4/22/2008. John Moriarty ( )

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of technologies, in the total absence of any

Baudrillard (1929-2007) Were there no God,

to technological progress and insight?' Dr.

net We have chosen to shape the universe

1 Western Society no longer has a goal or objective other than an organic development of technologies, in the total absence of any idea of what this may signify Jean Baudrillard ( ) Were there no God, can we entrust accelerated human evolution to technological progress and insight?' Dr. Gary Mc Darby Biomedical Research Scientist In the Beginning. John Moriarty ( ) We have chosen to shape the universe rather than be shaped by it John Moriarity Prometheus and the Dolphin, Media Lab Europe

Technology Time Line 1-2 million BC Hand Axes 5000-3000 BC The wheel 3000 BC Sumerian Language Oldest preserved written language 1455 AD Gutenberg Bible 1543 AD Copernican System, Age of

brethren- these petty people: they are the Superman's greatest danger!

And rather despair than submit yourselves. And verily, I love you, because ye know not today how to live, ye higher men! For thus do ye live- best!

2 Technology Time Line 1-2 million BC Hand Axes BC The wheel 3000 BC Sumerian Language Oldest preserved written language 1455 AD Gutenberg Bible 1543 AD Copernican System, Age of Enlightenment 1945 Hiroshima 1980 Personal Computers Internet Nanotechnology Biotechnology Today Genomics Cybernetics Alternative Reality Übermensch These masters of today- surpass them, O my brethren- these petty people: they are the Superman's greatest danger! Surpass, ye higher men, the petty virtues, the petty policy, the sand-grain considerateness, the ant-hill trumpery, the pitiable comfortableness, the "happiness of the greatest number"-! And rather despair than submit yourselves. And verily, I love you, because ye know not today how to live, ye higher men! For thus do ye live- best! Nietzsche Also Sprach Zarathustra In Thus Spake Zarathustra,, he introduced the concepts of the death of God, the Übermensch, and the will to power. Such a heroic man of merit has the courage to "live dangerously" and thus rise above the masses, developing his natural capacity for the creative use of passion. So.? Do we adopt the philosophy of the Übermensch in science? Scientific pursuit promises ultimate control over everything Do we focus on the how before asking the question why? Are scientists living a life of trying to achieve the great and the impossible without questioning the consequences of their actions simply because there is no need too? 2

The Seal of the Necropolis: Sealed for all Eternity Energy equals Mass

spells, so that should the threshold be crossed the demons of the

. Hiroshima The atomic bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped on

8:15 in the morning of August 6, 1945. Shock and Awe Harlan K.

weapons in the 2 nd world war. Used in the two gulf wars.

Briefing, March 25, 2003 Brave New World Medicine of the future

Our present crude treatment of cancer: cut (surgery), burn

the use of leeches and purgatives in the time of George Washington.

prevention, and cure of most or all diseases.

diseases at earlier stages, make correct diagnoses and then design

3 The Seal of the Necropolis: Sealed for all Eternity Energy equals Mass The high priests would lace the threshold with their most powerful spells, so that should the threshold be crossed the demons of the underworld would be unleashed.. Hiroshima The atomic bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima by the Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 super fortress bomber, at 8:15 in the morning of August 6, Shock and Awe Harlan K. Ullman Modern warfare tactic based on the success on the use of atomic weapons in the 2 nd world war. Used in the two gulf wars. It is a breathtaking sight to see it," -Donald Rumsfeld, Pentagon Briefing, March 25, 2003 Brave New World Medicine of the future largely will be at the molecular level. Our present crude treatment of cancer: cut (surgery), burn (radiation), and poison (chemotherapy) will be thought comparable to the use of leeches and purgatives in the time of George Washington. Basic gene research should provide the guideposts for the diagnosis, prevention, and cure of most or all diseases. The scientific community will be able to use gene therapy to detect diseases at earlier stages, make correct diagnoses and then design specific tailor made cures. Examples of Genes Identified myotonic dystrophy (inherited muscle wasting disease) fragile X syndrome neurofibromatosis (tumour growth along nerve endings) We are just at the threshold of a Brave New World of Medicine. 3

is about 25,000 genes made up of about 3

4 Unravelling Existence: The Human Genome It is only a matter of time before we understand ALL individual gene implications More then the sum of the parts...? The genetic makeup of a Human Being is about 25,000 genes made up of about 3 billion base pairs We already know how to manipulate genes The Genetic makeup of a Rat is also about 25,000 genes made up of about 2.75 billion base pairs Cloning a Human Being In 2001, scientists at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) reported that they had cloned the first human embryos What does this mean in terms of a deeper sense of being human? Are we responsible enough yet to play God? The Human Brain About 1.5Kg in weight Uses about 25watts when awake Can perform 100 trillion instructions per second. Consciousness lost about 8 secs after blood flow stopped to brain 4

Returning to Nietzsche I have discovered for myself that the old human and animal life, indeed the entire prehistory and

Nietzsche Questions Do we just give in to our primal instincts?

