{"id":4192,"date":"2019-05-29T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T05:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/?p=4192"},"modified":"2019-05-22T16:58:37","modified_gmt":"2019-05-22T14:58:37","slug":"el-posthumano-podria-ser-mas-refinado-emocionalmente-que-las-personas-actuales-una-entrevista-con-natasha-vita-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/?p=4192","title":{"rendered":"\u00abEl posthumano podr\u00eda ser m\u00e1s refinado emocionalmente que las personas actuales\u00bb: una entrevista con Natasha Vita-More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Por Sara Lumbreras<\/u>) La Dra. Natasha Vita-More es dise\u00f1adora, artista, licenciada en filosof\u00eda y empresaria. Se encuentra entre los primeros pensadores en considerar seriamente la idea revolucionaria de <\/strong>dise\u00f1ar nuestros cuerpos<\/strong><\/em> usando la tecnolog\u00eda, que ya aparece en su pel\u00edcula \u00abBreaking away\u00bb de 1980. En 1982 escribi\u00f3 el manifiesto transhumanista, que se incluy\u00f3 a bordo de la misi\u00f3n espacial Cassini. Actualmente es directora ejecutiva de Humanity+Inc, la asociaci\u00f3n de transhumanistas m\u00e1s importante del mundo, y fundadora del laboratorio de H+. Sus intereses se centran en los usos \u00e9ticos de la ciencia y la tecnolog\u00eda y las implicaciones socio-pol\u00edticas de los avances revolucionarios que impactar\u00e1n el futuro de la humanidad. Vita-More ha aceptado amablemente participar en esta entrevista que publicamos en espa\u00f1ol y en ingl\u00e9s.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara Lumbreras<\/strong>: Muchas gracias por esta entrevista. Deber\u00eda comenzar\u00a0present\u00e1ndote, pero no es una tarea f\u00e1cil.\u00a0Tienes tantas facetas diferentes:\u00a0dise\u00f1o, emprendimiento, ciencia\u00a0…\u00a0Me gustar\u00eda comenzar pregunt\u00e1ndote:\u00a0\u00bfC\u00f3mo te defines?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natasha Vita-More<\/strong>: C\u00f3mo me defino a m\u00ed misma depende de qu\u00e9 est\u00e9 haciendo en cada momento. Por ejemplo, soy profesora e investigadora. Tambi\u00e9n realizo proyectos de dise\u00f1o que tienen como objetivo tender puentes entre disciplinas. Tambi\u00e9n soy una investigadora cient\u00edfica\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Por cierto, enhorabuena,\u00a0tu equipo estuvo en todas las noticias cuando\u00a0se complet\u00f3\u00a0el experimento sobre la conservaci\u00f3n de la memoria en la\u00a0criogenizaci\u00f3n\u00a0…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: … Sin embargo, ninguno de estos roles me completa. El proceso a trav\u00e9s del cual trabajo, o la praxis de mi trabajo, combina innovaci\u00f3n, imaginaci\u00f3n e inspiraci\u00f3n en todos los roles que ocupo. Soy una exploradora impulsada por el deseo de aprender y conocer a otros que est\u00e1n en un viaje similar al m\u00edo. Siento una llamada po\u00e9tica que se ilumina cuando hablo con alguien sobre el significado de la vida. Mi investigaci\u00f3n se centra en las preguntas a las que se enfrenta la humanidad hoy y que afectan a nuestro futuro, desde la inteligencia artificial hasta la mejora humana, la extensi\u00f3n de la vida y la exploraci\u00f3n del espacio. Soy m\u00e1s escritora que dise\u00f1adora, ya que escribo sobre temas culturales, filos\u00f3ficos y sociopol\u00edticos sobre lo que significa ser humano. Intento crear conciencia sobre nuestra trayectoria y reflexionar sobre hacia d\u00f3nde nos dirigimos. Mi estudio examina qui\u00e9n o qu\u00e9 gobernar\u00e1 nuestro futuro, c\u00f3mo podemos plantear estrategias para combatir algunas amenazas existenciales y evaluar el alcance de la IA y las supercomputadoras, crear conciencia sobre la ciberseguridad y proteger los derechos humanos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Hablando de amenazas, algunos autores como Nick\u00a0Bostrom\u00a0han difundido la idea de que la inteligencia artificial es\u00a0algo de lo\u00a0que debemos\u00a0desconfiar.\u00a0\u00bfCu\u00e1l es tu punto de vista?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Las amenazas m\u00e1s relevantes y actuales de la IA son m\u00e1s te\u00f3ricas que reales, pero esto no disminuye sus consecuencias. Por ejemplo, hoy usamos IA d\u00e9bil en casi todos nuestros sistemas electr\u00f3nicos o digitales. La IA d\u00e9bil est\u00e1 orientada a una tarea espec\u00edfica. La IA general, en cambio, desarrollar\u00e1 sensibilidad y sapiencia. En este punto, si se programan y desarrollan tales niveles de inteligencia de m\u00e1quina o inteligencia artificial, el AGI o la EFS acabar\u00e1n siendo mucho m\u00e1s inteligentes que un humano. A esto es a lo que nos referimos cuando hablamos de la singularidad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>:\u00a0Sin embargo, dices que si una amenaza es s\u00f3lo\u00a0te\u00f3rica,\u00a0la manera m\u00e1s responsable de actuar es la prudencia.