transhumanism
Timothy Leary, one of the pioneering advocates of space migration, could hardly have imagined his most ardent supporters would essentially be the world’s wealthiest right-wingers.
In 1983, we published the first article on transhumanism in the magazine of the same name as our publishing house, Sphinx, of which I was also the editor at the time. “The Prosthetic Gods” by Kurt Bracharz described bodily enhancements and predicted that these would lead to significant class divisions. He summarized what was already a reality: heart and other organ transplants, artificial joints, implanted teeth. Artificial beauty, artificial veins, limbs, hands, and feet. Many of these represent not so much optimization as replacement and are commonplace today. He also presented the authors who had foreseen these possibilities and concludes that the humanoids of the future won’t be happier than we are. Who knows?
Transhumanism has become the playground of the super-rich, although—aside from harmless smartwatches and fitness rings, and those peepshow glasses—I haven’t seen many of their enhancements on them yet.
I’d rather put off the “bio-optimizations” needed to venture further into space until later. (Maybe in a next life?) I don’t like the idea of a chip in my brain or anywhere else in my body. It’s all far too invasive for me. My body is my temple. That’s where I live.
I don’t mind those in the tech world rushing towards the stars and other planets, such as Mars. I don’t mind that they’re leaving me behind, even if it comes at an immense financial and environmental cost and they leave me behind. I ‘d rather stay here and renature nature. That’s the best medicine against environmental madness: that and less consumption, less reliance on any kind of energy other than our own.
Otherwise, there are plenty of enjoyable distractions. We attended the ALPS conference in early October (good contributions and atmosphere), and in Zurich, we have two weeks of psychedelic events coming up at Photobastei.
We’ll be there and hope to see you.
Yours, as always,
Susanne
P.S.WIDE OPEN BOOKS @ Villa Mare, Neumünsterallee 21, 8008 Zürich. New opening hours: Thursday 15-20 h or by appointment. Our film program starts on 12 November. Out theme this winter is the Nouvelle Vage of the 1960s.
P.S.S. It’s not too late to contribute to our Audioguide for “Bicycle Day,” which we’re currently developing so that we won’t have to shout on the next “Bicycle Day” and can share individual stops from Albert Hofmann’s famous bike ride with the world—right on your cell phone.