Can Transhumanism and My Little Pony fandom fit together?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

And that idea is still utterly repulsive to me. 

 

He said his post was a parody.

 

 

 

You don't know that. But if it does come to that, I'll gladly tell them to pull the trigger.

 

And you don't know if your way is true. This isn't about transhumanism itself, it's about voluntaryism. Of course no one should be made to do something under threat of force. What does that have to do with MY choice or SILVER'S choice to augment our minds or bodies should such technology become available?

[Denim&Venöm 19,063]

Because more often than not the ideas these stories promote is not harmony with human and ponies. But with promoting pony hegemony on the evil humans by removing their ability to hate Princess Celestia and the ponies.

 

Like if I was forced to convert, I would hate ponies.

I meant in the development of actual transhumanist tech and methods. And besides, this isn't a TCB thread dude. Stay on topic. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Because more often than not the ideas these stories promote is not harmony with human and ponies. But with promoting pony hegemony on the evil humans by removing their ability to hate Princess Celestia and the ponies.

 

Like if I was forced to convert, I would hate ponies. I would probably want to kill them.... if I've convinced they are all zombie robots that is. 

 

We . . . are not . . . . talking . . . about those damn fics! 

 

This is about transhumanism as it applies to people in real life and the possibilities that may result from it. (Pony or otherwise.)

[Bendy 1,821]

This is about transhumanism as it applies to people in real life and the possibilities that may result from it. (Pony or otherwise.)

 

What I think the ultimate transhuman would be.

 

They have super intelligence, yet have good morality, the ability to generate a new body at will since you have backup copies of your human mind on a computer, the ability to survive extreme environments, so extreme the transhuman does not need oxygen. With immortality they could survive the death of the universe, all they need is power and metal to keep alive. Could live underground.

 

Transhuman machines could find the ability to create a star one day and bring new organic life into the universe. In a sense become gods.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Bendy

[Steel Accord 6,660]

What I think the ultimate transhuman would be.

 

They have super intelligence, yet have good morality, the ability to generate a new body at will since you have backup copies of your human mind on a computer, the ability to survive extreme environments, so extreme the transhuman does not need oxygen. With immorality they could survive the death of the universe, all they need is power and metal to keep alive. Could live underground.

 

Transhuman machines could find the ability to create a star one day and bring new organic life into the universe. In a sense become gods.

 

That last part is a little far reaching. That would require something like time-space engineering. The rest of it is actually quite feasible given scientific projections.

 

Besides, why create a star when you can survive the vacuum of space long enough to find a suitable one to live around?

 

Here's some more pro-transhumanist reading material. http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oa-intro

Edited July 20, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Cleverclover 1,526]

 

 

And you don't know if your way is true. This isn't about transhumanism itself, it's about voluntaryism. Of course no one should be made to do something under threat of force. What does that have to do with MY choice or SILVER'S choice to augment our minds or bodies should such technology become available?

 

Well, fortunately, I do think that we're a long ways away from a time when voluntaryism will be taken out of the equation. That will most likely be outside our lifetime. Nevertheless, I'll still assert that if it ever did come down to a situation where it's "augment or die", I'd choose die. 

 

Gotta say though, most Christians aren't transhumanists, so I can't help but be a bit surprised that you are. As a matter of fact, my faith has a lot to do with the fact that I hate the idea.  

[Bendy 1,821]

That last part is a little far reaching. That would require something like time-space engineering. The rest of it is actually quite feasible given scientific projections.

 

Besides, why create a star when you can survive the vacuum of space long enough to find a suitable one to live around?

 

All the stars will go out one day. Unless we find a way to make our own. But then again, we could live in a machine bunker forever I guess.

 

Also boredom.

 

Could be interesting to recreate humanity on a planet like Earth and watch it live like a reality show from space.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Bendy

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

Well, fortunately, I do think that we're a long ways away from a time when voluntaryism will be taken out of the equation. That will most likely be outside our lifetime. Nevertheless, I'll still assert that if it ever did come down to a situation where it's "augment or die", I'd choose die. 

 

Yeah, I agree. Augmentation won't become widespread commercially available until long after we are gone. If that same choice came down to me, I'd take a third option. "Augment and fight whatever regime is making mandatory what should be a choice."

 

 

 

Gotta say though, most Christians aren't transhumanists, so I can't help but be a bit surprised that you are. As a matter of fact, my faith has a lot to do with the fact that I hate the idea.

 

 

My faith is actually why I'm in support of it. (Please, for the love of God, PM if taken further so we don't get anti-theists here!)

[Buck Testa 5,505]

 

 

And that idea is still utterly repulsive to me. 

 

 That's probably because you don't have the mindset that comes with Transhumanism. 

