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Hilary C. Johnson

May 4, 2018

Transhumanism: the Crusade to Conquer Death

Transhumanism is a belief system that maintains that the human race can evolve beyond its

current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology. A movement has

been given new life in an age of rapidly evolving technology and fewer limitations in scientific research.

Science fiction is becoming a reality and a new transhumanist movement has been born in an age of

rapidly evolving technology and science. Genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, cryogenics,

and pharmacology are all being utilized by transhumanists to achieve longevity, life extension and

immortality. They believe that the final piece, molecular nanotechnology is all that is needed to make

their vision a reality. Many prominent transhumanists, such as Peter Theil, are among the wealthy who

crusade against aging and death. Although many transhumanist projects are costly, philosopher Nick

Bostrom maintains that financial status does not matter; he states the following:

transhumanism is not about a fancier car, more money, or clever gadgetry, even though this is

what the media presents to us as “science” and “advanced technology”; transhumanism is about

genuine changes to the human condition, including increased intelligence and minds better suited

to the achievement of happiness. (53)

He, like many transhumanists, believe that there will be a time when the science and technology necessary

for longevity, will be available to everyone. I’m interested in transhumanism because of its utopian

potential – the pursuit of health, happiness, peace, and ultimately immortality. It promises a better life, a

better way of living, and eventual freedom from the fear of death. It is plausible that transhumanism could

supersede religion in dealing with and preparing for death, because it advances the notion of immortality

and rejects the idea of a supernatural afterlife. I have had several opportunities to discuss transhumanism

with experts in the field, attend a convention about what it means to be human, and tour a cryogenics
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facility. Everyone I met was enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge of transhumanism and their crusade

to defeat death.

The desire for immortality, longevity, and physical or mental enhancement, has been part of

human culture for centuries. Motivated by the fear of disease, old age, death and the question of what

comes after, humans have been searching for a way out of what has always been believed to be inevitable.

Throughout history there is evidence of quests for immortality. The Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian story

about a king who seeks immortality, was written in approximately 1700 BC. Herodotus, a Greek historian

(c. 484-435 BCE), is thought to have been the first to seek out the Fountain of Youth, long before the well-

known quest of Ponce de Leon. Alchemists in China, the Middle East and Europe sought the elusive elixir

of life. Prometheus, Daedalus, and Tithonus were all punished by their gods for their attempts to enhance

their existence. Renaissance humanism began the secular study of the human being and the natural world.

It was a time when magic and natural medicinal methods were the early forms of technology and science.

The Age of Enlightenment is thought to have been started by Francis Bacon’s Novum Organum

and its proposal of scientific method. Great minds like Rene Descartes, Immanuel Kant, Charles Darwin,

J.B.S Haldane, and Julian Huxley were all active in the pursuit of improving the human through science

and reasoning. It was Descartes who concluded that the mind and the body could be separated and one

did not need the other to survive. Kant’s Theory of Ethics states that in order to retain morality we must

have comprehensively unending lives; he also gave us the motto of enlightenment, Sapere aude – dare to

think for yourself. Darwin found that evolution was possible through natural selection. Haldane gave a

speech at Cambridge University, Daedalus: or Science and the Future, in which he argued that benefits

would come from controlling our genetics as well as science. This has been considered an early vision of

transhumanism. Julian Huxley, a biologist, founder of The World Wildlife Fund and brother to Aldous

Huxley author of the dystopian novel A Brave New World, is considered to be the father of
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transhumanism. He is credited with giving the movement its name in his collection of essays New Bottles

for New Wine. In regard to the possibility of his new belief Huxley says:

The human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself – not just

sporadically, an individual here in one way, an individual there in

another way, but in its entirety, as humanity. We need a name for this

new belief. Perhaps transhumanism will serve: man, remaining man, but

transcending himself, by realizing new possibilities of and for his human

nature. (17)

Julian Huxley believed that progress of science would see the end of the need for myths of earthly destiny.

That spiritual achievement could be found through art, music, mathematics, and other intellectual

pursuits. He also believed that science and technology would help people all over the world. Hunger and

disease could be eradicated.