\u00a0El tema de la responsabilidad me lleva a mi siguiente pregunta.\u00a0\u00bfPodr\u00edas explicar\u00a0a nuestros\u00a0lectores\u00a0tu concepto de cient\u00edficos\u00a0ciudadanos\u00a0y su papel en la sociedad del futuro?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Los ciudadanos son los habitantes de una regi\u00f3n geogr\u00e1fica particular y tambi\u00e9n de un dominio del conocimiento espec\u00edfico. La ciencia incluye tanto las ciencias blandas como la psicolog\u00eda, la sociolog\u00eda y la pol\u00edtica, como a las ciencias duras como la f\u00edsica, la qu\u00edmica o la biolog\u00eda. Un cient\u00edfico ciudadano es una persona cuyas ideas y trabajos est\u00e1n registrados en el \u00e1mbito de la ciencia pero se identifican con los intereses sociopol\u00edticos del contexto que habita. Estos intereses incluyen por ejemplo el medioambiente y la comprensi\u00f3n de la ecolog\u00eda del mundo en que vivimos. El papel de los cient\u00edficos ciudadanos es clave, por ejemplo, al reflexionar sobre c\u00f3mo vivir m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de la vida \u00fatil biol\u00f3gica humana, erradicar ciertas enfermedades potencialmente mortales, la mejora y la ingenier\u00eda gen\u00e9tica o la adaptaci\u00f3n a nuevos entornos dentro o fuera de la Tierra. Este rol tambi\u00e9n aborda la salud de nuestro entorno: agua limpia, aire limpio, contaminaci\u00f3n y la pr\u00e1ctica de un estilo de vida saludable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>:\u00a0Un\u00a0concepto que es clave en\u00a0tu visi\u00f3n -y que resuena mucho con la visi\u00f3n de la ingenier\u00eda que tenemos en la Facultad de Ingenier\u00eda ICAI de\u00a0Comillas-\u00a0es el papel de los dise\u00f1adores en la sociedad.\u00a0\u00bfPodr\u00edas por favor explicar esto?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Los dise\u00f1adores somos solucionadores de problemas. Observamos todas las variables dentro de un sistema y consideramos c\u00f3mo se relacionan. Estas variables son cualquier elemento: para una puerta podr\u00edamos considerar el color de las paredes, o c\u00f3mo la luz del sol entra en una habitaci\u00f3n. El dise\u00f1o tambi\u00e9n es una forma de estar en el mundo, especialmente a trav\u00e9s de pensamientos y acciones. Por ejemplo, si algo parece fuera de lugar, discordante o incongruente, es probable que est\u00e9 matem\u00e1ticamente y est\u00e9ticamente desequilibrado. Esto aplica a nuestros dispositivos inform\u00e1ticos, a la forma y funci\u00f3n de la arquitectura, y tambi\u00e9n a nuestra propia vida, as\u00ed como para el comportamiento, el estilo y la voz de una persona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: \u00bfSe puede aplicar esta definici\u00f3n de dise\u00f1o como resoluci\u00f3n de problemas a cualquier contexto?\u00a0\u00bfCu\u00e1l ser\u00eda tu definici\u00f3n de dise\u00f1o?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: El dise\u00f1o es importante en todas las \u00e1reas de la vida. En pol\u00edtica, si una ley no est\u00e1 claramente definida no se puede seguir. En los negocios, si un contrato no es preciso se puede anular. En ciencia, si una teor\u00eda no es coherente con los resultados, no sirve.  En las noticias, si las referencias no se citan en el texto con fuentes precisas, entonces se considera una opini\u00f3n subjetiva en lugar de cuentas objetivas. En moda, si las costuras de un traje no est\u00e1n bien hechas, no durar\u00e1. Por lo tanto, el dise\u00f1o la aplicaci\u00f3n pr\u00e1ctica de materiales para producir algo que funcione. Adem\u00e1s,el dise\u00f1o inteligente no solo funciona, sino que es emocionante experimentarlo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>:\u00a0En relaci\u00f3n con esto, \u00bfcu\u00e1l es el papel de la est\u00e9tica en el\u00a0dise\u00f1o del Nuevo Humano?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: El Nuevo Humano est\u00e1 experimentando cambios provocados por la gen\u00e9tica, la interacci\u00f3n hombre-m\u00e1quina con nuestros dispositivos inteligentes, las cuerdas vocales electr\u00f3nicas y digitalizadas, los implantes para la audici\u00f3n, los psicof\u00e1rmacos, las pr\u00f3tesis, la rob\u00f3tica y los \u00f3rganos artificiales. La vida \u00fatil humana de 122,3 a\u00f1os est\u00e1 siendo cuestionada. La gente vivir\u00e1 m\u00e1s tiempo y estar\u00e1 m\u00e1s sana. Las personas tambi\u00e9n tendr\u00e1n una alternativa a los atributos f\u00edsicos humanos est\u00e1ndar, como los tatuajes que no solo ser\u00e1n est\u00e9ticos, sino que tambi\u00e9n realizar\u00e1n funciones biol\u00f3gicas. Habr\u00e1 pendientes y otras joyas impresionantes, pero que tambi\u00e9n nos servir\u00e1n para comunicarnos. Las mejoras y aumentos en el cuerpo humano ser\u00e1n saludables, mantendr\u00e1n la vida y tambi\u00e9n brillar\u00e1n con colores elegantes y texturas sorprendentes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Entonces, \u00bfestas mejoras reflejar\u00e1n de alguna manera el car\u00e1cter de cada persona?