Freethought & Rationalism Archive

villainess · 08-24-2003, 01:21 PM

Will designer babies stink less than the regular kind? Because if so I'm all for them.

Seriously, I love the idea of conscious self-selection of modification (and I personally look forward with great anticipation to the day when I become a professional brain-in-a-jar, jacked into all human knowledge for numberless centuries to come) but I do suspect that we may well learn some interesting and unwelcome things about what exactly it is that we as a race want when we are collectively able to get it. I mean, we've only just started mucking about with brain chemistry modification and do we use it to make people smarter? More creative? No, we use it to make adults perkier and children more complacent (not to dismiss those whose lives have been saved by some of the pharmaceuticals in question, it's just that some of the applications worry me.)

As far as I'm concerned, though, that's no reason to hold back on the development end. After all, there's no such thing as beneficial knowledge that can't be misapplied.

the.villainess

The Other Michael · 08-24-2003, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by braces_for_impact
The thought that scares me is that it may not be available to everyone, only those with economic, political, or public clout.

And that would be different from the way the world works now?

Eliminating cancers (of all types) would seem to free up huge amounts of money that are being spent now. The same savings would apply to the other large-population chronic diseases/ailments that are currently soaking up a lot of medical attention.

You do then have to deal with all these people that would have been dead before. It would be nice if smarts/ethics could keep pace with the body-system improvements.

cheers,
Michael

PaulPritchard · 08-25-2003, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by faust
WHERE ARE THE FLYING CARS!!!!

Here

The Other Michael · 08-25-2003, 06:59 AM

I wouldn't advise holding your breath while waiting for Moller to perfect his skycar as I think he's been flogging that thing for well over a decade (possibly two decades by now).

cheers,
Michael

Primordial Groove · 08-25-2003, 08:25 AM

I like the idea of 'evolving' through the use technology, as long as everyone is given the option to upgrade.

I dont think it will be that easy though. I see the rich getting the technology first and through what they decide at that time, the rest of us will be allowed to upgrade or, we will be phased out as inconsequencial.

Damn my cycnicism.

Gothic_J · 08-25-2003, 05:44 PM

the rich need someone to grease their shiny new cybernetic arm. that would be us.

we'll stay around.

beachmaster · 08-26-2003, 09:25 AM

This sounds a lot like Ralph Spoilsport's New and Used body parts, made in America, by Americans, from the headless body farm in the City of the Future. Yes you may have to die, but you don't have to be there when it happens!

(it's a Firesign Theater routine...lol)

[edit: I just had to find the actual transcript after making this post... and find it I did!]

"Give me immortality or give me death!"

That's the motto here at Ralph Spoilsport's new and used BodyShop, in the City...Of The Future. Hiya, friends, Ralph Spoilsport here to tell you that everybody must die, but you don't have to be there when it happens. That's why we're having a great Going Out of Body Sale!

Yes, you can live forever while your friends fall apart around you like rotten fruit. And here's how -- Lease an organ or limb from our Headless Body Farm. It's made in America from Americans! Enter the new century with these exclusive clone-ons: nap-velour designer genes deluxe follical hair-mat grafting with upgraded media-sensitive, stimulated wrapper-filler rear-rolled non-glossy carbon-intensified glutal guards power moons and tinted-tit grill-spoilers in slash, dash or faux flannel.

So come on down to Ralph Spoilsport's City Of The Future. And do it today, because there may not be a tomorrow.

----ok, now I'm happy again!---

xorbie · 08-27-2003, 07:02 PM

Hell, this sounds good. We could create two species of humans. The fundies, who don't believe evolution is possible, will all die out. Um... sounds good.

MrFurious76 · 08-28-2003, 07:44 AM

heck, it'll just be us atheists and people who don't believe in an afterlife getting that technology. What xian would want to prolong his or her life on Earth and miss out on some time with Jebus!

Gothic_J · 08-30-2003, 08:22 PM

Ive actually been polling the members of my family. the christians dont want immortality here, the atheists do.

08-26-2003, 09:25 AM	#17
beachmaster Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 6	City of the Future This sounds a lot like Ralph Spoilsport's New and Used body parts, made in America, by Americans, from the headless body farm in the City of the Future. Yes you may have to die, but you don't have to be there when it happens! (it's a Firesign Theater routine...lol) [edit: I just had to find the actual transcript after making this post... and find it I did!] "Give me immortality or give me death!" That's the motto here at Ralph Spoilsport's new and used BodyShop, in the City...Of The Future. Hiya, friends, Ralph Spoilsport here to tell you that everybody must die, but you don't have to be there when it happens. That's why we're having a great Going Out of Body Sale! Yes, you can live forever while your friends fall apart around you like rotten fruit. And here's how -- Lease an organ or limb from our Headless Body Farm. It's made in America from Americans! Enter the new century with these exclusive clone-ons: nap-velour designer genes deluxe follical hair-mat grafting with upgraded media-sensitive, stimulated wrapper-filler rear-rolled non-glossy carbon-intensified glutal guards power moons and tinted-tit grill-spoilers in slash, dash or faux flannel. So come on down to Ralph Spoilsport's City Of The Future. And do it today, because there may not be a tomorrow. ----ok, now I'm happy again!---

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08-24-2003, 01:21 PM	#11
villainess Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 471	Will designer babies stink less than the regular kind? Because if so I'm all for them. Seriously, I love the idea of conscious self-selection of modification (and I personally look forward with great anticipation to the day when I become a professional brain-in-a-jar, jacked into all human knowledge for numberless centuries to come) but I do suspect that we may well learn some interesting and unwelcome things about what exactly it is that we as a race want when we are collectively able to get it. I mean, we've only just started mucking about with brain chemistry modification and do we use it to make people smarter? More creative? No, we use it to make adults perkier and children more complacent (not to dismiss those whose lives have been saved by some of the pharmaceuticals in question, it's just that some of the applications worry me.) As far as I'm concerned, though, that's no reason to hold back on the development end. After all, there's no such thing as beneficial knowledge that can't be misapplied. the.villainess

08-25-2003, 06:59 AM	#14
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	I wouldn't advise holding your breath while waiting for Moller to perfect his skycar as I think he's been flogging that thing for well over a decade (possibly two decades by now). cheers, Michael

08-25-2003, 08:25 AM	#15
Primordial Groove Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 1,570	I like the idea of 'evolving' through the use technology, as long as everyone is given the option to upgrade. I dont think it will be that easy though. I see the rich getting the technology first and through what they decide at that time, the rest of us will be allowed to upgrade or, we will be phased out as inconsequencial. Damn my cycnicism.

08-25-2003, 05:44 PM	#16
Gothic_J Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New England Posts: 1,290	the rich need someone to grease their shiny new cybernetic arm. that would be us. we'll stay around.

08-27-2003, 07:02 PM	#18
xorbie Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Champaign, IL or Boston, MA Posts: 6,360	Hell, this sounds good. We could create two species of humans. The fundies, who don't believe evolution is possible, will all die out. Um... sounds good.

08-28-2003, 07:44 AM	#19
MrFurious76 Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 153	heck, it'll just be us atheists and people who don't believe in an afterlife getting that technology. What xian would want to prolong his or her life on Earth and miss out on some time with Jebus!

08-30-2003, 08:22 PM	#20
Gothic_J Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New England Posts: 1,290	Ive actually been polling the members of my family. the christians dont want immortality here, the atheists do.

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