Austrian/libertarian thought re technological singularity/post-human future

[CortesDiddy]

I am interested how to approach the speculations concerning transhumanism/posthumanism, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and a technological singularity from an austrian/libertarian perspective. I find such topics remarkably fascinating.

By post-human I refer to not only biological issues such as homo sapiens evolving into a new species, but a future state of mankind in which biological and other technological advances render modern views of humanity “obsolete”.

Is the singularity possible and what implications does it have for Austrian and libertarian thinking? Would it further freer societies or would the push for centralization of authority and the State perservere?

I’m interested in hearing opinions and ideas from the forum on this admittedly broad topic.

[liberty_student]

I like Star Trek.

[ClaytonB]

@CortesDiddy

I am interested how to approach the speculations concerning transhumanism/posthumanism, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and a technological singularity from an austrian/libertarian perspective. I find such topics remarkably fascinating.

By post-human I refer to not only biological issues such as homo sapiens evolving into a new species,

Mankind, like all living things, is constantly evolving into a “new species”.

but a future state of mankind in which biological and other technological advances render modern views of humanity “obsolete”.

*shrug - the supposedly obsolete views of our ancestors were often much more insightful and, all-in-all, correct than “moderns” are wont to give credit for.

Is the singularity possible

Absolute immortality is impossible. The natural universe itself is subject to eventual heat death under the 2nd Law of THermodynamics. That said, humans are already living longer. I’m not sure if the oldest human today is living longer than the oldest human 200+ years ago but the average life expectancy has dramatically increased and there seems to be no reason, in principle, that we cannot extend the longest lifespans. That said, I think that modern biology needs another couple “shocks” or revolutions before the complexity of really altering human biology sets in. The medical establishment, in particular, seems to be out of touch with the vibrantly intelligent nature of the human body, there’s still a 19th-century zeitgeist that is attached to the “body as gears and levers” view.

and what implications does it have for Austrian and libertarian thinking? Would it further freer societies or would the push for centralization of authority and the State perservere?

All technology is dual-use in this regard. Every technology can be used a tool for enslavement and a tool for breaking out of slavery.

Clayton -

[Caley_McKibbin]

I like Star Trek.

You like the depiction of imperial communism or some subtext of that main plot?

[David_Friedman]

Thoughts on some of this can be found in my Future Imperfect. A digital version of the book is available on my web page:

Future Imperfect

[liberty_student]

@Caley McKibbin

You like the depiction of imperial communism or some subtext of that main plot?

Frontiers. I yearn for a frontier.

[Amanojack]

@David Friedman

Thoughts on some of this can be found in my Future Imperfect. A digital version of the book is available on my web page:

http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Future_Imperfect.html

I didn’t know about this. A review of near-future technologies with David Friedman-level insight into the significance, plus the implications for liberty? Yes please! It seems to have been rather well-reviewed as well.

One of my main complaints about sites like LessWrong that otherwise provide deep and serious analysis of future technologies is that they are conspicuously weak on matters of political economy.