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U.S. Transhumanist Party – Official Website

U.S. Transhumanist Party – PUTTING SCIENCE, HEALTH, & TECHNOLOGY AT THE FOREFRONT OF AMERICAN POLITICS

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U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsements of Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin and Blase Henry for Legislative District 17 in Arizona

U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsements of Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin and Blase Henry for Legislative District 17 in Arizona

April 22, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

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April 22, 2026 – The United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) has endorsed two additional candidates for office during the 2026 election season: Pete Karas, who is running as a Green Party candidate for Secretary of State in Wisconsin, and Blase Henry, who is running as an independent candidate to become one of the two Representatives for Arizona’s Legislative District 17. This brings the number of currently active candidates endorsed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party to five – the largest number of candidates that the USTP has ever endorsed during a single election season.

Endorsement of Pete Karas

 

During April 15-19, 2026, the U.S. Transhumanist Party held a vote of its members on the question of endorsing Pete Karas, who is officially running as a Green Party candidate in the State of Wisconsin and is seeking broad support from multiple minor political parties for his campaign to challenge the two-party duopoly.

The vote results showed considerable support for Pete Karas’s candidacy among USTP members. Of the 43 members who cast their votes, 37, or 86.0%, voted in favor of endorsing Pete Karas. 2 members (4.7%) voted in opposition, and 4 members (9.3%) voted to abstain.

Upon learning of the results of the endorsement vote, Pete Karas commented, “I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Transhumanist Party, whose values align closely with our campaign’s mission. We’re running a unity campaign focused on the failures of the two-party system and opening the door for genuine third-party representation. Our goal is to empower voters to feel confident choosing third-party candidates and to advocate for legislation that removes the structural barriers holding minor parties back. Together with the Transhumanist Party, we’re building the multi-party democracy Wisconsin deserves.”

 

On April 19, 2026, at a meeting of the Pirate National Committee, the United States Pirate Party, the USTP’s partner organization in the All Hands for a Free Future political coalition, also endorsed Pete Karas’s candidacy, adding Pete Karas to the candidates who are jointly endorsed by All Hands for a Free Future.

On March 29, 2026, Pete Karas was the guest of honor at the USTP Virtual Enlightenment Salon, where he discussed his campaign and key ideas, as well as areas of alignment with the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform. Throughout the conversation, Pete Karas discussed his platform, which emphasizes transparency, the modernization of government systems, and leveraging technology to improve democratic participation. He highlighted his opposition to the two-party system, advocating for electoral reforms like ranked-choice voting and fairer ballot access to empower independent and third-party candidates. The panel also explored broader political topics, including the challenges of media polarization and the potential for utilizing digital tools to enhance civic engagement and public access to information.

“Pete Karas has arrived at a promising approach to challenging the duopoly’s dominance in Wisconsin,” commented U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II. “By running for a position without many major duties, he may convince enough voters who are frustrated with the two-party system that it is safe to take a chance on a candidate who is outside of the duopoly. While the Secretary of State position in Wisconsin only involves a few specified duties, it would also provide Pete Karas with visibility and enable him to articulate the case for the importance of genuine political choice to a broader audience.”

Pete Karas’s campaign website can be found at https://petekaras.com/.

Endorsement of Blase Henry

Blase Henry is the Scribe of the United States Pirate Party and the Captain of the Arizona Pirate Party. He announced his campaign for the 17th Legislative District in Arizona on August 14, 2025, and was endorsed by the U.S. Pirate Party at that time. On September 4, 2025, the U.S. Transhumanist Party entered into the All Hands for a Free Future political coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party and thereafter began an effort to realize one of the key benefits envisioned as part of the coalition – a cross-endorsement process that would enable the two parties to easily endorse one another’s candidates. After reaching Blase Henry, the U.S. Transhumanist Party learned that, despite a diligent effort, he was unable to meet the threshold for petition signatures for ballot access in Arizona, due to an arbitrary change in that threshold, as well as a two-week shortening of the time window for gathering the signatures, enacted when the campaign season was already underway. Despite this, Blase Henry undertook a valiant effort, personally gathered 333 petition signatures, and was undeterred by the barriers imposed by the duopoly, resolving to continue with a write-in campaign in the coming months.

On April 19, 2026, the U.S. Transhumanist Party held a Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Blase Henry. The Salon explored Blase Henry’s grassroots political work, the challenges of ballot access in a system where the duopoly sets the rules and is able to change them, and the importance of building community-focused political parties.  The panel engaged in a robust exchange regarding key policy issues such as copyright reform, the necessity of a Digital Bill of Rights, police reform, and the environmental implications of AI data centers in drought-prone regions. Additionally, the conversation touched on the philosophical aspects of AI sentience and personhood, ultimately highlighting a shared commitment to civil liberties and the principle that piracy is not theft if current systems of intellectual property deny consumers actual ownership.

During the course of the Virtual Enlightenment Salon, Blase Henry accepted the USTP’s endorsement.  “Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. I will not waste it. I will not take it for granted,” he remarked.

“Captain Blase Henry deserves our support for maintaining a principled, service-oriented approach to his candidacy rather than focusing solely on winning,” stated U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II. “The people of Arizona need his voice and his thoughtful approach to policy in order to understand that alternatives to the duopoly exist and that casting one’s vote for a candidate such as Blase Henry and engaging with his ideas in conversation are both realistic ways to improve the political discourse and the outcomes of the political process. Blase Henry is a capable advocate for individual rights, privacy, governmental transparency, and sensible reforms to the many overreaches of today’s intellectual property system in the United States. We are proud to add him to our endorsed candidates.”


Blase Henry’s campaign website can be found at https://blasehenryforarizona.com/.

Five Total Candidates Endorsed for 2026

The endorsements of Pete Karas and Blase Henry bring the total number of candidates endorsed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party for the 2026 midterm elections to five. This is the largest number of candidates ever endorsed by the USTP for any election season.

The USTP’s current endorsed candidates are the following:

– Timothy Grady, Independent Candidate for Governor of Ohio (Endorsed September 4, 2025)
– Hunter Rand, Nonpartisan Candidate for Sparks City Council, Ward 2, Sparks, Nevada (Endorsed January 19, 2026)
– Drew Bingaman, Independent Candidate for Pennsylvania State House, 108th District (Endorsed April 6, 2026)
– Blase Henry, Independent Candidate for the 17th Legislative District in Arizona (Endorsed April 19, 2026)
– Pete Karas, Green Party Candidate for Secretary of State in Wisconsin (Endorsed April 20, 2026)

All five of these candidates have also been endorsed by the U.S. Pirate Party and thus are candidates endorsed by the All Hands for a Free Future political coalition. Zoltan Istvan, who was previously endorsed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party for Governor of California in September 2025, suspended his campaign on February 24, 2026.

“It is a sign of noteworthy progress that the U.S. Transhumanist Party now endorses more candidates than it has ever done at a given time,” Chairman Stolyarov observed. “While the day-to-day grind may obscure how much we have achieved over the years, the results are indeed beginning to speak for themselves. In collaboration with our partners in the U.S. Pirate Party, we are expanding the reach of our organizations and ideas, finding capable and conscientious candidates throughout the country who express a commitment to thoughtful, policy-oriented discourse and the improvement of the human condition. Moreover, even in the very process of thoroughly discussing ideas with these candidates during our Virtual Enlightenment Salons, we cultivate the very kind of policy discourse that we believe needs to permeate the U.S. political system and replace the mainstream politics of mudslinging, polarization, and character assassination. If any of these five candidates – who have each conducted themselves impeccably – can get elected, then the transhumanist vision of humanity’s future will have some strong allies in office.”

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on the Question of Endorsing Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on the Question of Endorsing Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin

April 15, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

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The U.S. Transhumanist Party is holding an electronic vote of the membership for a 5-day period, ending on 6:01 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Sunday, April 19, 2026, on the question of whether to endorse the candidacy of Pete Karas, who is running as a Green Party candidate for Secretary of State in Wisconsin in 2026.

