Paradigms
At the earlier page History we've seen paradigms shift through time, from spirituality, religion and capitalism to technology.
But what are those Paradigms you speak of exactly?
<< In science and epistemology (the theory of knowledge), a paradigm is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitutes legitimate contributions to a field. >>
For example in early criminology, studies had an 'etiologic' paradigm; they only studied the cause for a person to behave criminally. Later on they realised the society that defines what is good and what's criminal and how to punish each violation is at least as important as the causal connections on the side of the criminals. A new paradigm in the field of criminology emerged.
But what are those Paradigms you speak of exactly?
<< In science and epistemology (the theory of knowledge), a paradigm is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitutes legitimate contributions to a field. >>
For example in early criminology, studies had an 'etiologic' paradigm; they only studied the cause for a person to behave criminally. Later on they realised the society that defines what is good and what's criminal and how to punish each violation is at least as important as the causal connections on the side of the criminals. A new paradigm in the field of criminology emerged.
From a death paradigm...
Many people have struggled with the concept of dying sometimes in their life, seeking for answers. A lot of religions promise an afterlife,
a greater goal to find solace in. It is a deeply rooted belief for the past millenia that there is something after the heart or (more recently) the brain stops functioning. There also was no other option but believing everything just vanishes. Everyone eventually dies and it is everyone's right to find their own truth and comfort for this inevitability that has always existed. |
The future promises possibilities that allow these deeprooted religious beliefs to become less relevant, as science offers more answers and humans are making the quality of life better by the year. Maybe fear for the unknown, disbelief and the initial feeling of confusion whitin this death paradigm, are some of the reasons I notice a lot of resistance against this new future life concept whitin many people.
And God made the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female. He prepared them.
- Genesis 1:27
Instead of calling it a judgment or doomsday and against the will and benefit of God's plan, what if we would look at recent evolution and realistic future forecasts as what religion described as a heaven, nirvana, afterlife or whatever you like to call it. That it is actually the goal for our society, what made us strive for all those millenia?
We see more proof everyday that we're making ourselves become immortal in our own heaven, here on earth.
And God made the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female. He prepared them.
- Genesis 1:27
Instead of calling it a judgment or doomsday and against the will and benefit of God's plan, what if we would look at recent evolution and realistic future forecasts as what religion described as a heaven, nirvana, afterlife or whatever you like to call it. That it is actually the goal for our society, what made us strive for all those millenia?
We see more proof everyday that we're making ourselves become immortal in our own heaven, here on earth.
...to a life paradigm.
If I hypothetically ask people if they would take (preventive) cures, drugs or medicine if proven they help you live longer/indefinitely, the answers seem to be grouped around age categories; young persons say yes more persistently, and the persistence reverses at older ages - except for scientists -, saying no (including my parents), as they're looking at the world from a different paradigm, perhaps not even believing it is possible or a good thing for this world and/or themselves.
If asked if they want a cure for age related diseases such as cancers and Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, muscle wasting, decline of vision and hearing, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ... everyone says they don't want suffering of such kind, that it must be cured, which is to be admired if you ask me. But then you won't die.
If asked if they want a cure for age related diseases such as cancers and Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, muscle wasting, decline of vision and hearing, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ... everyone says they don't want suffering of such kind, that it must be cured, which is to be admired if you ask me. But then you won't die.
Curing these (in the picture) age related damages means curing the last known diseases that will kill us all if nothing else does. The elder generations when I ask - and will continue to ask - many still say
they wouldn't want to live longer or indefinite. A paradox appears. You can't have both, right? Every time I come to the conclusion that not being able to accept an eternal life is an emotional reaction of an individual. They want no death and physical suffering, yet many say they don't want to live longer. Maybe giving everyone the right to end whenever they want themselves is the solution? |
Presentation sheet for causes of all age related diseases +
their way of treatment from Google Talk's video of Aubrey de Grey (below) |
Some want to be just 140 years old, others will want to live 800 years or even indefinitely.
Right now, people on average live 30.000 days,
from which a significant amount of days is spent in pain, poverty,...
The only way to prevent these illnesses linked to aging is to attack the root cause – that is aging itself.
It is time to start working on solutions to this human tragedy. A bigger group of people is focusing on longevity and do want us to live longer. Why don't we all want to live longer you ask? Let's ask ourselves what barriers there are to cross;
Right now, people on average live 30.000 days,
from which a significant amount of days is spent in pain, poverty,...
