Toronto Transhumanist Association

What's Wrong with Transhumanism? Massimo Pigliucci vs. Mike Treder

2010-04-15T18:37:00.000-04:00

Saturday, May 8 at 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

What's Wrong with Transhumanism? Massimo Pigliucci vs. Mike Treder

We haven't had a meetup in quite some time, so here's the plan for May 8, 5:00 - 7:00pm EST

We'll watch this video together and then have our own discussion:

Science Saturday: What’s Wrong With Transhumanism?
http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/26683

It focuses on the following topics:

Is transhumanism fatally optimistic? (06:10)
Massimo’s ethical qualms with life extension (12:21)
The dangers of rapid technological advance (03:21)
Massimo vs. Mike on whether it’s possible to upload your mind (10:44)
Is the Turing Test a behaviorist blunder? (15:44)
Pesky limitations imposed by human biology (07:15)

The debaters are the following
Mike Treder, Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies
Massimo Pigliucci, City University of NY–Lehman College, Rationally Speaking

I thought this was appropriate as its billed as "Science Saturday" which fits in with our Toronto Transhumanist Meetups, part of Science and Skepticism Saturdays at the Centre for Inquiry.

Hope to see you all there!
Justin

Noosphere - The Future is Open: Intro to a New Project by TTA Members + Discussion on the Internet and the Emerging Global Superorganism

2009-05-13T13:35:00.001-04:00

Saturday, June 13 at 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

TTA members will share a new project they are working on, and then lead a discussion on its implications.

"Noosphere’s aim is to accelerate an integrated worldview towards critical mass by opening a medium where people can see what happens when they are empowered by each other."

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We all want to live in a better world, and many among us are working to make that world a possibility. Improvement is achieved through ideation, innovation, cultivation and application of solutions to problems. However, due to the blindingly complex nature of the problems we currently face, equally sophisticated solutions are required. These solutions are beyond the realm of any one person or small group of people. It is the globe that faces these problems and thus it is the global mind that must develop matching solutions.

There are now more links between locations on the internet than there are synapses in a single human brain. The internet has reached into every facet of human life,
and as a result is now steering the course of history. Over a billion and a half individuals have access to the internet with user growth skyrocketing in the developing world. The internet represents the pinnacle of thousands of years of technological development, and as such, it the most capable and sophisticated tool ever developed by humankind.

As the internet accelerates ever faster into development, it seems to affirm rather than conflict with human identity. It connects us in very real and personal ways to other human beings. With the internet’s higher potential now truly beginning to reveal itself, an opportunity is presented to forge a network which interconnects those who improve our world. We now have the means and the wisdom to implement a system that fosters world-changing collaboration amongst the people of this planet. Noosphere will be that system.

We are, without question, living in the most exciting time in human history. At no point since the dawn of language has this great adventure we call the human condition
ever been so electric. Human potential continues to expand as technology continues to bring awareness to the great diversity of our knowledge and understanding, the peoples of earth are beginning to awaken, en masse, to our true inner nature and our integrated relationship with the world around us.

Yet as the world wakes up to its inseparable oneness, we still see an escalating chaos. Fears of terrorism and governmental paranoia run high, global economic collapse looms eerily on the horizon, and of course the earth herself is exhibiting the symptoms of ailing health. If we were to put these events in the context of a history book, one might argue that the world in 2009 resembles a lead up to global catastrophe.

We are now at a crossroads. Despite all the endless information at our fingertips, we are unable to predict the future. There comes a point when every new and competing idea is put to a test. If that idea is to be successful it must reach a critical mass.

Noosphere’s aim is to accelerate an integrated worldview towards critical mass by opening a medium where people can see what happens when they are empowered by each other.

We believe our work has direct implications for the transhumanist movement and expect our topic will spark discussion about an emerging global superorganism.

Upcoming TTA Event - Survivability and the Fermi Paradox

2009-05-04T15:55:00.001-04:00

SURVIVABILITY AND THE FERMI PARADOX

Saturday, May 9th at 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

Why haven't we heard from extraterrestrial intelligence...and what does that silence say about our prospects for survival?