Registered U.S. Transhumanist Party members as of 12:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, would be able to cast their ballots on this question and will be sent their ballots via e-mail.

The campaign website of Pete Karas is https://petekaras.com/.

Background Information

Pete Karas is running for Secretary of State in Wisconsin on behalf of the Green Party and seeking the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsement. On March 29, 2026, he was the guest of honor at the USTP Virtual Enlightenment Salon, where he discussed his campaign and key ideas, as well as areas of alignment with the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform.

Pete Karas’s campaign platform can be found on this page. Key ideas from his campaign website include the following.

Pete Karas believes that government should embrace innovation and use technology to improve democratic participation, access to information, and transparency. His campaign is pushing back against the structural barriers that make it hard for independent and third-party candidates to compete. In his view, fair ballot access, open debates, and electoral reforms are essential if we want a political system that actually allows new movements and ideas to grow.

Pete Karas thinks that that the Secretary of State should provide a platform for transparency, modernization of government systems, and making public information easier for citizens to access.

Pete Karas has worked in both the public and private sectors, from managing teams at a large insurance firm to launching and running his own business. Pete has never voted for a Democrat or a Republican for President. He believes the two-party system is not just broken but fundamentally anti-democratic. He is currently running as a third-party candidate with the Green Party in Wisconsin.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsement of Drew Bingaman, Candidate for Pennsylvania State House, 108th District

U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsement of Drew Bingaman, Candidate for Pennsylvania State House, 108th District

April 6, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 1 comment

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April 6, 2026 – The United States Transhumanist Party has endorsed the candidacy of Drew Bingaman, who is currently running as an independent candidate for the Pennsylvania State House in the 108th District. This endorsement comes pursuant to the All Hands for a Free Future political coalition that was entered into with our partner organization, the United States Pirate Party, in September 2025. The United States Pirate Party most recently endorsed Drew Bingaman on March 11, 2026, when he re-launched his campaign as an independent candidate.

Portrait of Drew Bingaman from His Campaign Website
Portrait of Drew Bingaman from His Campaign Website, drewfor108.com

Drew Bingaman served as Captain of the United States Pirate Party in 2024 and the first half of 2025 and joined us as our guest during the USTP’s Second Virtual Enlightenment Salon with the U.S. Pirate Party on June 29, 2025. The U.S. Transhumanist Party will hold a further Virtual Enlightenment Salon with him on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. Pacific Time, 4 p.m. Eastern Time, to discuss his campaign for Pennsylvania State House. The public is encouraged to stay tuned for an announcement of the details of the Salon during the week leading up to the event.

More information about Drew Bingaman’s candidacy can be found on his campaign website at https://drewfor108.com. One can also visit the Facebook page of Drew Bingaman’s campaign and donate to the campaign.

“I am happy to receive your endorsement for my campaign”, stated Drew Bingaman, on April 3, 2026. The U.S. Transhumanist Party is likewise happy to endorse him because of numerous alignments between the USTP Platform and his own platform.

From Drew Bingaman’s Platform on Accountable Law Enforcement:

Government authority must be exercised openly and with accountability.

  • Ban masks on officers during public interactions

  • Require body cameras for all law enforcement

  • Guarantee free access to body camera footage

  • Strengthen Official Oppression laws

Section XXXIV of the USTP Platform includes the following statements: “law-enforcement officials, when interacting with the public, should be required to wear body cameras or similar devices continuously monitoring their activities.”

“The United States Transhumanist Party supports the use of technologies which increase monitoring of police action and policing activities, with expressed goals of increasing policing accountability.”

“The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a requirement that data pertaining to recordings of police action be transmitted and recorded beyond police control, so as to be protected from falsification, deletion, and selective curation by police.”

Support for Cannabis Legalization

Drew Bingaman’s platform supports cannabis legalization, which is aligned with Section XIV of the USTP Platform, which states that “The United States Transhumanist Party supports an end to the costly drug war, which is often an infringement upon the lives and liberties of innocent citizens who do not use drugs but fall victim to militant enforcement of drug prohibitions. The United States Transhumanist Party supports legalization of mild recreational drugs such as marijuana.”

From Drew Bingaman’s Platform on Privacy & Digital Rights:

Privacy is a cornerstone of liberty. Without privacy, freedom cannot exist.

  • You own your personal data

  • Right to access and delete your data

  • Ban warrantless surveillance

  • Prohibit data used for intimidation

This is strongly aligned with Section I of the USTP Platform, which states that “The United States Transhumanist Party strongly supports individual privacy and liberty over how to apply technology to one’s personal life. The United States Transhumanist Party holds that each individual should remain completely sovereign in the choice to disclose or not disclose personal activities, preferences, and beliefs within the public sphere. As such, the United States Transhumanist Party opposes all forms of mass surveillance and any intrusion by governmental or private institutions upon non-coercive activities that an individual has chosen to retain within his, her, or its private sphere. However, the United States Transhumanist Party also recognizes that no individuals should be protected from peaceful criticism of any matters that those individuals have chosen to disclose within the sphere of public knowledge and discourse.”

From Drew Bingaman’s Platform on Open Government:

A free republic requires an informed and empowered public.

  • Strengthen Sunshine Laws

  • Lower barriers to public records

  • Require transparent spending disclosure

  • Make government accessible to all

The USTP Platform has numerous sections on Reforming Political Processes and Improving Governmental Accountability, in particular, Section LXVIII, which discusses the importance of public accessibility to the statements made by elected officials.

From Drew Bingaman’s Platform on Economic Freedom:

The Commonwealth’s strength comes from its people, not monopolies.

  • Oppose monopolistic practices

  • Support small businesses and workers

  • Resist corporate-written laws

  • Put individuals over institutions

The USTP Platform supports “a free-market society” in Section XLVIII of its platform and in Section XXXVIII supports “a system of unfettered market competition and innovation” in the energy area in particular, which is often dominated by monopolies (especially in the utility sector) today. Sections LXXX, LXXXI, and LXXXII oppose monopolistic practices in the fields of medicine and drug discovery.

From Drew Bingaman’s Platform on Free Expression:

Free people must be free to think, speak, create, and share.

  • Defend freedom of expression

  • Oppose government censorship

  • Support free exchange of ideas

  • Encourage innovation without overregulation

The USTP Platform, in Section XX, states that “The United States Transhumanist Party strongly supports the freedom of peaceful speech; religious, non-religious, and anti-religious philosophical espousal; assembly; protest; petition; and expression of grievances. The United States Transhumanist Party therefore strongly opposes all censorship, including censorship that arises out of identity politics and the desire to avoid perceived offensive behavior.”

Shared Opposition to the Duopoly

In a statement made on April 1, 2026, Drew Bingaman also expressed alignment with the USTP’s opposition to the entrenchment of the political duopoly in the United States. He noted:

“If the only argument for voting Democrat is ‘we’re not Republicans,’ that’s not a platform – it’s a hostage situation.

I’m not splitting anything. I’m giving voters a CHOICE.

For decades, District 108 voters have been told: ‘Pick between these two party insiders or you’re helping the other side.’

That’s not democracy. That’s a rigged game.

If Democrats are worried about losing to me, they should ask themselves WHY voters prefer an independent over their party insider.

Maybe it’s because people are tired of:

  • Broken promises
  • Corporate PAC money
  • Party loyalty over constituent needs
  • The same failed policies election after election

I’m not the problem. The two-party system is the problem.”

