The founding of the Transhumanist Party of the United States, the intensifying of the U.S. BRAIN-Initiative and the start of Google's project "Ending death" were important milestones in the year 2014, and potential further steps towards "transhumanist" politics. The most significant development was that the radical international technology community became a concrete political force, not by chance starting its global political initiative in the U.S. According to political scientist and sociologist Roland Benedikter, research scholar at the University of California at Santa Barbara, "transhumanist" politics has momentous growth potential but with uncertain outcomes. The coming years will probably see a dialogue between humanism and transhumanism in - and about - most crucial fields of human endeavor, with strong political implications that will challenge, and could change the traditional concepts, identities and strategies of Left and Right.
Roland Benedikter is the co-author of two Pentagon and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff White Papers concerning the future of Neurotechnology and the Ethics of Neurowarfare (2013 and 2014), several books about global strategic matters (two of those on Xi Jinping's China) and of the upcoming book Neuroscience and Neuroethics: Impacting Human Futures (in cooperation with James Giordano, Springer New York) which will be published in 2015. He has co-authored the commentary "Neuroculture: How to keep ethical pace with the current 'deep' transformations through neurotechnology? for "Leftist Review" with James Giordano in March 2012. Katja Siepmann and Annabella McIntosh conducted the interview.
In the book you co-authored with Pentagon-advisor and Georgetown-neuroscientist and neuroethicist James Giordano "Neuroscience and Neuroethics: Impacting Human Futures" you state that these two fields at the interface between science and politics might lead to bigger changes in the coming years than either conventional politics or science. The reason: Technology is becoming an increasingly more powerful political and social force - not only sectorially or nationally, but globally.
Roland Benedikter: In recent years technology has indeed emerged as a concrete social and political force. 2014 has seen a noticeable intensification of that trend. The traditional political players are poorly prepared for it. What, for example, nowadays takes place in just one year at the interface between the human brain and technology, until recently required a decade. It is an exponential development. The mechanization of society and humanity is occurring within many disciplines- for example, in the form of neurotechnology, which is increasingly used for medical and both dual-use and direct military purposes. But there are other fields too. From neuroeconomics to, neuroaesthetics, neurosprituality, neurosociology and even neuropolitics, the "neuro"-prefix is becoming omnipresent in the understanding and meaning of our time and civilization - and with regard to its self-ascribed identity.
What exactly is going on?
Roland Benedikter: Supporters of "human enhancement"[1], which encompasses scientists, entrepreneurs and politicians and transcends language, cultural and ideological barriers, advocate mechanization of the human body in general and the broad "culturalization" of brain-machine interfaces in particular as the progressive, transformative path for humanity in the 21st century. By playing a consulting role in the "high spheres" of politics, science, and management, representatives of the transhumanist movement (including the World Transhumanist Association), which was initiated in the 1980s, are promoting the fusion of humans and computers. Among other things, they recommend the broad use of implants to enhance cognitive abilities, neural engineering to expand human consciousness and the cyborgization of the body and its tissues and systems in order to increase resilience, flourishing and lifespan.
Sounds gruesome at first. What is the idea behind all this?
Roland Benedikter: The name "transhumanism" is the basic concept that tells it all. Its followers want to go beyond the present human condition. At its core it means to overcome the "natural" limitations inherent in human existence, which is to be born, live relatively short, half-conscious lives, and then die. The supporters of "human enhancement" and "transhumanism" intend to break through these current physical and cognitive (and perhaps even spiritual) barriers. In order to do that, they will pursue biotechnological upgrades to the human body and thus, conceivably, try to eliminate the negative effects of ageing and eventually (at least in their aspiration) even death.
You state (in a scientifically "neutral" sense) that the first breakthrough of this development could now be imminent, but there will also be inescapable associated ethical problems?
Roland Benedikter: Possibly. Those who view the future human being as a technoid being, if not as a body fully integrated into technology - as seem to do, for example, Google's chief engineer Ray Kurzweil or the Oxford professor of philosophy Nick Bostrom, who is the head of the "Future of Humanity Institute" at the faculty of philosophy and the Oxford James Martin 21st Century School -- regard the mid of the century as a probable date for reaching the "singularity." That's the moment when artificial intelligence allegedly surpasses that of human intelligence and becomes in some way "self-conscious", as these thinkers expect.[2] Kurzweil has recently even referred to the year 2029 as the date when technology could reach a level of self-conscious "intelligence".[3] If that happens, even on an approximate basis, it will without doubt affect virtually everything, even though it will likely not occur in as spectacular ways as predicted.