The twentieth century saw a darker, unfortunate side in the science of humans: eugenics. Many

thought that advancements in medical science allowed unfit or weak humans to survive. They were

concerned with the effect these lesser humans would have on the gene pool. Several countries put a

eugenics program into place, and in United States between 1907 and 1963, at least 64,000 people were

forcibly sterilized under the law. This of course brings to mind the horrific experiments the Nazis

conducted in the name of science to make superior human beings. Fortunately, the eugenics movement

was short-lived and universally condemned. During the post WWII era, futurists reemerged with new

hope, space travel. Once again science and technology could be used toward the progress of humankind.

Transhumanism is not a religion. It is a belief that there is more to humanity than being born,

growing old and dying. Most religions give their followers hope that a righteous life ensures a place in an

idyllic afterlife. Through transhumanism, one can create a perfect life here on earth or on some future

planet surrounded by loved ones. Health, youth, and enhanced intelligence are all obtainable through
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science and technology. In Nick Bostrom’s article about transhumanist values, he maintains that everyone

is welcome in transhumanism when he says the following:

Transhumanism advocates the well-being of all sentience, whether in

artificial intellects, humans, and non-human animals (including

extraterrestrial species, if there are any). Racism, sexism, speciesism,

belligerent nationalism, and religious intolerance are unacceptable.

(12)

He believes that through genetic engineering and the promise of a longer life, we can put aside our

differences and work together to create a world that can evolve with us. If our world cannot, we will find

one that can.

There are specific key elements to the structure of transhumanism: health, intelligence, longevity,

preservation, and the future. The health of humankind, both mental and physical, has made huge

advances in a very short amount of time. Eating well, drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, and

exercising are all common things that improve our health and well-being. Now there is a science to eating

well. Musician Steve Aoki promotes the Longevity Cookbook and encourages eating as a way to live longer.

Chief Science Officer of the SENS Research Foundation Dr. Aubrey de Grey advocates drinking alkaline

ionized water to live longer and prevent disease. Livestrong and other wellness centers encourage the use

of HCG, a human growth hormone and B12 injections for antiaging and weight-loss benefits. Gyms and

facilities, where people gather to exercise and train to improve their overall physique, can be found

anywhere.

Transhumanists want to improve themselves even further and believe that, with fewer

restrictions on science and technology and more funding, disease and aging will be eradicated within the

next 25 - 50 years. Once only imagined in science fiction, gene therapy, genetic engineering, and

cybernetics are now reality. Genome sequencing has successfully improved the battle against numerous
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types of cancer and disease and may eventually replace vaccination. Gene therapy and genetic

engineering could allow humans to live comfortably in any environment and gain total immunity against

disease.

Cybernetics is successfully being used to help those with injuries or physical disabilities. Michael

Chorost is one example of a real-life cyborg. He was born deaf, but an artificial cochlear implant has made

it possible for him to hear. Artificial limbs have enabled athletes to continue successful careers. Artificial

blood is being used in surgeries. Artificial organs like hearts, are also a reality. Soon all donor transplants

will become a thing of the past, replaced by 3-D bio-printed organs. Transhumanists want to enhance and

cure, not just treat illness and disabilities.

Increased intelligence and mental health are also key elements in transhumanism. They believe

that we should not feel limited by the perceived capabilities of the human mind. The average human being

has a competent IQ of 95-105. Intelligence quotient is an excellent tool for predicting academic abilities,

creativity, the speed it take to process information, and success in all things human. Transhumanists are

constantly working towards super intellect. Brain training, cognitive behavioral therapies, brain

stimulation, hormone therapy, and pharmacology are all used towards healing, broadening, and

expanding the human mind. Brain stimulation is currently being used on soldiers suffering from PTSD.

Cognitive behavioral therapies and pharmacological therapies have both been successful in

treating depression, anxiety, and other mental issues. The naturally occurring hormone Klotho, named for

the Fate who spins the thread of life, increases intelligence in elevated amounts. Brain training through

video games and virtual reality is still in the early stages and may be the primary pathway to brain-

computer interfaces and uploading.