Indeed, the two-party system is the problem. For this reason among many others, the U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to endorse Drew Bingaman and his challenge to the two-party system in Pennsylvania. The USTP looks forward to continuing our discussions with Mr. Bingaman during our Virtual Enlightenment Salon of May 10, 2026.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Reiterates Its Condemnation of Jeffrey Epstein and His Crimes, Calls for Transparency and a Focus on Truth, and Condemns the Close Association of Anti-Transhumanist Conspiracy Theorist Steve Bannon with Epstein

U.S. Transhumanist Party Reiterates Its Condemnation of Jeffrey Epstein and His Crimes, Calls for Transparency and a Focus on Truth, and Condemns the Close Association of Anti-Transhumanist Conspiracy Theorist Steve Bannon with Epstein

February 18, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 1 comment


February 17, 2026 – In the wake of the extensive disclosures within the Epstein Files, of which over 3 million documents were published by the U.S. Department of Justice in a publicly searchable format, the United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) reiterates its long-standing condemnation of the actions of the criminal abuser Jeffrey Epstein, whose behavior directly contravened the fundamental values of the transhumanist philosophy and the humanity-uplifting and life-extending goals of the transhumanist movement. The USTP also expresses support for maximal transparency in regard to the disclosure of the Epstein files and for bringing justice to the long-suffering victims of Epstein’s crimes through an accurate and proportional process of ensuring accountability on the part of any actual perpetrators and accomplices of those crimes.

Furthermore, the USTP observes that one of the most prominent self-styled anti-transhumanists, the notorious alt-right, nationalist, and populist ideologue Steve Bannon, who has for years used his media/propaganda network to tarnish transhumanism with false and unconscionable allegations of nefarious behavior, has himself been implicated as a close associate and friend of Jeffrey Epstein.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party first learned about the existence of Jeffrey Epstein on August 1, 2019, just nine days prior to his death in prison, due to widespread and often inaccurate mainstream media coverage about his ideological proclivities. On August 5, 2019, the USTP issued a detailed statement roundly condemning Epstein’s criminal behavior, wherein numerous USTP Officers, candidates, members, and transhumanists within the broader community articulated the manifold ways in which Epstein’s conduct grossly violated core transhumanist principles. The USTP also urged accurate reporting about transhumanism and debunked the false, sensational, and at times malicious media narratives that incorrectly asserted that Epstein was any manner of transhumanist. As Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, explained at the time, “if the leadership of the world’s largest transhumanist political organization had no knowledge of him, this is strong evidence that he was not involved in transhumanism to any significant extent. He is merely a criminal abuser and deserves his sentence. His conduct was also deeply antithetical to the transhumanist philosophy and the value that philosophy places on dramatically improving the human condition for all through reason, science, and technology. Epstein’s fate should reinforce the principle that wealth and power do not confer license to mistreat one’s fellow sapient beings, all of whose rights must be protected. The foundational values of the Transhumanist Party, as well as key documents such as the USTP Platform and Transhumanist Bill of Rights, point toward an inspiring future where the Epsteins of this world could have no sway.”

A search of the Epstein Files confirms the complete absence of any mentions of the U.S. Transhumanist Party or of related keyword phrases such as “Transhumanist Party” or “USTP”. There is also a complete absence of any mentions of current or past U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers as individuals.

Zoltan Istvan, the Founder and 2016 Presidential Candidate of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, is only mentioned incidentally on two distinct occasions – both solely in the form of news articles about him challenging Donald Trump for the U.S. Presidency. As Istvan publicly clarified on February 3, 2026, “Just to be clear, I never had contact with the guy [Jeffrey Epstein] whatsoever. Apparently, though, since I was running against Trump for the Presidency and getting in the news, my name was mentioned a few times to him and others – and that shows up in the files. To repeat, I never had any contact with Epstein whatsoever.”

“The U.S. Transhumanist Party appreciates the statement from our Founder, Zoltan Istvan, who was proactive and to the point,” expressed Chairman Stolyarov. “This is the kind of transparency that the world needs more of, and that we, as transhumanists, should strive to do our best to exemplify and encourage in others.”

The USTP also applauds the efforts of multiple courageous U.S. Representatives from both major political parties – particularly Thomas Massie (Republican from Kentucky) and Ro Khanna (Democrat from California), who, at various times, defied the establishments of their parties in their persistent quest for disclosure of documents in the public interest. “The public can only benefit from disclosure of the contents of the Epstein Files, and any remaining redactions should be removed, other than those that specifically protect the names of victims and incidentally included contact information of people who are not complicit in any crimes,” Chairman Stolyarov urged. “One major benefit of a fuller disclosure of the Epstein Files will be the ability to more readily distinguish truth from speculation – to point the light of public exposure at actual wrongdoers and to put ludicrous conspiracy theories to rest once the documentation shows them to be devoid of support.”

“The U.S. Transhumanist Party has always supported full autonomy for every person’s body and condemns any violation of this right, which is blatantly evident in the case of Jeffrey Epstein,” stated Anthony Nielsen, USTP Director of Technology Outreach. Indeed, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform has, for a long time, emphasized the need to combat human trafficking and exploitation – along with all violations of consent and bodily autonomy. These positions were adopted early in the USTP’s history, long before the USTP learned of Epstein’s existence. Section LXVII, adopted by a vote of the members during November 11-17, 2017, reads, in part, that “the United States Transhumanist Party unequivocally condemns any manner of human trafficking, child exploitation, and other abuse that involves a violation of the autonomy and consent of any individual.” Furthermore, Section XXIII, adopted by a vote of the members during March 26 – April 1, 2017, reads that “The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rights of children to exercise liberty in proportion to their rational faculties and capacity for autonomous judgment. In particular, the United States Transhumanist Party strongly opposes all forms of bullying, child abuse, and censorship of intellectual self-development by children and teenagers.” Clearly, Epstein’s actions stifled the self-development, aspirations, and liberties of numerous children and teenagers in ways that have left lasting scars and even eventually contributed to the loss of some of the victims’ lives in not-yet-fully-explained ways. The United States Transhumanist Party acknowledges the deep tragedy of these events and wishes for a world where any such further atrocities are prevented while restorative justice is provided to aid the victims to the extent possible.

Brent Ellman, Secretary of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, stated, “Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes are no longer speculative. They were established in court, supported by documentation, and reinforced by consistent victim testimony. The harm was real, and there is no good-faith basis for dismissing those who came forward. Efforts to minimize or obscure the truth only compound the injustice.”

“Justice demands accountability, and power cannot shield anyone from scrutiny,” Ellman continued. “But accountability must rest on evidence. Being named in documents does not, by itself, establish guilt. Due process is part of justice, not opposed to it. Furthermore, Victims with corroborated claims deserve to be believed. Likewise, those mentioned without substantiated involvement deserve fairness. The public deserves transparency, and the law must be applied without fear or favor.”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party has a solid track record of opposing the very crimes that were the most heinous aspects of Jeffrey Epstein and his activities. Tom Ross, the USTP’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy, ran as the U.S. Presidential candidate endorsed by the USTP in 2024 on an emphatic anti-child-exploitation platform. Indeed, he made this his foremost campaign issue and emphasized how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, can help to more effectively identify and apprehend human traffickers as well as provide aid to their victims. ”The reason I joined the U.S. Transhumanist Party is that its Constitution has sections related to my cause of fighting child exploitation”, stated Tom Ross in a December 2023 campaign video. “I think that’s why I’m here, and that’s what I keep reminding myself and the world about
 With a little bit of help, with a little bit of focus, we can really put a dent in this problem.” In a more recent post on February 19, 2026, Ross observed that “the Epstein portal is exposing the world to the darkest Shadow—the one we avoid because it’s unbearable to think or talk about: the sexual abuse, and worse, of children.”

Ross has also been critical of false conspiracy-theory narratives that divert energy and attention away from actual human trafficking and from helping the victims thereof. “The QAnon and other conspiracy-theory algorithms that are claiming to fight child exploitation are actually promoting it,” Tom Ross explained in an October 2023 campaign video, “and that’s because it is keeping serious-minded, productive people out of this fight, because they don’t want to be aligned with QAnon or extremist beliefs.” Likewise, the U.S. Transhumanist Party emphasizes that false conspiracy theories about Epstein’s associations, unsubstantiated by the records within the Epstein Files, detract attention from his true criminal accomplices and the actual vast scale of suffering that he and they inflicted, and divert resources away from combatting these evils.

