From January 2015

Human-machine relationships

human-machine relationships can be characterised in a number of ways which relate to the function that the technology performs (Gray et al., 1995):

  • Restorative Tools or machines that restore lost functions or limbs. Artificial hearts and prosthetic limbs are examples.
  • Normalising Technologies that return existing limbs or organs to normality, such as hearing aids, spectacles, pacemakers or reconstructive surgery.
  • Enhancing Technologies that improve human performance, such as night vision goggles, forklifts or communication technologies.
  • Reconfiguring Technologies that create differences, but do not enhance human bodies, such as cosmetic breast implants, collagen injections, tattooing and body modification.

From: Miller, V. (2011) The Body and Information Technology. In: Understanding digital culture. London: Sage. pp. pp. 207–223.

Top Ten Transhumanist Technologies

Overview

Transhumanists advocate the improvement of human capacities through advanced technology. Not just technology as in gadgets you get from Best Buy, but technology in the grander sense of strategies for eliminating disease, providing cheap but high-quality products to the world’s poorest, improving quality of life and social interconnectedness, and so on. Technology we don’t notice because it’s blended in with the fabric of the world, but would immediately take note of its absence if it became unavailable. (Ever tried to travel to another country on foot?) Technology needn’t be expensive — indeed, if a technology is truly effective it will pay for itself many times over.

Source: Lifeboat Foundation
via Top Ten Transhumanist Technologies.

 

Me, attempting to understand transhumanism and posthumanism

“Transhumanism” is a term first used by Julian Huxley (1957).

As humans have become aware of the possibilities for improving themselves and eventually mankind as a whole. All humans will one day have their  basic needs fulfilled, “poverty, disease, ill-health, over-work, cruelty [and] oppression”. Science will make this possible.

Very simply:

  • Transhumanism is the process of this transformation.
  • A “transhuman” is somebody who chooses to follow a path towards transhumanism.
  • “Posthumanism” describes mankind after the goal of transhumanism is realised.

The terms transhumanism and posthumanism are  also commonly used to describe a philosophy that involves the use of technology to improve/evolve the whole of humankind.

Author: jindarling

Bibliography

Humanity+ (n.d.) Transhumanist FAQ. Available from: http://humanityplus.org/philosophy/transhumanist-faq/#answer_19 [Accessed 14 January 2015].

Huxley, J. (1957) “Transhumanism.” Available from: http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/more/huxley [Accessed 14 January 2015].