The Moron's Guide To Transhumanism, Human Enhancement And Why It's Fucking Awesome. - General - Facepunch Forum

The Moron's Guide To Transhumanism, Human Enhancement And Why It's Fucking Awesome.

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The idea is that you shouldn't respond to that comic, guys. It's transhumanism flamebait like Rational Wiki and Scott Locklin.

[QUOTE=redBadger;32006775]because we're designed to sweat so we can consume more energy for a longer amount of time and at a greater pace; another reason why we've lost most of our hair. Replacing arms replaces sweat glands, and we, for the most part, wouldn't be able to consume that energy. I think...[/QUOTE] We sweat to reduce body heat, because there is a very narrow window (a few degrees) of temperature, outside of which humans tend to die. Our cells simply fail to function. With mechanical implants, that's not as much an issue. We already have coolant devices, and that cooling is only required at the nerve-mechanical interface. [editline]30th August 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=redBadger;32006775]because we're designed to sweat so we can consume more energy for a longer amount of time and at a greater pace; another reason why we've lost most of our hair. Replacing arms replaces sweat glands, and we, for the most part, wouldn't be able to consume that energy. I think...[/QUOTE] Biology is horrendously inefficient, and so is likely to produce far more heat for far less work.

Too much Deus Ex

[QUOTE=DudeGuyKT;31988141]I think people that think transhumanism is messing with the natural order are dumb. I mean, if you think about it, ever invention ever has been to improve on something. Now, we're inventing things to improve on ourself. How is that any different? I mean, we're using medicines to improve ourselves. This is just that on a grander scale. If we have the ability to propel the human race forwards, why not do it?[/QUOTE] The problem is once you start touching your brain and body bad shit happens. Think of the moral implications of it all. The power it's give governments (uniquely identifiable people by their implants perhaps?) and other shit like that. [editline]29th August 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Contag;32006994]We sweat to reduce body heat, because there is a very narrow window (a few degrees) of temperature, outside of which humans tend to die. Our cells simply fail to function. With mechanical implants, that's not as much an issue. We already have coolant devices, and that cooling is only required at the nerve-mechanical interface. [editline]30th August 2011[/editline] Biology is horrendously inefficient, and so is likely to produce far more heat for far less work.[/QUOTE] Actually biology is more efficient than -just about anything- we can come up with. Compared to your car you're a fucking model of efficiency.

[QUOTE=Jawalt;32007320] [B]Actually biology is more efficient than -just about anything- we can come up with.[/B] Compared to your car you're a fucking model of efficiency.[/QUOTE] No, you're so fucking wrong, if you're unable to comprehend this basic knowledge then there's no point arguing with you. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Efficiency_of_leading_fuel_cell_technologies[/url] there, just read it. [editline]30th August 2011[/editline] RE: cars, yes, most commercial IC engines are less efficient, probably due to the fact that they use an antiquated design that relies on controlled explosions, historically being not the most efficient. There are plenty of engines that are far more efficient, anyhow. I'd wager that due to the maintenance costs of muscles (you can't simply 'switch them off'), the lifetime efficiency would be far, far less than almost all mechanical objects.

[QUOTE=Contag;32007465]No, you're so fucking wrong, if you're unable to comprehend this basic knowledge then there's no point arguing with you. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Efficiency_of_leading_fuel_cell_technologies[/url] there, just read it.[/QUOTE] Uhh you understand most energy is not lost in the fuel cell but lost in: Bad 'work', forces that do not help whatever you're doing but are produced anyway. [B]HEAT[/B] [editline]29th August 2011[/editline] Fuel cell can be efficient as you want but when you actually have to use the energy for useful work is when the inefficiency comes into play.

[QUOTE=Jawalt;32007504]Uhh you understand most energy is not lost in the fuel cell but lost in: Bad 'work', forces that do not help whatever you're doing but are produced anyway. [B]HEAT[/B] [editline]29th August 2011[/editline] Fuel cell can be efficient as you want but when you actually have to use the energy for useful work is when the inefficiency comes into play.[/QUOTE] which is the same as the body, mitochondria are about as efficient as fuel cells electric motors are highly efficient (far more so than the body) objects which do mechanical work

I need a dick enhancement.

I could use that social skills augmentation from Deus Ex.

[QUOTE=Eudoxia;32007674]I could use that social skills augmentation from Deus Ex.[/QUOTE] [img]http://www.feromonas.com.pe/imagenes/male.jpg[/img] :v:

[QUOTE=Eudoxia;32007674]I could use that social skills augmentation from Deus Ex.[/QUOTE] The CASIE. It's supposed to use pheromones or some shit, which is just ridikules if you ask me. Axe psychology spray. [editline]29th August 2011[/editline] Does anyone actually know if the neurological makeup of the motor activity part of the brain is rigid enough to anchor any kind of electronic device to?

[QUOTE=Supacasey;32007750]The CASIE. It's supposed to use pheromones or some shit, which is just ridikules if you ask me. Axe psychology spray. [editline]29th August 2011[/editline] Does anyone actually know if the neurological makeup of the motor activity part of the brain is rigid enough to anchor any kind of electronic device to?[/QUOTE] Personally I'd put it in the center of the Circle of Willis to facilitate access to the entire brain, ie if you have to disperse hormones or nootropics you could do it to the entire brain or selected parts by injecting directly into the Circle of Willis. It's also easy to identify and impossible to remove.

I think it's supposed to EMIT pheromones, not inject them or something.

Great, can't wait till I accidentally piss off a cyborg and he crushes my head like a grape.