The Wisdom of the Butterfly Breathing Space Compelling video game that helps players become aware of their breathing

As player breathes deeper they keep their dragon in the air and pass through a series of hoops Paint Affects Personal

camera interface Heart Rate changes tone and quality of painting Virtual piece of art that represents the emotional state

5 Returning to Nietzsche I have discovered for myself that the old human and animal life, indeed the entire prehistory and past of all sentient being, works on, loves on, hates on, thinks on in me. Nietzsche Questions Do we just give in to our primal instincts? Do we try and nurture higher emergent human evolutionary traits? Can technology help us here? The Wisdom of the Butterfly Breathing Space Compelling video game that helps players become aware of their breathing patterns Guides players towards ideal state of deep diaphragmatic breathing. As player breathes deeper they keep their dragon in the air and pass through a series of hoops Paint Affects Personal Investigator Player paints a digital picture that is influenced by their biometric state Brush strokes are picked up by camera interface Heart Rate changes tone and quality of painting Virtual piece of art that represents the emotional state of artist. 3D game in which adolescents suffering from depression can tell their own story and listen to the stories of other young people Game is designed around a journey of investigation into themselves. Designed by Psychologists implemented by technologists Winner of the 2003 O2 Digital Media Award (Consumer division) 5

Mental Leaps CEREBUS Maze based chase game structured around behavioural attention.

reward of increased visibility in the Maze.

Disorder Wireless Brain Computer Interface Modular Configurable Structure Opens up the possibility of

Aura Lingua The Hearing Tongue Bluetooth, battery powered 5 electrode stimulator Have developed a simple game

profound disability Giving Unconditionally Beethoven composed music he could not hear.

6 Mental Leaps CEREBUS Maze based chase game structured around behavioural attention. Concentration measured by EEG and by performance in game As player learns to concentrate, he receives the reward of increased visibility in the Maze. Designed for use with adults with brain injury and children with specific problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder Wireless Brain Computer Interface Modular Configurable Structure Opens up the possibility of wearable affordable real time brain imaging. An Idea. Aura Lingua The Hearing Tongue Bluetooth, battery powered 5 electrode stimulator Have developed a simple game that you cannot hear or cannot see to learn how to use device Goal is to build it into a gum shield type device. Profound Implications in disability area Cipherscore CipherScore unlocks creative expression for people with profound disability Giving Unconditionally Beethoven composed music he could not hear. The ability to express himself helped him cope with his disability. Imagine giving somebody with no motor capability the ability to compose their own symphony. "Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." Albert Einstein ( ) Those that learn to do this change the world 6

Clubhouse Gatoto On the Digital Hub campus (in the

group and corporate partner Voluntary support from

connecting people from very different life

Ireland will throw out 150,000 perfectly working

The vast majority of these computers will be put into

computers, refurbish them using technical volunteers

The volunteers then travel to Africa and train the

7 Clubhouse Gatoto On the Digital Hub campus (in the heart of the Liberties) Partnering with community group and corporate partner Voluntary support from local business and universities Great example of connecting people from very different life perspectives Creating the leaders of the future Gatoto and IT A Life Changing Picture Camara Ireland will throw out 150,000 perfectly working computers this year alone. The vast majority of these computers will be put into landfill sites and companies will be obligated to pay for this. The Camara charity was setup in 2005 to take these computers, refurbish them using technical volunteers and send them to educational projects in Africa. The volunteers then travel to Africa and train the teachers. Camara 2008 Over 100 volunteers will travel to 7 African Countries and teach basic ICT skills to over 2000 teachers indirectly accessing 100,000 children across the continent. 7

8 Questions.challenges Can we encourage the next generation of scientists to think of the why as well as the how? Can we invent technologies that are problem focused rather than profit focused? Can we nurture higher human emergent instincts like compassion, expression, empathy and can technology play a role here? Or Should we just entrust accelerated human evolution to technological progress and insight? 8

TOM: Oh well, it started probably about ten years ago, but in earnest about five years ago. SID: What is transhumanism?

TOM: Oh well, it started probably about ten years ago, but in earnest about five years ago. SID: What is transhumanism? 1 SID: Hello. Sid Roth here. Welcome Welcome to my world where it s naturally supernatural. My guest died at age 21, went to Heaven, had downloaded into his spirit information that he would need the rest