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The Age of Transhumanist Politics Has Begun
- Human Genetic Enhancements - A Transhumanist Perspective - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA: Would You Live For 10,000 Years? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
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- 10 Insights from The Transhumanist Wager, with Zoltan Istvan - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- DAVE HODGES: THE MASS POISONING OF THE PLANET IS TO FULFILL A TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA: Eliminate Suffering? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Transhumanist Propaganda as Entertainment - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA: Lab Rats - Rise of the Secret Soldiers - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Vote Zoltan Istvan - Transhumanist U.S. Presidential Candidate For 2016 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
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- DARPA's 'Cortical Modem' will plug straight into your BRAIN - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA: Androgyny and the Antichrist - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
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- Africa, Shamanism and The Transhumanist Future with Kilindi Iyi - Video - March 5th, 2015 [March 5th, 2015]
- Theorist to Theorist - Godrules Pt 1 - Transhumanist Confusion - Video - March 5th, 2015 [March 5th, 2015]
- Transhumanist Agenda Revealed - Video - March 5th, 2015 [March 5th, 2015]
- Ask Warren Ellis Your Craziest Questions About The Future - March 10th, 2015 [March 10th, 2015]
- Chappie Satanic Illuminati Transhumanist Agenda EXPOSED - Video - March 12th, 2015 [March 12th, 2015]
- Reply To Face Like The Sun Transhumanist video - Video - March 14th, 2015 [March 14th, 2015]
- Apple Watch Exposed! NWO Conspiracy to Popularize Useless Product for Promoting Transhumanist Agenda - Video - March 14th, 2015 [March 14th, 2015]
- Trending at SXSW: Mind cloning, off-the-grid messaging - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports - March 16th, 2015 [March 16th, 2015]
- Mind cloning, off-the-grid chats & ambient mobile alerts lead chatter at South by Southwest - March 16th, 2015 [March 16th, 2015]
- Tranhumanist CEO Wants to Help You Live Forever - March 16th, 2015 [March 16th, 2015]
- Hottest tech at South by Southwest: FireChat, 'mind cloning' - March 18th, 2015 [March 18th, 2015]
- Humans: The Next Platform - March 18th, 2015 [March 18th, 2015]
- Satanic Illuminati Super Soldier Captain America & MK Ultra Transhumanist Winter Soldier EXPOSED 108 - Video - March 20th, 2015 [March 20th, 2015]
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- Chappie Satanic Illuminati Transhumanist Agenda EXPOSED 1080p - Video - March 22nd, 2015 [March 22nd, 2015]
- Transhumanist Advert ~ Usain Bolt March 19 2015 - Video - March 22nd, 2015 [March 22nd, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA The End of Religion and Review of Lab Rats 720p - Video - March 22nd, 2015 [March 22nd, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA Lab Rats Rise of the Secret Soldiers 720p - Video - March 22nd, 2015 [March 22nd, 2015]
- TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA Would You Live For 10,000 Years 720p - Video - March 22nd, 2015 [March 22nd, 2015]
- Anticipating tomorrows politics, and introducing the Transhumanist Party - Video - March 25th, 2015 [March 25th, 2015]
- EUCACH: Melanie Vritschan homage to Dr Rauni Kilde, whistleblower against Transhumanist Agenda - Video - March 27th, 2015 [March 27th, 2015]
- The Transhumanist Wager- TwinCities+ - Video - March 27th, 2015 [March 27th, 2015]
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- What does transhumanist mean? - Video - April 9th, 2015 [April 9th, 2015]
- Normal day in transhumanist life - Video - April 9th, 2015 [April 9th, 2015]
- The Transhumanist (Original Mix) - Video - April 9th, 2015 [April 9th, 2015]
- Transhumanist Party - Transcending human limitations - Video - April 11th, 2015 [April 11th, 2015]
- Why Im Running for President As the Transhumanist Candidate - May 8th, 2015 [May 8th, 2015]
- The Transhumanist Party Supports Bitcoin: Zoltan Istvan ... - May 10th, 2015 [May 10th, 2015]
- Transhumanism and the Technological Singularity - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- U.S. Transhumanist Party PUTTING SCIENCE, HEALTH ... - December 21st, 2016 [December 21st, 2016]
- Nick Bostrom's Home Page - December 21st, 2016 [December 21st, 2016]
- U.S. Navy Held Meetings With Transhumanist to Discuss ... - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- H+: True Transhumanism - Essentials | Metanexus - January 12th, 2017 [January 12th, 2017]
- About | Mormon Transhumanist Association - January 12th, 2017 [January 12th, 2017]
- The Transhumanist Wager - amazon.com - January 15th, 2017 [January 15th, 2017]
- An interview with Zoltan Istvan, leader of the Transhumanist ... - January 24th, 2017 [January 24th, 2017]
- Filthy Assistance: Revisiting 'Transmetropolitan: Lust for Life' - ComicsAlliance - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Meet the Body Hacker Trying to Become a Human Vibrator - Gizmodo - Gizmodo - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Editor's Picks #463 - Archinect - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Stunning Transhumanism Dominates New 'Ghost in the Shell' Trailer - Inverse - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Transhumanist politician wants to run for governor of California - Engadget - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Why Elon Musk's transhumanism claims may not be that far-fetched - Wired.co.uk - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Mark O'Connell's Journey Among the Immortalists - The Ringer (blog) - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Zoltan Istvan, Nick Bostrom, and the Anti-Aging Quest - The Atlantic - The Atlantic - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Are We Mature Enough to Deal with Climate Change? - Yahoo News - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Wow! Really? The Hungarian-American Transhumanist Who Wants to Become a CyborgAnd Live Forever - Hungary Today - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Transhumanists, biohackers, grinders: Who are they and can they really live forever? - ABC Online - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- 'They want to be literally machines' : Writer Mark O'Connell on the rise of transhumanists - The Verge - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- 'To Be A Machine' Digs Into The Meaning Of Humanity - NPR - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- The Transhumanist's Quest for Godhood: 'Remember, Thou Art Mortal' - CNSNews.com - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Top 5 Transhumanist Technologies With Major Implications ... - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Michael O'Connor : Does He See Himself being a Transhumanist? - Mobile Magazine - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Transhumanist Wants to Run for California Governor Under Libertarian Banner - The Libertarian Republic - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Is Zoltan Istvan a Libertarian? - Being Libertarian - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Secret to a better life? - Piqua Daily Call - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- U.S. Transhumanist Party Discussed - Lifeboat Foundation (blog) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]