i just wanted people to know of the ignorant view points of those that are against teh 2045 project which I
am invested in. This article goes on to compare iphones to an immorality vessel as another piece of disposable consumer technology.
Ive asked myself many times why anyone wouldnt want to live as long as possible. There are many reasons but one could debate but because it would create an environmental hazard is a very poor arguent. If you have time read this article and knock some sense into its writer.
Its people like this that are spreading seeds of doubt that need to be educated.
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Immortality through robotics ignores concerns about environment, economic privilege, humanity
Stories of cyborgs like Darth Vader have always been limited to the realm of science fiction, but that might change. The 2045 Initiative, a group of like-minded scientists and intellectuals, has formulated a four-step plan that predicts that humans will be able to live in artificial bodies, or avatars, by the year 2045.
Science fiction has made a sudden jump into reality, and the supporters of the 2045 Initiative and its founder Dmitry Itskov are fully confident in the value of this transition. The Initiative’s website comes equipped with a comprehensive timeline as well as an international manifesto. This manifesto makes many bold statements, including the group’s idea that “it is possible and necessary to eliminate aging and even death” through scientific progress.
The 2045 Initiative expresses the idea that the very ideology of human beings needs to change, and that we need to take control of our own evolution. This brings up the question, what is wrong with an ideology that is unconcerned with artificial intelligence and immortality? The group’s appeal for many seems to be in its desire to create a sturdier body for human beings, but would this type of body appeal to people who don’t see any merit in living forever?
There are plenty of other problems with the 2045 Initiative aside from its foundation in the desire for immortality. Although the program claims that its avatar machines will eventually cost about as much as a car, the affordability of this program is debatable. There are plenty of people on this planet who cannot afford a car, let alone something more expensive. Will these artificial bodies become a privilege for the rich and entitled?
It is mentioned several times that the progress made by this initiative will help in the medical field, especially with disabilities and missing limbs. Perhaps such progress will eventually be beneficial, but in its initial stages I find it highly unlikely that a financially-restricted person could afford such a treatment. It seems that these artificial shells may just be another way for people with more money to show off their status, especially considering that Itskov himself is a billionaire.
Those spearheading the project seem to believe that the best thing we can do with our technology is to create bodies that rid ourselves of our physical limitations. The international manifesto states that “iPhones and Segways cannot save mankind from the limitations in the physical abilities of our bodies,” and goes on to say that commercial technology is not the best use of our time.
I can agree with this statement, but immortal bodies for humans seems like just as much of a distraction from necessity as the newest model of smartphone. What use will artificial bodies have if our planet is destroyed by pollution because we weren’t researching new ways to fuel our lives? Scientific efforts should be focused on curing and preventing disease rather than preparing for our eventual decay. Immortality is a convenient distraction from the immediate problems that need addressing. We’ve been living mortal lives for a while now, I think we can do it for a while longer.
On a more romantic note, many people agree that there is unique feeling that goes along with being human. We have a connection to the world through our senses that cannot be imitated by any artificial being. Why are we so ready to discard our physically-limited human bodies?
The 2045 Initiative claims the bodies it plans on creating “will achieve perfection of form and be no less attractive than the human body.” If we are so unattached to our weak human forms, why would we care if our new bodies looked the same? There is no guarantee that the smell of flowers will be as special if we’re not smelling it with our own nose. Without a limit on our lifespans, would we appreciate the things that surround us in the same way, or would everything just blur together after a while?
When the cyborg movement hits the public arena, don’t look for me anywhere nearby. I have read enough science fiction novels to know that these sorts of projects don’t usually go very well. Some may see it as harmless, but I don’t plan on joining the 2045 Initiative, despite the ominous “join us” at the top of their homepage.
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