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A Transhumanist Party?
As far as I know there are no Transhumanist Political Parties*.
Some people who would define themselves as Transhumanist may be opposed to the idea of such a thing. In history, political parties have regularly misused and corrupted ideologies and scientific theories alike, for example - the many religious wars, fascist eugenics by the Nazis and genocide mislabelled natural selection in many nations.
Overall, is a Transhumanist party a good idea? Or is it one of the worst ideas out there?
* There is a party in the UK called 'The Consensus' - but I'm not sure if they are active.
Some people who would define themselves as Transhumanist may be opposed to the idea of such a thing. In history, political parties have regularly misused and corrupted ideologies and scientific theories alike, for example - the many religious wars, fascist eugenics by the Nazis and genocide mislabelled natural selection in many nations.
Overall, is a Transhumanist party a good idea? Or is it one of the worst ideas out there?
* There is a party in the UK called 'The Consensus' - but I'm not sure if they are active.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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Very very true, Roko. And can you imagine what they would say in America? At least in the UK religious fundamentalism is still in the minority.
Also there is the irony that transhumanism is destined to obsolete politics! At least in its current form. Authority is already losing its grip (hence it tightening...) thanks to transhumanist concepts such as the internet, metaverses, and powerful industry.
No, you're right. Awareness needs to go up. In a positive way too. That's what we should all be focussing on at the moment. A transhumanist party would be like a gas station in a medieval town.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Martin on
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Roko, how long have you been doing standup comedy?
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Permalink Reply by Edward Miller on
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There is no Humanist Party either. I think the idea of humanism is probably somewhat at odds with any system short of direct democracy anyways. In the US, the intention was for parties to never form... what a long, strange (and often grotesque) trip it has been.
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Permalink Reply by Peregryn on
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"Any publicity is good publicity - right?" I would disagree with this, especially in the realm of politics. Politics is all about imposing one's will on others, its why people form parties, with the hope to someday be writing the laws, as such it is very polarizing. Whereas an individual or group can discuss something on the street and people will often consider what is being said, political parties tend to be either accepted or rejected, people will either right there want to support you or they will disagree with you, in which case they will want you destroyed in preference of their own political party. For this reason, and maybe a few others, political parties are not so much good at educating people as representing them, lobbying for them, something that we would need to be much much more numerous and concentrated to be able to say we represent the ideas of any significant portion of the population. The best way I see Transhumanism being spread and expressed in politics is through educational campaigns by non-political activists and to be supported by people in other political parties, as it does not exactly have a truly comprehensive platform anyways. If you really want Transhumanism to enter the realm of politics, it would probably be best to advocate it from inside a mainstream party.
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I totally agree on the Green thing, I noticed that too.
But like Green, is transhumanism a political entity in its own right? Don't transhumanists, despite agreeing about scientific issues, have different political views?
From a political point of view, I think that libertarianism has a lot in common with transhumanism and is probably the political persuasion most of us subscribe to, but I could be wrong. Just think, if every single transhumanist doesn't agree on the political aspects of the party, then it's already lost possible voters!
That's the issue I think. Is transhumanism actually politically orientated, or should we put our efforts into pressure groups instead of trying to compete at something we're not really into?
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Permalink Reply by - - on
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I don't think a political party really is the right way to go. When you have lots of followers, it is important, but as for now, information is much more important.
It's kind of sad to see how there's probably more people that have been informed about transhumanism by Raelians than non-sect-transhumanists...
I think more thought should be spent on educating the youth - it is much easier to change a young person than an adult. If lots of information was given to people in their mid-teens during the next five years, 20 years from now there'd probably be much more interest and knowledge about transhumanism in general, which would make everything so much easier when transhumanism really becomes an issue in the future. I do not know how hard it is to get into schools and such, but i suppose it wouldn't be all that impossible - if they can spread information about drugs, violence and the holocaust, why not about transhumanism... The problem is finding people that is so interested and passionate about transhumanism that they would be willing to spend all their time educating people about it. That is just what is needed for transhumanism to spread - more people...
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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I think a transhumanist interest group, with a lobbyist, would be more appropriate.
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Permalink Reply by Kristi Scott on
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There is no Transhumanist Party per se, but I've signed up for the Unity '08 group for the next big election. The concept of the group is to be a third party between the lines. With being on neither side, but inside agreeing to come to the middle and rational decision about how the country should be headed. That way the discussions and inclusions of what's important to the populace or delegates rises to the top, with the voices being heard with the biggest numbers. Takes away some of the propaganda which can be worrisome and is giving a chance for the "true" voice of the people to be heard in their forum...online.
If anyone's interested, I'm a trailblazer for Unity '08 for these reasons. You can check it out at
http://www.unity08trailblazers.com/teams/southernindianaisredwhitea...
Join if you're interested, look around and consider at the very least. It's an idea to participate in the development of the country, without feeling so much like a tiny voice that doesn't get heard. Transhumanist issues and the like are important in the coming years and I would like someone in office that understands this and is willing to talk about it and hear what's going on. This is just one way to get around the $$$ and too the candidate. "If you want our vote, you have to listen to what we want to happen"
It's been on the Colbert Report, Hardball, and I think Face the Nation too. ANY candidate is eligible to be nominated, but we collective decide on the Unity nominee. Should be on the ballot next time around.
At least it's a shot....
http://www.unity08trailblazers.com/teams/southernindianaisredwhitea...
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Permalink Reply by Sean Henderson on -
Transhumanism is essentially political and must invade politics - as the technologies promoted are regulated by politicians. Of course there is always the conservative backlash of fear - but the new technologies will be brought forward by the scientists within society. It's plain for all to see that current government regulation of the technologies to improve one's existance are a hindrance : setting up a network of official transhumanist political entities will help to bring power to those with a rational conscience.
First we must define the values of Transhumanism, so originally I think the party should be created through rational debate according to pre-defined rules by those who are active supporters.
Imagine a party whose members acted only in accordance with the results of online debates/polls - whereby anyone could debate the issues in a spirit of seeking a rational answer to a given problem, rather than party politics and secret powers.
A collaboration of unpaid volunteers - who are active only because they believe in what they do and in the process they represent. Complete transparency of all the activities of the parties actions (unless kept secret for security purposes).
(listening to Imagine by John Lennon in my head)
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Permalink Reply by Vampire55453 on
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I am currently working a novel set in the (dun dun dun) not near future about a religous/political organization that about complete power and corrupts and negatively impacts our world, unless it was handled right putting science in the hands of the moronic could be deadly. When the time comes there will be no flesh only steel, no spirit no emotions merely despair as flesh and steel mesh.
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the fear our losing our humanity with these new gifts could we control what terrorists radicals, religions, and politicians not to mention corporations would do with this power, it would become a dystopia people modifying themselves beyond recognition escaping reality, going beyond being human and not into something better, what would the world be if Plato had lived an extra 100 years? The commercialization of these new nano technologies would be like oh want to expand your life? well now you can with " insert product" there could be wars between those who modify themselves and those that dont, elitism, caste systems, so many problems with transhumanism and thats what i want to explore in my trilogy. sorry for like uh no puncuation btw.
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one last thing if we modfied ourselves to not look human, would the uncanny valley and frankenstein complex make us destroy each other and eventuelly ourselves?
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