The Nightmare World of 'Trans-humanism' - Polidicks

[QUOTE=-Mud-;32206629]Let's all see how many irrelevant sci-fi horror stories we can bring up in a single sentence. "Transhumanists want us all to be Dreaming of Electric Sheep on our Brave New Island of Doctor Frankenstein"[/QUOTE] "Then they'll me Have no Mouth and I Must Scream because I pissed off the Ticktockman. [editline]10th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Reimu;32206971]Trans-humanism is probably going to be monopolized by the rich and regulated so it is made inaccessible to the common man. Calling it now.[/QUOTE] You mean like cancer treatment? [editline]10th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Lankist;32206942]penis augmentations[/QUOTE] my penis is augmented and so is my vagina :q:

I don't see any sort of manner where technology as powerful as transhumanist technology could legitimately be put into the hands of the common man without the upper-class getting their fair share of use from it first. Expense being one factor, because, let's face it, ANY sort of transhumanist creation is going to be severely expensive.

[QUOTE=Lankist;32206523]Sorry to tell you but transhumanism already has in-vitro fertilization down pat. sometimes eight babies are born at once. It's also got contraceptives going for it in order to better control the conditions in which children are born.[/QUOTE] suddenly the world's population skyrockets with cyborg babies being born 8 at a time.

[QUOTE=Confuzzed Otto;32201355]Let's just hope they won't end up like the OTA.. [img]http://images.wikia.com/half-life/en/images/f/f5/Overwatch_Soldier_mp7.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Our troops probably will start looking like Overwatch Troops eventually.

What I [i]don't[/i] want is a super augmented military. With that kind of man power and fire power, the governments behind them would know they're damn near unstoppable. Because you know they'd keep the advanced technology for them first, that's how it works. If they decide to get tyrannical or police stateish, who's gonna stop them?

Unfortunately, the military is interested in creating soldiers which are capable of exceeding the human potential. It's a recipe for disaster.

I never asked for this biased article. [editline]10th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Swilly;32207625]Our troops probably will start looking like Overwatch Troops eventually.[/QUOTE] Helghast.

Who actually asked for these anyways?

hmm... Does a pacemaker count as augmentation? If so, my late grandfather was augmented, I should have asked him if he ever asked for it.

[QUOTE=Lankist;32204294]Why would you choose a real eye when you could have a bitchin' visor like Geordi[/QUOTE]Geordie got rid of his visor when he magically got his eyesight back, just saying.

I want my arms to work right I want my eyes to work right I want my teste back I want my ribcage to be fixed I want the holes in my abdominal wall to be fixed I'm fucking [i]down[/i] with transhumanism.

[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;32204444]what's wrong with becoming a hivemind [/QUOTE] What isn't?

But if you get augmented you will have to take their drugs [I]for the rest of your life[/I]

I'd be happy if we become impervious to aging and disease. That'd be neat. Other than that I like being what we are, as someone posted before, humanity's imperfection is what really makes it what it is.

[QUOTE=Spycrabz;32208295]But if you get augmented you will have to take their drugs [I]for the rest of your life[/I][/QUOTE][sp]Until some scientist chick figures out the secret to unlimited augmentations using her lover's genetic code.[/sp] I really don't recommend you read that unless you beat Human Revolution already.

[QUOTE=Reimu;32206971]Trans-humanism is probably going to be monopolized by the rich and regulated so it is made inaccessible to the common man. Calling it now.[/QUOTE] I said it before and I'll say it again: The rich are going to [I]want[/I] you (yes, you, Joe Ordinary) to be augmented. Because when you, with cybernetic arms, can do the work of two people at a construction company, or you, with augmented eyes, are the best night guard a corporation could have, the rich owners of said businesses will want to augment the hell out of their employees- in the long run, it's cheaper to pay a six-figure medical bill than it is to hire an additional person for a decade or two. Having people able to work better than before means each job takes fewer people, and in the long run productivity absolutely skyrockets.

[QUOTE=FrankWell;32208464]I'd be happy if we become impervious to aging and disease. That'd be neat. Other than that I like being what we are, as someone posted before, humanity's imperfection is what really makes it what it is.[/QUOTE]Humanity's imperfections are what make it? In what way? That's like saying that a house's flooded basement and termites are what make it a home. What makes us human is our abilities to reason and empathize. Being imperfect makes us no more human than anything else.

[QUOTE=deathstarboot;32207716]What I [i]don't[/i] want is a super augmented military. With that kind of man power and fire power, the governments behind them would know they're damn near unstoppable. Because you know they'd keep the advanced technology for them first, that's how it works. If they decide to get tyrannical or police stateish, who's gonna stop them?[/QUOTE] It doesn't make a bit of difference. They already have battle tanks, bulletproof armor, aircraft, nukes, everything. Having some of that funding put into super-soldiers wouldn't change much- if anything, people becoming augmented would reduce military control, as suddenly ordinary people are capable of punching through tanks.

[QUOTE=catbarf;32208493]I said it before and I'll say it again: The rich are going to [I]want[/I] you (yes, you, Joe Ordinary) to be augmented. Because when you, with cybernetic arms, can do the work of two people at a construction company, or you, with augmented eyes, are the best night guard a corporation could have, the rich owners of said businesses will want to augment the hell out of their employees- in the long run, it's cheaper to pay a six-figure medical bill than it is to hire an additional person for a decade or two. Having people able to work better than before means each job takes fewer people, and in the long run productivity absolutely skyrockets.[/QUOTE] Just use robots.

