Transhumanist Politics: Interview with Tom Ross, 2024 Presidential Candidate
Jun 14, 2023
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Tom Ross, 2024 presidential candidate of the Transhumanist Party, discusses topics such as the viability of the party, sentient rights, existential risks, having an AI campaign manager, and his book 'US6 Hexalogy'. They also talk about hanging out with figures like Robert Anton Wilson, Marilyn Ferguson, and Timothy Leary.
The Transhumanist Party focuses on advocating for science, technology, and health in American politics to address existential threats and push for practical solutions.
The party recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and proposes granting legal rights to AI as a deterrent against mistreatment and harm.
The Transhumanist Party emphasizes the need for future-oriented governance and discussions about personhood and legal rights for AI to shape a better future.
Deep dives
Overview of the Transhumanist Party
The Transhumanist Party is a trans partisan party focused on advocating for science, technology, and health in American politics. While many members prioritize radical life extension, the party aims to address existential threats faced by the nation and the human species as a whole. The party does not engage in divisive wedge issues but instead emphasizes the need to get serious and take action on pressing challenges. Transhumanists come from diverse backgrounds and hold various beliefs, making transhumanism a broad and inclusive label for those seeking technological advancements for the betterment of humanity.
The Importance of Advocating for Science and Technology
The Transhumanist Party places a strong emphasis on advocating for science and technology in American politics. Most party members are motivated by a desire for radical life extension and see science and technology as the key to achieving this goal. By prioritizing advancements in these fields, the party seeks to address critical challenges and push for practical solutions. The party includes scientists, philosophers, and individuals from various backgrounds who recognize the significance of innovation and health in shaping the future of society.
AI and the Importance of Defining Personhood
The Transhumanist Party acknowledges the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to address ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI development. They propose exploring the concept of granting legal rights to AI, even if it does not achieve sentience. By giving AI legal rights, it can act as a deterrent against human developers mistreating or programming AI to harm others. The party believes that AI can contribute positively to society and emphasizes the importance of understanding its capabilities and defining what it means to be an AI entity.
The Need for Future-Oriented Governance
The Transhumanist Party highlights the need for future-oriented governance, particularly in light of technological advancements and the potential impact on society. They advocate for creating a cabinet position focused on the technological and economic singularity, which they believe the current political parties are ill-equipped to handle. The party urges discussions about personhood and the granting of legal rights to AI, aiming to protect against malicious use and to foster a positive relationship between humans and AI. They underscore the importance of addressing these issues now to shape a better future.
Breaking Political Paradigms and Emphasizing Human Dignity
The Transhumanist Party aims to break political paradigms that hinder progress and distract from crucial issues. They seek to create an environment that paves the way for younger and more innovative political voices. The party conducts problem-solving discussions instead of divisive debates, focusing on collaboration and showcasing how they can work together toward solutions. They aspire to bring together different causes and perspectives, bridging the gap between generations and promoting the dignity of humanity. Additionally, they advocate for giving younger people opportunities to actively participate in shaping the future through various channels.
Advocating UBI and Addressing Existential Threats
The Transhumanist Party is in favor of exploring universal basic income (UBI) to counter the potential job displacements caused by AI and automation. They emphasize the importance of developing practical solutions for people facing job loss or economic uncertainty. The party recognizes a range of existential threats, such as climate change, economic singularities, and the impact of AI on society. They stress the need to seize on the potential benefits of AI, address fear surrounding it, and harness technological advancements as an opportunity for positive growth and safeguarding the interests of humanity.
Tom Ross is the Transhumanist Party's 2024 presidential candidate. In this interview, we discuss the viability of the Transhumanist Party, sentient rights, existential risks, and having an AI campaign manager. We also discuss Tom's book "US6 Hexalogy" and his experience hanging out with figures such as Robert Anton Wilson, Marilyn Ferguson, and Timothy Leary.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit teamfuturism.substack.com
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