Futuristic thinker and Director of Engineering at Google Ray Kurzweil believes that humans will

eventually edit their bodies in order to integrate with computers and eventually artificial intelligence. His

belief is plausible when we realize the relationship we already have with our smart phones. Microchip
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implants, memory mapping, and neuro therapy are no longer fiction. Neuro implants will be

commonplace within the next 10 to 20 years. Memory mapping and extraction has been successful in

mice and snails, and researchers have started on monkeys moving one step closer to humans. This

research will aid and may eventually cure Alzheimer’s. Recently discovered neurons that release a

molecule when stimulated are being studied for their ability to regrow brain cells after damage or death.

Bostrom explains that “man’s view of his destiny inevitably changes with the aggressive

illumination revealed by new knowledge with the latest revelation – scarce dreamt of and never sustained

in earlier ages – is that of evolutionary science” (120). He is convinced that the intellectual ambitions of

the transhumanists are limitless. Only the lack of financial support or archaic ethical fears, can hinder their

progress. So far, they have found ways to overcome those obstacles and as long as science and technology

continue to evolve at a rate that keeps pace with their imagination, their aspiration of immortality is

obtainable.

Approximately 150,000 people die every day from diseases caused by aging. This causes grief to

individuals and communities; it also has an economic impact. Even if cancer, heart disease, and dementia

were cured, life expectancies would only increase by a few years. The war against aging is one

transhumanists hope to win within the next decade. Dr. Aubrey de Grey, who is also the anti-aging advisor

for the US Transhumanist Party, believes there is a 50% chance aging will be fully under medical control

within the next 25 years.

Mark O’Connell who wrote To Be a Machine observes that transhumanists have different

approaches in their individual areas of work on the human condition, but they do share one hope; he says,

“They envision an everlasting race of human beings who live in a world without old age, disease, and

death” (2). Life extension is not impossible. Since 1900, the average human life expectancy increases by

three months every year. Transhumanists want that statistic to become a day for a day. Gerontologists

work tirelessly to reverse the effects of aging with rejuvenation biotech that works to reverse cellular
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damage. Gene hacking is also being explored as an answer to longevity. Cynthia Kenyon used it to double

the lifespan of worms. There’s a popular trend among the wealthy in California that removes all the blood

from their body, removing age related proteins, and cleans it. Even Google has its own eternal life project

named Calico. Basic methods of prolonging life involve exercise and consumption of foods, such as

blueberries and cherries found to have anti-aging benefits. Topical creams, plastic surgery, dermatological

fillers, and lasers used to preserve our outward appearance, have yet to be replaced by more advanced

science or technology. Anti-aging medicines and technologies are a priority and until they’re perfected,

cryonic suspension is a choice for many transhumanists.

Cryonics, also known as cryogenics, is the practice or technique of deep freezing the bodies of

people who have just died, with the hope that scientific advances may allow them to be revived in the

future. It is one of the most important transhumanist technologies. There are approximately 350 people

worldwide who wait on ice for the future. A far larger number have signed up to join them with hope of

reanimation. Benjamin Franklin, among others, promoted the idea of suspended animation when he said

the following:

I wish it were possible… to invent a method of embalming drowned

persons, in such a manner that they might be recalled to life at any

period, however distant; for having a very ardent desire to see and

observe the state of America a hundred years hence, I should prefer to

an ordinary death, being immersed with a few friends in a cask of

Madeira, until that time, then to be recalled to life by the solar warmth

of my dear country! But… In all probability, we live in a century too little

advanced, and too near the infancy of science, to see such an art

brought in our time to its perfection (3).

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He wrote this in a letter to a friend after watching three flies drown in Madeira, be fished out and return

to life in the sun. Cryonics is not a perfect science yet. The body is embalmed with an infusion of a

cryoprotectant before freezing that suppresses the formation of cell damaging ice crystals. It is then

suspended in liquid nitrogen at approximately -196 Celsius. Alcor and the Cryonic Institute are the two

largest cryonics centers. Between them they house 249 human patients; there are 100 stored in Russia. I

had the privilege of touring Trans Time, a cryonic facility in the East Bay. They house one human patient

at the moment, Dr. Paul Segall, who was a director of research at Cryomedical Sciences Incorporated. He

was also the late husband of my host Judy Segall, Vice President of Administration at BioTime Inc., a

biotechnology company focused on degenerative diseases. He is stored in a large silver cylinder along

with several cats, a dog, and a whale’s brain. She described her husband’s state as one of being in a

coma. There is some belief that a brain can retain memory and personal identity even after its frozen.