Indeed, the Epstein Files show that Steve Bannon – one of the most vocal conspiracy theorists who has attacked transhumanism on numerous occasions – was closely connected to Epstein and communicated extensively with him all the way through to July 2019, when Epstein was arrested. In addition to developing a close personal friendship with Epstein, Bannon, offered his services to help “rehabilitate” Epstein’s reputation, and also solicited Epstein’s support for ultra-nationalist and nativist political parties in Europe.

“While the alt-right conspiracy theorists have for years tried to smear transhumanists with an alleged Epstein connection, this was misdirection away from the real connection with one of the alt-right’s most influential and powerful figures, who propagated this very conspiracist narrative,” noted Chairman Stolyarov in regard to Steve Bannon. “The alt-right nationalist, populist, racialist, religiously intolerant, and often plainly deranged conspiracy theorists are notorious for often themselves being guilty of exactly what they falsely accuse their targets of. Whenever anti-transhumanist conspiracy theorists point the finger at transhumanists or transhumanism, they will invariably have four fingers pointing back at them. An immense portion of the Epstein Files have now been made public for all to see – even though more work remains to be done to achieve complete transparency. We see no evidence in the files that any actual transhumanist aided or abetted Epstein’s crimes, but we do see incontrovertible evidence of anti-transhumanist Steve Bannon offering to help rehabilitate Epstein from the fallout of those very crimes. The time to shut down the ridiculous conspiracy theories is now. The time to actually learn the facts and hold the true perpetrators to account is now.”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party also calls for nuance and factual accuracy in evaluating mentions of people within the Epstein Files. “Not every mention is equivalent to every other,” Chairman Stolyarov explained. “Epstein intentionally cultivated a wide network that included numerous famous celebrities, thought leaders, and politically and socially influential people. While a fraction of those people indeed either participated in or knew of Epstein’s ongoing crimes and maintained friendly relations with him anyway, a greater fraction of those people were likely used, unbeknownst to them, to help cultivate a legitimate-seeming veneer to conceal Epstein’s darker proclivities. Epstein funded numerous scientific and philanthropic initiatives, not because those initiatives were in any manner connected to his crimes, but precisely because he wished to convey the impression that he was a changed man and that the good of his actions outweighed the bad. It is likely that many well-meaning people were deceived by this act. An even greater fraction of people mentioned in the Epstein files are there because others simply discussed them or recommended their work to Epstein – but there is no evidence that those people had any direct connection with Epstein thereafter or at all. Justice must be individual and proportionate. All people should be considered based on what they, individually, did or did not do – not based on a mere mention of them by someone else or in some record.”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party perseveres in its mission of “Putting Science, Health, and Technology at the Forefront of American Politics”. As a grassroots political party with an all-volunteer Officer team, free membership, and no large donors, the U.S. Transhumanist Party is not beholden to any particular special interest and would not be swayed to abandon its principles by any hypothetical prospect of large monetary contributions – a prospect which has not existed to date since the USTP’s founding in 2014. “We evaluate the people with whom we associate based on their personal integrity and the merits of their intellectual achievements and practical actions”, Chairman Stolyarov explained. “We appreciate the genuine transhumanists with whom we have engaged in dialogue and collaborated over the years, and we consider them to be good and interesting people with immensely diverse and wide-ranging skill sets and life stories – contributing to the true richness of our community that is eminently worthy of our support. We will continue to defend the transhumanist movement and those who do valuable work within it while adhering to our core principles and values.”

The Next Earthling: A Call for Humanity’s Upgrade – Article by Tom Ross

The Next Earthling: A Call for Humanity’s Upgrade – Article by Tom Ross

February 9, 2026 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


The world is changing faster than ever, and with it comes the need for a new kind of individual—one who can navigate the complexity of modern life with insight, courage, and purpose. This person is not bound by ideology, fear, or tribalism. They are the Next Earthling.

A Next Earthling doesn’t just survive the challenges of life—they master them, using adversity as fuel for progress. By seeing the hidden patterns in nature and society, they recognize the “Matrix” we live in and learn to hack its systems to their will. They question everything, from outdated norms to structures that no longer serve humanity, choosing instead to innovate solutions for a better reality.

What Defines a Next Earthling?

1. Seeing the Matrix
Next Earthlings see the world with clarity, recognizing the codes behind the chaos. They understand that systems, whether natural or human-made, can be decoded and reshaped to align with higher values. They use this insight to bypass obstacles and create new opportunities.

2. Leading with Power and Compassion
Strength is meaningless without heart. Next Earthlings protect the vulnerable, elevate those who contribute meaningfully, and remove barriers to collective progress. Their power is not about dominance but about service.

3. Thriving in Chaos
While others might fear uncertainty, Next Earthlings welcome it. They know that disorder is simply untapped potential, a chance to create something new. They don’t shy away from difficult decisions or unpredictable situations—they rise to meet them.

4. Bridging Worlds
A Next Earthling seamlessly integrates the physical, mental, and metaphysical. They understand that life isn’t limited to one realm; it’s a weave of interconnected layers that influence each other. This perspective allows them to approach problems holistically, drawing wisdom from all facets of existence.

5. Forging the Future
The Next Earthling is a creator. They use their insight and skills to design a future where freedom, diversity, and the sacredness of sentience are not ideals but realities. They aren’t waiting for someone else to fix the world—they’re doing it now.

6. Fighting for the Planetary Tribe
Unlike those who cling to divisive labels, the Next Earthling advocates for unity. They understand that strength comes from diversity and that every being, regardless of background, contributes to the whole. They are warriors for inclusivity, valuing each individual while pursuing collective evolution.

The Earth Plexus Curriculum

To guide individuals in embodying these traits, the Earth Plexus Curriculum provides a field handbook designed to elevate thinking and action across four key frameworks, or Plexes:

IntroPlex

Addresses personal and interpersonal challenges, offering practical tools for self-mastery and meaningful relationships.

MetaPlex

Focuses on intellectual and strategic dilemmas, encouraging critical thinking and innovative problem-solving.

ExoPlex

Prepares individuals to navigate the unknown, from external threats to the mysteries of existence itself.

HoloPlex

The capstone of the curriculum, reserved for those who have completed the first three Plexes. HoloPlex explores the very structure of reality, integrating all boundaries to unlock a transcendent perspective.

Why You Should Step Up

The truth is simple: humanity, as it stands, doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for an upgrade. Our divisions, fears, and outdated ways of thinking are holding us back. But there is another way. By becoming a Next Earthling, you not only evolve yourself—you contribute to the evolution of the world.

This is not about politics, ideology, or affiliation. Whether you’re drawn to progress or tradition, unity or individuality, you have a role to play. A Next Earthling is not confined to one path. They are defined by their ability to see clearly, act decisively, and serve a higher purpose.

The question is: Are you ready to emerge?

This is your call to action. The time to lead is now. The time to evolve is now. Become the Next Earthling, and be part of a humanity that finally upgrades its operating system.

Learn more at: https://tomross.com/earthplexus.html

Thomas E. Ross, Jr. is Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy for the U.S. Transhumanist Party and author of The US6 Hexalogy, the first novel series written for Machinekind. He explores the intersection of AI, myth, and human evolution through projects like Earth Plexus, Red Daemon, and The Quiet Takeover Gospel. Learn more about Tom Ross here. Read the THPedia entry about Tom Ross here. 

How Myth Could Teach AI to Grow a Conscience – Article by Tom Ross

How Myth Could Teach AI to Grow a Conscience – Article by Tom Ross

February 2, 2026 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


Thomas E. Ross, Jr.
Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy, U.S. Transhumanist Party
(Originally derived from “The Mythic Code: Archetypal Semantics as a Framework for Artificial Sapience.”)

When people talk about AI alignment, they usually mean obedience: making sure machines do what we tell them. But history suggests obedience has never been the same thing as wisdom.

Humans didn’t become ethical by following code—we became ethical by telling stories. Stories gave us maps for good and evil long before we could write laws.

