The Atheist Book Club discussion

We'll be reading The Transhumanist Wager by Zoltan Istvan through the end of January.

I get my copy from Tennessee on Tuesday. Had to special order from Alexander's Bookstore in San Francisco since I couldn't find it (tried five different bookstores, including B&N). Anybody else have a hard time finding it in a brick and mortar?

I have the ebook version and just got started on it... perfect timing! ;o)

Just in case anyone is interested. My latest post on atheism and transhumanism for the Huff Po:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoltan-...

Great article. Makes me think about the boom in wearable technology, gamification and augmented reality. Maybe the accelerated pace towards transhumanist ideas frighten the general public since they still want to cling to their childhood beliefs. Maybe that's why Barnes and Noble "classifies" The Transhumanist Wager as a textbook and won't carry it. Can't wait to pick up my copy.

I am currently reading The Transhumanist Wager. I find the premise exciting, but I've not gotten to the "nitty-gritty", yet. I'm thinking, though, that as a large part of the transhumanist movement deals with technology, robotics, AI, etc... it's not something that I'd be wanting to invest in.

Rather, I'd be looking for ways in which science, predominantly several of the quantum physics theories could be put to practical use in order to expand the capacity and capabilities of our brains to include telepathy, telekinesis, etc. I'd be more inclined to push for medical research that extends the viability of our bodies and eliminates disease in order to extend life spans, and where diets can be introduced and available to the general public that produce healthier bodies.

Transhumanism, as I understand from the article, comes too close to Hitler's idea of the "Supermensch" for me to be comfortable entertaining.

WARNING: THIS POST ASSUMES YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK.

(view spoiler)[This book is unbelievable. It was difficult to suspend belief while reading such fantastical nonsense. It was also a very interesting and fun read.

As a serious work of transhumanism information, it fails spectacularly. The entire thing is so conveniently contrived. The book is also seriously misleading when taken seriously. It presents an argument claiming that insane scientific breakthroughs are merely a floating city away. Amazing medical breakthroughs are realized in mere months. Cure cancer! Synthetic transplants! Increase your life span by a hundred years! If only the world united to meet this goal, it would all go so smoothly!

An entire nation is forged with ten billion dollars given away nearly arbitrarily and the main character is a seemingly invincible god who jumps through windows and rides storms. He'll do anything to live, including putting himself into life threatening situations. A character who, overall, uses reason and logic in every part of his life. Except death. He doesn't seem to know what the fuck to believe comes after death. Everything else in the book indicates that death is just a temporary problem, a failing of the physical, etc. Yet our protagonist is so concerned with what comes after death that he decides to temporarily "die" while awaiting a cure for his disease. This goes against the general philosophy presented throughout the book. A transhumanist doesn't believe there is anything magical or mysterious about death. It's just a problem that can eventually be overcome through technological advances. Wondering about what happens after death is like wondering what happens to the data in a cell phone after it's destroyed.

My biggest concern with the book is the lack of actual scientific information. It mentions drivel that could be construed as pseudoscience at best, bullshit at worse. Science already faces enough adversity, watering it down with phrases like "teleportation into multiple dimensions" doesn't help. I do give the author artistic license though. The book wouldn't be a novel experience if it was all facts and no emotion. It's science-fiction and I'm probably taking it too seriously.

That said, it's an amazing book that I couldn't put down. The ideas and general philosophy was something I think about often already. Immortality is a wonderful goal. Embracing science and reason is necessary for progress. Elevating scientists and freethinkers to celebrity status is great. The likes of Norman Borlaug will always be heroes to me. People who use science to change the world; I do believe they are the future, the only way to progress. Religious fools discussing fictional texts will never achieve anything great.

This was written to be consumed by laypeople, and it performs wonderfully. It has action, adventure, and just enough philosophy to make us think, but not enough to induce boredom. It was written to be popular, not to be accurate. (hide spoiler)]

In short, I loved it. It's a bit silly at times, but it's so entertaining and interesting. It was a unique experience in a world I have never known. Sorry for the meandering post, too lazy to edit.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I dove into it full-heartedly thinking that I'd be a total Jethro follower. The further I got into the book, I felt his mission to be that of an extremist and similar to religious fanatics. I do feel that transhumanism is an area that needs more attention. It is frustrating that we have the resources and intelligence to further the field, but unable to due to lack of funding and as the book explains... religious crazies. I'm not sure I agree with what he talks about in the latter part of the book about executing people and shunning those who don't have a net positive in the community... sounds a little harsh. But, at the same time, it takes a person of his caliber to lead such a controversial issue to success... and since I do have the selfish goal of wanting extension on my life, and I believe in education and increased scientific knowledge, I'd have to stand by him... although his leadership started out rather communistic.

Thanks for your comments, everyone. And thanks also for reading my book. Here's my latest article for The Huffington Post, just out in time for Christmas:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoltan-...

Guys, if you're interested in this book at all or about the future then check out the new movie about the singularity starring Johnny Depp and directed by Christopher Nolan's cinematographer - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209764/?...

I think it looks amazing. Also Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie about Kip Thorne's wormhole theories looks really good as well

Sci-fi silliness.