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Kevin Jain Transhumanism & Education In reviewing the curricula of various Universities, one will find few, if any, classes that meaningfully consider the increasing assimilation of technology with the human. If an education predicated on assumptions of human nature is made without a meaningful consideration of transhumanism, can it remain relevant in a future where technology may render false these very assumptions? How can the question of human enhancement be introduced as a topic of more widespread academic deliberation? This talk will also discuss current efforts in this arena. Kevin Jain is an undergraduate at Harvard University, and is Founder and President of the Harvard College Future Society, a student organization interested in evaluating the impact of future technologies on the human and humanity. He is the Student H+ Summit Coordinator, and helped organize the H+ 2010 Summit at Harvard. He plans to graduate with a special concentration in Transhumanism.
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Transhumanism & Education
Kevin Jain
President, Harvard College Future Societykevinjain@college.harvard.edu 2010 H+ Summit at Harvard University
June 12, 2010
Purpose of EducationFor the Individual:
A means towards self sufficiency & well beingFulfilling desire to learn about something
For Society:Augment productivity & enable future well
beingPrepare us for the future
Vision of the FutureEducation: to “prepare us for the future”
What is assumed to be the “future” that we
are being prepared for?
Modern AssumptionsField Working Assumptions
Economics Scarce Resources, Role of Finance,
Psychology Inevitability of suffering, limitations to man*
Biology "Life" has certain properties (carbon based) , natural selection
Computer Science Human/Non Human Divide, limited capability of technology
Government Earthbound, human nature
* As a model for the future, not “explanatory” or “descriptive”
Incorporating Emerging Technologies with Education
Fields of Study Technological Development
Anthropology Astrophysics Biology Chemistry Computer Science Economics English Government Philosophy Physics Psychology Sociology Etc.
NanotechnologyLongevityCryonicsArtificial (General)
IntelligenceMoore's law Transhumanism & Human
EnhancementVirtual reality Etc.
Modern Assumptions ??Field Working Assumptions
Economics Scarce Resources, Role of Finance,
Psychology Inevitability of suffering, limitations to man*
Biology "Life" has certain properties (carbon based) , natural selection
Computer Science Human/Non Human Divide, limited capability of technology
Government Earthbound, human nature
SignificanceKeep Education Relevant to Goal
Shaky foundationDisconnection between model and world
Understanding increases Receptivity
Counteract Short TermismConsider our BiologyGovernment, Businesses Interests
Towards a Solution: Our Current EffortsOrganizations & Conferences
Humanity+, Foresight, Singularity Summit, etc.
Science FictionVernor Vinge, Isaac Asimov,
Books & MagazinesThe Singularity is Near, Ending Aging,
hplusIndependent Research
Wikipedia, blogsClassroom?
Curriculum Sample Week 2: (Jan 31- Feb 6) and Week 3: (Feb 7 – Feb 13) and Week 4: (Feb 14- Feb 20) -
Accelerating Technological Change and Existential Risk Accelerating Technological Change
Kurzweil, Ray. The Singularity Is Near When Humans Transcend Biology. New York: Viking Adult, 2005. The Singularity is Always Near, Critique of Kurzweil:
http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2006/02/the_singularity.php Response to The Singularity is Always Near: http://www.kurzweilai.net/articles/art0664.html?printable=1 “What if the singularity does not happen” by vernor vinge
http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0696.html Smart, J. 2004. A Brief History of Intellectual Discussion of Accelerating Change. Published at
AccerationWatch.com. “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” by Bill Joy: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy_pr.html Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us by Rodney Brooks (Excerpts)
Existential Risks Existential Risks (2002): http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html 40 pages TED Video on Different Routes to Human Extinction
http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_petranek_counts_down_to_armageddon.html The Future of Humanity by Nick Bostrom
http://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/10222/future_of_humanity.pdf Other:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_extinction http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_risk (and look for different organizational approaches to
mitigate risk)
Transhumanism Textbook Units (each with 8-10 chapters on specialized
topics)
Accelerating Technological Change
Human Enhancement
Enabling Technologies
Getting Involved Textbook: Goal- Finish and get into
classes by this time next yearCollaborate Effort:
We need teachers to teach Experts to write Students to take it!
Taking Charge: Recognize the importance of transhumanism
Educating the Future.
Transhumanism & Education
Kevin Jain
President, Harvard College Future Society
kevinjain@college.harvard.edu 2010 H+ Summit at Harvard University
June 12, 2010
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