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for, or contact with, such civilizations. (wikipedia)

Join us for a discussion on possible solutions to the Fermi paradox and how searches for extraterrestrial intelligence may help us ponder questions about our own long term existence.

***********************************************************************

Meetups are hosted by the Toronto Transhumanist Association (http://toronto.transhumanism.com/). They take place the second Saturday of each month, 5-7pm. They alternate between presentations and interactive discussions. Those interested are invited - though not obliged - to join the Facebook and/or Meetup groups

At the Toronto Transhumanist Association, we aim to get more people thinking about the future, inspire people into assuming a proactive and participatory role in its creation and build, lead and support an informed movement for positive change. Discussions will revolve around transhumanism-related topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism. You do not have to be a self-proclaimed transhumanist to join our meetups.

Meetups will take place at the Centre for Inquiry Ontario (http://www.cfiontario.org), the first venue in Canada dedicated to promoting reason, science and free inquiry in all areas of human endeavour.

The purpose of these meetup is:

1. To spark discussion on transhumanism-related topics for anyone interested in topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism.

2. To serve as a social milieu for those calling themselves transhumanists

3. To drum up leadership for renewing the Toronto Transhumanist Association

All those interested in transhumanism, not just self proclaimed transhumanists are invited to our events.

Upcoming TTA Event - Philosophy & Science of the Matrix: Part 2 on Science

2009-01-14T15:27:00.005-05:00

PHILOSOPHY & SCIENCE OF THE MATRIX: PART 2 ON SCIENCE

Saturday, February 14th at 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

Two Toronto Transhumanist Association Meetups will discuss the philosophy and science behind the popular Matrix trilogy. All Transhumanist meetups are public events.

On Saturday, January 10, 2009 we will screen "Return to Source: The Philosophy of The Matrix" which is an hour long discussion on the philosophical elements of the movie. We will then hold a round table discussion.

On Saturday, February 14, 2009, we will screen "The Hard Problem: the Science Behind the Fiction", which is an hour long discussion of the science of the films and its possibilities for a real life Matrix. We will then hold a round table discussion.

Both these films are from Disc 8 of The Ultimate Matrix Collection (The Matrix/ The Matrix Reloaded/ The Matrix Revolutions/ The Animatrix) (2003) called "The Roots of the Matrix." They are both stand alone events.

Whether you're a fan of the films or just interested in the implications of the possibility of simulating a virtual reality universe, you won't want to miss these events.

***********************************************************************

Meetups are hosted by the Toronto Transhumanist Association (http://toronto.transhumanism.com/). They take place the second Saturday of each month, 5-7pm. They alternate between presentations and interactive discussions. Those interested are invited - though not obliged - to join the Facebook and/or Meetup groups

At the Toronto Transhumanist Association, we aim to get more people thinking about the future, inspire people into assuming a proactive and participatory role in its creation and build, lead and support an informed movement for positive change. Discussions will revolve around transhumanism-related topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism. You do not have to be a self-proclaimed transhumanist to join our meetups.

Meetups will take place at the Centre for Inquiry Ontario (http://www.cfiontario.org), the first venue in Canada dedicated to promoting reason, science and free inquiry in all areas of human endeavour.

The purpose of these meetup is:

1. To spark discussion on transhumanism-related topics for anyone interested in topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism.

2. To serve as a social milieu for those calling themselves transhumanists

3. To drum up leadership for renewing the Toronto Transhumanist Association

All those interested in transhumanism, not just self proclaimed transhumanists are invited to our events.

Upcoming TTA Event - Philosophy & Science of the Matrix: Part 1 on Philosophy

2008-12-30T18:12:00.002-05:00

PHILOSOPHY & SCIENCE OF THE MATRIX: PART 1 ON PHILOSOPHY

Saturday, January 10th at 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto, ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

Two Toronto Transhumanist Association Meetups will discuss the philosophy and science behind the popular Matrix trilogy. All Transhumanist meetups are public events.

On Saturday, January 10, 2009 we will screen "Return to Source: The Philosophy of The Matrix" which is an hour long discussion on the philosophical elements of the movie. We will then hold a round table discussion.