[QUOTE=Mr. Scorpio;32004236]well yeah its not like im saying we already have to means to make augmented limbs and the corporations are just keeping it from us or some shit[/QUOTE] Seems kind of like a flying car scenario though. Everyone wants one and they seem an easy concept, but the practical aspects of it are just too difficult to make it feasible. It's one thing to say batteries will get better and another to say we will invent perfect replica artificial muscles that are more space efficient than organic ones.

I don't see the point in needing to augment for enhancing brain function considering I don't even need paper to do calc 2, my mind works a lot better and I'm the top student in my class.

[QUOTE=The one that is;32014567]I don't see the point in needing to augment for enhancing brain function considering I don't even need paper to do calc 2, my mind works a lot better and I'm the top student in my class.[/QUOTE] [img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/browser/ie6.png[/img] I disagree. Math is only one of many fields that may be assisted. And even then, I would argue it's one of the lesser fields.

[QUOTE=The one that is;32014567]I don't see the point in needing to augment for enhancing brain function considering I don't even need paper to do calc 2, my mind works a lot better and I'm the top student in my class.[/QUOTE] Wow that's really marvelous allow me to pour praise over you

Brain augs are weird. Personally I don't want one that directly interacts with my brain giving off certain signals directly into the grey matter, but one that reads brain inputs, in a reliable way and inputs using current senses like sight and hearing would be good. Pretty much like a computer as you know it now built into your head. Certain thinking patterns control it while it gives input back to a heads up display built into your eyes, could even have it play music to your ears without headphones.

[QUOTE=Contag;32014701][img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/browser/ie6.png[/img] I disagree. Math is only one of many fields that may be assisted. And even then, I would argue it's one of the lesser fields.[/QUOTE] It's funny because I honestly don't see any problem with IE that everyone bitches about. I have chrome and firefox literaly right next to IE and never use them for no real reason. Beyond that, it's really not needed to augment any part of your brain considering it's easily 400x more capable than any computer we have now, the only augments I can understand there would be ones that unlock the potential of your brain to function at the levels that it is capable of.

[QUOTE=The one that is;32014921]Beyond that, it's really not needed to augment any part of your brain considering it's easily 400x more capable than any computer we have now,[/QUOTE] Um, no. Just no. Try looking at a bridge and calculating its exact stress points and fracture weight. Or calculate the exact impulse needed to break a window. Or integrate a rocketry equation to find the exact delta-v for any given mass ratio and thrust exhaust. A computer can do any of those in a heartbeat. You need a calculator, pen, and paper. Computers are much, much better than human brains at their specific task. [QUOTE=The one that is;32014921]the only augments I can understand there would be ones that unlock the potential of your brain to function at the levels that it is capable of.[/QUOTE] Uh, what? Sounds like you've been reading too much new-age nonsense.

We may have an incredible ability for abstract thought and approximation, but we don't have the precision a computer does for sure.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;32015572]We may have an incredible ability for abstract thought and approximation, but we don't have the precision a computer does for sure.[/QUOTE] Spot on man. Summed up the brain augmentation section of this conversation with that.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;32015572]We may have an incredible ability for abstract thought and approximation, but we don't have the precision a computer does for sure.[/QUOTE] You put it better than I could. Being able to combine the raw power of a computer with the ability to apply that power flexibly and on the fly, not having to write programs to harness it, would allow extraordinary leaps in technology, science, and mathematics. But even within the transhumanist movement it's pretty far-fetched, neuroscience is nowhere near advanced enough to be able to interface a computer with the brain in such a manner.

I really doubt neuroscience will even get to that level where we can pinpoint which neuron gives off which thought and that kind of thing at a microscopic level. It's just not possible. Microchips in general are near impossible to probe individual points. Even with top of the line equipment, it's not an easy task. Say you compare microchips to the brain, the difference being that we didn't design the brain, each brain is wired differently and it's a far more complicated system than most microchips. If it wasn't an impossible task already, it sure is now.

[QUOTE=Devodiere;32015727]I really doubt neuroscience will even get to that level where we can pinpoint which neuron gives off which thought and that kind of thing at a microscopic level. It's just not possible. Microchips in general are near impossible to probe individual points. Even with top of the line equipment, it's not an easy task. Say you compare microchips to the brain, the difference being that we didn't design the brain, each brain is wired differently and it's a far more complicated system than most microchips. If it wasn't an impossible task already, it sure is now.[/QUOTE] Fortunately the brain has a far greater degree of plasticity than a microchip.

[QUOTE=Contag;32015755]Fortunately the brain has a far greater degree of plasticity than a microchip.[/QUOTE] Maybe a good thing, maybe a bad thing. Good thing in that from continued use it's likely to grow around the augmentations and use them better, bad thing in that getting them working in the first place could fuck your head up something horrible.

[QUOTE=The one that is;32014567]I don't see the point in needing to augment for enhancing brain function considering I don't even need paper to do calc 2, my mind works a lot better and I'm the top student in my class.[/QUOTE] Oh shit this one asshole can do calc 2 welp better pack up this shit I guess NO ONE ELSE NEEDS IT seriously get out

[QUOTE=Devodiere;32015780]Maybe a good thing, maybe a bad thing. Good thing in that from continued use it's likely to grow around the augmentations and use them better, bad thing in that getting them working in the first place [B]could fuck your head up something horrible.[/B][/QUOTE] I think this is one of the biggest issues of transhumanism. These things will have problems - who do you test it on first?

[QUOTE=Contag;32016101]I think this is one of the biggest issues of transhumanism. These things will have problems - who do you test it on first?[/QUOTE] I think we all know what has to be done. Someone unthaw Hitler, he's got more testing to do.

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