Futurism returns

Futurism has returned with chrome-plated furnishings in the concepts of a Singularity and Transhumanism. Technophiles the world over have followed the progress of the movements as they have increased in popularity. As a technophile I hope to live to be 1500, double my IQ and be availed of all sorts of technological wonders from programmable matter to personal aerial transportation. Unfortunately, a great number of Transhumanists that I have had the pleasure of reading seem to be more concerned with transcending morality rather than physicality. This is unfortunate because I believe their morality could short circuit the technological progress that needs to be made for these technologies to become reality.
Transhumanism is the idea that we can overcome our human weakness to become a new type of being, in a new republic, in a new shining city on a new hill. However, given the morality presented by Michael Anissimov and George Dvorsky(pick a post) among others that are hostile to the idea of liberty. This in turn threatens technological progress. Even prominent scientists/bloggers Brian Wang and Ray Kurzweil, generally friendly to markets, don't seem to grasp the threat that progressive philosophy presents to future technological improvement or the inherent anti-science/ anti-reason bias present in the philosophies. One finds a long and narrow path in so many Transhumanist writings.

I believe the threat to liberty from the implicit philosophy of so many in the transhumanist community is obvious to libertarians. What I think is less transparent is how this can affect future material wealth and happiness. Looking at the progressive/socialist movements a century ago, the same wish for a magical future was a center piece of the bargain. (see H.G Wells or Buckminster Fuller). Belief in Science was, of course, a key tenet in the centralized Soviet system. However, as the stories of Lysenko and Kondratieff make clear the Soviets were more interested in politics than in Science. A similarity can be seen today in the Global Climate "debate" where the alleged science worshippers have little regard for the facts and do not acknowledge the opposition. Surely, the one best way theory of incipient totalitarianism is just as much a threat to technological and human progress as is an asteroid strike.

The extreme Utopian vision has two key misunderstandings of human morality, indeed morality of sentient beings. The first principal as Abraham Lincoln disparagingly phrased it "...You work, and I eat; You toil, and I will enjoy the fruits of it... ". The practical results of this principal can be seen in what Arnold Kling calls The Great Race. Typically freer societies have produced more material wealth . Now transhumanists true to their progressive roots will claim we have become more moral over time. I would have hoped that past experience would have put this notion to rest, but apparently not. So we are back to the great race, can technological improvements out pace the taxing sensibilities of the progressives? Or perhaps more to the point once we invent replicators we can distribute all the wealth equally and there will be no need for markets. I doubt this would happen, because at some level some being with motives is going to have to make decisions and just like every business person and politician who as every existed they are not going to work without motivation.

The second threat is that we will make great pets. Except, we won't. Let us assume that in the future Singularity, beings without motives are created and they decide to provide for us. Being provided for is a recipe for boredom and spiritual decay, that so many with a belief technotopian future, insist will not happen. My hope is that everyone will be empowered by these new technologies and that this empowerment is not seen as a threat by the technology elite. Every measure has a counter measure. Unfortunately, I sense many believe the only way for us to have a future is for civilization to become Borg like. I wish everyone luck in fulfilling their greatest desires and wishes, Utopian or selfish, but as in any endeavor it will take people working in their own interest, working together. Not one vision fits all.