Once frozen, the human body can be stored for millennia, ideally with little or no tissue degradation. But

Nick Bostrom confesses apprehension about this idea in the following statement:

Becoming a Cryonicist, however, requires courage: the courage to

confront the possibility of your own death, and the courage to resist the

peer-pressure from the large portion of the population which currently

espouses deathist values and advocates complacency in the face of a

continual, massive loss of life. (16)

Bostrom wears a silver bracelet, which has a telephone number and instructions in the case of his death.

He plans to be cryogenically frozen in death with the hope that the nanotechnology required for

reanimation will become a reality in the near future. He believes that science will conquer death.

Humans have been deeply saddened, affected, and disturbed by death throughout history.

Preserved fragments of religious writings, archaeological findings in burial sites, and early artwork are

evidence that humans have sought answers and comfort by theorizing an afterlife. Transhumanists
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believe that death is not fate, that death can be a choice, that physical death can and should be cheated

using science and technology. But the commitment to defeat death also implies a lack of faith in an

afterlife. Transhumanists desire immortality. Many want to bring back family and loved ones in some

form or another. They are working to make the world a better place to live and they are exploring

options off world. Heaven on earth or beyond? Like religion, transhumanism seeks to conquer our

earthly vulnerabilities and achieve happiness and everlasting life. Right now, death is a constant part of

life. There are steps being taken to prolong life and eventually overcome death. Perhaps transhumanism

will be a religion of the future and provide a tangible solution to questions of the unknown.

The transhumanist movement is gaining momentum. They have their own political party and a

variety of supporters. Large corporations have whole divisions devoted to the study of human longevity

and immortality. New religions and established ones are branching out to incorporate transhumanist

views. David Gelles’ description of the movement as “part science, part faith, and part philosophy, the

essence of transhumanism is radical life extension and life expansion” is perceptive and easy to

comprehend (3). He sees Silicon Valley as the hub for all things transhuman.

In April 2018, I attended the Silicon Valley Comic Convention entitled What Does It Mean to be

Human? Fortunately, the famous physicist Michio Kaku appeared alongside cosplaying superheroes,

villains, real astronauts, and transhumanist celebrities. Kaku believes in human longevity and that

humanity will become a multi-planeted species and that we will have a universal Brain-net. He believes

that aging is a disease. His intelligence is terrifying and makes him seem inhuman. When I met him, I was

surprised that he was warm friendly and completely human. His panel was based on the conventions

theme and was led by the founder of TED talk Richard Saul Wurman. They began by discussing Kaku’s

new book The Future of Humanity and quickly moved on to artificial intelligence and uploading

consciousness on to computer hardware. Wurman asked him about his theory of a Brain-net where all

humans on the planet can communicate brain to brain. Kaku replied that it is a near future reality, but
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his real passion is getting us into space. He envisions a time when our consciousness can be beamed

across space enabling us to explore nearby planets, our galaxy, and ultimately our universe. He believes

that future civilizations will be defined by the technology that each one uses to explore the universe.

Right now, being confined to our planet, we are not even a type one. Kaku ascertains that we will be a

type one, a planetary civilization that can control the sources of energy and the weather on their

respective planets, within next 200 years. The discussion shifted to the topic of cyborgs and enhanced

humans. Kaku feels that humans want cybernetic enhancement but not at the cost of drastically

altering their appearance and that they would want the augmentations to be removable or subtle. He

believes that our future selves will most likely still be humanoid.

I also met with leading transhumanist politician Zoltan Istvan. He is running for governor this

year and he ran for president in 2016. I emailed Mr. Istvan on his website, assuming I would hear from

his secretary or someone working for him. I was pleased and surprised when he emailed me

immediately and suggested meeting at Peet’s coffee in Mill Valley. I had made a few assumptions about

his character from his media persona, that he would be loud, overbearing, and have a slight superiority

complex. He was exactly the opposite. Clearly passionate about his role in the fight against aging and

death, he was animated and exuberant about sharing his experiences and beliefs. Istvan was excited by

my interest and offered to make himself available if needed for further discussion. I had prepared for my

interview with him, and it entertainingly did not go as planned.

