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Natasha Vita-More
 | November 21st, 2010 WE ARE STRONG: Only Insofar As We Take Advantage of Our Innate Abilities and Build Smarter Tools Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism Humans are animals that build tools to enhance physiology. It is the use of tools that helped to increase the human brain into a larger, more complex system than that of early hominids. "Tools and bigger brains mark the beginning of a distinctly human line of evolution." (Kelly 2010, 22) According to Jared Diamond, early hominids lacked innovation: "In short, Neanderthal tools had no variation in either time or space to suggest that most human characteristics, innovation". (Diamond 2006, 44) What will we do with nanotechnology and AGI? Read the Whole Article |
| September 19th, 2009 Nano's Neo Normal Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism Would a person whose immune system starts declining after puberty, and finally gives up before 123, be normal? This statement largely sums up my transhumanist view that "normal" is misunderstood. The physiological (cognitive and the somatic) state of human existence "normality" ought to be a state of enhancement. Read the Whole Article |
| January 19th, 2009 Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno Skin Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism What is more intimate to each person than the very skin of the body - the sensuous touch, taste and smell of our skin? The skin, visible and exposed, displays our character and emotions. Yet, it is hidden and private as it covers the curves and creases of our bodies and responds to each breath, sigh and quiver. While skin has sensory characteristics, we forget that it is an organ and serves a precise function of our physiology, without which we could not exist in our current biological form. Skin is also vulnerable to the environment as diseases such as basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma are on the rise. Even though our skin has protected us for eons, now we must protect our skin. How can we use applicable technology and visionary science to protect our skin while still maintaining its integrity as an intimate part of our identity, our presence in the world, and our experience of the world around us? Read the Whole Article |
| September 23rd, 2008 Nanomechatronics Nanosystem and Mitochondria Symbosis Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism If the symbiosis of cell evolution is a process which appears to be a constant over time, the nanocells of a nanomechatronics nanosystem might be viewed as cells which could be as necessary for our future existence as our dear mitochondria are today. Read the Whole Article |
| April 10th, 2008 Putting Criticism Forward Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism Everyone promoting investment in and development of emerging technologies must be prepared to accept criticism for doing so. Criticism give us an opportunity to check the barometer on what others think of us. It is a cost-effect way to turn the spot light on issues that might go unnoticed and offers occasion to self-reflect. Even the most brash criticism affords an opportunity to make changes for the better while reinforcing positive qualities. Read the Whole Article |
| January 24th, 2008 Nanofactory or AGI — Which technology could cure humanity's many problems? Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism There are a number of supposed shifts on the horizon. The most publicly talked about shift is the impending Singularity when greater-than-human-intelligence will come to pass. However, in the nanotechnology communities are other ramblings singularities, such as when the personal, desktop nanofactory are will come about. In fact, some transhumanists are arguing not just about which will come first—molecular manufacturing or artificial general intelligence—but about which technology will ultimately prove to be the cure for human suffering worldwide. Read the Whole Article |
| August 2nd, 2007 Posthuman - putting transhumanist perspective into contrasting theories Natasha Vita-More MSc, MPhil, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, Transhumanism Recently I gave a talk on diverse theories of the future human, known as the posthuman. While I was more interested in hypothetical, speculative theories concerning the posthuman than I was about nanotechnology; I am now, in hindsight, fascinated by the credibility of any such theory which does not consider nanotechnology as an essential constituent. Read the Whole Article |
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