ExtremeTech has never been particularly interested inpolitics. That being said, as the focus of politics and politicians inexorably shifts towards technology, we might just jump in the water for a dip.
Many might imagine that concerns of a more socio-political nature like who is able to accrue what particular powers or possessions, and from whom would persist independently of technological influence. Others, like the Transhumanist Party founderZoltan Istvan, might offer that socio-political issues already are, at heart, technological issues. Now seizing the day, and a rapidly expanding number of like-minded transhumanists, Istvanhas announced that he will be a contender in the 2016 US presidential race.
If you havent heard of transhumanism, or youre not quite sure what it means, I suggest you read our introductory story about transhumanism before diving into the rest of this story. In short, though, transhumanism (sometimes referred to as H+) is about improving or transforming the human condition through technology. Brain implants, genetic engineering, bionic limbs, indefinite life extension these are all examples of the topics (and elective surgeries) that a transhumanist would be interested in.
In his recentbook The Tranhumanist WagerIstvan outlines three laws:
If energetically adopted, these deceptively simple maxims ultimately compel the individual to pursue a technologically enhanced and extended life. Zoltan and other supporters of transhumanism have come to see the choice to accept or reject these principles as something far more fundamental than the choice between liberal or conservative principles. In other words, it is a more compact predictor, a simpler explanation of your worldview, motivations, and actions than any current party provides.
It is for these reasons that Zoltan has founded the Transhumanist Party and is now taking this first major step to grow it. At this point in the game, the next major step getting access to all the state ballots could prove challenging. With these ideas in mind, we present an interview with (possibly) the next US president: Zoltan Istvan.
Zoltan Istvan
Why did you decide to run for the US presidency?
Zoltan Istvan The most important goal of the Transhumanist Party and my 2016 presidential campaign is to spread awareness of transhumanism and to address the issue that society will be greatly changed by radical science and technology in the next 5-15 years. Most people are unaware how significant these changes could be. For example, we might all be getting brain implants soon, or using driverless cars, or having personal drones follow us around and do our shopping for us. Things like anonymity in the social media age, gender roles, exoskeleton suits for unfit people, ectogenesis, and the promise of immersive virtual reality could significantly change the way society views itself. Transhumanism seeks to address these issues with forward-thinking ideas, safeguards, and policies. It aims to be a bridge to a scientific and tech-dominated future, regardless what the species may eventually become.
While the Transhumanist Party has almost no chance of winning this election, its goal is to get on as many state ballots as possible, so people will see its promise and recognize what it stands for. By doing so, well let citizens know an exciting political movement is afoot that focuses on using technology and science to enhance the human species. And maybe sometime in the future, many people will want to join it. Furthermore, Im hopeful other political parties will take notice of transhumanism and incorporate its ideas into their own philosophies.
On a final note, its my hope that others will start to run for various political offices, both locally and nationally, under the Transhumanist Party banner. This way we can show the country that future politics should be far more science and technology inspired. This would be a great step for the direction of the America.
Next page: On transhumanism and religion
More:
An interview with Zoltan Istvan, leader of the Transhumanist ...
- Max More - Transhumanism, an informal discussion - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Transhumanism: The New Dark Age - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Transhumanism: The UN's Spiritual Revolution Against Man! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Transhumanist Declaration - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- A Libertarian Transhumanist Critique of Jeffrey Tucker's "A Lesson in Mortality" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- 2045: A New Era for Humanity - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Canary Cry Radio 005: Predictive Policing and Transhumanist Conference - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Max More - The Singularity and Transhumanism - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- NWO Transhumanism MindWarping Lecture by Tom Horn HD [For Consideration Pupose Only!] Eugenic Wars - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- TRANSHUMANISM Tom Horn Full Length IMPORTANT! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Satellite and Earth Grid Thought Experiment for Transhuman and Extropians Use HeadPhones - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Transhumanist Cult That Runs Our Planet - Alex Jones Tv Sunday Edition 3/3 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Transhumanist Cult That Runs Our Planet - Alex Jones Tv Sunday Edition 2/3 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- The Transhumanist Cult That Runs Our Planet - Alex Jones Tv Sunday Edition 1/3 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- TRANSHUMAN documentary teaser - Do you want to live forever? - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Meet the world's first transhumanist politician [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Algae Opera imagines a world where song produces Earth's food supply [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Is there a place for nuclear waste on Earth? [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Creapole: creating the next generation of creative designers [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- CWRU's Maxwell J. Mehlman's book examines issues emerging in genetic engineering [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Michio Kaku Exposed promoting Merging with Computers Transhumanist Agenda - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Nick Bostrom: Humanity's biggest problems aren't what you think they are - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- October 2012 Discussion Group of the Mormon Transhumanist Association - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Max