Category Archives: Transhuman

Originally published February 13, 2014 at 7:27 PM | Page modified February 14, 2014 at 6:32 AM

MENLO PARK, Calif. You dont have to be just male or female on Facebook anymore. The social-media company has added a customizable option with about 50 different terms people can use to identify their gender and three preferred pronoun choices: he/him, she/her or a neutral they/them.

Facebook said the changes initially will cover the companys 159 million monthly users in the United States and are aimed at giving people more choices in how they describe themselves, such as androgynous, bi-gender, intersex, gender fluid or transsexual.

Theres going to be a lot of people for whom this is going to mean nothing, but for the few it does impact, it means the world, said Facebook software engineer Brielle Harrison, who worked on the project and is undergoing gender transformation, from male to female. On Thursday, while watchdogging the software for problems, she said she was also changing her Facebook identity from female to transwoman.

Facebook, which has 1.23billion active monthly users worldwide, also allows them to keep their gender identity private and will continue to do so.

The Williams Institute, a think tank based at UCLA, estimates there are at least 700,000 individuals in the United States who identify as transgender, an umbrella term that includes people who live as a gender different from the one assigned to them at birth.

The move by Facebook represents a basic form of recognition of the nations growing transgender-rights movement, which has been spurred by veteran activists and young people who identify as transgender at younger ages. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) last year found that 10 percent of the 10,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender youths it surveyed used other or wrote in their own gender terms.

Over the past few years, a persons Facebook profile truly has become their online identity, and now Facebook has taken a milestone step to allow countless people to more honestly and accurately represent themselves, HRC President Chad Griffin said.

The change to the gender-selection option is seen as a major step toward acceptance for people who dont self-identify as male or female, but the high-profile development seemed senseless to those who believe in two genders, no more.

Of course Facebook is entitled to manage its wildly popular site as it sees fit, but here is the bottom line: Its impossible to deny the biological reality that humanity is divided into two halves: male and female, said Jeff Johnston, an issues analyst for Focus on the Family, a national religious organization based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Those petitioning for the change insist that there are an infinite number of genders, but just saying it doesnt make it so.

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Facebook offers users more online gender identities

Nexus VUS Gent 01/02/2014 - Transhuman with K-Virus

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Nexus VUS Gent 01/02/2014 - Transhuman Infection

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National Geographic the Lives of Lions (documentary)
Ground breaking BBC Documentary discussing overpopulation on the planet we call earth. overpopulation, overpopulation myth, too many people on earth, bbc doc...

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Nearly four years ago, "A Study in Pink," the first episode of the BBC'sSherlock, aired. And just five minutes into the episode, it became clear that the new series would be a new take not just on the Sherlock Holmes mythos, but on television drama as a whole. In the middle of a press conference where a beleaguered Inspector Lestrade was answering questions from reporters, the viewer heard a number of text message alerts -- and then, as each reporter checked their phone, saw all their text messages appearing onscreen.

Since then, that technique -- floating words representing text messages, internet searches, or some other form of technological interface -- has become a core element of the series' identity. And while there are plenty of tech-savvy shows out there, it's that technique that makesSherlockso incisive: not only is it reflective of our practices, but more importantly, it says as much about us as it does about its characters.

Echoes of that first-season press conference scene abound in a similar scene from this season's "The Empty Hearse": Multiple Twitter hashtags flood the screen as word spreads that Holmes is far more alive than had been previously believed. "It was really as simple as [director] Paul McGuigan not wanting to do close ups of a whole load of phones whilst we read the texts," producer Sue Vertue tells Wired about the origins of the show's visualisation of social media and text messaging. (McGuigan directed four episodes of the series across its first two seasons, and developed the idea during preparation for "The Great Game," which was actually shot before "A Study in Pink.")

"Episode 1 was written and shot last, and so could make the best use of onscreen text as additional script and plot points, such as the text around the screen of the pink lady," Vertue explains. "If you notice, 'The Blind Banker' doesn't use [floating text] a great deal, as it had already been written, and the script didn't lend itself so easily to the style in post-production."

Overall, Vertue says, "the writers have genuine fun playing around with the text stuff now. I love the drunk, out-of-focus texts that we've used in 'The Sign of Three' -- it really adds to the richness of the storytelling, I think."

