210. Singularity Seeker Perspectives

What do we actually know about the TITANs? They want you to believe two things: we know nothing about the TITANs, and we know that they are unquestionably hostile. We can't possibly comprehend their minds, but we do know their motives. There have been those decrying research and new knowledge throughout history. With hindsight, ask, have they ever been right?

Dr. Krish Hegde, advocate for opening of research into TITAN tech

I maintain that 'memetic infection' is simply a way to dismiss an opposing ideologies most convincing arguments. Someone changes their views, shifts their priorities, and someone decides they aren't acting as they 'should'. Were their minds suborned, or were they legitimately persuaded? What would be the difference?

Mathieu Armistead, anarchist provocateur

Intelligence is a trump card in evolutionary races. It is a general purpose improvement, with greater capabilities, yet less specialized than a claw or eye. Grow enough of it, and you may elevate yourself beyond one evolutionary race and into another. As humanity did once, so shall we again.

Excerpt from second singularity seeker response, Exhuman/Singularity Seeker debate

We reject all dilemmas; we are many, we will pursue all possible options.

Darwin Nosek

180. Mercurial Perspectives

What was the purpose of the uplifting experiment? To create new minds, non-human minds. But when they succeeded, the panic! Yes we created you different, but we would really prefer if you pretend to be human, please and thank you. If uplifts are only supposed to integrate with human society, what is the point of uplifts?

Rough-Hands, neo-hominid mercurial

Humans require food, water, air, low gravity, a limited range of temperatures, and as little radiation as possible, and even if this is provided who knows when they'll up and die from some disease anyway. Synths require power, and the right model can handle almost any conditions. Off Earth, synths are objectively superior.

Roslai Sova, Steel Liberator

Automomists brag about their post-scarcity societies, where the only limits are materials, energy, and the social-mores of one's neighbors. Unlike anything that has come before! As software we are limited only by computer power, which is as post-scarcity as it gets in this universe.

Hao Ji-Tsia, founding member of Glitch

Lets face it, biology is gross.

Bob Roberts, comedian, synth and AGI-rights activist

Notes

Inspired by Farcast 252: Bioconservative Ethics.

150. Exhuman Perspectives

"Cliché goes that communism was a great idea, but for the wrong species. Well, us transhumans can become whatever species we wish. Corruption, greed, mob mentalities, power trips, terrible obsessions; all of these problems can be well and truly solved if only you are willing to take a knife to your foolishness."

Thomas Augustus, AGI and psychosurgury pioneer

"Human morality is of little use, why should lives be respected when we are immortal, why should pain be avoided when sensation can be edited, why should you give credence to an ancient voice in your head that understands only the tribe and the savannah?"

<name withheld>, child kidnapped and raised by an exhuman clade

"Singularity seekers are often committing a teleological fallacy. Greater sophistication, by any metric, is not necessarily the key to success. There are many examples of species on Earth remaining essentially unchanged over hundreds of millions of years, because they occupied the right niche. Careful, lateral change can be more worthwhile than simple increases in power."

Excerpt from initial Exhuman response, Exhuman/Singularity Seeker debate

"It took the TITANs to convince us to embrace what our technology has made possible. Lot less flats around then there used to be. Transhumanity has proven it thrives on adversity."

Unsleeping Golem Whose Mind Journeys Too Far, known Exhuman terrorist

"A species has one strategy for survival. Species go extinct regularly. Ecosystems are diverse, the extinction of every single species is rare. Do not limit yourself to one ego. Be fruitful, multiply, and become your own ecosystem."

Myrmidon, early fork hive

Notes

Inspired by Farcast 252: Bioconservative Ethics.