\u00a0\u00bfO las posibilidades de mejora conducir\u00edan a una sociedad m\u00e1s homog\u00e9nea?\u00a0\u00bfC\u00f3mo de diversa ser\u00e1 la sociedad del futuro?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: La mejora llevar\u00e1 a una enorme diversidad. Por ejemplo, no todos tienen la misma percepci\u00f3n y opini\u00f3n de la belleza. Las sociedades de todo el mundo han expresado la belleza de manera diferente, en funci\u00f3n de su cultura. Un cuello largo africano es hermoso para unos y para otros, no. La antigua tradici\u00f3n de alargamiento del cuello de las mujeres de Myanmar del sudeste asi\u00e1tico se considera bella y elegante. El plato de labios de las tribus Omo de Etiop\u00eda se considera una expresi\u00f3n de la edad adulta social y el potencial reproductivo. La escarificaci\u00f3n de los hombres j\u00f3venes de la tribu Karo en Pap\u00faa Nueva Guinea representa un ritual de paso y una forma de arte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>:\u00a0Por\u00a0lo\u00a0tanto,\u00a0enfatizas\u00a0que debemos entender la belleza\u00a0(y probablemente tambi\u00e9n la capacidad)\u00a0como una expresi\u00f3n de la identidad cultural y humana.\u00a0\u00bfC\u00f3mo participar\u00edan los cuerpos dise\u00f1ados\u00a0de\u00a0la identidad humana?\u00a0En general,\u00a0\u00bfc\u00f3mo crees que la identidad humana est\u00e1 ligada al cuerpo?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Desde mi punto de vista, la identidad humana es el n\u00facleo de la conciencia, que se compone de nuestros recuerdos y experiencias. Esta se encuentra en la mente de nuestro cerebro y es influenciado por el sistema sensorial del cuerpo y el sistema nervioso, ya que interact\u00faan con nuestros pensamientos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Uno de los temas m\u00e1s preocupantes sobre la mejora es la universalidad de\u00a0su\u00a0disponibilidad.\u00a0Es\u00a0posible que estas tecnolog\u00edas no lleguen al alcance de todos y que se cree una humanidad de dos niveles.\u00a0\u00bfC\u00f3mo crees que se puede resolver\u00a0este problema?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Una de las preocupaciones que he abordado durante muchos a\u00f1os es el \u201ctener\u201d y el \u201cno-tener\u201d, una noci\u00f3n desarrollada a mediados de la d\u00e9cada de 1990 basada en supuestos de que solo los ricos tendr\u00e1n acceso a las nuevas tecnolog\u00edas. Esta es una conjetura inexacta. Por ejemplo, Internet est\u00e1 disponible para todos. Son los gobiernos y sus respectivas leyes los que limitan su uso. Son los gobiernos los que podr\u00edan crear una sociedad de dos niveles. En los pa\u00edses que son democr\u00e1ticos o proporcionan igualdad a sus ciudadanos, las personas tienen la oportunidad de tener \u00e9xito. Para tener \u00e9xito, una persona no tiene que ser rica para tener acceso a la mejor tecnolog\u00eda. Sin embargo, si este fuera el caso y hubiera una desigualdad en la sociedad que separara claramente a los ricos de los pobres, esta separaci\u00f3n no podr\u00eda durar. La fabricaci\u00f3n molecular los igualar\u00eda. Esto est\u00e1 muy vinculado al concepto de abundancia, y a que los residuos ser\u00edan cosa del pasado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Tu \u00faltimo comentario sobre la abundancia me recuerda los\u00a0postulados de algunos\u00a0tecno-optimistas.\u00a0\u00bfQu\u00e9 piensas, por ejemplo, del futuro del trabajo?\u00a0Muchos autores, como Jeremy Rifkin, prev\u00e9n que los humanos muy pronto podr\u00edan dejar de necesitar trabajar.\u00a0\u00bfCu\u00e1l es tu punto de vista?\u00a0\u00bfTrabajar\u00e1n los posthumanos?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Los posthumanos son un concepto te\u00f3rico. Lo m\u00e1s probable es que sean una inteligencia artificial general y puedan tomar forma de avatar o robot. Sin embargo, tambi\u00e9n es probable que los humanos evolucionen a un estado posthumano, donde la biolog\u00eda y la tecnolog\u00eda se fusionen. El humano podr\u00eda mejorar su cuerpo y sus capacidades cognitivas. Los factores determinantes ser\u00edan la sapiencia y la sensibilidad. Si un posthumano tuviera estos dos atributos, lo m\u00e1s probable es que se le reconocieran derechos. La sapiencia es la capacidad de pensar y razonar. La sensibilidad es la capacidad de autoconciencia y de percibir el entorno. Con estos dos atributos cognitivos, los posthumanos ser\u00edan ciudadanos y, si trabajasen, recibir\u00edan el mismo salario que un humano por su trabajo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: El humano aumentado o el AGI con sapiencia y sensibilidad (o\u00a0m\u00e1quinas espirituales\u00a0como lo expres\u00f3 Kurzweil) podr\u00eda ser muy diferente con respecto a sus experiencias centrales.