More: Join the .00002% and Live Again - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Six Triple Three Six 666 63336 - Transhumanist Agenda TV Ad Commercial - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Saturn (The Cube) - Transhumanist Agenda TV Ad Commercial - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Fantastic Interview with Dr. Joseph P. Farrell Hour Two - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN? - 10112012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Chemtrail Painting? Seen at Asian Art Fair HK Oct 6 2010 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mormonism: The Masonic Deception - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Transhumanism: Becoming Gods -- Official Newswatch Magazine - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- END IS NIGH - Transhuman NexGen Changes, Systemology Series (part 3) with Joshua Free - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- FATE OF HUMANITY - Transhumanism Generations, Systemology Series (part 2) with Joshua Free - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- HUMANITY IN CRISIS - Transhumanism Generations, Systemology Series (part 1) with Joshua Free - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Main Show Only - Optimism, Technology, [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Brain in a Box on Billboard 9/25/12 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- On The Set Of The New Robocop 2013 Movie - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- ((( FEED ME MORE ))) reptilian style. - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Second Transhumanist Political Meeting in Moscow - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Transhumanist answers - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Silk Lasers - NanoTech Warning -Too Late! - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Occult, esoteric masonic meaning and symbology - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2012]
- James Hughes on Singularity 1 on 1: Interogate and Engage the World - Video [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2012]
- Regular Orgasms Are for Mortals; All the Cool Kids Are Having ‘Longevity Orgasms’ [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- Main Show Only Preserving Freedom Coast To Coast AM - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2012]
- The Dalai Lama on Technological Change - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2012]
- Rabbit Hole - Clapping Metabolism (Special Promo) - Video [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2012]
- Little Inferno - Combos 81 - 90 (Wii U) - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- transhumanism - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Haze and ... Psyop? 28.11.2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2012]
- Morgellons Presentation (Potent News Blast #10) - Video [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2012]
- Brandon Whale speaks about Transhumanist Times #hplus @norabean - Video [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2012]
- Little Inferno - Combos 86-90 HD - Video [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2012]
- Transhumanist Wizards December 14 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2012]
- The Mind of David Pearce Part 1 - Why and how to get rid of suffering - Video [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2012]
- Lincoln Cannon on Singularity 1 on 1: Reach Out To Religious Transhumanists - Video [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2012]
- December 2012 Discussion Group of the Mormon Transhumanist Association - Video [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2012]
- So, what am I? first political video: an introduction (meritocrat, transhumanist, pragmatist) - Video [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2012]
- Jacob Arts - Letter from a Transhumanist to Nature - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2012]
- Do Transhumanists (or theists) REALLY desire immortality? - Video [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2012]
- THE MUSIC INDUSTRY EXPOSED - The Transhumanist Agenda (Part 11/11) *BANNED FROM YOUTUBE* - Video [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2013] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2013]
- Max More and Natasha Vita-More The Transhumanist Reader - Video [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2013] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2013]
- H+ / You+ - Transhumanist Art [NO AUDIO, REUPLOAD] - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2013]
- February 2012 Discussion Group of the Mormon Transhumanist Association - Video [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2013]
- Transhumanist Agenda AS SEEN IN Dead Space 3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2013]
- Chimeras [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2013]
- The Mormon Transhumanist Association Barbershop Quartet - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2013]
- Backlash Against Transhumanist Cyborgs Begins - Video [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2013]
- PZ Myers - Hacking Evolution: Transhumanist Fantasies, Biological Realities - Video [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2013]
- Maschinery - Transhumanist - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2013]
- ROBOT ALCHEMY: A look into the Transhumanist death trap, with Texe Marrs. - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2013]
- The Transhumanist Wager Is A Choice We'll All Have To Make [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2013]
- The Transhumanist Delusion - The European [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2013]
- Bilderberg's Transhumanist Art - Video [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2013]
- BILDERBERG2013-Transhumanist-Art-at-The-Grove-Hotel - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2013]
- WTF_ Creepy Transhumanist Sculpture At Bilderberg 2013__ - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2013]
- Thoughts on Zoltan Istvan's "The Transhumanist Wager" - A Review - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2013]
- EU Panel: Human robotization, Nano implant technologies [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2013]
- Ask Alex: The Transhumanist Nightmare - Video [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2013]
- Bilderberg 2013: Transhumanist Death Cult - Video [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2013]
- Does Adam Kokesh Work For Bilderberg And The Transhumanist Death Cult ? - Video [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2013]