Freethought & Rationalism Archive

SecularFuture · 05-31-2003, 03:49 AM

John Page

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� But the immortals would procrastinate, given that the need to achieve within any particular timeframe is removed.�

Nah. There would still be a need for deadlines, and deadlines would keep people in check.

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� The mortals, on the other hand, would be driven to achieve and would thus evolve (although immortals could try and evolve artificially) to beings superior than immortals who would be eventually slaughtered (survival of the fittest) so they wouldn't be immortal. �

So.... if one side became better than the other, they would just start killing the weaker side?

That sounds kind of funny and ridiculous to me.

SecularFuture · 05-31-2003, 03:53 AM

Luiseach

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� Then you realise that most of the world's population would be excluded from the prospect of immortality simply because they couldn't afford it? To repeat: how can we justify this ethically?�

The same way we ethically justify the fact that not everyone can afford a house.

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� You are equating eternity with cheeseburgers again...�

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� how can we justify this comparison? What are the parallels between houses/cheeseburgers and immortality?�

If you can afford the technology, well then� It�s yours. And I�m pretty sure it wouldn�t be TOO expensive. A great bunch of the Immortalist / Transhumanist groups are non-profit. They�re working for the love of their ideas and work.

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� Are you saying that eternity should be a commodity (like a house or a burger)? Why can't we have it as a right rather than as a privilege?�

That�s a good idea.

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� What is it then?�

A way of life.

Luiseach · 05-31-2003, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SecularFuture
The same way we ethically justify the fact that not everyone can afford a house.

Which would be how, exactly?

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And I�m pretty sure it wouldn�t be TOO expensive. A great bunch of the Immortalist / Transhumanist groups are non-profit. They�re working for the love of their ideas and work.

Are there price lists? Group discount packages? :-D

But seriously...as for the non-profit Immortalist/Transhumanist groups, if they see their ideas about and research into eternal life as an end in itself - as you suggest here - then how do they justify putting a price tag on immortality? Does the book (?) you are reading tell us how they are going to deal with the practicalities of Immortalism? You wouldn't have any handy-dandy quotations for us to ponder, perhaps?

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That�s a good idea.

Why do you think it's a good idea that eternity should be a right rather than a privilege?

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A way of life.

'Way[s] of life' have rationales...what is the rationale underlying Immortalism/Transhumanism?

John Page · 05-31-2003, 05:11 AM

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Originally posted by SecularFuture
Its not a �scheme�.

Lu & Secfu:

"Scheme" can have very different connotations, in English its more like plan, approach or concept whereas in the US in my experience people associate it with a dodge, artifice or fradulent intent.

Cheers, John

Luiseach · 05-31-2003, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Page
Lu & Secfu:

"Scheme" can have very different connotations, in English its more like plan, approach or concept whereas in the US in my experience people associate it with a dodge, artifice or fradulent intent.

Cheers, John

Hi John:

I meant 'scheme' as a plan, approach or concept.

Luiseach · 05-31-2003, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Page
Lu & Secfu:

"Scheme" can have very different connotations, in English its more like plan, approach or concept whereas in the US in my experience people associate it with a dodge, artifice or fradulent intent.

Cheers, John

John:

You said 'in English' and then 'in the US'....I was under the impression that English was spoken in the U.S. of A!

victorialis · 05-31-2003, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SecularFuture
Nah. There would still be a need for deadlines, and deadlines would keep people in check.

My, oh my. I do look forward to that day.

Luiseach · 05-31-2003, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by victorialis
What would save this project from creeping elitism?

I too would be interested in knowing how the Immortalism Project - as a scheme/approach/way of life/ philosophy/plan/worldview/idea/conceptualisation/suggestion/modus operandi/program of action/a systematic or organised framework/ideal - would do this. If we all have a right to immortality, then how do we ensure this right, given that most of humanity would be excluded from it on the basis of insufficient funds?

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It's a good enough idea to be worth testing as hard as possible.

Absolutely.

John Page · 05-31-2003, 06:51 AM

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Originally posted by Luiseach
You said 'in English' and then 'in the US'....I was under the impression that English was spoken in the U.S. of A!

Yes, it was, but now she is broken.

Luiseach · 05-31-2003, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Page
Yes, it was, but now she is broken.

With an example of pithy eloquence such as this post of yours, I find that hard to believe.

P.S. English as broken...I love it!....

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