The only way to prevent these illnesses linked to aging is to attack the root cause – that is aging itself.
It is time to start working on solutions to this human tragedy. A bigger group of people is focusing on longevity and do want us to live longer. Why don't we all want to live longer you ask? Let's ask ourselves what barriers there are to cross;
What influences emotional desirability to live longer?
1. Vitality (Quality of life)
Let's tackle many arguments against longevity, there are a lot of barriers to cross. Many dislike the idea of aging as it today would also mean less mobility, many medical problems, slow metabolism, etc. But as pointed out above, there would be (almost) no suffering, the medical world and vitality are becoming the same concept, these problems and aging itself would be solved. Aubrey De Grey predicts a far future everyone older than 25 would have the vitality and physical appearance as when they actually were 25 years old for a long lifetime. His rejuvenation research is quite promising yet also addresses the challenges ahead still to overcome:
By vitality the quality of life is highly improved. This vitality is keeping cells healthy and prevent or otherwise solve the damage types of cells you can see in the picture above. As a transhumanist, you want to keep yourself and the society around you as healthy as possible, to make the chance of being alive when revujenating yourself becomes possible a bigger and more certain event. There are many ways already to pursue a good health now and in future days, one of the most important is food:
A friend of mine, Maria Konovalenko, 29-years old born in Russia studies Biology of Aging at the University of California.
She started to work on a longevity cookbook and allowed me to share here; What's your best diet? Which nutrients will add to a better sustaining of your cells, what foodtypes you better avoid and fasting (starvation), proven to be a good way to improve cell lifespans (see video above).
She started to work on a longevity cookbook and allowed me to share here; What's your best diet? Which nutrients will add to a better sustaining of your cells, what foodtypes you better avoid and fasting (starvation), proven to be a good way to improve cell lifespans (see video above).
This cookbook would be a great way of bringing scientifically proved studies about food and a life full of energy - not just the coming sugar rush hours - in every living ro..ehh.. kitchen, I'll buy one for myself and family, cooking ourselves and our table guests into good performing brains.
<< I am holding two stacks of Petri dishes in my hands, the tall one is with daf-2 worms and the small one is with the wild type worms. At the beginning of the experiment I had 8 plates with 12 worms in each for each group. Now it's day 24 and there is only 1 guy left in the regular worm group, and there is a bunch that still are alive and active in the 8 plates with the daf-2 worms. It's one thing when you read the papers, but when you actually see the difference with your own eyes - that makes you realize how powerful longevity science really is >> - Maria Konovalenko, Facebook Soon to be Dr. Konovalenko is doing groundbreaking research pursuing longevity with vitality integrated in the process. She sets an example for young people. |
News:
Rapamycin is a promising drug that shows potential to extend the lifespan of organisms.
Alltough it is in an early stage, they're wanting to test it on domestic dogs, it should help improve cardiac and maybe other health functions, early studies show, and these new studies will tell us for sure.
"The researchers hope to test rapamycin in large dogs that typically live for eight to ten years; they would start giving the drug to animals aged six to nine. A pilot trial would involve about 30 dogs, half of which would receive the drug, and would allow the researchers to dose the dogs for a short time and observe effects on heart function and some other health measures. The trial could be completed in as little as three years, but researchers will know long before that — perhaps in months — whether rapamycin improves cardiac function or other aspects of health."
In many aspects of science solutions for longevity and vitality issues are being tackled, investigated or worked around.
There is really nothing to worry about against longevity in the vitality aspect.
Rapamycin is a promising drug that shows potential to extend the lifespan of organisms.
Alltough it is in an early stage, they're wanting to test it on domestic dogs, it should help improve cardiac and maybe other health functions, early studies show, and these new studies will tell us for sure.
"The researchers hope to test rapamycin in large dogs that typically live for eight to ten years; they would start giving the drug to animals aged six to nine. A pilot trial would involve about 30 dogs, half of which would receive the drug, and would allow the researchers to dose the dogs for a short time and observe effects on heart function and some other health measures. The trial could be completed in as little as three years, but researchers will know long before that — perhaps in months — whether rapamycin improves cardiac function or other aspects of health."