That may be true, but as with so many aspects ofSherlock, there's an element of misdirection going on here, with the fun, eye-catching slickness of the visualisation distracting from a deeper commentary the show is making about its characters' relationship with technology -- and, by extension, our own relationship with it, as well.

"In a modern-day Sherlock Holmes series, wehadto incorporate social media -- it would seem weird and old fashioned not to," Vertue says. Such an attitude is in keeping with the spirit of Holmes -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original incarnation of the hero was both modern and populist in his use of technologyat time of publication, after all -- butSherlocktakes the character's reliance on props and outside elements to a new level.

Sherlock isn't alone in that -- internet and cellphone usage abounds throughout the cast, especially as a shorthand for emotional connections (or the lack thereof). Whether it's characters refusing to answer certain peoples' calls, or Sherlock nagging Watson into submission via text onslaught, we all know what these things meanbecause we do them ourselves. The show is, unlike nearly everything else on television, reflecting our own reality back to us.

But that's truly crystallised in Sherlock himself. The show repeatedly emphasises that for all the man's deductive prowess, he's noticeably lacking in more basic areas of life. "The Great Game," for example, made light of this by revealing that he didn't know that the Earth revolved around the sun. At first that seems like an unforgivable contradiction, but consider of how ubiquitous web searching is on the show. This Sherlock doesn't need to be an infallible repository of objective information; he has the internet for that.

Yet, the fact that the show extends its visual text effect to Sherlock's thought process tells us that Sherlock is himself a computer. Consider what Sherlock said when Watson was making fun of him for not knowing about the Earth revolving around the sun: "Listen. This [pointing to his head] is my hard drive and it only makes sense to put things in there that are useful."

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Sherlock's text messages reveal our transhumanism

Nearly four years ago, "A Study in Pink," the first episode of the BBC'sSherlock, aired. And just five minutes into the episode, it became clear that the new series would be a new take not just on the Sherlock Holmes mythos, but on television drama as a whole. In the middle of a press conference where a beleaguered Inspector Lestrade was answering questions from reporters, the viewer heard a number of text message alerts -- and then, as each reporter checked their phone, saw all their text messages appearing onscreen.

Since then, that technique -- floating words representing text messages, internet searches, or some other form of technological interface -- has become a core element of the series' identity. And while there are plenty of tech-savvy shows out there, it's that technique that makesSherlockso incisive: not only is it reflective of our practices, but more importantly, it says as much about us as it does about its characters.

Echoes of that first-season press conference scene abound in a similar scene from this season's "The Empty Hearse": Multiple Twitter hashtags flood the screen as word spreads that Holmes is far more alive than had been previously believed. "It was really as simple as [director] Paul McGuigan not wanting to do close ups of a whole load of phones whilst we read the texts," producer Sue Vertue tells Wired about the origins of the show's visualisation of social media and text messaging. (McGuigan directed four episodes of the series across its first two seasons, and developed the idea during preparation for "The Great Game," which was actually shot before "A Study in Pink.")

"Episode 1 was written and shot last, and so could make the best use of onscreen text as additional script and plot points, such as the text around the screen of the pink lady," Vertue explains. "If you notice, 'The Blind Banker' doesn't use [floating text] a great deal, as it had already been written, and the script didn't lend itself so easily to the style in post-production."

Overall, Vertue says, "the writers have genuine fun playing around with the text stuff now. I love the drunk, out-of-focus texts that we've used in 'The Sign of Three' -- it really adds to the richness of the storytelling, I think."

That may be true, but as with so many aspects ofSherlock, there's an element of misdirection going on here, with the fun, eye-catching slickness of the visualisation distracting from a deeper commentary the show is making about its characters' relationship with technology -- and, by extension, our own relationship with it, as well.

"In a modern-day Sherlock Holmes series, wehadto incorporate social media -- it would seem weird and old fashioned not to," Vertue says. Such an attitude is in keeping with the spirit of Holmes -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original incarnation of the hero was both modern and populist in his use of technologyat time of publication, after all -- butSherlocktakes the character's reliance on props and outside elements to a new level.

