Can Transhumanism and My Little Pony fandom fit together?

[Microghost 39]

Hi. I was wondering if these two things can somehow fit together. Like maybe a virtual reality equestria or virtual reality ponies. Or in other ways. Since there are transhumanist bronies, maybe My Little Pony could be used along with other technologies(and a subconsciousness activating pill?)to increase sensitivity and caring. Or a special suit with visual audio virtual reality world where pony hugs and flight feel real. Or like in the matrix where you get plugged into the alternative reality of your choice and are in a fluid filled pod. Could it work maybe?

[Jammo 986]

Ehh...  I'm content in my life and don't feel I need to become anything besides a better human by natural growth and experience.

 

Though I'm kind of old fashioned. 

 

Virtual Reality is fine but I'm not gonna use technology to "change" who I am. 

Edited April 28, 2015 by Jammo

[Flutterbattyyy 331]

I am not aware of what the transhumanist thing is, nor have I heard about is, but virtual reality is just around the corner. Many scientists predict that within the next 5 years, we will have perfected the technology for the Oculus Rift headset; and that within the next 25 years, we will have developed a way to use nanotechnology to create a virtual reality world in our brain. It will then take control of your senses by blocking out the touch, feel, see, smell, taste senses, and replacing it with fake senses from a virtual reality world. Thus it would seem completely real. By that time, we will have much improved graphics too, which will make it almost indistinguishable from reality.

 

This means that a virtual reality Equestria and the ponies will be possible. You could also customize your "game" to have a set of peferred settings/outcomes too. Like have it set to meet Fluttershy and become close friends.   (Or, you could leave it up to chance... if you want.)

Edited April 28, 2015 by FluttershyIsMagic

[simba86 1,541]

i'm surprised all these smart tech bronies have not made a robo twilight. that would be cool. maybe as we get more advanced into technology we will have virtual pony adventures and some pony AI

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Microghost, 

 

Well just speaking as a transhumanist, I wouldn't be against such things the OP suggested and in fact there seems to be a large enough segment of the fandom that are for the concept for excellent fanfics like the following to become popular.

 

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/62074/friendship-is-optimal

 

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/2479/arcadia

 

Hell I even threw my cards into this with an optional location for a transhumanism themed game.

 

http://eclipsephase.com/homebrew-faction-and-habitat-open-use

 

It uses a few terms from the game's setting but I trust you'll get the overall idea.

 

 

I am not aware of what the transhumanist thing is, nor have I heard about is,

 

Transhumanism is a school of scientific research and a socio-political movement rolled into one. The theory is that sometime in the near future, humans as we biologically have evolved will become obsolete. Either through the invention of true sentient Artificial General Intelligence, cybernetic or genetic enhancement, a combination, or something we haven't even imagined yet.

 

Transhumanism holds that this will be a revolution for civilization, bringing about great things for so many.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Steel Accord

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

Transhumanism I don't think will ever come to a full encapsulating thing. There are too many cultural differences in the world for everyone to be interested in technological progression in that direction.

 

Moreover, its development has no direct connection to My Little Pony any more than it does to The Matrix or Star Wars. What you're basically asking for is a VR video game set in Equestria which you can play for extremely long periods continuously, the way I see it.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Transhumanism I don't think will ever come to a full encapsulating thing. There are too many cultural differences in the world for everyone to be interested in technological progression in that direction.

 

Moreover, its development has no direct connection to My Little Pony any more than it does to The Matrix or Star Wars. What you're basically asking for is a VR video game set in Equestria which you can play for extremely long periods continuously, the way I see it.

 

Don't agree with the former, agree with the ladder. (Though in the OP's defense, I think he was merely asking if bronies besides him would be inclined to transhumanism.)

Edited July 16, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Revy 184]

I have literally no idea what I just read 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I have literally no idea what I just read 

 

Are you unclear with what transhumanism is or just unclear what the OP was asking?

[Zoraxe 546]

A virtual reality video game thing is plausable, thats not really transhumanism though.

 

Some parts of transhumanism sound possibly feasable, but those technological singularity, artificial brains, immortality, ressurecting the dead, and brain-uploading parts are when things get out there.

Edited July 16, 2015 by Zoraxe

[Mrain901 216]

Kind of reminds me of one of my favorite fanfics: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/41821/identity-theft

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Kind of reminds me of one of my favorite fanfics: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/41821/identity-theft

 

Which sounds similar to one of my favorites. 

 

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/62074/friendship-is-optimal

[cider float 2,538]

I'm a horse stuck in a human body.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I'm a horse stuck in a human body.

 

Close but not quite what transhumanism is about.

[WriteCodes46 178]

I'm a horse stuck in a human body.

That's named Otherkinning, and it's plain bullshit.

 

I think it would be useful for this discussion to have an actual definition of Transhumanism.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

I think it would be useful for this discussion to have an actual definition of Transhumanism.

 

See my earlier post:

 

"Transhumanism is a school of scientific research and a socio-political movement rolled into one. The theory is that sometime in the near future, humans as we biologically have evolved will become obsolete. Either through the invention of true sentient Artificial General Intelligence, cybernetic or genetic enhancement, a combination, or something we haven't even imagined yet.   Transhumanism holds that this will be a revolution for civilization, bringing about great things for so many."

