← Back to Concept Indexmind-uploading
The process of translating consciousness between different substrates, such as from a virtual machine to a gleisner robot body, raising questions about identity and continuity.
Written by the Tronix Library
3 chapters across 3 books
Chapter 4In this chapter, Yatima and Inoshiro awaken as clones inhabiting gleisner robot bodies to explore a flesher enclave on Earth, navigating the challenges of physical embodiment and the ethical and existential implications of their mission. They reflect on identity continuity across different substrates, the limitations imposed by physical reality compared to their usual virtual existence, and the risks involved in their unauthorized incursion into the enclave. The chapter explores their interpersonal dynamics, doubts, and commitment to shared experience despite the dangers.
Chapter 9: Beyond Human 1. Zvonimir Vrselja et al., “Restoration of Brain Circulation and Cellular Functions Hours Post- Mortem,” Nature 568 (2019): 336–343, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1099–1. 2. Nita A. Farahany, Henry T. Greely and Charles Giattino, “Part-Revived Pig Brains Raise Slew of Ethical Quandaries,” Nature , April 17, 2019, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019- 01168–9. 3. Benjamin D. Ross, “Transhumanism: An Ontology of the World’s Most Dangerous Idea” (PhD dissertation, University of North Texas, May 2019), https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1505282/. 4. Celina Ribeiro, “Beyond Our ‘Ape-Brained Meat Sacks’: Can Transhumanism Save Our Species?,” The Guardian, June 3, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/04/beyond-our-ape-brained-meat-sacks-can- transhumanism-save-our-species. 5. Ribeiro, “Beyond Our ‘Ape-Brained Meat Sacks.’” 6. Ribeiro. 7. Raffi Khatchadourian, “The Doomsday Invention: Will Artificial Intelligence Bring Us Utopia or Destruction?,” New Yorker , November 23, 2015, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/23/doomsday-invention-artificial-intelligence- nick-bostrom. 8. Nick Bostrom, “A History of Transhumanist Thought,” Journal of Evolution and Technology 14, no. 1 (April 2005). 9. Khatchadourian, “The Doomsday Invention.” 10. Bernard Marr, “Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Threat to Humans?” Forbes, March 2, 2020, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/03/02/is-artificial-intelligence-ai-a-threat-to- humans/?sh=7445a95f205d. 11. Ross, “Transhumanism.” 12. Ross, “Transhumanism.” 13. Bostrom, “History of Transhumanist Thought.” 14. Francis Fukuyama, “Transhumanism,” Foreign Policy 144 (Sept/Oct 2004): 42–43. 15. Francis Fukuyama, Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002). 16. Michael J. Sandel, The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2009), 26–27. 17. Ross, “Transhumanism: An Ontology of the World’s Most Dangerous Idea.” 18. Calico, “Research & Technology,” Calico Life Sciences LLC, accessed July 14, 2022, https://www.calicolabs.com/research-technology. 19. Maya Kosoff, “Peter Thiel Wants to Inject Himself with Young People’s Blood,” Vanity Fair , August 1, 2016, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/08/peter-thiel-wants-to-inject-himself- with-young-peoples-blood. 20. Alcor, “Membership,” Alcor Life Extension Foundation, accessed July 14, 2022, https://www.alcor.org/membership/. 21. Khatchadourian, “The Doomsday Invention.” 22. Antonio Regalado, “A Startup is Pitching a Mind-Uploading Service that is ‘100 percent fatal,’” MIT Technology Review , March 13, 2018,Chapter 9 of 'The Battle for Your Brain' explores the frontier of human enhancement and the ethical, technological, and philosophical challenges posed by transhumanism, brain-computer interfaces, and synthetic biology. It surveys recent scientific advances such as restoration of brain function post-mortem, brain implants enabling communication for locked-in patients, and emerging technologies like mind uploading and AI integration, while critically engaging with debates on the risks and promises of transcending biological limitations. The chapter also addresses societal implications, bioethical concerns, and the cultural discourse surrounding the posthuman future.
Pages 536–543Bobby discusses with his terminally ill father the futuristic possibility of achieving immortality through cloning and consciousness preservation, despite his skepticism, while political tensions escalate as Ukraine declares independence from the Soviet Union. Vadim Kronkol, President of Ukraine, formally applies for membership in the Common European Parliament, prompting the United States to recognize Ukraine's sovereignty and place it under nuclear protection, which the Soviet Union condemns as treason and warns could lead to war. Amidst this geopolitical turmoil, Franja experiences profound isolation and anxiety, seeking connection by joining a large crowd moving toward Moscow's symbolic center, reflecting the social unrest and collective identity crisis.