\u00a0Por ejemplo: \u00bfC\u00f3mo podr\u00eda ser el amor para un posthumano?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Si los posthumanos fueran la integraci\u00f3n de AI \/ AGI y la biolog\u00eda humana, entonces conocer\u00eda el amor tal y como lo experimentamos los humanos. Si fuera una agencia completamente no biol\u00f3gica, entonces su comprensi\u00f3n del amor podr\u00eda ser diferente. A menudo, el amor humano es confuso y por ejemplo se confunde entre amor y deseo sexual, lo que puede causar estr\u00e9s emocional y problemas como la envidia y los celos. Un posthumano podr\u00eda ser m\u00e1s refinado emocionalmente que un humano y experimentar un profundo amor por otro y tambi\u00e9n un apetito sexual. Podr\u00eda ser capaz de separar estas dos experiencias de amor m\u00e1s efectivamente que un humano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: En tu introducci\u00f3n, mencionaste que la b\u00fasqueda de significado es la pregunta que m\u00e1s te apasiona.\u00a0Me gustar\u00eda concluir preguntando:\u00a0\u00bfQu\u00e9 identificas como el prop\u00f3sito de tu vida?\u00a0\u00bfCu\u00e1l es el significado de la vida para ti?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Desde mi punto de vista, el prop\u00f3sito de la vida es vivirla plenamente. Cada d\u00eda es maravilloso y puede ser una aventura que ofrece m\u00faltiples oportunidades. Tambi\u00e9n hay d\u00edas en que la vida no es buena y las circunstancias parecen desmoronarse. Hay personas o circunstancias que se interponen en el camino de la felicidad. La vida es un reto. La belleza es que cada d\u00eda puede ser un nuevo d\u00eda en la historia de nuestras vidas. El significado de la vida, para m\u00ed, es personal y refleja mi deseo de abrazar la vida y hacerlo lo mejor que pueda en el mundo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entrevista realizada por Sara Lumbreras, profesora de la Escuela Superior de Ingenier\u00eda de Comillas (ICAI) y del Instituto de Investigaci\u00f3n Tecnol\u00f3gica (IIT). Es miembro del consejo asesor de la C\u00e1tedra Francisco Jos\u00e9 Ayala de Ciencia, Tecnolog\u00eda y Religi\u00f3n.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Entrevista con Natasha Vita-More en ingl\u00e9s<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abThe posthuman could be more emotionally refined than human beings today\u201d: An interview with Natasha Vita-More<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Por <\/strong>Sara Lumbreras<\/strong><\/u>) Natasha Vita-More, PhD, is a designer, an artist, a philosopher and an entrepreneur. She was one of the first thinkers to consider the revolutionary idea of\u00a0<\/strong>designing our bodies\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>using technology, which appeared already in her film \u201cBreaking away\u201d in 1980. In 1982, she wrote the transhuman manifesto, which was onboard the Cassini space mission. She is currently the executive director of Humanity+Inc, the most important association of transhumanists worldwide, and founded the H+ lab. Her interests focus on the ethical uses of science and technology and the socio-political implications of revolutionary advances impacting humanity’s future. She has kindly agreed to an interview for this magazine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Natasha Vita-More<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sara Lumbreras<\/strong>: Many thanks for this interview, Natasha. I should start by introducing you, but introducing you is not easy. You have so many different facets to yourself: design, entrepreneurship, science\u2026 I would like to start by asking you: how do you define yourself?