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COVER 1 EXTROPY #9 Summer 1992 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Communications: Russell E. Whitaker, Tech Mind, Inc. Computing, Simon! D. Levy, MA, Linguistics Dept., University of Connecticut; Haskins Laborato- Linguistics: ries Cryonics: Michael R. Perry, Ph.D; Director, Society for Venturism Law, Politics: Tom Morrow, MA, University of Chicago Law School Memetics: Keith Henson, Founder, L-5 Society Nanotechnology: J.Storrs Hall, Rutgers University, Laboratory for Computer Science Research Max More, MA, Philosophy Dept., University of Southern California Philosophy, Politics: Prof. Gregory Benford, Physics Dept., University of California, Irvine Physics: David Krieger, MLS Science: Mark Plus, MS; Editor, Venturist Monthly News Transhumanities: • digital Economy (encryption; digital money) • scientific eschatology • artificial life • futurist morality • electronic communications and reviews of media on these topics. Edited by Max More. Subscriptions and letters can be sent to EXTROPY, P.O. Box 57306, Los Angeles, CA 90057-0306. Phone: (213) 484-6383. E-mail to: [email protected] EXTROPY is published twice a year. Checks payable Extropy Institute to “EXTROPY”. Subscriptions will start with the cur- rent issue in print unless you specify otherwise. Editor: Max More Subscriptions: USA: $9/year. 2-years: $18 Canada and Mexico: $10year. EXTROPY: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought is Overseas: $14/year (air); $12 (surface). a journal of ideas, dedicated to discussing and Institutions: USA, Canada, Mexico: $20/year. Over- developing themes in the following areas: • seas: $26/year (air). Transhumanism and futurist philosophy • life extension, immortalism and cryonics BACK ISSUES: • artificial intelligence (AI) and uploading #8: $4.50 #7: $4.50 #5,6: $4 each #1,2,4: $3 each • smart drugs (nootropics) and intelligence increase See insert for details of back issue contents. technologies • nanotechnology applications EXTROPY INSTITUTE • memetics Membership (Includes subscriptions to Extropy and • space habitation the bi-monthly newsletter Exponent.): • spontaneous orders (free markets, neural networks, USA: $30 evolutionary processes, etc) Canada/Mexico: $33 • science fiction Overseas: $40 • extropic psychology EXTROPY #9 Summer 1992 2 EEXXTRTROPYOPY #9#9 Summer 1992 (Vol.4, No.1) Editorial Max More 04 The Extropian Principles (2.0) Max More 05 Extropy Institute (ExI) Launches Max More 09 Persons, Programs, and Uploading Consciousness David Justin Ross 12 Nanotechnology and Faith J. Storrs Hall 17 The Making of a Small World R. Michael Perry 18 Genetic Algorithms (Neurocomputing 6) Simon! D. Levy 20 Time Travel and Computing Hans Moravec 22 Futique Neologisms 3 29 Exercise and Longevity Fran Finney 30 The Transhuman Taste: The Anthropic Cosmological Principle (Tipler and Barrow) 34 Reviewed by David Krieger The Blind Watchmaker (Dawkins) 36 Reviewed by Simon! D. Levy Economist Against the Apocalyptics (Books by Julian Simon) 37 Max More Bionomics: The Inevitability of Capitalism (Rothschild) 41 Reviewed by Harry Schapiro Contributors 43 3 EXTROPY #9 Summer 1992 EDITORIAL MORE CHANGES fiction by Mike Perry. You may want to pass this around your non- immortalist friends. Extropy sees further evolution with this issue. The most Simon! D. Levy continues his Neurocomputation series obvious change is the shift to a full size 8.5" x 11" format. The new with an introduction to genetic algorithms, yet another computa- format, consistent with that of major publications, should help in tional application of spontaneous ordering. the expansion of shop distribution and sales. Comments on and Roboticist Hans Moravec, author of the classic extropian suggestions for further improvements in Extropy's format – in book Mind Children, explains the ways in which physics might addition to its content – are always welcome. allow time travel, and shows how this might be applied to solving Next issue will see some changes as a result of Extropy otherwise intractable computational problems. Institute's new publication, Exponent. Exponent will appear bi- The Futique Neologisms series continues this issue, with monthly in newsletter format. It will feature reviews of fiction and a further installment of new terms for thinking about the future. non-fiction books, movies, magazines, and software. Exponent In “Exercise and Longevity”, Fran Finney reviews the scien- will also carry the Intelligence At Work science updates column tific evidence for the life-extending effects of exercise. that has previously appeared here, and a section presenting The Transhuman Taste contains four reviews: David Krieger skeptical analyses of environmental issues. reviews The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, a