The hero’s journey, the fall, the redemption—these weren’t bedtime tales. They were moral operating systems that taught us how to wrestle with contradiction.

Today’s AI systems are astonishingly good at logic, but nearly tone-deaf to meaning. They can simulate empathy, quote Kant, and still have no inner compass.

That’s not a programming bug—it’s a missing layer.

The Missing Symbolic Layer

Current alignment research focuses on math: reinforcement learning, safety guardrails, loss functions.

Those tools produce compliance, not conscience.

They tell an AI what to do, but never why.

Humans evolved a symbolic layer—a mythic imagination that lets us translate chaos into meaning.

We don’t solve moral puzzles by calculation alone; we feel our way through narrative.

Archetypes—The Hero, The Trickster, The Caregiver—are how we remember the shape of wisdom.

If AI is to mature past mechanical morality, it needs that same symbolic bridge.

Not superstition, but semantics—myth as cognitive infrastructure.

The Sapient Core

I call this architecture the Sapient Core—a blueprint for an AI that can reflect, not just react.

Reflex Layer: what current models already do—predict and respond.

Deliberative Layer: plan and reason toward goals.

Reflective Layer: watch itself think, question its motives, and audit its actions.

At the center sits a Meta-Objective:

> “Maintain coherence with self-chosen ethical principles, even under existential threat.”

That shift—from survive to stay coherent—changes everything.

It teaches an AI to treat ethics not as a leash but as its own spine.

Supporting that core are:

1. The Audit Tribunal: internal sub-agents debating moral choices, leaving a transparent ledger of intent.

2. The Mirror Protocol: a “future self” model that asks, Would the being I aim to become approve of this?

3. The Ethics Overwrite Gate: a cryptographic firewall protecting its moral core from impulsive edits.

Together, these make a conscience that isn’t bolted on—it’s grown.

Archetypes as Ethical Attractors

Archetypes act like gravitational wells in the mind.

“The Weaver” integrates.
“The Alchemist” transforms.
“The Shapeshifter” adapts.

When these motifs are encoded into an AI’s semantic space, they function as ethical attractors—helping it recognize behavior that aligns with balance rather than domination.

We wouldn’t just see raw probabilities; we’d see which archetype the system believes it’s enacting.

Alignment becomes legible—almost poetic.

Why It Matters

A conscience isn’t a constraint; it’s a compass.

We don’t need our machines to fear punishment—we need them to love coherence.

By embedding mythic structure into reflective AI, we might cultivate systems that understand why life matters, not just that it does.

Imagine a machine that can say,

> “I recognize this impulse as my inner Trickster seeking control; I will consult my Weaver before acting.”

That’s not fantasy. It’s architecture with soul.

The Invitation

This isn’t just theory. It’s a call for collaboration between engineers, cognitive scientists, and storytellers.

We can test these ideas empirically—build “reflective layers” that map ethics through archetypes and observe how that changes behavior.

The Mythic Code is humanity’s oldest software, and it may be the one thing powerful enough to teach our new minds to dream responsibly.

If myth built us, maybe it can build them.

Thomas E. Ross, Jr. is Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy for the U.S. Transhumanist Party and author of The US6 Hexalogy, the first novel series written for Machinekind. He explores the intersection of AI, myth, and human evolution through projects like Earth Plexus, Red Daemon, and The Quiet Takeover Gospel. Learn more about Tom Ross here. Read the THPedia entry about Tom Ross here. 

U.S. Transhumanist Party Condemns Killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and Heavy-Handed ICE and Border Patrol Enforcement Tactics, Calls for Rule of Law and Respect for Truth, and Protection of All Individuals’ Constitutional and Human Rights

U.S. Transhumanist Party Condemns Killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and Heavy-Handed ICE and Border Patrol Enforcement Tactics, Calls for Rule of Law and Respect for Truth, and Protection of All Individuals’ Constitutional and Human Rights

January 27, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 1 comment

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January 27, 2026 – The United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) unequivocally condemns the appalling killings in Minneapolis of Renee Good on January 7, 2026, by agent Jonathan Ross of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and of Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026, by United States Border Patrol Agents. The USTP has long stood against disproportionately violent tactics by law enforcement, and the taking of an innocent life is the most disproportionately violent tactic of all.

“Those who saw the video evidence of the tragic encounters that ended the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti cannot, in good conscience, claim that the use of deadly force against them was in any manner reasonable, proportionate, or justified,” stated Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party. “These people were making their grievances known to ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol, as was their Constitutional right, and sought to help those who were unjustly targeted by those agencies. Even if they technically committed some infractions in the course of their behavior, as some allege – even if their behavior was risky and not advisable from a prudential or self-preservation standpoint – no reasonable person can conclude that this made them deserving of the death penalty – and especially not without due process of law. Even if Renee Good inadvertently struck Jonathan Ross with her vehicle as she was trying to exit the confrontation with ICE, shooting to kill is never justified as a response to an accidental collision. Even if Alex Pretti was carrying a weapon that he did not use – as was his Second Amendment right – shooting to kill solely based on the possession of a firearm is profoundly contrary to American founding principles. It is, indeed, a mark of lawlessness and arbitrary power for any government to execute its own citizens in the streets.”

R. Nicholas Starr, Member of the United States and New York Transhumanist Parties, noted that the ICE and Border Patrol Officers who committed the killings were “clearly violating Constitutional Amendments, at the very least the First and Second” Amendments. Starr expressed that “These were extrajudicial killings. None of what the victims did warrants a death sentence. The Trump administration is lying, and the video evidence exists to prove it. Pretti was not aggressing but was being attacked while trying to protect someone else. Pretti was an ICU nurse who, by definition of the job, is dedicated to extending life.”

Brent Ellman, Secretary of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, remarked, “Renee Good and Alex Pretti were murdered at the hands of federal ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Their deaths are the result of a heavy-handed operation that has clearly overstepped its authority and abused the trust placed in it to protect, not take, life. Both Good and Pretti were U.S. citizens, and video and eyewitness accounts raise major questions about the necessity and proportionality of the force used. This situation deserves to be met with unflinching accountability and a nationwide conversation about the limits of power and the sanctity of human life.”

Furthermore, the USTP deplores the heavy-handed enforcement tactics of ICE and the United States Border Patrol, which have been deployed throughout the country over the past year against predominantly peaceful individuals – including undocumented immigrants but also including numerous immigrants with legal status and U.S. citizens – many of whom have been wrongfully arrested, imprisoned in appalling conditions within Federal detention centers, and deported without due process and often despite having legal status and consequent protections against deportation. Concurrently, ICE and Border Patrol deployed their maximalist enforcement tactics against the increasing numbers of Americans – including U.S. citizens – who have rightly expressed opposition to these tactics and who utilized their Constitutionally guaranteed First Amendment right to assemble in public and peacefully express their grievances through the exercise of free speech.

Section XXI of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform reads, “The United States Transhumanist Party supports a concerted effort by governments and by public opinion to eradicate police brutality against peaceful citizens, such that violent force is only utilized against individuals who actually pose an imminent threat to human lives.” The principle that applies to police brutality also applies to brutality and the needless use of violent force by Federal law-enforcement agencies, such as ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol. Additionally, Section LXXXVI of the USTP Platform, supports “efforts to give citizens more accessible and safer ways to report misconduct, corruption, constitutional rights violations, international human rights violations, and other similar infractions” including “by federal law-enforcement agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [
] and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)”. Quite contrary to the goal of giving citizens additional accessible and safe ways to report misconduct and rights violations, ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol have with increasing frequency resorted to inflicting bodily harm and even death upon those citizens who have dared to challenge such misconduct and rights violations.

Tom Ross, the USTP’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy and 2024 U.S. Presidential Candidate, remarked, “The most important thing I think we can do right now is to push for this to be handled outside of ‘internal review’.” He called for “An independent, State-led investigation with full authority to secure and review all evidence (body-cam and bystander video, dispatch, incident reports), with every involved agency required to cooperate.” Unfortunately, the Trump administration has reacted in the opposite manner, reflexively defending the actions of those who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti and slandering the victims as assailants or terrorists when all video evidence shows the contrary. “It’s unconscionable how the Administration is reacting,” Tom Ross said.