On Saturday, February 14, 2009, we will screen "The Hard Problem: the Science Behind the Fiction", which is an hour long discussion of the science of the films and its possibilities for a real life Matrix. We will then hold a round table discussion.

Both these films are from Disc 8 of The Ultimate Matrix Collection (The Matrix/ The Matrix Reloaded/ The Matrix Revolutions/ The Animatrix) (2003) called "The Roots of the Matrix."

Whether you're a fan of the films or just interested in the implications of the possibility of simulating a virtual reality universe, you won't want to miss these events.

***********************************************************************

Meetups are hosted by the Toronto Transhumanist Association (http://toronto.transhumanism.com/). They take place the second Saturday of each month, 5-7pm. They alternate between presentations and interactive discussions. Those interested are invited - though not obliged - to join the Facebook and/or Meetup groups

Meetups will revolve around the resources provided on www.betterhumans.com. Betterhumans is an online community of forward thinkers dedicated to discussing, celebrating and creating the future. Through the facilitation and aggregation of informative and provocative content and the creation and application of enabling communications technology, we aim to get more people thinking about the future, inspire people into assuming a proactive and participatory role in its creation and build, lead and support an informed movement for positive change. The Editor-in-Chief is Toronto-based George Dvorsky who will be a frequent contributor to our meetups. Discussions will revolve around transhumanism-related topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism. you do not have to be a self-proclaimed transhumanist to join our meetups. We will view a video or read an article based on http://www.betterhumans.com and engage in a topical discussion. In regular attendance will be George Dvorsky, President of the Toronto Transhumanist Association and Editor-in-Chief of www.betterhumans.com

Meetups will take place at the Centre for Inquiry Ontario (http://www.cfiontario.org), the first venue in Canada dedicated to promoting reason, science and free inquiry in all areas of human endeavour.

The purpose of these meetup is:

1. To spark discussion on transhumanism-related topics for anyone interested in topics like nanotechnology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life extension, and the emerging global superorganism.

2. To serve as a social milieu for those calling themselves transhumanists

3. To drum up leadership for renewing the Toronto Transhumanist Association

All those interested in transhumanism, not just self proclaimed transhumanists are invited to our events.

Transhumanist Meetup - Democracy in danger: Catastrophic threats and the rise of political extremism

2008-12-08T14:03:00.002-05:00

Transhumanist Meetup - Democracy in danger: Catastrophic threats and the rise of political extremism

Saturday, December 13th at 5:00 pm
Location: Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St, Toronto ON (just south of College St. at St. George St.)

A free public 30-minute presentation by George Dvorsky, followed by a Q & A and discussion.

Summary: An examination of the role that existential and catastrophic risks will have in influencing the rise of political extremism and the potential for extremism to:

* emerge and play a pivotal role in future geopolitics and human organization
* erode democratic institutions and ideals
* facilitate or instigate catastrophes (either through influence, action or inaction)
* prevent catastrophes and help with disaster recovery
* represent existential risks unto themselves

Note: George performed this talk at the recent symposium put on by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies called: Global Catastrophic Risks: Building a Resilient Civilization. The event was held on Nov. 14 in Sunnyvale, California at the Computer History Museum.

Stick around for the Centre for Inquiry's Science Fiction Film Screening evening, featuring "Kin-dza-dza"
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/ontario/events/science_fiction_movie_night_kin_dza_dza/

No TTA meeting this coming Saturday Oct. 11

2008-10-08T16:27:00.002-04:00

There will be no TTA meeting this coming Saturday Oct. 11. Instead, we are planning a group outing to see the Bill Maher film, Religious. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.

George Dvorsky participates in panel "Should Science Shape the Modern Athlete?" Sept 20

2008-09-11T21:25:00.006-04:00

George Dvorsky, President of The Toronto Transhumanist Association, will be taking part in a Cafe Scientifique panel hosted by the Ontario Science Centre on Sat, Sept 20.

Should Science Shape the Modern Athlete?

Are today's athletes a delicate combination of nutritional supplements, steroids, sports psychologists, interval training routines and technological advances? Have we lost sight of the meaning of athletics, or are we finally focusing on our human potential for achievement by using technology, biology, materials science, and engineering to our advantage?