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natasha Vita-More:<\/strong>How I define myself depends on what my activities are in relationship to. For example, I am a professor and researcher. I also practice design-based projects that aim to bridge gaps across fields. I am also a scientist who has completed a scientific breakthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Yes, your team was all over the news when the experiment about memory preservation in cryogenics was completed\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: \u2026Yet, none of these roles completes me. The process through which I function\u2014or the praxis of my work–combines innovation, imagination and inspiration in all roles that I inhabit. I am a true explorer who is driven by a desire to learn and meet others who are on a similar journey. I have a poetic flare that sizzles when I am in deep conversations about the meaning of life. My research focuses on the questions humanity is facing today that are impacting our future\u2014from AI to human enhancement, life extension and space exploration. I am more of an author than a designer, as I write about the cultural, philosophical, and socio-political issues concerning what it means to be human and an awareness of our trajectory that require us to reflect on where we are headed. My study examines who or what will govern our future, how we can strategize existential threats and assess the scope of AI and supercomputers, build awareness of cybersecurity, and protect our human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Speaking of threats, some authors such as Nick Bostrom have given fuel to the idea that artificial intelligence is something we should be wary of. What is your view?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: The most relevant and current threats of AI are more theoretical than actual, but this does not lessen the consequences.  For example, today we use Narrow AI in almost every electronic or digital system we use. Narrow AI is task oriented. What is being developed is a more self-actualized type of machine learning where the AI could develop sentience and sapience. This means that it will develop self-awareness and intelligence. This type of AI is referred to as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Strong Artificial Intelligence (SAI). At this point, if such levels of machine intelligence or artificial intelligence are programmed and developed, the AGI or SAI would be far, far more intelligent than the human and could perform high-level thinking process well-beyond human capabilities.  This is often referred to as the Technological Singularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: However, as you said, even if a threat is only theoretical yet, the most responsible way to act is to still reflect about its consequences. The issue of responsibility takes me to my next question.\u00a0Could you explain to our readers your concept of\u00a0citizen scientists\u00a0and the role in the society of the future?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Citizens are inhabitants of a particular geographical region and also a particular domain of knowledge. Science includes both the soft sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and politics, and the hard sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and geology, for example. A citizen scientist is a person whose ideas and works are logged in the province of the broad range of science but are largely identified by the socio-political interests. These interests include environmental issues and understanding the ecology of the world we live in. The role of citizen scientists and the future of society tap into the possible changes humans are facing, such as living behind the human biological shelf life, eradicating certain life-threatening diseases, human enhancement and genetic engineering, adapting to new environments off Earth and within our Solar System. Further, the role also addresses some of the consequences we are facing with the health of our environment\u2014clean water, clean air, pollution, and practicing a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and in conjunction with our environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: One concept that is key in your vision – and that resonates very much with the vision of engineering we have at the ICAI School of Engineering in Comillas- is the role of designers in society. Could you please elaborate on this?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Designers are problem-solvers. We look at all variables within a system and consider how they influence each other and if they form succinct relationships. The variables are any element\u2014from an entrance way to the color of the walls, to how the sunlight enters a room. Design also is a way of being in the world, especially through thoughts and actions. For example, if something seems out of place, discordant, or incongruous then it is probably mathematically and aesthetically out-of-balance. This can pertain to our computer devices, the form and function of architecture, and to our own lives–well as to a person\u2019s manners, style, and voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Can this definition of design as problem-solving be applied to any context? What would be your definition of design?