[QUOTE=Big Orca;32208146]I want my arms to work right I want my eyes to work right I want my teste back I want my ribcage to be fixed I want the holes in my abdominal wall to be fixed I'm fucking [i]down[/i] with transhumanism.[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Got_His_Gun[/url] :smith:

[QUOTE=Mingebox;32208137]Geordie got rid of his visor when he magically got his eyesight back, just saying.[/QUOTE] thats because laforge was a pussy you are better than him become the machine

[QUOTE=catbarf;32208493]I said it before and I'll say it again: The rich are going to [I]want[/I] you (yes, you, Joe Ordinary) to be augmented. Because when you, with cybernetic arms, can do the work of two people at a construction company, or you, with augmented eyes, are the best night guard a corporation could have, the rich owners of said businesses will want to augment the hell out of their employees- in the long run, it's cheaper to pay a six-figure medical bill than it is to hire an additional person for a decade or two. Having people able to work better than before means each job takes fewer people, and in the long run productivity absolutely skyrockets.[/QUOTE]Also, having employees who can't get sick, live for many decades longer, don't get tired, and can survive harsh conditions is an incredible bonus to any business. More important, why would a rich billionaire want augmentations that make them faster or stronger? They don't do manual labor, they hire other people to do manual labor. Most of what they want will be cosmetic, things that change how they look, and health related augments. The lower classes won't care about cosmetic augments, they'll want physical augments. Things that makes them faster or stronger, and things that makes them healthier.

[QUOTE=flyschy;32208516]Just use robots.[/QUOTE] Humans are robots, only smarter and, the way things are looking, still cheaper. With augmentation, anything a robot can do can be done with a suitably modified human- without needing company-paid maintenance, upkeep, or an enormous initial purchase cost, and is less likely to short circuit and run straight into a furnace.

[QUOTE=catbarf;32208515]It doesn't make a bit of difference. They already have battle tanks, bulletproof armor, aircraft, nukes, everything. Having some of that funding put into super-soldiers wouldn't change much- if anything, people becoming augmented would reduce military control, as suddenly ordinary people are capable of punching through tanks.[/QUOTE]Well, and it wouldn't dramatically change things. It'd be about the same really. You'll have augmented super-soldiers fighting augmented super-soldiers. At this point, when no one is really losing soldiers anymore, war becomes rather pointless.

[QUOTE=flyschy;32208516]Just use robots.[/QUOTE] Robots are the future of war as they can be stronger, faster, more durable, and much more easily replaceable than a human. If they get mass produced the real question is if we'll use AI or have them be remotely operated. (I personally think remote operation would be best, as it allows human intelligence to be fused with the robot's increased abilities) If they were remotely operated we would have the most realistic FPS ever made.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;32208611]The lower classes won't care about cosmetic augments, they'll want physical augments. Things that makes them faster or stronger, and things that makes them healthier.[/QUOTE] Don't be so sure about that- there's a huge market for bargain fashion and clothing, for example. People always want to look better than what they are, and a lot of people would jump at the chance to become beautiful and use it to advance their social station.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;32208642]Well, and it wouldn't dramatically change things. It'd be about the same really. You'll have augmented super-soldiers fighting augmented super-soldiers. At this point, when no one is really losing soldiers anymore, war becomes rather pointless.[/QUOTE] Well, when you put it like that, they need to hurry the fuck up and make armies of supermen. But not really. [editline]9th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=CakeMaster7;32208656]Robots are the future of war as they can be stronger, faster, more durable, and much more easily replaceable than a human. If they get mass produced the real question is if we'll use AI or have them be remotely operated. (I personally think remote operation would be best, as it allows human intelligence to be fused with the robot's increased abilities) If they were remotely operated we would have the most realistic FPS ever made.[/QUOTE] Just need to get some Military grade kick ass Wifi

[QUOTE=catbarf;32208636]Humans are robots, only smarter and, the way things are looking, still cheaper. With augmentation, anything a robot can do can be done with a suitably modified human- without needing company-paid maintenance, upkeep, or an enormous initial purchase cost.[/QUOTE]And corporations can't replace entire staffs with robots, it just isn't feasible. People always grossly exaggerate the effects of industrialization. Ever since the first robots started working in factories, people have been afraid that they would lose their jobs to robots. Really all it does is reduce the cost of the goods produced, increase the number of goods produced, and shift the jobs market in to a new direction. Why do you think so much growth has been seen in information based jobs? And, with the focus shifting towards information, the need for higher education increases. With the increased demand, the price for higher education decreases. [editline]10th September 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=catbarf;32208669]Don't be so sure about that- there's a huge market for bargain fashion and clothing, for example. People always want to look better than what they are, and a lot of people would jump at the chance to become beautiful and use it to advance their social station.[/QUOTE]While this is true, almost all of the working class would be more concerned with something that will make their lives easier, not prettier. They'd almost always want augments that help them in their jobs first, then cosmetic enhancements.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;32208715]And corporations can't replace entire staffs with robots, it just isn't feasible. People always grossly exaggerate the effects of industrialization. Ever since the first robots started working in factories, people have been afraid that they would lose their jobs to robots. Really all it does is reduce the cost of the goods produced, increase the number of goods produced, and shift the jobs market in to a new direction. Why do you think so much growth has been seen in information based jobs? And, with the focus shifting towards information, the need for higher education increases. With the increased demand, the price for higher education decreases.[/QUOTE] Until we get fully self aware AI that are as intelligent as humans we will need humans for some work, but robots will eventually replace humans in all physical labor in my opinion.

[QUOTE=CakeMaster7;32208748]Until we get fully self aware AI that are as intelligent as humans we will need humans for some work, but robots will eventually replace humans in all physical labor in my opinion.[/QUOTE]Yeah, humans will always be necessary in the job market. Not until we do create those advanced AIs will this stop being true. And once we get those, the cost for goods basically disappears.