In many aspects of science solutions for longevity and vitality issues are being tackled, investigated or worked around.
There is really nothing to worry about against longevity in the vitality aspect.
2. Loved ones (social)
A lot of people also say that they don't want to live long as they would lose their grandparents, parents and also
see their kids and grandchildren pass away (if you have kids) and they'd be left alone in eternity. This is not the case, as we as humankind should & will apply those cures for ageing in such a way everyone can equally benefit from them. Everyone would live eternally with the body of a 25 year old. Your beloved ones who are still alive by the time rejuvenation is possible will remain by your side. Some terminally ill people have opted to be frozen in cryogenic tanks, saving them until a point in time they hope to be able to be reanimated and cured, hoping to meet their loved ones again one day and live the future. |
We'll be together under equal biological terms, also here nothing to worry, why are so many against?
3. Employment
"I will have to work for a century" to be able to pay for such a long life is a natural reaction many of us have. In our world there is the possibility of Abundance 360° and more voices every year rise for a guaranteed basic income (see History).
Even concepts of a complete alternative for the current monetary system, based on resources and needs directly, meaning we will not have to work any longer for money and supporting our basic needs.
Instead, we would work and organise activities based on interests, relevance and what you like to do, instead of this one criteria alone: this will offer a stable income for me and my family.
Automation and robotics helps us achieving what in the past and present remains 'utopia' for many. This does not mean that no one should work, as instead, specific projects someone has a keen interest in and contributions to offer will be found to continue making ourselves capable of doing what we want for the better of mankind. It's not that we'll all stop doing things.
But yes, robots are going to take our jobs in many ways, as the industrial revolution did already a long time ago. It just doesn't have to be a bad thing. Technologic advancements will and should sustain such a resourcebased society.
Even concepts of a complete alternative for the current monetary system, based on resources and needs directly, meaning we will not have to work any longer for money and supporting our basic needs.
Instead, we would work and organise activities based on interests, relevance and what you like to do, instead of this one criteria alone: this will offer a stable income for me and my family.
Automation and robotics helps us achieving what in the past and present remains 'utopia' for many. This does not mean that no one should work, as instead, specific projects someone has a keen interest in and contributions to offer will be found to continue making ourselves capable of doing what we want for the better of mankind. It's not that we'll all stop doing things.
But yes, robots are going to take our jobs in many ways, as the industrial revolution did already a long time ago. It just doesn't have to be a bad thing. Technologic advancements will and should sustain such a resourcebased society.
Threat:
When unethical, irresponsible behaviour leads to abuse of technological advancements,
we risk destroying ourselves as a species.
When unethical, irresponsible behaviour leads to abuse of technological advancements,
we risk destroying ourselves as a species.
On Twitter, Elon Musk (see picture), CEO of many companies including SpaceX warns for the risks and possible wrong outcomes of artificial intelligence and he's not alone.
Stephen Hawking, award-winning astrophysicist sounded the alarm bell too, claiming "the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete and would be superseded" |
And they're not alone nor the first.
The Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technology (IEET) has the goal of determining ethical boundaries and guidelines for a safe use of new technology that has a direct impact on our lives. They're right, it is possible that artificial intelligence becomes a threat, this is to be supervised permanently, valid argument, there is truly something to worry about here.
4. Boredom
I've never been bored enough yet to have fully written this paragraph as a review on the 'boredom argument' against longevity
(I know that I'm "only" 25 years old but I do not see this changing any century soon), come on! Are you serious about this argument against living forever? Imagination is something that can be up to you for as long as you like, don't allow yourself to become bored, your healthy body (see point 1) will make sure you're capable of tireless explorations wherever you desire.
Learn new things. Explore the world. In the future; enjoy what you like to do, not what you have to.
Please, don't wish to die just because you're bored some parts of the time.
(I know that I'm "only" 25 years old but I do not see this changing any century soon), come on! Are you serious about this argument against living forever? Imagination is something that can be up to you for as long as you like, don't allow yourself to become bored, your healthy body (see point 1) will make sure you're capable of tireless explorations wherever you desire.
Learn new things. Explore the world. In the future; enjoy what you like to do, not what you have to.
Please, don't wish to die just because you're bored some parts of the time.
5. Population
No one wants to be living forever in the prospect of an overpopulated world where there is no room for anyone.
