** Apologies for any cross-posting **
FUTURE HUMAN: ARE WE READY FOR HUMANITY 2.0?
BioCentre is pleased to announce details about its 2011–12 thought leader teleconference series.
The second call in the series takes place THIS week:
- FRIDAY 9th DECEMBER 2011, 3pm (UK time) with JUSTINA ROBSON, leading UK sci-fi author
[CONTEXT]
Developments in emerging technologies and their corresponding convergence are leading to very great increases in our power over matter, including human nature itself.
As we speed up the exponential curve of Moore’s Law, the challenges that these advances in technology help us to focus on one key perennial question: what does it mean to be human?
At the heart of every human culture lies a core set of assumptions about human nature. These assumptions are typically unstated, self–evident to members of the group and therefore almost invisible in their common life. Yet they become more evident as we become aware that they are in dispute; that the culture is unsure of its assumptions; that it is in the process of changing them. As advances in nanoscience, artificial intelligence and biotechnology continue the future of humanity is thrown into question. How should we treat human beings both now and in the future? Does the future hold some form of new, even post–human?
This series will invite key thought leaders and commentators to share their ideas, opinions and comments on the future of humanity and give opportunity for other callers to ask questions and discuss the issues raised. In seeking to “host the conversation” BioCentre aims to gather together all articulate voices in order to have a productive conversation which spans the disciplines.
Telecons are open to all and accessible worldwide.
[FUTURE HUMAN: A SCI-FI PERSPECTIVE]
with Justina Robson
Friday 9th December 2011, 3pm (UK time)
From the angle of a sci–fi writer, Justina Robson will offer her thoughts and reflections as to SF’s visions on the future of humanity, the challenges posed by robotics and AI and what she believes are the key questions which we need to be considering and thinking about.
To receive call–in details, email your name and affiliation to: [log in to unmask]
Robson attended the Clarion West Writing Workshop and was first published in 1994 in the British small press magazine The Third Alternative, but is best known as a novelist.
Her debut novel Silver Screen was shortlisted for both the Arthur C Clarke Award and the BSFA Award in 2000. Her second novel, Mappa Mundi, was also shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award in 2001. It won the 2000 Amazon.co.uk Writer’s Bursary. In 2004, Natural History, Robson’s third novel, was shortlisted for the BSFA Award, and came second in the John W Campbell Award.
In 2002 she was invited to take part in the UK Government’s Foresight Project’s Cognitive Science brainstorming sessions. Robson’s novels have been noted for sharply–drawn characters, and an intelligent and deeply thought–out approach to the tropes of the genre. She has been described as “one of the very best of the new British hard SF writers”.
For more information: http://www.bioethics.ac.uk/news/Future-Human-Are-we-ready-for-Humanity-2.0.php
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