 

The human body and brain at the end of the day is just organic hardware, and our ego and persona are nothing more than software that can, in a very real sense, be uploaded into other things besides our bodies. That can be a truly disturbing concept to grapple when you associate yourself with your body, especially if religious concepts further make these ideas abhorrent to your way of thinking. 

 

Such things will happen in time though. This is not science fiction, this is the inevitable path that science is bringing us too. Think about how dependent on technology we already are, how long people stare at their phones and connect to computers. We are exchanging these ideas on a collective interface of information and knowledge as we speak, and once we understand the mind fully the walls that separate our egos and personas from such things will fall away.

 

People are already being fitted with robotic prosthesis that are controlled through signals from the brain, we are growing flesh from 3d printers, we are learning to replicate organic life and organs and how to program DNA itself. In time, trading a body will be like buying a new car or laptop, something fancier with better features and more memory space. 

 

The human body is a pretty good design, and we met with our first singularity here, where we achieved conscious thought and got the world under our control. This is merely the next step in this whole journey to advancing us into more capable and evolved beings. A completely feasible and realistic step at that. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

All the stars will go out one day. Unless we find a way to make our own. But then again, we could live in a machine bunker forever I guess.

 

Also boredom.

 

Could be interesting to recreate humanity on a planet like Earth and watch it live like a reality show from space.

 

True except that kind of capability would only be achievable by a mind that was outright post human. Something like a Jupiter Brain.

 

 

 

You're scenario though of seeding a planet with sentient life and watching it grow has happened within this linked setting actually.

 

http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oa-intro

[SilverComet 170]

He said his post was a parody.

 

And you don't know if your way is true. This isn't about transhumanism itself, it's about voluntaryism. Of course no one should be made to do something under threat of force. What does that have to do with MY choice or SILVER'S choice to augment our minds or bodies should such technology become available?

 

Thanks.

 

I added the "disclaimer" later when I noticed it was imposible to discern if I was a crazy fundamentalist or just making a joke.

 

[OFFTOPIC]

 

 

(Before someone else does it) -> What name do you like the most? 

A ) Accord Silver (the car from Honda)

B ) Silver Steel (the alloy that contains 0% of actual silver)

C ) Some other combination with "comet" (that is probably already in use somewhere in the forums).

 

 

Edited July 20, 2015 by SilverComet

[Cleverclover 1,526]

 

 

(Please, for the love of God, PM if taken further so we don't get anti-theists here!)

 

 

Eh, I'm good. 

 

 

 

This is merely the next step in this whole journey to advancing us into more capable and evolved beings.

 

And that's a step I'll never take. Ever. 

 

It's simply too far detached from everything I believe in. I have too much respect for the life and body I've been blessed with to suddenly decide that I want more from them. 

 

Furthermore, and I don't mean to suggest that you are, but I'm not arrogant enough to assume that I deserve to become something more than human simply because I'll likely be living in a time where these advances are possible.  

[Bendy 1,821]

My transhumanism body! That's the kind of transhumanism I'd want. You can keep your ponies!

 

 

The thing is I would not want to become a pony. I would want to become something more cool looking!

 

Maybe a Space Marine from Warhammer 40k.... without all the killing of xenos and brutal dictatorship. As a Space Marine that wants to date a pony princess from MLP FIM or any other beautiful xeno lady.

 

I can look cool and human looking, and not some silly cartoon horse. I still have my hands as a Space Marine.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Bendy

[Zoraxe 546]

Transhumanists often rely on the idea that technological advancments are being made at at increasing fast rate, many of them predicting that they can become post human within their lifetimes. They don't consider the possibility of technologies plateauing, or advanced computers being economicly feasable to produce for general use.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Zoraxe

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Transhumanists often rely on the idea that technological advancments are being made at at increasing fast rate, many of them predicting that they can become post human within their lifetimes. They don't consider the possibility of technologies plateauing, or advanced computers being economicly feasable to produce for general use.

For regular tech such things could happen absolutely. However as we study biology and how the mind works it will break through those limitations and plateaus where general progression would fail. 

 

The brain in a sense is the most powerful computer we know, and it takes very little energy to run in comparison to the ones we use now. With the mapping of the brain taking place and learning how it functions, we can eventually model computers after the brain and how it works. 

 

Biology is the most advanced technology we have at our disposal, more advanced in many respects than any tech we've made up to this point (it's so complex we don't fully understand it yet), and that is the springboard in which technological advancement should leap from. 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

And that's a step I'll never take. Ever.    It's simply too far detached from everything I believe in. I have too much respect for the life and body I've been blessed with to suddenly decide that I want more from them.    Furthermore, and I don't mean to suggest that you are, but I'm not arrogant enough to assume that I deserve to become something more than human simply because I'll likely be living in a time where these advances are possible.

 

Again, no one is forcing you too do anything. You don't think it's out of respect that one would do this? It's the logical extension of working out or meditation. Hell, augs might not actually do anything at first but help people get more out of those exercises. 

