What organisations and issues need attention with H+?
 

 

Hmmm, maybe it should be what organisations and issues don't need extra creative attention? If you've seen the websites, trawled the forums and suffered the email lists you'll know what I mean.

 

I realise it sounds harsh and I don't mean to ignore the hard work of the H+ pioneers. In fact, I realise why it has been this way. It’s been a struggle for recognition in the face of incredulity. In the beginning, they had to justify with as much scientific rigour that what they were predicting would come to pass. Those arguments persist, but the focus is now shifting as more and more thinkers, scientists and commentators realise that this IS coming. Now the battleground is for public and political opinion. Yes, rigorous academic argument should remain central, but all the academic rigour in the world won't save us if the media decides to whip up an issue without the rigorous facts. Public opinion will swing government policy no matter what others might advise.

 

 

What I think is of pressing importance at the moment is the poor state of the existing H+ websites. They have great core content, but you'd never know it as it’s presented so badly. An image here and there would lift a dense academic text, a better designed layout could get visitors to the relevant information quickly.

This website doesn't pick and choose between the various H+ websites, organisations and individuals. You will have to decide who you would like to aid. This will come down to what your personal future priorities are. I'll list some of the organisations below and try to sum up why you might help them.

WTA - World Transhumanist Association - They lobby governments, write articles, organise conferences and activism, etc. They have many national sub-groups who focus on issues relating to specific countries. They are central to the H+ movement, but their site looks tired and backward. Newspapers, TV and radio reporters will see them as the hub of the H+ wheel, thus they could really do with some radical help!

 

The Methuselah Foundation - They’re the instigator of the "Mouse Prize" that rewards new technologies that prove to slow and reverse the damage of the aging process. They were inspired by theX-Prize, however if you look at both websites, it’s not clear that one is a serious attempt to end aging once and for all. It seems the M-Prize learnt that donation prizes for scientific excellence could make a real splash, but failed to pick up on the X-Prizes command of the art of presentation.   Foresight Nanotech Institute - Foresight Nanotech Institute’s mission is to ensure the beneficial implementation of nanotechnology. The six Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges are the framework for its work. This work is accomplished by providing information to help society understand and prepare for nanotechnology through public policy activities, publications, guidelines, networking events, tutorials, conferences, roadmaps, and prizes. It’s just a little densely scientific. More art, more images please!
     
Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence - Could this be the most important website on the entire World Wide Web? It isn't now, but it has the potential to be sometime in the future. Don't let the mid 90's design put you off. The SIAI is a research think tank and public interest institute for the study and advancement of beneficial artificial intelligence and ethical cognitive enhancement.   Extropy Institute - Extropy Institute is similar to the WTA, although extropians are generally more in favour of free market solutions to future development. They also are change surfers and welcome radical change with the most open arms of the H+ movement. The slightly arid, professional website is run by the EXI's Natasha Vita-More and her husband Max More. I don't know if they want help but I'm adding the site as it’s a major H+ center.

 

More causes to help

IEET Examines the social implications of scientific and technological advances. (Very important!)
Immortality Institute
The mission of ImmInst is to conquer the blight of involuntary death.
Nick Bostrom Nick is the head of the Future of Humanity Institute and an H+ commentator (mainly UK). The website needs to reflect the great content available.
James Hughes As head of the WTA, his personal site needs attention. I assume when H+ really blows up in the US, James will be under considerable fire and could do with some help.
Anders Sandberg One of the earliest transhuman websites. It needs an major oil change.
Ray Kurzweil Might not need any help. Website still looks fresh, but in the future who knows?
Betterhumans Great source of H+ news and chatter. Bland; needs some vim and vigour.
Viridian Movement Future design with a poor website and design...
CRN They’re a research and advocacy organisation concerned with societal and environmental implications of advanced nanotechnology.
Many more on the ‘net, individuals, blogs, etc. Check the links page for more.

 

NEXT - Nub of the issues and why H+ is different from transhumanism.

 

 

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