Humanity+

McNally Jackson Forum: Transhumanism Past, Present, and Future
Thursday, June 25 2009, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
52 Prince St., (b/t Lafayette & Mulberry), New York, NY 10012
212.274.1160
With panelists Stuart Dambrot, Clark Matthews, and Shane Hope

What’s the next step in human and technological evolution? Transhumanism is a movement supporting the use of science and technology to improve human mental and physical capacities; the term encompasses artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and other fields formerly only the realm of science fiction. Writer, editor and researcher Clarke Matthews will discuss early ideas about transhumanist technologies and how they went right – or wrong. Physiological psychologist, writer and futurist Stuart Dambrot will give a state-of-the-research presentation showing that the Singularity (the moment when artificial intelligence surpasses that of humans) is well on its way – possibly ahead of schedule – and what this will mean for future generations. Artist Shane Hope will give an artist’s talk on his Molecular Modeling prints (“Mol Mods”) and “Compile-a-Child” drawings which collapse possible futures into compelling images.