Category Archives: Transhuman

The world is a flux, ever-moving, ever-changing, we are not where we were 300 years ago. This week on WhatsApp Conversation, we imagine what the world would be in 300 years.

Adeola Adejuwon

300 Years!

My prediction is religion losing its hold on people or people becoming more aware of the absurdities of certain beliefs as science continues to expand the scope of whats possible.

Through transhumanism, there will be cures for most genetic disorders and diseases and people can live much longer.

However, if you think were not seeing eye-to-eye on certain sociopolitical discussions, itll probably be much worse then.

Stella Eberechukwu

The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households.

Thats a quote from about 2400 years ago. Not related to technology, but as different as things seem, the more they are the same. In 300 years, I can only imagine where the state of parenting will be. The discrepancy between good and bad would have been further blurred into almost a state of oblivion.

Tokunboh Aderopo

During the 2000s, I was wondering where the hell that future we were promised was, and wishing it would hurry up and get here. Now as we close out the 2020s, Im wishing it would slow down and stop trying to get here all at once.

Were going to have some interesting challenges coming up, and I believe the next few centuries are going to be a critical point in human history. What happens during our lifetime is going to do a lot to determine the path humanity takes far into the future. Hope we choose well.

Tomisin Salami

The ratio of intelligent people to non-intelligent people at the moment, there will most likely have been a war of the century at that time, and rather than focusing on the development of the planet, it will most likely be about rebuilding and surviving effects. With the course we are on, there will be great changes in respect to technology, climatic happenings. We are on a warpath with each other and with our planet.

The wealth of the world will be concentrated in the hands of a few, this has always been the case but it will become even more pronounced.

Amos Oni

We massively over-simplify the past because well never be able to fully comprehend or understand what it felt like to be alive at the time. The agricultural revolution, urbanization, and change from hunter-gatherer to a more sedentary lifestyle might seem like an improvement and slow change to us but it wouldve been a massive change that brought incredible uncertainty. There are suddenly several diseases, infections, dangers, side effects and more that come with this change that people were not prepared for and wouldnt necessarily understand.

The difference now is that, even though our technological and societal changes are happening more rapidly, we have the foresight to think about the changes and the knowledge to adapt to changes.

We can discuss AI, privacy, automation, universal wages, climate change, etc. and take precautions or make changes as its happening. We know these things are coming and, even though they might be uncertain and confusing, we are significantly more prepared than we ever were in the past.

Anyway, Im pretty hopeful for the future. Were much safer, healthier, and more educated than ever before. In 300 years, it will be incredible to see what the world will be like.

Tosin Awoniyi

In the next 300 years, I think the world would have advanced in technology, how? We shall probably find a cure for certain types of incurable diseases. There would be many new technologies and perhaps the government would hide the possibility of time travel. In short, everything would change.

Our genetic ambitions would outpace our safeguards. Artificial Intelligence should not surpass us, otherwise, It would be disastrous. We cannot stop the world which is moving at the speed of light, but we can try and work it out in different ways. We can save the surrounding environment by planting trees or by simply trying not to destroy them.

Mercy Kabawa

The change over the past 200-250 years has been qualitatively different. For thousands of years before the industrial revolution, settled society was primarily agricultural, and 80-90% of humanity was rural. Moreover, capital accumulation was much slower, by and large. Industrialization has created a world in which the primary systemic threat to the economy is under-consumption, not scarcity of supply. I think Adam Smith could scarcely imagine the preposterous productive capacity of modern industrial technologies when he implied a balanced relationship between supply and demand.

In the next 300 years, the dynamics are going to be even crazier, the world will become relatively smaller with depletion of natural resources and an explosion of human resources. It will be difficult but while many paint a picture of doom, I will put faith in the natural ability of humans to survive anything thrown at it. We will adapt and move forward. We always do.

Next week, the question is on drawing the line between what is real and what is not -What is something you cannot believe is a real thing but is actually real? To be part of the next edition, send your response to 08133601345 on WhatsApp.

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Where will the world be in the next 300 years? - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Call for Papers: Theology, Religion, and Dune

Title: Theology, Religion, and Dune

Editor: Christopher A. Porter, Trinity College, University of Divinity

A mention of Frank Herberts Dune conjures up visions of warring houses, giant spice worms, mysterious Fremen, and the crucial spice melange. But within Herberts broad world building enterprise, his universe unashamedly embeds religious themes and theological frameworks in the narrative. From the obvious themes of messianism and jihad through to somewhat subtler engagements with gender, these themes often present strong contrasts between the culture of the 1965 publication and the variety of contextualised adaptations of the source material. Most recently the Dune universe has returned to prominence in Denis Villeneuves 2021 and 2023 two-part epic exploring the first book and has introduced many of these religious and theological themes to a broader audience. More broadly various adaptations such as the fated Alejandro Jodorowsky adaptation, the disavowed David Lynch filmcredited as Alan Smitheeand various small screen adaptions such as Children of Dune have all attempted to bring Frank Herberts vision to a media audience.

