Zoltan Istvan is the US Presidential candidate for the Transhumanist Party. Istvan's stated aim is to "change the conversation" on transhumanism.
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Transhumanism could be described as the use of technology to enhance human capabilities, both mental and physical.
As Istvan points out in this interview, the ultimate goal is transcending biological death.
For Istvan, transhumanism is simply the next step in human evolution. As you will see in this interview, Brian may disagree with him there!
Istvan believes that if you have the chance to replace your fallible limbs with stronger and more effective technological alternatives, it's a no brainer. If we are willing to take a jab for polio, to embrace medical science for every-day diseases, then the logic, for Istvan, is no different. In his words it's 'common sense'.
So where's the line? At what point does scientific and technological progress start to infringe on our very humanity? Without pain and death, what would it mean to be human?
For Istvan, it's time to do away with the suspicion and horror stories of science fiction, and have a sensible dialogue.
Watch Brian tease out, and at times challenge, Istvan's ideas, in a heated and profoundly enlightening discussion with one of London Real's most controversial guests.
Chapters:
00:00 Trailer.
02:11 Brian's thoughts on the episode.
06:22 Brian's Introduction.
06:54 Becoming tired of almost dying.
10:27 Media work in war zones brings conflicting concerns.
13:32 Transhumanism aim to overcome human death.
15:47 Religious views holding back scientific progress in health.
20:03 Why Zoltan is standing for Presidential election.
22:15 National Rifle Association (NRA) and artificial intelligence issues analogous.
23:37 A surprising amount of media attention Zoltan's concepts are attracting.
27:54 Do we want phones controlling hearts amid concerns for a need to reduce technological dependency?
29:36 Value of Transhumanism movement to society.
33:01 How to run for Presidential election and Zoltan's aims for his campaign.
37:09 Priorities for a transhumanist President Istvan.
40:13 What is wrong with the present United States healthcare policy?
44:13 His image as a Presidential candidate and transhumanist.
45:41 Breadth of transhumanism is detrimental to its growth.
50:20 Differences between America's and Europe's perspective of Zoltan.
54:41 Interesting concept of uploading yourself or two of you, but what about the body?
58:14 Isn't the beauty of life in the randomness of it?
1:00:01 What might the human existence of being in a hard drive be like?
1:03:02 How does Zoltan respond to his detractors?
1:05:30 Living for ever. We should treat aging as a disease.
1:08:41 The three laws of transhumanism.
1:10:20 7 years boat trip with 500 books delivers amazing experiences.
1:14:01 What to avoid doing in Papua New Guinea.
1:15:14 The opportunities of being a journalist that Zoltan misses.
1:16:50 Does transhumanism relate to Bitcoin?
1:17:54 How would transhumanism deal with the possibility of people abusing technology?
1:19:58 What would need to happen for Zoltan to realistically win the Presidential election in 2020?
1:21:36 The future of Transhumanism with the younger generation.
1:23:15 If older generation are never to die, will younger generation's ideas be suppressed?
1:24:12 Big organisations wanting to hear more about transhumanism.
1:25:25 Success secrets.
1:26:15 Phone call to 20 year old Zoltan.
1:28:08 What advice would the 150 year old Zoltan say to him now?
1:30:28 Best advice he ever received.
1:31:44 To the 20 year old listening what should they do to be like him?
1:34:43 Why he always encourages people to start writing a blog and to read.
1:35:20 Brian's summing up.
1:36:24 How to support transhumanism.
FULL SHOW NOTES: https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/zoltan-istvan-transhumanist/