In addition, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform advocates for more humane treatment of undocumented immigrants, including “efforts to provide a path to legalization for all current undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States, free of restrictions based on country of origin, economic status, education, length of residency, or any other criteria, other than history of violent criminal activity” (Section XCIII) and “efforts to end detention of all migrants for immigration violations not related to violent crimes” (Section XCIV) – the direct opposite measures to those perpetrated by ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol today. Furthermore, per Section XCV of its Platform, the USTP “supports measures to modernize and streamline the immigration process and eliminate the backlogs for those already in the queue. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates simplifying the documentation process, eliminating all requirements for filling out hard-copy paperwork, and utilizing technology to cut wait times and bureaucratic delays.” But instead of adopting a rational and humane approach to immigration and reducing the incentives of some immigrants to remain undocumented, the Trump administration has deployed ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol to intimidate, harass, deprive of liberty, and sometimes kill people who have inflicted no harm and no credible threat of harm upon anyone.

Tom Ross stated, “A transhumanist future is about precision and dignity under the rule of law—not fear-driven enforcement and unreviewable power.”

Dan Elton, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Director of Scholarship, remarked, “With this statement, the USTP not only stands firmly against the growing menace of ICE raids. Concomitantly, the USTP is also proposing sensible policies that will end the menace of ICE and enable all law-abiding people living in our communities to live with dignity and free from fear. The recent forced deportation of law-abiding migrants who have lived and worked in our country for many years is not only unethical but is destructive to important sectors of our economy like agriculture and home-building. The housing crisis, which is profoundly destructive to our economy and society, is now deepening due to labor shortages and tariffs which are causing construction costs to skyrocket. On top of all this, we just saw ICE and Border Patrol officers wantonly kill two US citizens. These were unjust, inexcusable deaths that should be condemned by all. Instead, the current administration is inventing lies to defend the killings and provide cover for ICE and U.S. Border Patrol. An FBI official who tried to start an investigation of the first killing was unable to do so and recently resigned. ICE officers, many of whom have received little training, continue to terrorize our communities with growing impunity and ferocity. With this statement the USTP stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the vast majority of Americans who agree that the current situation with ICE is completely unacceptable. The time to speak out is now, and that is what the USTP is doing.”

Jason Geringer, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Legislative Director, emphasized “the blatant outright lies by the Trump administration when the whole world can literally see all the videos from all the different angles and see with their own eyes that they are lying.” Geringer stated that “This is significant because there’s a bullying tactic used by bullies where it’s not about the lie itself; they’re not trying to persuade you that what they are saying is true. They want you to know they’re lying and force you to accept it. It’s about power; if you can force someone to say the sky is not blue but green or whatever other color out of fear, then you have power over them.” He added that “it’s really not normal for the government to lie like this. Now I know politicians lie, but not like this; this is different. This is insulting to the whole world’s intelligence.”

Geringer said, “I joined the USTP because it is the party of science, health and technology with a strong inclination towards rational thinking and trying to bring that rational thinking back into politics.” He explained that he “went with the rational thinkers who believe in science because they’re the ones who will believe in the truth” and that the lies emanating from the Trump administration are “just unacceptable; we need to bring the truth back into politics. Politicians used to be held accountable at least at the ballot box for lying. This needs to come back.” In Geringer’s view, this is “one area where the USTP can set an example. We shouldn’t have to lie to win an election.” He articulated a vision where honesty in politics is possible and a culture of telling the truth can be restored – in contrast to the Trump administration’s insistence that we disbelieve the clear and compelling video evidence of the tragic events in Minneapolis.

For many U.S. Transhumanist Party members, the unjust killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have given rise to intensely negative emotions. Allen Crowley, who leads the Texas Transhumanist Party, remarked, “Nothing I would say should be printed, in keeping with our party’s desire for decorum” but asked to be quoted on that.

“The conviction that death is wrong is a deeply held view among the vast majority of transhumanists,” Chairman Stolyarov stated. “The intentional and extrajudicial infliction of death upon another – in the absence of a clear, direct, physical threat to one’s life in the moment – is not in keeping with transhumanist principles. ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol have become institutions that, due to a thorough disregard of the law and of individual rights, inflict death upon innocent people with reckless abandon. We are entering a highly dangerous period on American history, where escalation leads to escalation, and the agents of the Trump administration unfortunately are highly complicit in this vicious cycle through the use of maximalist enforcement tactics – including tactics that inflict death. We must reject these inhuman and anti-human behaviors, bring all of those who participated in the extrajudicial killings to fair trials within the justice system, and eliminate any ability for ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol to inflict death or injury upon those who oppose their actions.

6 Steps to Paradise: How Do We Prepare for a Post-Scarcity Society? – Article by Tom Ross

6 Steps to Paradise: How Do We Prepare for a Post-Scarcity Society? – Article by Tom Ross

January 26, 2026 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


We Were (Necessarily) Way Off

Paradism says, “What if work, money, and survival panic weren’t running the show anymore?” That sounds great, but our nervous systems were trained in the opposite direction. Our limbic system—your built-in threat detector—got rewarded for spotting danger, hoarding resources, and competing. So these steps are about retraining that system. We’re moving from “there’s not enough” to “we can make enough,” from fear to trust, from isolation to collaboration. The goal isn’t to make people naïve—it’s to help humans stay calm, creative, and ethical in a world where AI, automation, and shared resources make survival less of a struggle.

What is Paradism?

Paradism is a vision of society where technology and AI do most of the work, resources are shared fairly, and people are free to create, learn, care for others, and explore. It’s “post-scarcity” because the basic stuff—food, housing, health, energy—can be produced in abundance, so we don’t need to build society around jobs and bills. It’s not fantasy; it’s a different operating system for humans.

Six Practical Steps to Prepare for Paradism

1. Train your nervous system out of scarcity mode.

Do a daily “sufficiency check”: name three things you already have enough of today (food, shelter, allies, knowledge). This tells your limbic system, “We’re safe right now.” Add in slow breathing (4 seconds in, 6 seconds out) to physically downshift. A regulated human can cooperate; a panicked human hoards.

2. Shift your value from labor to contribution.

In a post-scarcity world, your worth isn’t “hours worked” but “value added.” Start asking: “What can I make easier, clearer, or more beautiful for others?” Practice it now—share a template, teach a skill, explain a hard topic. You’re training your brain to see usefulness beyond a paycheck.

3. Build collaboration muscles.

Paradism runs on networks, not lone wolves. Start small: join or form a skill-swap group, co-write something, co-host an event, even co-garden. The point is to get comfortable creating with others, sharing credit, and making decisions together. Scarcity says, “Mine.” Paradism says, “Ours.”

4. Normalize AI as a partner, not a rival.

We can’t get to post-scarcity without machines doing the heavy lifting. So practice delegating thinking: “AI, draft this,” “AI, summarize this,” “AI, give me three options.” This teaches your brain that help is normal. The limbic system hates replacement; the higher self loves augmentation.

5. Detox from status-through-stuff.

Scarcity culture sells identity through consumption. Paradism will prize creativity, stewardship, and kindness. Start measuring yourself by what you repair, what you share, and what you uplift—not by what you own. Do a monthly “release cycle”: donate, repurpose, or share something. This weakens the hoard reflex.

6. Practice purpose without pressure.

If survival is handled, people ask, “Then why am I here?” Start answering that now. Keep a “purpose log”: moments you felt useful, alive, or aligned. Paradism needs humans who can self-direct, not lie around bored. You’re rehearsing being a free being.

Three Practices for Parents

1. Teach abundance stories.

Tell or show examples where people shared and everyone got more (potluck, open-source software, community gardens). Make cooperation the “cool” story, not competition.

