extropianism
Extropianism, also referred to as extropism or extropy, is an evolving framework
of values and standards for continuously improving the human condition. Extropians believe that advances in science and
technology will some day let people live forever in principle and further that humans alive today have a good chance of seeing
that day. An extropian may wish to contribute to this goal, e.g by doing R&D or volunteering to test new technology.
Extropianism describes a pragmatic consilience of transhumanist thought guided by a proactionary approach to human evolution and progress.
Originated by a set of principles developed by Dr. Max More, The Principles of
Extropy,[1] extropianism stems
from the transhuman tradition of F.M. Esfandiary and as conceptualized by More, places strong
emphasis on rational thinking and practical
Extropy, coined by Tom Bell (T. O. Morrow) in January 1988, is defined as the extent of a
living or organizational system's intelligence, functional order, vitality,
energy,
The Extropy Institute
In 1987, Max More moved to Los Angeles from Oxford University in England, where he had helped to establish (along with Michael Price, Garret Smyth and Luigi Warren) the first European cryonics organization, known as Mizar Limited (later Alcor UK), to work on his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Southern California.
In 1988, "Extropy: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought" was first published. This brought
together thinkers with interests in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology,
The Extropy Institute's email list was launched in 1991, and in 1992 the institute began producing the first conferences on transhumanism. Affiliate members throughout the world began organizing their own transhumanist groups. Extro Conferences, meetings, parties, on-line debates, and documentaries continue to spread transhumanism to the public.
The Internet soon became the most fertile breeding ground for people interested in exploring transhumanist ideas, with the availability of websites for such organizations that have joined the Extropy Institute in developing and advocating transhumanist (and related) ideas. These include the World Transhumanist Association, the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, the Life Extension Foundation, Foresight Institute, Transhumanist Arts & Culture, the Immortality Institute, Betterhumans, Aleph in Sweden, TransVision in Europe, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies.
In 2006 the board of directors of the Extropy Institute made a decision to close the organisation, stating that its mission was "essentially completed."[1]
See also
References
- ^ Extropy Institute (2006). "Next Steps". Retrieved on 2006-05-05.
External links
- Extropy Institute
- The Principles of Extropy, published by the Extropy Institute
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