After a brief discussion about religion and transhumanism, Istvan, an atheist, admitted he had

changed his way of speaking about transhumanism because he realized the Christian faction could be a

powerful one. He quickly went on to say that he personally does not agree with their views but sees the

value in their support. He said the following:

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It’s like in the environmental movement which is similar to

transhumanism, if you can convince religious people who have

dominated politics in America to believe in the environment then you

can grow your movement dramatically — so all of a sudden this very

secular movement is branching out trying to become much more open-

minded to religious transhumanism.

He believes that America is falling behind countries such as China which is already working on

augmenting embryos. Even though we are working hard to stay ahead in science and technology, we are

often held back by perceived ethical issues.

Istvan sees himself as the spokesperson for the movement and he feel it’s important to branch

out and bringing other ideas to keep it growing. Although he himself does not always trust the ideas he

promotes. He wants to see the hard science and have it applied to himself before committing to it. He

looks forward to the reality of nanotechnology and wants the small robots monitoring his insides. He is

frustrated that our government only spends two percent of the national budget on the study of life

extension and the cure for aging. Perhaps someday the transhuman movement will produce a winner of

the Nobel peace prize for improving global humanity and gain the support they deserve.

Transhumanism is an evolving worldview. It offers a sense of direction and gives hope that

humans can achieve something greater than our present conditions. They have a strong sense of

community and a willingness to share information and work towards common goals. Many of them may

have very different or diverse goals yet they all come together under one overarching goal, the fight

against aging. Daily rituals are a large part of their quest to transcend into a better human. Some of

these are regular exercise, a strict healthy diet, supplements, and time with anything else technology, or

science can provide. A new transhumanist may go through a period of separation where they risk being

judged and ostracized by the liminal humans they leave behind. They go through a transition as they
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seek out genome mapping, genetic enhancement, and in some cases mechanical enhancement. Finally,

they hope to be reincorporated through cryogenics, reanimation, and immortality.

Transhumanism exemplifies the five functions of religion or a belief system:

Psychological support: changes to brain chemistry through gene

therapy and pharmacology help with overall feelings of happiness and

peace. The pursuit of longevity brings hope and optimism.

Explaining the unexplained: Science and technology provide answers

about the physical and tools towards the exploration of the mental.

Longevity and health allow unlimited time to explore possibilities of life.

Social control: the transhumanist believes in a society where everyone

has equal opportunity socially, physically, and mentally. Their

declaration and bill of rights both advocate a system of intelligence and

progress.

Social cohesion: transhumanists believe in a system where all

boundaries are merged. Race, gender, politics, religion, and social

economic status are not factors when creating a world where

humankind focuses on the health of our environment and exploration

of our possibilities.

Positive social change: by curing the disease of aging and ultimately

death, transhumanists hope to create a world with quality in all things

and a common goal of mental and physical evolution among

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humankind. Transhumanists seek to make their dreams come true in

this world and to make it a better place in the process.

My experience over the last few months has been interesting and fun with a touch of bazaar.

Originally, I was intrigued by the idea of transhumanism because of my love for science fiction. I had

been watching a Netflix show called Altered Carbon – based on the novel of the same title by Richard

Morgan -- which inspired my ethnography topic. The show is set several hundred years in the future.

Immortality is a reality and consciousness can be transferred and preserved in what is called a “stack,”

which is similar to a flash drive. Religion still exists but it does not hold the power or the importance it

does in this lifetime. There is a huge separation between the wealthy and the working class. Death is a

choice. After finishing my research on this project none of these seem like fiction.