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Design is meaningful to our all areas of our lives. In politics, if a law is not crystal clear then it cannot be adequately followed. In business, if a contract is not precise, then it can be disenfranchised or marginalized. In science, if a protocol does not provide evidence-based results, it falls short. In news, if references are not cited in-text with accurate sources, then it is considered subjective opinion rather than factual accounts. In fashion, if the seams are not secure, the suit will unravel. Thus, design is the process of using practical application of materials to bring about a product, process, or project that functions. Smart design not only functions, it is exciting to experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: In relation to this, what is the role of aesthetics in the design of the New Human as you conceive it?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: The New Human is undergoing changes brought about by genetics, human-computer-interaction with our smart devices, electronic and digitized vocal chords, implants for hearing, chemicals to adjust and fine-tune brain functioning, prosthetics, robotics, and cloning organs are ways to augment and upgrade our physique. The human shelf-life of 122.3 years is under examination. People will live longer and healthier. People will also have alternative to the standard human physical attributes, such as tattoos that are not only aesthetic but also perform life-saving tasks. Earrings and other d\u00e9cor that is stunning but also communicates with us. The enhancements and augmentations to the human body will be healthy and sustain life and also shimmer and shine with colors and textures comprised of elegant strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Then, would these enhancements be somehow reflective of the character of each person? Or would the possibilities of enhancement lead to a more homogenous society? How diverse would the future society be?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Enhancement would lead to enormous diversity and uniqueness. As an example, not everyone has the same perception and opinion of beauty. Societies throughout the world have expressed beauty differently, based on their culture. An African long neck is beautiful to some and not others. The ancient tradition of neck elongation of Myanmar women of Southeast Asia is considered to be beautiful and elegant. The lip saucer (plates) of a tribe in the Omo Valley of Southern Ethiopia is considered an expression of social adulthood and reproductive potential. Scarification of young men of the Karo tribe in Papua New Guinea represents a rite of passage and an esteemed art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Therefore you would stress that we need to understand beauty (and probably also ability) as an expression of cultural and human identity. How would the designed bodies participate of human identity? In general, how do you think human identity is linked to our minds and bodies?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: In my view, human identity is the core of consciousness, which is comprised of our memories and experiences. This is located in our brain\u2019s mind and is influenced by the bodily sensorial system and nervous system as they interact with our thoughts in forming this consciousness or self-awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: One of the most concerning issues about enhancement is the universality of its availability. It is possible that the technologies would not be available to everyone, and that a two-tier humanity would follow. How do you think this problem can be solved?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: One concern I have addressed for many years is about the haves and the have nots, a notion developed in the mid-1990s based on assumptions that only the wealthy will have access to new technologies. This is inaccurate conjecture. The Internet is available to everyone. It is the governing bodies and their respective laws that intervene with its access and usage. If governing bodies create a two-tiered society, then this society would be under the auspices and dictates of such government. For the countries that are democratic or provide equality to their citizens, then people have the opportunity to succeed. To succeed, a person does not have to be wealthy to have access to the top technology. However, if this were the case and there was inequality in society that distinctly separated out the rich from the poor, it would not last. The idea of molecular manufacturing would even out the playing field. This is one resolve, and a very important resolve. It links heavily to the concept of abundance and where waste would be a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: Your latest remark about abundance reminds me of the tecno-optimist postulates. What do you think about, for instance, the future of work? Many authors, such as Jeremy Rifkin, foresee that humans might very soon not work for compensation. What is your view? Will posthumans work?