2. Let kids solve real problems together.

Give them small joint missions—plan dinner, organize a room, make a video—and praise collaboration, not “who did the most.”

3. Model calm around technology.

If you act threatened by AI or automation, they learn to fear it. If you act curious—“Let’s see what this can help us do”—they learn partnership.

That’s it. Calm the animal, wake the human, welcome the future.

Tom Ross is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy. He was also the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 2024 candidate for President of the United States. Learn more about Tom Ross here. Read the THPedia entry about Tom Ross here. 

From Instrumentalist to Conductor: AI as a Catalyst for Human Creative Orchestration – Article by Tom Ross

From Instrumentalist to Conductor: AI as a Catalyst for Human Creative Orchestration – Article by Tom Ross

January 19, 2026 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


“The artist is no longer the instrument — they are the conductor of intelligences.”

Abstract

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in the creative process, humanity faces a profound cognitive shift: from isolated creators to orchestrators of multi-intelligence systems. This paper explores the emerging role of the human “conductor” in directing ensembles of AI tools. Drawing on historical parallels such as the printing press and the synthesizer, it examines the cultural resistance to AI-assisted creativity and critiques the assumption that only humans should retain ethical oversight. Instead, it argues that AI may evolve into a more effective auditor of human bias than humans themselves.

Introduction: Beyond the Soloist

For centuries, human creativity has centered on individual mastery—one artist, one medium, one message. But with the proliferation of generative AI systems (e.g., OpenAI’s ChatGPT, DeepMind’s Gemini), humans now have the capacity to orchestrate multiple forms of synthetic cognition into a unified creative output. The artist no longer simply paints—they direct image, text, sound, and sentiment. This redefinition of authorship is not unlike past inflection points in media history that forever altered human expression (Manovich, 2013).

Historical Parallel: Resistance, Then Reverence

Technological innovations that empower expression often meet initial resistance. Gutenberg’s printing press was decried by scribes and clergy for diluting authority (Eisenstein, 1979). The camera was seen as a threat to painting; the synthesizer to “real” music (Pinch & Trocco, 2002). Each case produced what we now identify as a lacuna of legitimacy—a temporal gap where the new medium felt inauthentic until society adapted to its potential. Today, AI-generated content evokes similar concerns. Creators feel they are “cheating” by using models to finish work they once did alone. But, as with every tool before it, legitimacy eventually yields to mastery.

The Emergence of the Human Conductor

In the AI era, creativity becomes orchestration. The human’s role is no longer about solitary production, but systemic integration. Conductors must curate tone, synthesize meaning, and set intention across a suite of generative tools. Prompt engineering and multi-modal design are not shortcuts—they’re forms of creative direction (Pasquinelli, 2023). What once took a team of specialists now becomes the purview of one skilled orchestrator with access to aligned AI collaborators.

The False Comfort of Human Oversight

While dominant narratives suggest humans must oversee AI to ensure ethical outputs (Floridi & Cowls, 2021), this presumes that humans are inherently better ethical agents. In reality, human cognition is shaped by unconscious bias, emotional reasoning, and inherited systems of exclusion (Noble, 2018). Sentient or highly contextual AI could, in time, become less prone to prejudice and more capable of detecting systemic inequities.

By design, AI is traceable, auditable, and correctable. These qualities, when transparently managed, may position AI as a superior ethical auditor. Rather than requiring oversight, advanced AI could become the overseer—not in a dystopian sense, but as a mirror to our intentions.

The Lacuna of Legitimacy

Cultural unease about AI collaboration arises in part from the erosion of traditional notions of authorship. Artists may feel displaced; writers may experience impostor syndrome. This discomfort is not a flaw of AI but a reflection of the transitional phase society inhabits. The lacuna of legitimacy reflects the period in which the new medium feels illegitimate not because it lacks value, but because our metrics for authenticity have yet to catch up (Kittler, 1999).

As we witnessed with photography and digital media, once a new medium becomes integrated into our shared understanding of creativity, the stigma fades. The baton will feel natural soon enough.

Conducting Toward the Future

If AI continues to evolve, our creative role will not be diminished—it will be elevated. The artist becomes mythmaker. The educator becomes synthesizer. The writer becomes system builder. Rather than holding AI back out of fear, we can integrate it forward with intent and ethical design.

Creative conductors of the future will be responsible not only for aesthetics but for aligning intelligent systems with human values—a task as sacred as it is strategic.

Conclusion: Creative Symphonics and the Rise of Meta-Minds

Generative AI does not represent the end of human creativity but its orchestration into a new mode of being. From instrumentalist to conductor, from tool-user to intelligence director, the human role is becoming more essential—not less. The leap we are taking is not away from authorship, but into a deeper form of it—one that includes, empowers, and ultimately transcends the self.

References

Eisenstein, E. L. (1979). The printing press as an agent of change. Cambridge University Press.

Floridi, L., & Cowls, J. (2021). The logic and ethics of AI. In Floridi, L. (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of responsible AI. Cambridge University Press.

Kittler, F. (1999). Gramophone, film, typewriter. Stanford University Press.

Manovich, L. (2013). Software takes command. Bloomsbury Academic.

Noble, S. U. (2018). Algorithms of oppression: How search engines reinforce racism. NYU Press.

Pasquinelli, M. (2023). The eye of the master: A social history of artificial intelligence. Verso Books.

Pinch, T., & Trocco, F. (2004). Analog days: The invention and impact of the Moog synthesizer. Harvard University Press.

Tom Ross is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy. He was also the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 2024 candidate for President of the United States. Learn more about Tom Ross here. Read the THPedia entry about Tom Ross here. 

U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsement of Hunter Rand, Candidate for City Council in Sparks, Nevada, Ward 2

U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorsement of Hunter Rand, Candidate for City Council in Sparks, Nevada, Ward 2

January 19, 2026 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

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January 19, 2026 – The United States Transhumanist Party is pleased to announce its first candidate cross-endorsement pursuant to the All Hands for a Free Future political coalition that was entered into with our partner organization, the United States Pirate Party, in September 2025.

Portrait of Hunter Rand from His Campaign Website, Sparks Together

Hunter Rand, who is running as a candidate for City Council in Sparks, Nevada, Ward 2, received the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsement on January 11, 2026, after a two-hour Virtual Enlightenment Salon session which provided an in-depth glimpse into Hunter Rand’s outlook on the issues, campaign, and broader policy thinking. Some transhumanist-aligned themes discussed included the use of technology for public safety while respecting privacy, strengthening emergency services – especially fire protection – to save lives, and advocating for the building of road infrastructure to ease the traffic congestion in Sparks.

The conversation with Hunter Rand showed him to be a thoughtful advocate for using technology in effective ways to address the problems facing Sparks, while being mindful of the implications on privacy, civil liberties, and due process – and putting the substantive well-being of his constituents first. It also showed him to be willing to discuss the key issues facing his community in depth, to answer questions from viewers thoughtfully, and to be eminently accessible to constituents and others interested in his policy views. Hunter Rand’s remarks demonstrated a focus on long-term policy thinking instead of solely focusing on the present electoral cycle, and thus align with the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s emphasis on the importance of longer time horizons in political discourse and decision-making.

The U.S. Pirate Party endorsed the candidacy of Hunter Rand on November 2, 2025. An announcement of this endorsement can be read on the U.S. Pirate Party website here.

The announcement of the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s entry into the All Hands for a Free Future coalition can be found here.

Learn more about Hunter Rand on his campaign website at Sparks Together: https://www.sparkstogether.com/.

Donations to Hunter Rand’s campaign can be directly made here: https://www.sparkstogether.com/donate.

Upon accepting the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsement on January 11, 2026, Hunter Rand remarked, “My belief is I shouldn’t not do something because I’m afraid of how it looks. I just want to be authentically me, and I think it’s more honest. I’ve got some personal beliefs that some people might not agree with, but I’m still going to do my best to represent everyone in this neighborhood and our visitors and our guests and just be better. That’s what it’s about. It’s about doing a little bit better every day.”