Transhumanism is a social movement that strives to eradicate aging and death. During my

research, I experienced an inordinate amount of death in a very short amount of time. I had to take the

carcasses of two beloved horses to be cremated and another horse to an emergency hospital where she

died in surgery hours after I looked into her eyes. Then my boyfriend lost his mother, missing the

chance to say goodbye by two minutes. One week later we were at her funeral. After her burial, I

watched him suffer through a multitude of emotions, silently. I suddenly saw transhumanism through

different eyes. Current science and technology had not been able to ease her suffering. What if she

could’ve been cryogenically suspended until there was a cure and he could see her alive again?

Strangely enough, I had the opportunity to tour a cryogenic facility a week after that. I looked

forward to my tour at Trans Time. I imagined a place like the one Don DeLillo describes in the novel

Zero K, smooth, stark white marble walls, and long cold hallways leading to vast rooms filled with rows

of human bodies in gleaming pods. I would be lying if I said it was a pleasurable experience. The reality

was undeniably creepy. A sad warehouse that showed signs of wear and weather. An interior that

appeared as if it had been staged in the past and forgotten with machines and medical equipment
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outdated and inoperable. My host Judy was a small, shy, grey woman who seemed happy to share her

experience and knowledge with us. When we left the cylinder room where her husband is stored, I

caught her furtively glancing into a small square mirror on an upper wall of an otherwise unadorned

hallway. For a split second, her face showed terror and her body spasmed in fear. I can hardly imagine

what she expected to see in the reflection. She hustled us into a side room and quickly shut the door.

She kept us in there for an awkward amount of time before taking us to the front office where we said

our goodbyes.

This project has taken me into a world on the edge of my imagination. I must admit my research

is not over. Many more fascinating transhumanists have come forward to discuss their ideas.

Here is a list of reading and websites that I recommend to anyone interested in transhumanism:

Bostrom, Nick. Superintelligence

Clark, Andy. Natural-Born Cyborgs

De Grey, Aubrey. Ending Aging

Garreau, Joel. Radical Evolution

Haraway, Donna. A Cyborg Manifesto

Kaku, Michio. The Future of Humanity

Kaku, Michio. The Future of the Mind

Kurzweil, Ray. The Age of Spiritual Machines

Kurzweil, Ray. The Singularity is Near

Moravec, Hans. Mind Children

Moravec, Hans. Robot

More, Max. The Transhumanist Reader

Humanity+. humanityplus.org

The Transhumanist Association. www.transhumanist.com

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Works Consulted

Agar, Nicholas. “Whereto Transhumanism.” Hastings Center Report, vol. 37, no. 3, 2007, pp. 12–17.

Bostrom, Nick. “The Tranhumanist FAQ 2.1.” Oxford University, 2003, pp. 1–53.

Bostrom, Nick. “Transhumanist Values.” Review of Contemporary Philosophy, vol. 4, May 2005, pp. 1–13.

Bostrom, Nick. “A History of Tranhumanist Thought.” Academic Writing Across the Disciplines, 2011.

Hughes, James J. “The Politics of Transhumanism And The Techno-Millennial Imagination, 1626-

2030.” Zygon®, vol. 47, no. 4, 2012, pp. 757–776.

Huxley, Julian. New Bottles for New Wine: Essays. Readers Union, 1959.

Istvan, Zoltan. The Transhumanist Wager. Futurity Imagine Media LLC, 2013.

Istvan, Zoltan. “Do We Have Free Will Because God Killed Itself?” Motherboard, Motherboard, 4 May 2015,

motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/nzem3x/do-we-have-free-will-because-god-killed-herself.

O’Connel, Mark. To Be A Machine: Adventures among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers, and the Futurists

Solving... the Modest Problem of Death. GRANTA BOOKS, 2018.

Schneider, Susan. “Future Minds: Transhumanism, Cognitive Enhancement and The Nature of

Persons.” Penn Bioethics Reader, 7 Jan. 2008, pp. 1–16.

Segall, Paul, and Carol Kahn. Living Longer, Growing Younger: Remarkable Breakthroughs in Life Extension.

Times Books, 1989.

“Transhumanist Declaration.” Arguments against Cryonics - H Pedia,

hpluspedia.org/wiki/Transhumanist_Declaration.

“U.S. Transhumanist Party – Official Website.” US Transhumanist Party Official Website, transhumanist-

party.org/tbr-2/.