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: Posthumans are a theoretical concept. Most likely, they will be high-functioning Artificial general intelligence and can take on the form of an avatar or robot. However, it is also likely that humans will evolve into a posthuman state, where biology and technology merge. The human could enhance and augment his body and cognitive properties to be posthuman. The determining factor is sapience and sentience. If a posthuman has these two attributes, they will most likely receive human-like rights. Sapience is the ability to think and to reason and forms wisdom and sanctity. Sentience is self-awareness and to perceive the environment. With both these two cognitive attributes, posthumans will be citizens and receive equal pay for work. Apart from the posthuman concept is the issue of robots and automation. If robots have sapience and sentience, they too would require and\/or be given rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: The augmented human or the AGI with sapience and sentience (or\u00a0spiritual machines\u00a0as Kurzweil expressed it) could be very different with respect to their core experiences. For instance: how different will love be for the posthuman?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: If the posthuman were the integration of AI\/AGI and human biology, then it would know love as experienced by the human. If it were an entirely non-biological agency, then its understanding of love might be different. Often, the human confused love and sexual desire, which can cause emotional stress and problems such as envy and jealousy. A posthuman could be more emotionally refined than a human and experience a deep love of another and also a sexual appetite. It might be able to separate these two experiences of love more effectively than a human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SL<\/strong>: In your introduction, you mentioned that the search for meaning is probably the quest that ignites you the most. I would like to conclude by asking: What do you identify as the purpose of your life? What is the meaning of life to you?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVM<\/strong>: In my view, the purpose of life is to live it fully. Each day of life is wonderous and can be an adventure offering multiple opportunities. Yet, there are days when life is not great, and circumstances seem to fall apart. People or incidents get in the way of happiness. Life is challenging. The beauty is that each day can be a new day in the narrative of our lives. The meaning of life, for me, is personal and reflects my desire to embrace life and do my best in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara Lumbreras is a professor at the ICAI School of Engineering (ICAI) and the Institute for Research in Technology (IIT). She is a part of the council of the Science, Technology and Religion Chair at the Comillas Pontifical University.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Por Sara Lumbreras) La Dra. Natasha Vita-More es dise\u00f1adora, artista, licenciada en filosof\u00eda y empresaria. Se encuentra entre los primeros pensadores en considerar seriamente la idea revolucionaria de dise\u00f1ar nuestros cuerpos usando la tecnolog\u00eda, que ya aparece en su pel\u00edcula \u00abBreaking away\u00bb de 1980. En 1982 escribi\u00f3 el manifiesto transhumanista, que se incluy\u00f3 a bordo de la misi\u00f3n espacial Cassini. Actualmente es directora ejecutiva … Leer m\u00e1s<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":263,"featured_media":4207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[121],"tags":[490,403,314,487,250],"class_list":["post-4192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transhumanismo-y-posthumanismo","tag-envejecimiento","tag-poshumanismo","tag-posthumanismo","tag-singularidad","tag-transhumanismo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/263"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4192"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4213,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4192\/revisions\/4213"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.comillas.edu\/FronterasCTR\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}