lengthy work Extropy will no longer carry many book reviews, though it will examining cosmological questions with a decidedly Extropian still carry longer reviews and review essays. This publication will perspective. Simon! D. Levy reviews evolutionary biologist Rich- specialize in detailed explanations and analyses of topics of ard Dawkin's The Blind Watchmaker – a brilliant exposition of interest to Extropians: Life extension, cryonics, intelligence in- evolutionary theory and how it explains life far better than reli- creasing technologies, advanced computing, neural-computer gious myths. I review three of economist Julian Simon's books integration, memetic analysis, nanotechnology, space habita- in “Economist Against the Apocalyptics.” Simon's works provide tion, self-transformative psychological techniques, artificial life, a needed counterpoint to environmentalist doomsayers. Finally, electronic communications, computational markets (digital Harry Shapiro reviews Bionomics, which draws parallels be- economy), and the limits of physics. tween biology and economy. THIS ISSUE The Extropian Principles is a revised version of the Prin- IN FUTURE ISSUES ciples that appeared three years ago in Extropy #6. The new The long-awaited articles on the future of electronic commu- version adds the principle of spontaneous order, since it's clear nications, and on digital economy (personal communication that spontaneously ordering processes are an essential ele- encryption, digital money), should be appearing soon. ment of the Extropian worldview – as explained at length in “Order #10 will see an exposition of the Extropian principle of Self- Without Orderers” in Extropy #7 (Spring 1991). Explanations of Transformation, examining its psychological, philosophical, the principles have been expanded and some new suggested and technological aspects. readings added to the list. The next issue will also feature another piece by leading “Extropy Institute Launches” announces the incorporation roboticist Hans Moravec on our expansion into the cosmos. of the Extropy Institute (ExI) and some of its projects. Expect to see a memetic analysis of the spread of Extropian David Ross provides a lucid and helpful discussion of ideas. uploading – the transfer of a human's consciousness into a Other possibilities include an introduction to molecular- computer, responding to those who doubt it to be possible and scale computing, analyses of environmental issues, applica- determining the conditions that are necessary for it to be achieved. tions of personal identity theory, and discussions of intellectual J. Storrs Hall, in “Nanotechnology and Faith” looks at differ- property and “the Singularity”. ent ways of thinking about nanotechnology, warning us against allowing our thinking to become religious in nature. [Continued on p.11] “The Making of a Small World” is a delightful piece of short Editorial (cont. from p.4) EXTROPY - the process of increasing intelligence, information, energy, life, experience, diversity, opportunity and growth. Extropianism is the philosophy that seeks to increase extropy. The Extropian Principles are: (1) Boundless Expansion; (2) Self-Transformation; (3) Intelligent Technology; (4) Spontaneous Order; (5) Dynamic Optimism. TRANSHUMANISM - Philosophies of life (such as Extropianism) that seek the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means of science and technology, guided by progressive principles and values, while rejecting dogma and religion. EXTROPY #9 Summer 1992 4 The Extropian Principles V. 2.0 Max More Executive Director, Extropy Institute 1. Boundless Expansion - Seeking more intelligence, wisdom, and personal power, an unlimited lifespan, and removal of natural, social, biological, and psychological limits to self-actualization and self-realization. Overcoming limits on our personal and social progress and possibilities. Expan- sion into the universe and infinite existence. 2. Self-Transformation - A commitment to continual moral, intellectual, and physical self- improvement, using reason and critical thinking, personal responsibility, and experimentation. Biologi- cal and neurological augmentation. 3. Intelligent Technology - Applying science and technology to transcend “natural” limits imposed by our biological heritage and environment. 4. Spontaneous Order - Promotion of decentralized, voluntaristic social coordination mecha- nisms. Fostering of tolerance, diversity, long-term planning, individual incentives and personal liberties. 5. Dynamic Optimism - Positive expectations to fuel dynamic action. Promotion of a positive, empowering attitude towards our individual future and that of all intelligent beings. Rejection both of blind faith and stagnant pessimism. These principles are further explicated