Join experts and other inquiring minds for drinks, discussion and debate.

Experts:

Terry Graham, Ph D - Professor, Human Health & Nutritional Sciences Dept., Univ of Guelph
George Dvorsky - President, Toronto Transhumanist Association.
Sheldon Persad - Canadian Sport Centre Strength and Conditioning Service Provider, and Co-founder of Personal Best Health & Performance Inc.

Saturday Sept 20th 2008

4pm to 6pm

Free.

The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W.(just east of Spadina on the North side of the street)

www.cafescientifique.ca

cafescientifique@osc.on.ca

relax:explore:discuss:debate:enjoy

George Dvorsky's transhumanism and life extension talk for the CFI

2008-07-01T22:24:00.001-04:00

Dvorsky delivers a talk at the Center for Inquiry Ontario.

Next TTA event: "Apocalyptic Threats and Happy Pills," with Dr. Mark Walker

2008-05-20T12:21:00.007-04:00

The Toronto Transhumanist Association is proud to announce its next event, a talk by Dr. Mark Walker entitled, "Apocalyptic Threats and Happy Pills."

The talk is open to the general public and admission is free. It will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St. in Toronto.

Mark A. Walker, Ph.D. is Research Associate in philosophy at Trinity College, University of Toronto, and lecturer in Philosophy at McMaster University. He is founder and president of Permanent End International, a nonprofit organization devoted to ending hunger, illiteracy and environmental degradation. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Evolution and Technology and served on the Board of Directors of the World Transhumanist Association from 2002 to 2006.

Abstract for Dr. Walker's talk:

Apocalyptic threats are possible or probable civilization-ending events, e.g., asteroid collisions, global nuclear war, biotechnology accidents or warfare, and various "goo" scenarios connected with self-replicating nanotechnology. Obviously, reducing such threats is morally imperative. I will delineate two broad strategies for attempting to mitigate such threats: the technical and the social. Technical mitigation seeks to use technology to defeat, defend or disarm the threatening events; examples include fallout shelters, antivirals and universal surveillance. Social mitigation of apocalyptic threats work indirectly to reduce the social causes that may contribute to an increased probability of such threats, or reduce the probability that we will effectively deal with such threats, for example, removing sources of conflict such as poverty and injustice. Transhumanists have focused considerable attention on technical mitigation but little to social mitigation. This talk discusses the possibility of using "happy pills" for the purpose of social mitigation of apocalyptic threats.

Dr. Walker has also authored such papers as In Praise of Bio-Happiness, Universal Superlongevity: Is It Inevitable And Is It Good?, Apologism, Prolongevistism and Utilitarianism, Mary Poppins 3000s of the World Unite: A Moral Paradox in the Creation of Artificial Intelligence, Where did Marx go wrong?, Genetic Virtue, and Prolegomena to any Future Philosophy, and coauthored Astrophysical Fine Tuning, Naturalism, and the Contemporary Design.

Contact George Dvorsky for more information.

Toronto Transhumanist group on Facebook

2008-05-08T22:07:00.006-04:00

The Toronto Transhumanist Association is now on Facebook. Be sure to join the TTA Facebook group and network with transhumanists in and around the GTA.

Monthly meetups

2008-05-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

The Toronto Transhumanist Association holds meetings on the second Saturday of every month. Meetings start at 5pm and are held at the Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley St., Toronto ON M5T 1Z3.

The TTA regularly invites speakers, conducts round-table discussions and organizes social outings.

All meetings are open to the general public. No membership is required and there are no entrance fees.

Need more information?

Justin Trottier appointed acting Executive Director

2007-11-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

The Toronto Transhumanist Association is proud to announce the appointment of Justin Trottier to the position of acting Executive Director as of November 12, 2007.

Mr. Trottier will work closely with George Dvorsky, the President of the TTA, as he works to manage its operations and oversee its growth. He will also engage in public outreach and collaborate with Mr. Dvorsky to establish a strong leadership base. With the addition of Mr. Trottier, the TTA is in a better position to support transhumanists in the Greater Toronto Area and work to be a powerful, rational, pro-technology force for effecting positive change.