Therefore we are issuing a call for proposals to draw together a range of contributors to think through the theological and religious themes that make up the Dune universe, for an upcoming volume on Theology, Religion, and Dune in theTheology, Religion, and Pop Culture Series(Lexington Books: Fortress Press).Drawing on the source material in the Frank Herbert novels as well as the various adaptations for the silver and small screen this volume will examine how these aspects intersect with sci-fi and popular cultures broad religious and contextual engagement. From the richness of Herberts universe the reflections of this volume will advance our thinking on how religion and theology are adapted into the world and world-building of popular science fiction. A variety of methodological approaches is encouraged, especially those which intersect with science and philosophy of science.

This book will be part of theTheology, Religion, and Pop Culture Series, aimed at a wide, popular readership, especially those with an interest in the horror genre, as well as those academics interested in cultural studies in social power, violence, race, disability, queerness, and gender.

Possible themes include:

Possible chapter topics:

Timeframes:

Please send a 300-500 word abstract, along with a current CV tocporter@trinity.edu.au. Chapters length will be determined at a later date, based upon the number of accepted proposals. Proposals due by 14thMarch 2022, and response aimed to be by the 28thof March 2022. First submissions are anticipated for November 2022.

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#CFP Theology, Religion, and Dune | James McGrath - Patheos

Yesterday, we learned the sad news that legendary designer Manfred Thierry Mugler had passed away at the age of 73. The king of otherworldly fashion, his eponymous label pushed the boundaries of what a fashion show could be, turning them into over-the-top moments of theatre.

However, it was dance, not fashion that was the designers first passion. Born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948, he performed as a dancer with the Rhine Opera Ballet from 1965 to 1966 before moving to Paris, where he became a window dresser at fashion boutique Gudule.

From there, he began freelancing as an assistant designer for a number of fashion houses, before starting his own ready-to-wear line, Caf de Paris, in 1973. I never dreamed of being a fashion designer. I wanted to be a director, the designer told T Magazine in 2019. But fashion happened to be a good tool. It was a means of communicating. His debut, which featured precise, streamlined silhouettes inspired by his dance background, became the foundations of his namesake line, which was launched a year later in 1974.

At Thierry Mugler, the designer became known for his strong silhouettes power shoulders with snatched waists use of unconventional materials and unexpected inspirations like science fiction, insects, and fantastical creatures. After building an empire that included a successful series of fragrances, financial difficulties led to the designer retiring from the brand in 2003.

While his label has continued without him at the helm Casey Cadwallader is the current creative director, preceded by the likes of Nicola Formichetti and David Koma he continued to create, working on short films with Isabelle Huppert, as well as designing costumes for operas, theatre, the Cirque du Soleil, and even a Beyonc tour.

More recently, the designers recent projects included dressing Cardi B in three looks from his archive most notably the Venus sheath dress from his AW95 couture show for the 2019 Grammys, and coming out of retirement to create Kim Kardashian Wests outfit for the 2019 Met Gala. After previously declining offers from The Met and V&A, the designer collaborated with Montreals Museum of Fine Arts on a retrospective of his work, with Thierry Mugler: Couturissime later travelling to the Muse des Arts Dcoratifs in Paris (where its currently showing until the end of April).

Muglers death is another huge loss for fashion following in the wake of recent losses in the form of Andr Leon Talley and Virgil Abloh and his undeniable impact, years after he stopped designing on-schedule, will undoubtedly continue long after his death.

My work is timeless because its based on the beauty of the human body and the fascinating world we live in, he once reflected on his impact. My work pays tribute to the woman and gives her personality I give them armour.

From the beginning of his career, Muglers shows toed the line of fashion, theatre, and performance inspired by his background in dance. For the designers 10th anniversary AW84 show, Mugler took the fashion show experience to dizzying new heights. Taking over the Znith arena in Paris, the show was presented to 6000 people, marking the first time that the public had access to a show at Paris Fashion Week. The show-stopping event featured 350 models acting in short vignettes inspired by Olympian and religious motifs, before the grand finale in which a pregnant Pat Cleveland cosplaying as the Madonna in an angelic bedazzled gown and headdress was lowered from the heavens in a puff of smoke before walking the catwalk, triggering the release of thousands of rose petals. This stadium-scale style of show was later adopted by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier, and inspired a new generation of showmen like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.

