Memo9+--+Abstract

Thomas Solley STSH 4980-01 Senior Thesis Costelloe-Kuehn 9/13/2014

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__ Memo9 -- Abstract __ Version 1 -- Humanity and Transhumanism

The aim of this study is to probe social concerns regarding the current status of "humanity" with regards to technology, and to open discussion for transhumanist/posthumanist thinking. We also aim to prove/disprove that social views delineating "humans" from "machines" is both a thinner line, and a closer truth than most conservatives care to realize, due to the abundance of technology in everyday lives.

This study will draw on and extend scholarly literatures that examine;
 * 1) Current definitions of "humanity" in scientific and social spheres,
 * 2) Concerns regarding the transhumanist movement,
 * 3) Cultural notions of "inhumanity" with regards to closer technological attraction,
 * 4) Cultural attempts to "dehumanize" chaotic events by selective descriptions & relations to machines,
 * 5) Aspirations of the transhumanist movement towards "uplifting" society,
 * 6) Social and evolutionary pressures to "uplift" and "augment"
 * 7) Historical uses of technology to "evolve" -- then and now [up until the 20th century (1950s?), and beyond]

Data for the studies will be conducted through the following activities;
 * 1) Literature review
 * 2) Social media review (popular games, movies, tv shows)
 * 3) Polls/interviews of the scientific & transhumanist communities
 * 4) ? Religious and political-conservative arguments against technological advancement

Results of this study demonstrate
 * 1) A conflicted and uninformed media in science and technology
 * 2) Gaps/inefficiencies in the education system
 * 3) Growing scientific unrest over whether humanity is being "held back"
 * 4) Growing social awareness of impending changes in the evolutionary front

Findings from this study indicate that the following kinds of change are called-for;
 * 1) United worldwide discussion on the next steps of human evolution
 * 2) Continued outreach to educate on technological dependence
 * 3) Legal action to slow the progress of augmentations and enhancements, after definitions of what is "acceptable" have been reached.
 * 4) Clear understanding of what unchecked technological momentum can do to society

Version 2 -- The Need for a Brighter Future As human cognition evolves, so too has the need for technology evolved to match the needs of our growing civilization. [REDACTED]

The aim of this study is to explore the need for rapid advancement in worldwide technological and evolutionary endeavors, for the purposes of genetic enhancement and cultural uplifting.

This study will draw on and extend scholarly literatures that examine;
 * 1) The basis of transhumanism & posthumanism as a means of promoting social and technological change,
 * 2) The link between cultural movements, socio-political unrest, and teh gradual awareness of impending technological change,
 * 3) Worldwide [multi-national] humanitarian, research, and technological projects over the past 100 years.

Data for the study will be conducted through the following activities;
 * 1) Literature review
 * 2) Media coverage [inherently biased?]
 * 3) Interviews with local community and faculty [too selective?]
 * 4) Polls of online interest communities [too selective?]

Results of this study demonstrate
 * 1) A clear need for international technological and scientific cooperation
 * 2) The benefits of ambitious "uplift" projects
 * 3) The growing self-awareness of a networked society
 * 4) A lack of connection between the commonwealth and the need for united social enterprise

Findings from this study indicate that the following kinds of change are called-for;
 * 1) Futurist projects involving multiple nations working towards a common goal
 * 2) UN Sanctions towards joint scientific-community research endeavors
 * 3) Continuation of community outreach from "worldview" scientific communities (CERN, Antartica, ISS, etc.)

__Issues__ I had some difficulty writing this particular memo, as I feel torn between these two arguments. The first may be more of a true research question, the second feels like a personal "claim" or "opinion," and less like a research-based question. At this poitn in time I am uncertain which path I will take -- both ideas are intriguing to me, but require refinement before I can explore them as a research-based thesis. In particular, my early attempts of writing these abstracts came out more as "introductions" than "abstracts."

That being siad, the professor did say that the second idea could be viable -- if I explored it as a "let us make and test this claim to see if it is valid -- include evidence to either prove or disprove the idea." Could be viable, might not be -- I am uncertain as of yet. The difficulty I am fidning is that the basis for this claim comes from an insubstantial FEELING, and not from a paper or book. This "feeling" -- of living in a world that should be capable of achieving... more... Of not being shackled by the laws of conventional physics, of not being held back by technology -- has been strengthened from fiction, yes -- The Matrix, DXHR, Childhood's End, 3001: The Final Odyssey, Sphere, Hex -- and fiction has shown me what humanity could accomplish if we used our technology to augment ourselves, if we reached for greater things than the current petty wars, politics, and resource struggles. And so this feeling... of being dissatisfied with what the world seems ot be offering me, of wanting something... more... than what there is today -- is a dangerous ground from which to base a paper, being a subjective and personal belief. I am still uncertain of the validity of my feelings on this matter, and insecure about my ability to remain unbiased in the pursuit of this claim. --> Furthermore I feel insecure about not being able to get data from interviews... Or at least, I believe that local access only will not suffice if I wish to make an unbiased claim using a diverse set of subjects.

I see difficulties as well with the first topic; namely, the subject-matter is very, very broad, and I must find a way to narrow my focus to the point where I can communicate a message to my audience. "Transhumanism" and "humanity" are two very broad areas of psychological study (as the professor told me last week); questions regarding the state of "humanity" have been asked by much wiser and older men than myself (Plato, Aristotle, Socrates? The "great philosophers") -- to think myself capable of adding a meaningful, profound contribution to the discussion seems to me an act of hubris of the highest order.