Publisher's Synopsis
Transhumanism is an international movement that advocates the use of science and technology to overcome the "natural" limitations experienced by humanity. Beyond ending ageing, gaining greater intelligence and conquering the stars, any transhumanist looks forward to a plethora of other alterations to what has been the ordinary human condition, among them: · the Singularity - the creation of machine intelligences that exceed the capacities of our biological brains · radical robotics and the end of economic scarcity and boring labour · the ability to replicate individual minds and put them into solid-state bodies or virtual environments · improved physiological strength, sexual pleasure and the intentional mutation of the human body · the ever-increasing interconnectedness and empowerment of humans via ever-faster and more powerful communications technology and, with it, the potential for vastly more productive and creative group minds · individual control over mental and emotional states for enhancing functionalities and/or ecstasies In nearly ninety A-Z entries, TRANSCENDENCE provides a multi-layered look at the accelerating advances in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, genomics, information technology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, space exploration, synthetic biology, robotics and virtual worlds. Entries range from Cloning and Cyborg Feminism to Designer Babies to Memory-Editing Drugs. In addition, the book notes historical predecessors and personalities, both in mythology and history - ranging from Methusala to Timothy Leary to Ray Kurzwiel. It, also, introduces the culture around Transhumanism, covering all the geeky obsessions of the Transhumanist movement. Walter Isaacson ( President of the Aspen Institute, former managing editor of Time, and author of best-selling biographies of Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin): "This is without doubt the most delightful guide to the radical future."