[Ochre_Dust 329]

Transhumanism likely won't take anything explicitly pony shaped, as I believe the path such movements will take will be in the direction of self-guided evolution through genetic engineering and cybernetics, rather than through brain-uploads and virtual realities.

 

The equine form isn't structurally ideal for such things, although taking a cue as far as the senses of hearing and smell are concerned, perhaps there would be useful aspects.

 

And if humanity is at a point where they can genetically re-engineer themselves? You can bet they'll have had custom designer pets for decades. What's that? You want a two-foot tall pony that responds to verbal commands and occurs in bright pastel colors? That's really fucking easy compared to the issues that'll need to be resolved when it comes to practical, this-is-humanity's-future-so-don't-bungle-it application.

[GeekySonic 1,150]

This is really a lot for me to process. I honestly don't know what to think.

 

Overthinking aside, all of this hypothetical virtual reality sensation sounds like it'd be awfully exclusive to rich people. And the NSA would probably have a field day with it.

[Adachi 772]

I know there's Pony Hypnosis, although it can mess people up, at least if done wrong (many people with tulpas said their tulpas had to undo damage caused by the hypnosis). Also, I read the Fluttershy hypnosis can be really hard to adjust to at first because you will feel really afraid and shy, but your feelings of kindness and understanding will increase dramatically and it will be pretty much impossible for you to hate anyone because you'll end up seeing mean people as people who went through negative experiences to get that way.

 

Edit: One warning about Pony Hypnosis, it's not meant to be used 24/7, IIRC, there's a trigger word to turn it on and off and it's unsafe to use for too long at a time.

 

As for me, I just think of the qualities I admire and try to adopt those qualities.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Adachi

[WriteCodes46 178]

"Transhumanism is a school of scientific research and a socio-political movement rolled into one. The theory is that sometime in the near future, humans as we biologically have evolved will become obsolete. Either through the invention of true sentient Artificial General Intelligence, cybernetic or genetic enhancement, a combination, or something we haven't even imagined yet. Transhumanism holds that this will be a revolution for civilization, bringing about great things for so many."

Alright, so what does that even have to do with the My Little Pony fandom?

[silvadel 1,393]

In a friendship is optimal kind of virtual world where ponies could do magic and fly, I could see people doing it. 

 

In the real world with genetics and cyber-implants, you would be looked at in a similar way as that guy who did surgical things to be more like a cat. (Eeew the guy Dennis Avner Stalking Cat committed suicide -- I didn't know)

 

The world just isn't set up for ponies.  Hooves just do not work well for real world tasks, and without significant ambient magic, pegasi aren't going to fly.

Edited July 17, 2015 by silvadel

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Overthinking aside, all of this hypothetical virtual reality sensation sounds like it'd be awfully exclusive to rich people. And the NSA would probably have a field day with it.

 

At first sure, but so was the ipod, now the poorest people in the world can buy them. As technology advances, it proliferates.

 

Alright, so what does that even have to do with the My Little Pony fandom?

 

I don't know, that's the OP's question is if it does. I'm just giving the definition as a transhumanist and a brony.

I know there's Pony Hypnosis, although it can mess people up, at least if done wrong (many people with tulpas said their tulpas had to undo damage caused by the hypnosis). Also, I read the Fluttershy hypnosis can be really hard to adjust to at first because you will feel really afraid and shy, but your feelings of kindness and understanding will increase dramatically and it will be pretty much impossible for you to hate anyone because you'll end up seeing mean people as people who went through negative experiences to get that way.

 

Edit: One warning about Pony Hypnosis, it's not meant to be used 24/7, IIRC, there's a trigger word to turn it on and off and it's unsafe to use for too long at a time.

 

As for me, I just think of the qualities I admire and try to adopt those qualities.

 

Interesting but hyponsis really isn't a transhumanist thing because we can already do it with the faculties we naturally have.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Ribbonfree 2,383]

My values under the umbrella of transhumanism more align with it's usage to solve societal and individual problems. I've never given much thought to more 'entertainment' or 'non-essential' usages along the lines of this. Nothing against it personally, if it happens so be it, but I'm not going to approve of investing resources into it before other more critical work that has to be done.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

This is really a lot for me to process. I honestly don't know what to think.

 

Well what's particularly confusing? 

My values under the umbrella of transhumanism more align with it's usage to solve societal and individual problems. I've never given much thought to more 'entertainment' or 'non-essential' usages along the lines of this. Nothing against it personally, if it happens so be it, but I'm not going to approve of investing resources into it before other more critical work that has to be done.

 

Likewise, doesn't mean it never will be used for, nor should it be restricted from, entertainment purposes.

[Adachi 772]

At first sure, but so was the ipod, now the poorest people in the world can buy them. As technology advances, it proliferates.

 

 

I don't know, that's the OP's question is if it does. I'm just giving the definition as a transhumanist and a brony.

 

Interesting but hyponsis really isn't a transhumanist thing because we can already do it with the faculties we naturally have.

I know, I was just mentioning a way we can kinda achieve this now (kinda) while we wait for transhumanism to advance.