Regarding Transhumanism

 

Transhumanism is, according to that invaluable and easily accessed source, Wikipedia, a movement advocating the modification of humans to increase longevity, cognition, condition and no doubt a host of other things considered desirable, through technology.  Such modification has been the subject of science fiction for quite some time, of course.  But now we have or will shortly have the technology needed to make the transhumanist dream come true.

Unsurprisingly, there are those who oppose this movement.  I suspect some do so merely because the dread prefix "trans" appears in the name.  Others may do so for religious reasons.  But those reasons are less and less persuasive these days.  They're reminiscent of claims like:  "If God had meant for us to fly, He'd have given us wings." And I suspect that few will be convinced if objections are made that we can't be changed because God made us "in his image and likeness."  What kind of god would consent to be like us?

I think most would like to be enhanced.  And I think the large corporations which I'm sure are pouring vast sums of money into the relevant technologies want them to be enhanced as well, and to pay dearly for enhancement.  So, I expect it to take place.

I also expect that only the wealthy will be able to afford modifications to any great extent.  The benefits they already have will be increased accordingly.  They'll be not only richer than most, but will live longer, be smarter, stronger, healthier than most as well.  Gradually, a class of super humans will come to be, and grow.

Governments may be expected to take advantage of these technologies for military purposes, and enhanced soldiers will be developed.  Those unable to afford enhancements will be delegated menial tasks, though I expect a black market will develop through which enhancements will be made somewhat avaiable to the underprivileged, at least to the extent needed to keep them amused and from becoming dangerous.  Also, I think it should be expected that certain technologies of a lesser kind will become widely avaiable.

It sounds like a science fiction novel of the dystopian sort, doesn't it?  I have no doubt ethical concerns will be raised, but also have no doubt they'll be largely disregarded.

Perhaps transhumanism will allow us to compete with AI, though.  There's always a silver lining, they say.