Sherlock isn't alone in that -- internet and cellphone usage abounds throughout the cast, especially as a shorthand for emotional connections (or the lack thereof). Whether it's characters refusing to answer certain peoples' calls, or Sherlock nagging Watson into submission via text onslaught, we all know what these things meanbecause we do them ourselves. The show is, unlike nearly everything else on television, reflecting our own reality back to us.

But that's truly crystallised in Sherlock himself. The show repeatedly emphasises that for all the man's deductive prowess, he's noticeably lacking in more basic areas of life. "The Great Game," for example, made light of this by revealing that he didn't know that the Earth revolved around the sun. At first that seems like an unforgivable contradiction, but consider of how ubiquitous web searching is on the show. This Sherlock doesn't need to be an infallible repository of objective information; he has the internet for that.

Yet, the fact that the show extends its visual text effect to Sherlock's thought process tells us that Sherlock is himself a computer. Consider what Sherlock said when Watson was making fun of him for not knowing about the Earth revolving around the sun: "Listen. This [pointing to his head] is my hard drive and it only makes sense to put things in there that are useful."

See the rest here:
Sherlock's text messages reveal our transhumanism

Hank Pellissier - Transhuman Visions
Hank Pellissier is a writer, editor, speaker and producer, especially on futurist and transhumanist topics. He wrote 22 articles for HplusMagazine in 2009-20...

By: Adam Ford

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Hank Pellissier - Transhuman Visions - Video

Nearly four years ago, A Study in Pink, the first episode of the BBCs Sherlock, aired. And just five minutes into the episode, it became clear that the new series would be a new take not just on the Sherlock Holmes mythos, but on television drama as a whole. In the middle of a press conference where a beleaguered Inspector Lestrade was answering questions from reporters, the viewer heard a number of text message alertsand then, as each reporter checked their phone, saw all their text messages appearing onscreen.

Since then, that techniquefloating words representing text messages, Internet searches, or some other form of technological interfacehas become a core element of the series identity. And while there are plenty of tech-savvy shows out there, its that technique that makes Sherlock so incisive: not only is it reflective of our practices, but more importantly, it says as much about us as it does about its characters.

Echoes of that first-season press conference scene abound in a similar scene from this seasons The Empty Hearse: Multiple Twitter hashtags flood the screen as word spreads that Holmes is far more alive than had been previously believed. It was really as simple as [director] Paul McGuigan not wanting to do close ups of a whole load of phones whilst we read the texts, producer Sue Vertue tells WIRED about the origins of the shows visualization of social media and text messaging. (McGuigan directed four episodes of the series across its first two seasons, and developed the idea during preparation for The Great Game, which was actually shot before A Study in Pink.)

Episode 1 was written and shot last, and so could make the best use of onscreen text as additional script and plot points, such as the text around the screen of the pink lady, Vertue explains. If you notice, The Blind Banker doesnt use [floating text] a great deal, as it had already been written, and the script didnt lend itself so easily to the style in post-production.

Overall, Vertue says, the writers have genuine fun playing around with the text stuff now. I love the drunk, out-of-focus texts that weve used in The Sign of Threeit really adds to the richness of the storytelling, I think.

That may be true, but as with so many aspects of Sherlock, theres an element of misdirection going on here, with the fun, eye-catching slickness of the visualization distracting from a deeper commentary the show is making about its characters relationship with technologyand, by extension, our own relationship with it, as well.

In a modern-day Sherlock Holmes series, we had to incorporate social mediait would seem weird and old fashioned not to, Vertue says. Such an attitude is in keeping with the spirit of HolmesSir Arthur Conan Doyles original incarnation of the hero was both modern and populist in his use of technology at time of publication, after allbut Sherlock takes the characters reliance on props and outside elements to a new level.

Sherlock isnt alone in thatInternet and cellphone usage abounds throughout the cast, especially as a shorthand for emotional connections (or the lack thereof). Whether its characters refusing to answer certain peoples calls, or Sherlock nagging Watson into submission via text onslaught, we all know what these things mean because we do them ourselves. The show is, unlike nearly everything else on television, reflecting our own reality back to us.

But thats truly crystallized in Sherlock himself. The show repeatedly emphasizes that for all the mans deductive prowess, hes noticeably lacking in more basic areas of life. The Great Game, for example, made light of this by revealing that he didnt know that the Earth revolved around the sun. At first that seems like an unforgivable contradiction, but consider of how ubiquitous web searching is on the show. This Sherlock doesnt need to be an infallible repository of objective information; he has the Internet for that.

