You can see how they used cell phone software updates to train people to mindlessly embrace this transhumanism bullshit: First they tell you that this here phone is the most amazing device ever created. You look into it and agree it does some cool things you can use, so you buy it. Within a handful of weeks they're harassing you to install software updates because what you have sucks balls and it's completely outdated and you're a troglodyte for using it. If you resist long enough because you like it and it works fine, they'll eventually make it obsolete and force you into the update. I quit banking with Chase because every couple of months those pricks would tell me that the version of Safari I was using was no longer good enough to access my account on their website.
Then they do the same thing with the hardware, which is why you see thousands of morons camping outside malls to get the latest version of phone X the day it becomes available because it has seven more pixels, or something. The item in question--software or hardware--is better just because it's newer. Do you need it? Did the old version work just fine? Why TF do I have to "upgrade" my phone's software just because Apple tweaked Garage Band or enhanced Siri's spyware? You don't have to be a Luddite to see what they're doing by hyping "newness" as the only yard stick for technology, without any regard for context. Now millions of idiots will bark like seals and line up to get chip implants. No thought will be given to whether "newness" is always synonymous with "progress," much less morality--or even whether there's really anything new about the anti-human craving to control and be controlled.
As for the predictive programming vs. prophetic warnings, I'm reminded again of Frank Herbert's future in which the existence of computers was outlawed. Humanity will regret the day it embraced AI for anything other than making pictures of hot men with their shirts off.
It really does look primed to go that way. Get us used to endless updates for apps and operating systems, then eventually have the body running on some kind of operating system too. Hope it does not happen. I received a weird warning today whereby I cannot view Substack notes. It says:
"You can’t view notes at this time.
We’ve limited your ability to view notes due to a potential violation of Substack’s Content Guidelines. If you believe this is a mistake, you can submit an appeal to our Trust & Safety team."
I have submitted an appeal to ask what violation has taken place. Can you still see my last note which I restacked this article with? I wonder if the algorithm picked up on "I'm anti-Transhumanism" and saw that as a violation?!
*edit - can now view notes and comment on my own articles again. That was weird.
Thank you for a comprehensive summary of current and possible future tech futures!
I struggle to find words to convey my feelings- I need to reread and ponder.
However, my initial view is that transhumanism is pretty shallow. It purports to solve problems but, in my view, merely skids over them and produces just a different arrangement of molecules. Whilst I reflect, allow me to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.
You can see how they used cell phone software updates to train people to mindlessly embrace this transhumanism bullshit: First they tell you that this here phone is the most amazing device ever created. You look into it and agree it does some cool things you can use, so you buy it. Within a handful of weeks they're harassing you to install software updates because what you have sucks balls and it's completely outdated and you're a troglodyte for using it. If you resist long enough because you like it and it works fine, they'll eventually make it obsolete and force you into the update. I quit banking with Chase because every couple of months those pricks would tell me that the version of Safari I was using was no longer good enough to access my account on their website.
Then they do the same thing with the hardware, which is why you see thousands of morons camping outside malls to get the latest version of phone X the day it becomes available because it has seven more pixels, or something. The item in question--software or hardware--is better just because it's newer. Do you need it? Did the old version work just fine? Why TF do I have to "upgrade" my phone's software just because Apple tweaked Garage Band or enhanced Siri's spyware? You don't have to be a Luddite to see what they're doing by hyping "newness" as the only yard stick for technology, without any regard for context. Now millions of idiots will bark like seals and line up to get chip implants. No thought will be given to whether "newness" is always synonymous with "progress," much less morality--or even whether there's really anything new about the anti-human craving to control and be controlled.
As for the predictive programming vs. prophetic warnings, I'm reminded again of Frank Herbert's future in which the existence of computers was outlawed. Humanity will regret the day it embraced AI for anything other than making pictures of hot men with their shirts off.
It really does look primed to go that way. Get us used to endless updates for apps and operating systems, then eventually have the body running on some kind of operating system too. Hope it does not happen. I received a weird warning today whereby I cannot view Substack notes. It says:
"You can’t view notes at this time.
We’ve limited your ability to view notes due to a potential violation of Substack’s Content Guidelines. If you believe this is a mistake, you can submit an appeal to our Trust & Safety team."
I have submitted an appeal to ask what violation has taken place. Can you still see my last note which I restacked this article with? I wonder if the algorithm picked up on "I'm anti-Transhumanism" and saw that as a violation?!
*edit - can now view notes and comment on my own articles again. That was weird.
I'm the wrong person to ask complex technical questions like that. I'm not even sure what Notes is.
Thank you for a comprehensive summary of current and possible future tech futures!
I struggle to find words to convey my feelings- I need to reread and ponder.
However, my initial view is that transhumanism is pretty shallow. It purports to solve problems but, in my view, merely skids over them and produces just a different arrangement of molecules. Whilst I reflect, allow me to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.