The TTA is an official chapter of the World Transhumanist Association and was founded by Dvorsky and Simon Smith in 2002.

A graduate of Engineering Science (nanoengineering option) from the University of Toronto, Trottier is a long-time organizer and activist whose passion for science and technology has led him to transhumanism and the TTA.

He is the founder and executive director of the Centre for Inquiry Ontario, Canada's first venue promoting reason, science, free inquiry and secular humanism, through which he has had television appearances on CBC, CTS, OMNI, CH and CityTV, as well as dozens of radio appearances and coverage in campus, metropolitan and national newspapers, including The Globe and Mail, the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen and the Toronto Star.

Mr. Trottier is a contributor to Humanist Perspective and Free Inquiry magazines and is on the editorial board of the Canadian Freethinker.

Additionally, as a long-time space sciences and engineering enthusiast, he is External Director of the Canadian Space Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Space Gazette.

George Dvorsky on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

2007-01-07T21:19:00.000-05:00

George Dvorsky defends Ashley's parents on the BBC

2007-01-07T21:00:00.004-05:00

TTA President George Dvorsky appeared on the BBC this week in defense of Ashley X's parents. A video clip is available from the BBC website.

More information is available on George's blog, Sentient Developments.

George Dvorsky, co-founder and President of the Toronto Transhumanist Association

2002-01-01T21:50:00.001-05:00

Canada's leading futurist, activist and award winning blogger, George has written and spoken extensively about the impacts of cutting-edge science and technology.

He is the Director of Operations for Commune Media, an advertising and marketing firm that specializes in marketing science. George has more than 10 years' experience in media, arts and communications. With relationships forged across several continents, he has managed international accounts for leading brands.

In addition to his work with Commune, George serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies and has served on the Board of Directors for the World Transhumanist Association.

George has been interviewed by such publications as The Guardian, the BBC, Radio Free Europe, and Beliefnet. He made an appearance on the CBC's The Hour and has been profiled in NOW and This Magazine.

Articles about George

No Death, Please, I'm Bionic: Cyborg-Obsessed Transhumanists Push Bioethical Limits While Fending Off Foes From All Sides in Now Magazine.

The Great Byte Hope in Next Magazine.

The Right to Human Enhancement: And also uplifting animals and the rapture of the nerds in Reason Online.

Humanizing Animals: Is it wrong to make intelligent animal slaves? in Reason Online.

Contact

Email George.

Blog: Sentient Developments.

Justin Trottier, acting Executive Director of the Toronto Transhumanist Association

2002-01-01T21:45:00.003-05:00

Mr. Trottier is a contributor to Humanist Perspective and Free Inquiry magazines and is on the editorial board of the Canadian Freethinker.

Additionally, as a long-time space sciences and engineering enthusiast, he is External Director of the Canadian Space Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Space Gazette.

Objectives and Activities

2002-01-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

The Toronto Transhumanist Association is currently in the process of finalizing its objectives and activities. Below are the working drafts.

Objectives

To facilitate interaction, communication and discussion among Transhumanists living in the Greater Toronto Area.
To promote Transhumanism within the GTA.
To help Transhumanists in the GTA increase their knowledge and wisdom through the arrangement of such things as events and guest speakers.
To provide a focal point for anyone in the GTA interested in learning more about Transhumanism.
To assist people living in the GTA in adapting to, understanding and applying advanced technologies.
To create a powerful, rational, pro-technology voice for effecting positive change.
To help put into practice the principles of the World Transhumanist Association.
To follow the treatment of Transhumanist issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level and report back to the greater Transhumanist community.

Activities

Facilitation of online forums and discussion groups.
Facilitation of in-person discussion groups.
Scheduling of regular meetings.
Biannual publication of a membership list.
Scheduling of social functions.
Scheduling of motivation, positive-thinking and brainstorming sessions.
Creation and maintenance of a TTA Website.
Publication of a TTA newsletter.
Scheduling of special events.
Communicating with Transhumanist organizations around the world.