Not many would want to live in a world alone either. Concerns about the future suddenly become very real.
Not many would want to live in a world alone either. Concerns about the future suddenly become very real.
Scale on your right:
The UN keeps track of the global growth in population, they made three possible estimates according to some variables for the future with three possible outcomes; UN low (green), medium (orange) and high (red).The blue line being factual numbers between the year 1950 (2.5 billion) and today's +7 billion, the black line are estimates in history. It is confirmed by many scientists that UN low green & orange trajectories are the most likely to occur in the coming decades. Through means of physical activity, virtual and augmented reality it is argued one's true need of physical space can also be reduced, if the red UN high forecast of demographic rise does happen. |
6. Ecology
A polluted world is no pleasant foresight if we're all here to last. Your children and who knows, yourself, have all the interest on this planet to recycle, drink tap water, try to establish some selfharvesting of fruits and vegetables. We're going to have to change the way we function if we want to keep it stable. Take responsibility and turn off that television.
The empty oil industry and damaging nuclear energy are not and should not be the solutions for global provision of power.
The empty oil industry and damaging nuclear energy are not and should not be the solutions for global provision of power.
Industries are to be continuing & heavily focusing on wind but mainly solar technology, reducing the need to absolute zero for alternative power sources that all leave us with something negative for the air we allow our lungs to enter.
It's very plausible to power the whole world purely on solar power. In the picture you can see how large of a surface would be necessary if all solar energy panels would be centralised in North-Africa to power the World, 25 EU-countries or the small red square: for Germany. |
It is striking that oil & nuclear powerplants are still
such big businesses... Tesla works on home batteries to store solar power residentially. The electric car company recently through court was allowed to directly sell to customers from their own showrooms. The transition to reusable and clean energy has begun and Elon Musk only hopes to speed up this transition. In France - since 2015 - buildings in commercial areas are obligated by law to have either solar panels or a garden on their roof. |
evrTrē
In this picture you see friend and futurist Alex Lightman standing under an evrTrē from Everblaze which are solarpowered stations that give light just as street lanterns, that are also there for you to charge your phone, electric bike or car with. Small advancements make consumption of power for the same goals decrease while on the other hand renewable energies are on the rise. The dying out seizures of an oil empire are still heard, yet every week an improvement or growth in renewable energy makes this world have a little more faith in a non-wasteland future. For now, you'd pay $50,000 a tree. They will go down in price when they're sold in more volume, Lightman says. By closing the gap between consumption and renewable energy production, we can strive for break evens and close down the old alternative power sources. |
Alternative power isn't the renewable anymore, today's alternative and bad power should stand for
the declining coal and oil industries of last century. 100% non-fossil energy is possible!
the declining coal and oil industries of last century. 100% non-fossil energy is possible!
7. Satisfaction
"If life ain't fun, what's there to live for?"
Well, if we solved the ecologic problems you can turn that television back on.
Entertainment would be more diverse and big as never before, as there is no need to work (see point 3) and everyone can spend their time doing whatever they like to do, whether that is entertainment, science, theatre,...
and whitin reason travel would also be a service everyone can use.
People will do what they like doing instead of what is obligated, - in an Abundance 360° world - everyone has all the time and resources they need to become very good and creative film makers, art performers, photographers, writers, designers, ...
It is truly a lack of imagination as well as a broad spectrum of everyday fears that keep most people from seeing the beauty and potential of living forever. What a potential it has as an effect on society and the human species as a whole.
Well, if we solved the ecologic problems you can turn that television back on.
Entertainment would be more diverse and big as never before, as there is no need to work (see point 3) and everyone can spend their time doing whatever they like to do, whether that is entertainment, science, theatre,...
and whitin reason travel would also be a service everyone can use.
People will do what they like doing instead of what is obligated, - in an Abundance 360° world - everyone has all the time and resources they need to become very good and creative film makers, art performers, photographers, writers, designers, ...
It is truly a lack of imagination as well as a broad spectrum of everyday fears that keep most people from seeing the beauty and potential of living forever. What a potential it has as an effect on society and the human species as a whole.
After looking closer to these elements that could favor one's wishes to live forever,
at least worth a thought, no? Let's see what transhumanists came up with.
at least worth a thought, no? Let's see what transhumanists came up with.
© Wout D