to conference organizers the rate of increase in government spending on nanotech is topped, throughout the history of all government programs, by only one – the race to space in the 60’s. This increase in the rate of spending is matched by state and local governments, other nations around the world, venture capital firms*, private companies, public companies as well as universities. The race is on – outrageous and previously unthinkable goals are within sight and nearing practical, functional and everyday reality.

The science is beyond remarkable, at some points it is so extraordinary that it takes on a magical and unbelievable quality – but the facial expressions and serious tones of the researchers cut through the amazement and make it real. After experiencing two days of talks I am now, more than ever, convinced that technological revolutions, on an unprecedented scale is boring down on humanity. I am not convinced that the political, psychological and cultural machinery are ready for the levels of change that will be coming. The conference focus was unquestionably on technology and this is expected given the training and focus of the scientists presenting but the wave of change will demand more than a focus on technology and science. Some points of hope were given – a few tens of millions of dollars have been set aside for the re-envisioning of the education system and for grants that will explore the full-ranging impacts of the lab work as it is unleashed into a largely unsuspecting world. This spending is critical but I question whether it will be enough. Phillip J. Bond, Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Commerce gave a particularly interesting talk, from the perspective of a politician and relative lay-person. He called on the scientists and those in related fields, to become active in their community as educators and as parts of the political machinery. It is our responsibility to spread the word, to become politically alive and aware so that the forces of fear may not take sole possession of our mutual future.

More information on the conference can be found at http://www.infocastinc.com/NBIC/nbic.asp.
The original report can be found as a pdf file and is worth a look - http://wtec.org/ConvergingTechnologies/

*Lux Capital - http://www.luxcapital.com/index1.htm

--------------------------

NYU SYMPOSIUM:
WORLD FUTURES: THE SCIENCE OF HUMANITY IN THE EPOCH OF TECHNOLOGY

On Thursday, February 20, the New York Transhumanist Association participated in a science symposium at New York University. The symposium, entitled "World Futures: The Science of Humanity in the Epoch of Technology", was sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer and the Draper Society at NYU.

The keynote speaker was Eliezer Yudkowsky, Research Fellow at SIAI, who kicked off the event by talking about the daunting technical challenges and perplexing philosophical conundrums of "Predicting the Future".

Two panels followed, the first including Eric Sun, CEO of Nanocs, John Klos, a Net BSD developer, and yours truly, Executive Director of CRN and NYTA. Our topic was "Global Impacts of Emerging Technologies" (I'll have more about my own presentation in a message to follow). The second panel, on "Changing Humans and Extending Life", featured Rafal Smigrodzki, MD, PhD, Randolfe H. Wicker, the founder of Clone Rights United Front, and Hatuna Pokrovskaia, a premed student at NYU and President of Colleges Against Cancer.

After a pleasant supper of sandwiches, salads, and cookies, the next speaker was Natasha Vita-More, President of the Extropy Institute and founder of Transhumanist Arts. She stirred the audience with a talk about "Taking Back Our Future" from the retros, and she emphasized the importance of conducting ourselves with dignity and compassion.

The evening was topped off with a final panel consisting of Arnell Dowret, who writes and teaches about secular humanism, James Hughes, PhD, of Changesurfer Radio fame and Secretary of the WTA, and Eliezer Yudkowsky. Their topic was "Future Definitions of Human".

The audience of about 100 people, approximately half NYU students and half interested members of the public, responded quite positively. I thought it was a most impressive and enjoyable event. Being in a room for over six hours with some of our finest thinkers and doers was a real treat. I invite others who were in attendance to give their personal impressions.

-------------------------------

TIME: FUTURE OF LIFE

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of DNA, and not to be outdone by the NBIC and NYU conferences, Time held its own event and it included a list of participants that was almost as impressive as the conference fee was exorbitant. Kurzweil, Venter, Watson, Dawkins, Joy, Francis Collins, Jaron Lanier, E.O. Wilson, Kevin Kelly and many more. I don’t know anyone who personally attended so I can’t give any intimate details of the event other than what is available to the public on the Time website. I can say that I consider any event where Kurzweil gets respectfully quoted by Time as saying he expects that he and his children will live for a thousand years a success. The whole conference was not so optimistic but the tone of the debate has evolved in a substantially transhuman direction over the last decade and this evolution shows few signs of slowing. We may be on the cusp of the dreaded/dreamed of mass popularity that consumes so many social movements and musical bands.

The first mover advantage that we continue to have may be a thing of the past – so let’s take final advantage of our advanced positioning by leveraging the message of the WTA.
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101030217/

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WTA NEWS

J.B.S HALDANE AWARD

The deadline for submissions has been changed to May 1st. The is still time to get the word out, post flyers and raise interest in your local communities. A new flyer is in the works – look for an announcement soon!

