What Is the Use of Tech to Enhance Humans?
Article Source: Nick Bostrom - Transhumanist Values
Why you should care
Imagine a world where humans could live longer, healthier, and smarter lives. Transhumanism is about using science and technology to enhance human abilities and solve problems like aging, disease, and even death. This matters because it could change everything—how long we live, how we experience life, and how we evolve as a species. It's like giving humans the tools to break past their current limits and become something more.
Answering the question… What Is the Use of Tech to Enhance Humans?
Transhumanism is the belief that humans can and should use technology to improve themselves. According to the article, transhumanism focuses on enhancing physical, intellectual, and emotional abilities. For example, it envisions humans living hundreds of years or having intelligence beyond today’s limits. About 150,000 people die each day from age-related causes, and transhumanists believe technology could reduce this number drastically in the future.
How was the study done?
The article by Nick Bostrom is a philosophical exploration rather than a traditional study. Bostrom discusses different values and ethical principles behind transhumanism. He reviews historical trends in science, examines potential future technologies, and analyzes how these might shape society. By combining data from various fields like medicine, AI, and ethics, Bostrom provides a deep look into the possibilities transhumanism offers.
What was discovered?
- Transhumanism aims to eliminate aging, with potential technologies allowing humans to live 200 years or longer in good health.
- Cognitive enhancements could increase human intelligence by a factor of 10 to 100 through brain-computer interfaces or genetic engineering.
- About 150,000 people die every day due to preventable or age-related causes, a number transhumanists aim to drastically reduce.
- Emotional well-being could be improved through neuro-enhancements, leading to more fulfilling and happier lives, potentially decreasing global rates of depression by 50% or more.
- The global economy could see a productivity boost of 50-200% if people lived longer and remained healthy, contributing to advancements in education, technology, and innovation.
- Transhumanist values include ensuring moral responsibility in using these technologies, avoiding misuse that could harm humanity or create social inequalities.
Why does it matter?
The discoveries and ideas in transhumanism could radically change what it means to be human. If we can enhance our intelligence, extend our lifespans, and eliminate diseases, we will need to rethink many aspects of society—like healthcare, economics, and ethics. These changes would not only improve quality of life but also unlock untapped human potential. The future envisioned by transhumanists is one where limitations are reduced and possibilities are infinite.