Throughout his career, Mugler teamed up with celebrities who shared his button-pushing creativity, working with names including (but not limited to) David Bowie, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, and George Michael. After coming across one of his iconic motorcycle corsets in the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute, Beyonc tapped the designer as creative director for her 2009 I Am tour in which he designed 58 costumes for the singer alone, as well as directing segments of the show, and providing input on choreography and lighting.

Long before runway diversity was a talking point, Mugler would often feature models who didnt meet the prevailing industry standard (read: tall, white, and thin). As well as casting plus-size models like Stella Ellis and drag queens like Lipsynka, the designers shows prominently featured trans models like Connie Fleming, Teri Toye, and Roberta Close leading to them walking for the likes of Chanel and Vivienne Westwood. For the designers SS92 show, the cast of models included a mind-bending combination of the porn star Jeffrey Stryker, Deee-Lites Lady Miss Kier and Dmitry, and recently divorced Ivana Trump. It prompted acerbic critic Cathy Horyn to pen in the Washington Times: Mugler's shows have pretty much ceased to be about fashion per se. They are about the people who are in his shows socialites, peroxided Lido stars, pop singers, bouffant transvestites and in that sense they are for the people who live for fashion.

While Mugler is synonymous with iconic fashion design, he was a multi-hyphenate creative, pursuing photography after prompting from Helmut Newton. While working with the legendary photographer on the set of one of his campaigns, his uncompromising vision led Newton to tell Mugler to shoot the images himself, and he did. His photographic oeuvre is as grand as the catwalk shows he produced, filled with images shot in far-flung locales, from the salt flats of the Atacama Desert in Chile to the middle of the Sahara, or 20km into the ocean on an iceberg. In perhaps one of his most iconic images, he lensed model Claude Heidemeyer at feet-tingling heights perched atop the gargoyles of the Chrysler building. Risking his life for the shot, Mugler was balanced out of a window two floors above on a ladder, while two assistants inside held it so he wouldnt fall. See: uncompromising vision.

Thierry Mugler fashion show, Haute Couture Fall-Winter 1995-96 collection in Paris in March 1995, France. (Photo by Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

In 1996, the notoriously rigid Chambre Syndicale de la Couture invited Mugler to officially show on the couture schedule, and his foray into it motivated him to explore and innovate what fashion on this level could look like. Already famous for using unconventional materials like latex, rubber tyres, and car parts for his AW89 motorcycle corsets, he collaborated once again with Jean-Jacques Urcun to create a look that was six months in the making. Swaddled underneath a grand purple overcoat, the model disrobed to reveal a shining chrome suit of armour, a futuristic look that leaned into the designers transhuman interests while remaining femininely beautiful and undeniably chic.

Photo by Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

The instantly recognisable Chimre gown from the designers AW97 haute couture collection is arguably the crown jewel of Muglers design legacy. Transforming model Adriana Karembeu into an otherworldly fish-bird creature complete with piercing eyes, reptilian and yellow the dress was a labour of love, created in collaboration with artist Jean-Jacques Urcun and renowned corset-maker Mr Pearl. Unlike anything seen before it (or since), the gold armour-like corset explodes into a kaleidoscope of sparkling crystals, hand-painted scales, feathers and horsehair. It unsurprisingly required countless hours of work in the atelier to be constructed, with a team of 20 people working around the clock for six weeks to bring the vision to life.

One of Muglers biggest bonanzas, the AW95 couture show, was an hour-long spectacle in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the house and featured supers including Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss, as well as Jerry Hall, actress Tippi Hedren, and James Brown, who performed. The collection featured some of Muglers most celebrated designs such asVenus, the silver fembot, the gaggle of latex ladies, and Nadja Auermann in the iconic gold, crystallised corset later given a new lease of life in Beyoncs Sweet Dreams music video.

Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images

After retiring from fashion in 2003, in 2019 Mugler made his red-carpet return, designing a look for Kim Kardashians appearance atthe Met Gala Camp: Notes on Fashion, the theme that year working with longtime collaborator Mr Pearl over a period of eight months. Inspired by Sophia Lorens sponge-diving character Phaedra in the 1957 film Boy on a Dolphin, the nude latex dress glistened with sequins and dripping crystals. He envisioned me as this California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping, Kim said on the Met red carpet, about her look before adding: Manfred Thierry Mugler is the definition of camp.