Transhumanists often rely on the idea that technological advancments are being made at at increasing fast rate, many of them predicting that they can become post human within their lifetimes. They don't consider the possibility of technologies plateauing, or advanced computers being economicly feasable to produce for general use.

 

You're not speaking for me when you say "transhumanists often" or others I know for that matter. Many accept that we won't live long enough to benefit from this, does that mean we can't support it and try to hurry it along for our children or grandchildren?

My transhumanism body! That's the kind of transhumanism I'd want. You can keep your ponies!

 

 

The thing is I would not want to become a pony. I would want to become something more cool looking!

 

Maybe a Space Marine from Warhammer 40k.... without all the killing of xenos and brutal dictatorship. As a Space Marine that wants to date a pony princess from MLP FIM or any other beautiful xeno lady.

 

I can look cool and human looking, and not some silly cartoon horse. I still have my hands as a Space Marine.

 

I don't necessarily want to ponify either. You don't need to posture how your choice is so much better than anyone else's though. Especially since in more distant projections one could switch between either depending on the day or task.

 

 

Eh, I'm good. 

 

Well I would defend my stance as a transhumanist Christian if you would allow me to. 

Edited July 20, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Bendy 1,821]

 

I don't necessarily want to ponify either. You don't need to posture how your choice is so much better than anyone else's though. Especially since in more distant projections one could switch between either depending on the day or task.

 

I was more less or joking around there. I am a member of Humans Are Superior group after all on fimfiction. I don't necessarily agree with all their ideals. However, I am guaranteed to come across stories, in which humans don't let the ponies just walk all over them. For that reason alone the group appeals to me.

 

Besides everyone knows that Zoidbergs are the superior apex race. All other races are inferior before the all mighty lobsters. XD 

 

 

On a seriously note could transhumanism make us survive the heat death of the universe?  

Edited July 20, 2015 by Bendy

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

On a seriously note could transhumanism make us survive the heat death of the universe?

 

 

Well transhumanism would play a part in that, but by that point, transhumanism would be history. Civilization would be outright post-human.

 

The kind of technology that would allow intelligence to endure beyond the entropic decay of the "thermodynamic trap" doesn't exist yet but something like a post-Singularity mind might be able to construct. Such as converting all matter in the universe into computronium so that the big crunch and following big bang will still retain whatever intelligence is running. Or finding some way to have uploads stored in a simulated universe, large enough to contain all or at least a vast sum of existing persons but with a system advanced enough to run that under the crushing gravitational stress of the big crunch.

[NeonTheChangeling 91]

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.

the NSA would love it

probably a tad too much

[Steel Accord 6,660]

the NSA would love it

probably a tad too much

 

I think they would actually hate the proliferation of this technology. Governments always loathe anyone but them being empowered. As they would see it, mass produced augs that makes us stronger, faster, smarter, etc. would just mean more opportunities to become criminals. Rather than us just becoming better and more able contributors to society. Of course that's their entire job, to assume the worst in humanity.

[NeonTheChangeling 91]

I think they would actually hate the proliferation of this technology. Governments always loathe anyone but them being empowered. As they would see it, mass produced augs that makes us stronger, faster, smarter, etc. would just mean more opportunities to become criminals. Rather than us just becoming better and more able contributors to society. Of course that's their entire job, to assume the worst in humanity.

it was sarcasm

by love i mean hate

[Steel Accord 6,660]

it was sarcasm

by love i mean hate

 

Ah, forgive me. Not one of my strong subjects to comprehend.

[NeonTheChangeling 91]

Ah, forgive me. Not one of my strong subjects to comprehend.

it is ok,sometimes i dont understand sarcasm

[Ochre_Dust 329]

Well, fortunately, I do think that we're a long ways away from a time when voluntaryism will be taken out of the equation. That will most likely be outside our lifetime. Nevertheless, I'll still assert that if it ever did come down to a situation where it's "augment or die", I'd choose die. 

 

Gotta say though, most Christians aren't transhumanists, so I can't help but be a bit surprised that you are. As a matter of fact, my faith has a lot to do with the fact that I hate the idea.  

 

 

Yeah, I agree. Augmentation won't become widespread commercially available until long after we are gone. If that same choice came down to me, I'd take a third option. "Augment and fight whatever regime is making mandatory what should be a choice."

 

 

 

 

 

My faith is actually why I'm in support of it. (Please, for the love of God, PM if taken further so we don't get anti-theists here!)

 

Please include me in such a private discussion, as I fall under the category of Christrian Transhumanist as well, and would love to provide my own thoughts on the matter.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Please include me in such a private discussion, as I fall under the category of Christrian Transhumanist as well, and would love to provide my own thoughts on the matter.

 

Doesn't appear to be happening sadly. He turned down my offer.