A new future for politics?

Politicians have a lot on their minds. We live in hectic times. But are mainstream politicians failing to pay sufficient attention to the most important opportunities and risks, namely, the radical transformation of many aspects of human life and work that will be triggered by fast-changing technology?

That's the view of Transhumanist UK, an organisation which is at the early stages of preparing a campaign entitled "Transhumanism 2024". The idea is to field a number of candidates in mayoral elections across the UK that year. The intended results will be:
*) To raise understanding of oncoming technological possibilities and threats;
*) To reorient the national discussion of political issues;
*) To improve the public understanding of transhumanism.

Transhumanist UK argues it is vital to anticipate potential social disruptions ahead of time, and to accelerate actions to increase the likelihood of beneficial outcomes. Hence the proposed campaign motto: “Steering technology for profound social progress”.

This event will feature a scene-setting presentation from David Wood, Transhumanist UK co-founder. The floor will then be open for audience responses regarding policies, tactics, goals, etc. One response that is being prepared in advance by by Tony Czarnecki, Managing Partner at Sustensis.

(Please get in touch if you would like to be added to the set of respondents who provide up to ten minutes of proposals and commentary during the main part of this meeting.)

======

This event will be hosted on Zoom. To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TUUe-o1aSl69tgIJtMyziA

The Zoom registration fee (UKP £2.50) helps cover running costs. The webinar can also be viewed, without charge, on the London Futurists YouTube channel, but without the option to participate in the live Q&A.

(The Zoom registration page opens a PayPal interface, but there is NO requirement for attendees to use a PayPal account.)

======

Examples of Transhumanism 2024 manifesto highlights under consideration include:

1. From "everyone online" to "everyone empowered"
2. From "smart city" to "trusted city"
3. Automation that uplifts rather than deprives
4. Local superdemocracy and citizens' assemblies
5. From GDP to IHSF (Index of Human and Social Flourishing)
6. A city that flourishes whilst being carbon neutral
7. Healthcare for open-ended youthful lifespans
8. Accelerate access to neurotechnologies and psychoactive substances
9. Selectively embrace genetic editing
10. Incentivise meat from non-sentient sources
11. A champion of the transhumanist and cosmist revolutions
12. Uphold morphological and social freedom
13. The human right to cryonic preservation
14. Steer the singularity: Anticipate AI breakthrough
15. Education fit for the new future: STEM and beyond

For further discussion of these manifesto options see https://transhumanist.uk/2021/06/30/pre-announcing-transhumanism-2024/

Note: In recent years, mayoral elections in the UK have been held according to the “supplementary vote” system, in which voters can indicate both first and second preferences for candidates. That will make it easier for voters to cast their first votes for Transhumanist UK, without fearing they will have "wasted" their vote.

======

The webinar will start broadcasting at 4pm UK time on Sat 2nd October. To find this time in other timezones, see https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html?iso=202110o2T150000&p1=136

You are advised to log into Zoom up to 10 minutes ahead of the publicised start time of the event, so you won't miss the start of the live broadcast.

As the discussion proceeds, attendees will be welcome to raise questions and vote to prioritise questions raised by others.

======

Image credit: the above picture includes a photograph by Pixabay user BazzaBoy, https://pixabay.com/photos/london-thames-river-shard-mayor-5248832/

======

To register for this event, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TUUe-o1aSl69tgIJtMyziA