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The best of Manfred Thierry Mugler's theatrical, otherworldly fashion - i-D

It is now time to gather up all of todays best Android app deals into one convenient list. Just be sure to pop over to todays feature on OnePlus 9 Pro handsets at $224 off the going rates beforehand. As for todays game and app deals, we have spotted notable discounts on Codex of Victory sci-fi turn based strategy, Lucid Launcher Pro, JPEG Optimizer PRO, Computer Launcher, and more. Hit the jump or a closer look at everything on tap this afternoon.

Alongside ongoing price drops on the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 5G handsets, we are now tracking deals on OnePlus 9 Pro and its Hasselblad-backed camera array at $224 off the going rate. We also have ongoing discounts available on HP Chromebooks that join todays Android Anker projector deals with models starting from $200 right here.Just be sure to swing the latest Amazon Anker sale for all of your charging needs and todays Smartphone Accessories roundup for even more.

Human society has been divided. On one side, the natural course of human evolution has been disrupted. What started as an attempt to adapt to the harsh conditions of outer space and hostile planets, led to the creation of a weird race of transhuman cyborgs the Augments. Driven by a desire to liberate ordinary humans from the limitations of their wholly organic bodies, the Augments have launched a full-scale attack. Now we must defend our territory and fight back, to save our Kingdoms and all of humanity as we know it!

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Android app deals of the day: Codex of Victory, Lucid Launcher Pro, JPEG Optimizer, more - 9to5Toys

I had hoped to be able to share the talk I gave to an audience primarily in Iran about artificial intelligence and theistic ethical reasoning. It will hopefully be made available online at some point. Apparently some 1,500 people watched the livestream. Here is a runthrough I recorded when timing myself. In the actual presentation I had to cut some material here. This also lacks the Farsi translation/summary of what I was saying.

I listened to the audiobook of Meghan OGieblyns phenomenal nonfiction book God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning. I doubt you will find a comparable volume that is as well-versed in both theology and computer science. Among other things, OGieblyn reveals the Christian roots of transhumanism first in Dante and then more recently and directly in Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. I also listened to the science fiction novelMachinehood by S. B. Divya and highly recommend it. As youd expect in a novel I recommend, it deals intelligently and in a serious way with technology, ethics, and religion.

There is a bit of breaking news about an algorithm that uses targeted ads to connect people not with companies selling products but with religious communities. Read about Gloo in the article on the IO9 website.

Also related to this topic: Eric Schwitzgebel writes, What we should want, probably, is not that superintelligent AI align with our mixed-up, messy, and sometimes crappy values but instead that superintelligent AI have ethically good values. An ethically good superintelligent AI presumably wouldnt destroy the environment for short-term gain, or nuke a city out of spite, or destroy humanity to maximize the number of paperclips. If theres a conflict between whats ethically best, or best all things considered, and what a typical human (or humanity or the AIs designer) would want, have the AI choose whats ethically best.

The BBC has an article about Alexa telling a girl who asked for a challenge to put a penny on a partially plugged in electrical plug (IO9 also covered this). Discover magazine had an article about human and AI ethical judgments converging. 3QuarksDaily had an article about whether AI needs to have free will to be held morally or legally accountable. Two articles from IO9 about the use of software in policing, why it perpetuated rather than eliminated longstanding bias (as it had been predicted to), and how this was determined.They also covered the objections of the United States to banning autonomous weapons. David Brins blog has touched on the topic of AI, as it often does.See also the Center for Theological Inquirys article Theology in the Age of AI: Machine Intelligence & Pastoral Care about their Spiritual Loop Project.See too:

Current Associate Editor Felicia Wu Song publishes Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age

Meet Ameca, the remarkable (and not at all creepy) human-like robot

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AI and Ethics | James McGrath - Patheos

Date:December 30, 2021 Host:Jim Schneider Guest: Alex Newman MP3|Order

2021 has been an impactful year! Weve seen things happen this year that many never envisioned for our nation. There were the mandates, inflation, the supply chain crisis, border chaos, the attack on oil, the brainwashing in the classrooms, climate alarmism, tyranny, critical race theory, the global agenda, the great reset, and the list goes on. But its not only these things in and of themselves, its also the speed by which they were occurring, and virtually all of them simultaneously.

Joining Jim for a review of some of these issues was Alex Newman. Alex is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. Hes senior editor for The New American and contributes to other publications as well. He is author of Crimes of the Educators and Deep State: The Invisible Government Behind the Scenes. Hes also founder of Liberty Sentinel.

The analysis that Alex presented concerning 2021, and what we need to keep an eye on for the future, included the following:

Alex had more to address, and callers were given their chance to respond, on this final live Crosstalk of 2021.

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thenewamerican.com

libertysentinel.org

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Significant Issues of 2021 VCY America - VCY America