VOLUNTEER POSTS FOR TV03USA:

WTA is looking for a few volunteers interested in helping with the following:

-Arranging Haldane award dinner
-Manning registration table (2 hour stints)
-Taping talks
-Managing video/performance space

If you have an interest in helping with any of these contact James Hughes at jhughes@changesurfer.com

WTA-ARTS and WTA Artists Web Page

In response to requests from our growing cadre of culturally creative
transhumanists we've set up a list for transhumanist musicians,
poets, fiction writers, graphic designers, film makers, and artists
in all other 2D, 3D and 4D media, to discuss their work, and for
people generally interested in transhumanist memes in arts and
culture and ways of furthering transhumanism through the arts:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wta-arts/

The World Transhumanist Association is affiliated with the Transhumanist Arts and Culture organization headed by Natasha Vita-More (who is now also President of the Extropy Institute). Check out TAC's Transhumanist Arts Statement for one vision of the nature and role of transhumanist art: http://www.extropic-art.com/transart.htm. Natasha will help moderate the list.

We've also set up a page in the WTA website [http://www.transhumanism.org/resources/arts.htm] to link to the web sites of WTA members, basic or full, who explore transhumanist themes in their work. If you think your creative work fits that bill please
send me:

- Your name
- email address
- A title for the link
- a small gif or jpeg for the link
- A short (<100 words) description of the content of your work and
what people will find at the website.

We reserve the right to be selective about which links we make
available on our website, but I'm a pretty tolerant guy, so try me.

Please send these to: jhughes@changesurfer.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

TORONTO TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION

The Toronto Transhumanist Association hosted a talk in February by Canadian cyronics expert Ben Best titled "Can Cryonics Save Your Life?" The event attracted interest from as far away as Ottawa and Montreal, with attendees coming from far and wide to learn about the promise and controversy of cryonics. The TTA aims to hold more high-profile events in the future, with Toronto being home to such notable people as Steve Mann and Christopher Dewdney. The TTA is also preparing for TransVision USA 2003, and is hoping to organize a group trip to Yale University. The growing group is also looking to increase its recruitment efforts, and is currently seeking someone to take responsibility for recruitment.

For more information on the Toronto Transhumanist Association, contact George Dvorsky at george@betterhumans.com.

NEW YORK TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION

The NYTA was busy this month preparing for and participating in the NYU symposium on World Future. See the review above for more information.

AUSTRALIAN TRANSHUMAN SOCIETY – BRISBANE

Brisbane transhumanists had a successful meeting this last Sunday, the 23rd. The next meeting is scheduled for Mar. 20th. Contact Gina at Elizabeth Theiler at theiler@bigpond.com for more info. Their website is up at http://www.ath.4t.com/].

VENEZUELAN TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION

The VTA is had its first meeting February 27 Thursday afternoon (6:00pm at Cafe Saint Honore, Los
Palos Grandes). The next issue of WTA News will have a report on what transpired.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS FROM FRIENDS AND AFFILIATES

BETTERHUMANS
www.betterhumans.com

Betterhumans increased its distribution through the headline provider. Moreover, building on the earlier inclusion of Betterhumans news in the Google News index. More than 60,000 people worldwide are now visiting Betterhumans and its Transhumanist content. To meet increased demand and
improve site performance, Betterhumans recently upgraded its server technology. In the near-future, watch for Betterhumans sponsored and organized events as well as strengthened and improved content production. If you have content suggestions or ideas for how Betterhumans can better serve the Transhumanist community, please send them to George Dvorsky at george@betterhumans.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

THING TO READ AND WATCH

NEW IN TRANSHUMANITY
www.transhumanism.com

Eternal City Grapsody #3 - The Pause that Refreshes by Amara Graps
In between the train of ideas that flows thorough the mind are small gaps between, utterly devoid of form or content. These calm spaces are the "pauses that refresh", providing a peace and energy, not anxious, not pushing us in any direction."

TransExodus: The Enduring Secular Reformation, Pluralist Transhumanism, and Posthuman Pilgrims by George P. Dvorsky
Humanity’s spiritual and existential journey is about to take a radical turn, one that will be reminiscent of the religious schisms of the Protestant Reformation and the New World missions of the pilgrims.

Look at it this way by Steve Mason
So in the end, people invariably turn to science and technology: Forget what I said about a heavenly father and stem cell research. What can you do to keep me alive right now? And that brings me to my topic - what can be done?

NEW IN BETTERHUMANS
www.betterhumans.com

Avoiding The Matrix by Simon Smith
Will the future really not need us? Only if we don't use technology to empower ourselves

Stopping Apocalypse Now by James Hughes
If the Bush administration were serious about saving the world, it would address the growing threat from emerging technologies. It's not, so what can we do?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE WTA

The World Transhumanist Association is a nonprofit membership organization, which works to promote discussion of the possibilities for radical improvement of human capacities using genetic, cybernetic and nanotechnologies. The WTA is growing faster than ever, and we invite you to join us in this important work. You may also enroll in one of our discussion lists and join one of our local WTA chapters, which can be found in countries and languages all over the world. The WTA speakers bureau can provide someone to answer questions on the transhumanist perspective to the media or to your group. Also, take a look at our Journal of Evolution and Technology and our new
ezine Transhumanity.

Join us in working for a brighter future!

http://www.transhumanism.org/join.htm