Yet, the fact that the shows extends its visual text effect to Sherlocks thought process tells us that Sherlock is himself a computer. Consider what Sherlock said when Watson was making fun of him for not knowing about the Earth revolving around the sun: Listen. This [pointing to his head] is my hard drive and it only makes sense to put things in there that are useful.

Go here to read the rest:
What Sherlock' s Text Messages Tell Us About Ourselves

Nearly four years ago, A Study in Pink, the first episode of the BBCs Sherlock, aired. And just five minutes into the episode, it became clear that the new series would be a new take not just on the Sherlock Holmes mythos, but on television drama as a whole. In the middle of a press conference where a beleaguered Inspector Lestrade was answering questions from reporters, the viewer heard a number of text message alertsand then, as each reporter checked their phone, saw all their text messages appearing onscreen.

Since then, that techniquefloating words representing text messages, Internet searches, or some other form of technological interfacehas become a core element of the series identity. And while there are plenty of tech-savvy shows out there, its that technique that makes Sherlock so incisive: not only is it reflective of our practices, but more importantly, it says as much about us as it does about its characters.

Echoes of that first-season press conference scene abound in a similar scene from this seasons The Empty Hearse: Multiple Twitter hashtags flood the screen as word spreads that Holmes is far more alive than had been previously believed. It was really as simple as [director] Paul McGuigan not wanting to do close ups of a whole load of phones whilst we read the texts, producer Sue Vertue tells WIRED about the origins of the shows visualization of social media and text messaging. (McGuigan directed four episodes of the series across its first two seasons, and developed the idea during preparation for The Great Game, which was actually shot before A Study in Pink.)

Episode 1 was written and shot last, and so could make the best use of onscreen text as additional script and plot points, such as the text around the screen of the pink lady, Vertue explains. If you notice, The Blind Banker doesnt use [floating text] a great deal, as it had already been written, and the script didnt lend itself so easily to the style in post-production.

Overall, Vertue says, the writers have genuine fun playing around with the text stuff now. I love the drunk, out-of-focus texts that weve used in The Sign of Threeit really adds to the richness of the storytelling, I think.

That may be true, but as with so many aspects of Sherlock, theres an element of misdirection going on here, with the fun, eye-catching slickness of the visualization distracting from a deeper commentary the show is making about its characters relationship with technologyand, by extension, our own relationship with it, as well.

In a modern-day Sherlock Holmes series, we had to incorporate social mediait would seem weird and old fashioned not to, Vertue says. Such an attitude is in keeping with the spirit of HolmesSir Arthur Conan Doyles original incarnation of the hero was both modern and populist in his use of technology at time of publication, after allbut Sherlock takes the characters reliance on props and outside elements to a new level.

Sherlock isnt alone in thatInternet and cellphone usage abounds throughout the cast, especially as a shorthand for emotional connections (or the lack thereof). Whether its characters refusing to answer certain peoples calls, or Sherlock nagging Watson into submission via text onslaught, we all know what these things mean because we do them ourselves. The show is, unlike nearly everything else on television, reflecting our own reality back to us.

But thats truly crystallized in Sherlock himself. The show repeatedly emphasizes that for all the mans deductive prowess, hes noticeably lacking in more basic areas of life. The Great Game, for example, made light of this by revealing that he didnt know that the Earth revolved around the sun. At first that seems like an unforgivable contradiction, but consider of how ubiquitous web searching is on the show. This Sherlock doesnt need to be an infallible repository of objective information; he has the Internet for that.

Yet, the fact that the shows extends its visual text effect to Sherlocks thought process tells us that Sherlock is himself a computer. Consider what Sherlock said when Watson was making fun of him for not knowing about the Earth revolving around the sun: Listen. This [pointing to his head] is my hard drive and it only makes sense to put things in there that are useful.

Go here to read the rest:
What Sherlock' s Text Messages Tell Us About Ourselves

Larry Pratt on Alex Jones Tv:Attack on the 2nd amendment 1/3
http://gunowners.org/ http://prisonplanet.tv/ Alex also talks with Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, about the Obama administration a...

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