Transhumanism

Transhumanism is a broad and multifaceted movement steeped in the idea that humans can, and should, use technology to surpass our biological limitations. It’s a philosophy and a field of study, continually evolving, with roots in futurist theories and science fiction, and burgeoning reality in the fields of science and technology. As a global movement, it spans across decades and continents, with diverse thinkers contributing to its development, from futurists like FM-2030 (an early advocate in the 1960s) to contemporary thought leaders like philosopher Nick Bostrom and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

FM-2030 was an influential futurist, author, and lecturer known for his optimistic views on technological advancements and human longevity. Born Fereidoun M. Esfandiary in Belgium in 1930 to Iranian parents, he legally changed his name to FM-2030 to reflect his belief that he would live to 100 and see the dawn of a new era in the year 2030.

He is regarded as one of the early advocates of transhumanism, the belief that humans can and should use technology to transcend biological limitations. FM-2030 was particularly known for his views on radical life extension, space colonization, and techno-optimism, which he detailed in various works, including “Are You a Transhuman?: Monitoring and Stimulating Your Personal Rate of Growth in a Rapidly Changing World” and “Telespheres.”

FM-2030 taught at the New School for Social Research in New York and UCLA, where he gained a reputation as a forward-thinking academic. He was a member of the Extropy Institute’s Council of Advisors, an organization dedicated to the ideas of transhumanism and life extension, and remained active in these areas until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2000.

Before he passed away, FM-2030 chose to be cryopreserved – a process where the body is stored at low temperatures in the hope that future medical technology might be able to revive him, repair the lethal damage, and extend his life – signifying his firm belief in the potential of future advancements in science and technology.

The transhumanist vision encompasses several areas. One is the enhancement of human physical and cognitive abilities, using technologies like gene editing, neural interfaces, and synthetic biology. This implies the possibility of increased lifespan, strength, intelligence, and sensory capacities. The second area is radical life extension, or even immortality, using technologies such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and potentially mind uploading, where a person’s consciousness might be transferred to a non-biological substrate. The third area includes increased happiness and well-being through neurotechnology and psychopharmacology, and the possibility of altering emotional responses.

Transhumanist concepts are deeply interwoven with science. For example, the idea of “uploading” human consciousness into a computer relies on advancements in artificial intelligence and computational neuroscience. The basis for this stems from the theory that consciousness is an emergent property of the brain’s physical processes, and if these processes could be perfectly simulated in a computer, consciousness would emerge in that simulation as well.

1. Ray Kurzweil, a notable transhumanist and director of engineering at Google, predicted that by the 2030s, humans will be able to upload their minds to computers and become digitally immortal – a theory he expounds in his book “The Singularity is Near” (source: “The Singularity is Near”, Ray Kurzweil, 2005).
2. “CRISPR” technology, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, offers unprecedented potential for genetic enhancements in humans and is a hot topic in transhumanist discussions (source: Nature Biotechnology, 2012).
3. Some proponents of transhumanism suggest that our legal system will need to be prepared for ‘post-humans’ – beings who have significantly augmented their capabilities. Legal scholar and transhumanist advocate Martine Rothblatt proposed the concept of ‘personhood beyond the human’ (source: “Virtually Human: The Promise—and the Peril—of Digital Immortality”, Martine Rothblatt, 2014).

Experts in the field hold a wide range of views on transhumanism. For instance, Nick Bostrom, philosopher and director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, discusses potential existential risks, but overall, he posits that human enhancement technologies could have profoundly positive effects on humanity if handled with care.

In contrast, some books express concerns over the implications of transhumanism. Francis Fukuyama’s “Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution” critiques transhumanist aspirations, arguing that tinkering with human nature could undermine our social structures and erode what it means to be human.

There are several examples of technologies and practices that align with transhumanist ideals:

1. Cryonics: This is the practice of preserving the body after death in the hope that future technology will allow for the revival of the preserved person. Companies like Alcor and the Cryonics Institute offer such services. A famous example is the aforementioned futurist FM-2030, who had his body cryogenically frozen upon his death in 2000.
2. Genetic Engineering: CRISPR-Cas9 technology has made gene editing more accessible than ever before. While currently mainly used in research and some therapeutic applications, it holds potential for human enhancement, an idea central to transhumanism. For instance, in 2018, a Chinese scientist announced the birth of the first gene-edited babies, designed to be HIV-resistant — a highly controversial move that sparked global debate.
3. Neural Interfaces and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): Companies like Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, are developing devices intended to be implanted in the brain to allow for direct communication between the brain and computers. While the immediate aim is to address neurological disorders, the long-term goal is to enhance human cognition.
4. Prosthetics and Exoskeletons: Modern prosthetics and exoskeletons can restore or even enhance human physical capabilities. They are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with some able to interface directly with the user’s nervous system, allowing for more natural and intuitive control.
5. Anti-Aging Research: Scientists are studying the biological mechanisms of aging with the aim to slow, halt, or even reverse it. Companies like Calico (a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company) and Human Longevity Inc. are exploring the biology of aging and developing therapies to extend healthy human lifespan.

Transhumanism is a movement centered on the belief that humans can use technology to surpass our natural limits, potentially heralding a new chapter in our species’ evolution. While promising, the technological advances that underpin this vision also pose profound ethical and societal questions. As we continue to grapple with these issues, it is essential to foster an informed and balanced dialogue, one that incorporates diverse perspectives and is rooted in both scientific understanding and humanistic values.