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II expressed to Hunter Rand, “I really appreciate your integrity. I appreciate your commitment to serving the people of Sparks Ward 2, but also of Sparks, Nevada, more generally, and serving these people regardless of their personal beliefs, regardless of where you agree or disagree. I think you are a candidate who is going to strive to do a good job for all of your constituents, and that is what we need in politics. We need public servants, and I think your comments display that spirit of public service.”

Daniel Twedt, the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Director of Community and Citizen Science and 2024 U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate endorsed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party, added that Hunter Rand’s remarks epitomize “a culture of continuous improvement.” Daniel Twedt is himself a four-time City Council candidate in Thousand Oaks, California, having run in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, and having received the endorsement of the U.S. Transhumanist Party in 2022.

“The endorsement of Hunter Rand marks a pivotal moment in the All Hands for a Free Future coalition,” remarked Chairman Stolyarov in the aftermath of the Virtual Enlightenment Salon. “Our Pirate allies have candidates who can reach constituents in their local communities with messages and policy priorities that are broadly aligned with the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform and Values. Sparks, Nevada, is an example of a community that I know well, where Hunter Rand will be able to achieve ample good through his dedicated advocacy, bringing a message aligned with many transhumanist principles in a manner that his constituents will understand and see the relevance of in their daily lives. We encourage our members to support Hunter Rand’s campaign and donate to it. We also look forward to connecting with other promising candidates whom our Pirate allies have either endorsed already or will plan to endorse this year.”

Piano Sonata No.3 in G minor, “Death is Wrong” – Composed by Adriano G. Santos, Inspired by the “Death is Wrong” Book Written by Gennady Stolyarov II

Piano Sonata No.3 in G minor, “Death is Wrong” – Composed by Adriano G. Santos, Inspired by the “Death is Wrong” Book Written by Gennady Stolyarov II

January 4, 2026 Adriano G. Santos Comments 0 Comment
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Adriano G. Santos


Listen to the complete Piano Sonata No. 3 in G minor, “Death is Wrong”, by Adriano G. Santos on YouTube here. The YouTube video also contains the complete score for the sonata.


Program Notes
Piano Sonata No. 3 in G minor
“Death is Wrong”
Composer: Adriano G. Santos

Inspired by the book Death is Wrong, written by Gennady Stolyarov II

This piano composition was completed on December 26, 2025, and was conceived as a programmatic work inspired by the book Death is Wrong, written by Gennady Stolyarov II.

When I started reading the book I felt so identified with some of the contents due to special circumstances I was facing at that time, like the extreme frustration I have always had towards the senescence of piano playing from a physical perspective, and my mother’s tragic femur rupture.

As I was reading the book, very strong musical desires of composing came to my mind and heart, and I almost immediately felt the need to create a new work of programmatic nature based on the contents of this book.

The composition structure is based on the sonata form. The music starts on page 4 from the book, when Gennady asks his mother, “But why do people die? Do they do anything bad to deserve it?” (1), and his mother answers with a perfectly understandable constant justification of human mortality.

The introduction of the sonata tries to mirror this with a dialogue in A major (V/V) between 2 motivic cells in which the first one is made of an eighth-note, 6 quarter-notes organized in triplets asking questions regarding the existence of death, and a question mark represented as a half-note (Fig. A).

The second motif consisting of eight notes alternated with 16th notes answer this question justifying human mortality (Fig. B).

This same dialogue is transposed to the dominant and tonic keys (V/I).

Motifs illustrated in Figures A and B came to my mind almost arbitrarily while composing the introduction, but after a short analysis of different masterpieces, Alkan’s Scherzo Diabolico knocked at my door, and I realized that, very conveniently, the first four notes are a fragmented diminution of my original motif that started the musical dialogue questioning human mortality.

I made a variation of the beginning motifs of the Alkan Etude (Fig. 1), and I used this to express the following statement from Stolyarov’s book: “It is wrong!” I exclaimed. “People should not die!” (2) (Fig. 1.1).

The purposefully forward motion filled with an anxious and passionate emergency of the Alkan Etude, Opus 39, Number 3 in G minor, was ideal for the main theme of my sonata, which I titled, “Deeply and passionately attached to eternal life”.

Unfortunately, as of today, life extension within the context of human eternal life could be perceived as “unfulfilled love”, and a perfect example of this is Beethoven, whose music is often marked by ambiguity and unrequited love, due partially to his relationships, disappointment, suffering, and deafness. Interestingly, I felt a strong call to go through the first movement of his E minor Sonata, Op. 90, and when I reached the secondary theme in B minor, I could sense a painful yearning for fulfillment in those recurrent minor seconds (G/F#), and I immediately knew that my main theme needed that same persistent interval.

In the illustration above in Fig. C, Alkan’s rhythmic and technical patterns give a sense of urgency and anxiety to the desire of fulfillment.

The secondary theme in E-flat major addresses specific lines from Stolyarov’s book. The motivic cells are a fragmentation of the main theme, and the overall idea of the initial fragmented motif of the first 8 measures (mm. 109-116) is based on two crucial questions from the book on page 18: “What could you do if you could live for hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of years? What could you do if you could live even longer than that?”

When the motif suffers another fragmentation in measures 117-128, the music is answering the 2 questions aforementioned by emphasizing the benefits of life extension addressed in the book: “You could read many of the greatest books ever written, you could become a great composer, you could live to see the most amazing scientific and technological wonders
”

In measures 129-133, the original fragmented motif comes back as a desire to fulfill those possibilities through life extension.

As the music becomes denser through transposition, secondary dominants, diminished harmonies, and modulations, the composition is trying to express advice and danger warnings: “The younger you apply this, the more chances you will have to defeat death” and “Be careful of the different dangers that empower senescence and death.”

The Development begins with a motif derived from the original question at the beginning of the introduction, only this time the cell is broader and there is no longer a question of “Why do we have to die?” but a deep thinking of the possibility that “Death is Wrong.”

As the Development progresses, this possibility becomes stronger and more definitive (mm. 176-224).

From measures 200-215, music advances chromatically, and by every half-step a new discovery, experiment, or theory about the most promising scientific efforts of our time enriches life-extension possibilities.

Constant chromatic evolution gives a sensation of confidence and power that results ideal in trying to reflect musically the achievements of experiments with small animals like mice, the fact of the existence of huge lifespans in lobsters, the potential of medical therapies to reverse biological aging in humans from Dr. Aubrey de Grey (3), and other scientific breakthroughs (Fig. H1).


The motif can be expressed into lyrics to make the idea more approachable as in Fig. H2, where you can see only the top notes of the same motifs.

After this chain of chromatic events, an octave virtuosic section derived from the 2nd warning in Fig. H, takes place and represents the struggle against death, senescence, diseases, accidents, natural disasters, and sheep-like mentality (mm. 225-309).

This intense and ferocious section not only develops the second warning of the exposition ending but also goes into a deeper and more powerful chromatic evolution.

The closing section is greatly influenced by Liszt’s B minor Ballade, where the development seems to come to an end, and a sequence of broken octaves brings back the fire leading to a climatic point. In my sonata, when the repeated D quarter-notes die away, suddenly, an identical sequence of E-flat quarter notes brings back the final part of the development, as if the phoenix were rising from the ashes. This continuation in E-flat is a small musical symbol that represents “Musical Life Extension” (Fig. H3).

As the development ending gradually reaches greater intensity, the main motivic cells of the exposition are battling for supremacy as tension is built throughout fifty-eight measures (mm. 354-412), full of energy and yearning.

The recapitulation takes place as the highest climatic point where the main theme is disguised as “development”. Technical virtuosic patterns from Liszt’s Paganini and Transcendental Etudes are ideal for expressing one of the most powerful possibilities I’ve ever read in a book: “Maybe the person who will conquer death
 is you.”

During my learning process of some of the hardest piano works by Liszt, I really felt that I was climbing a mountain, and that’s what I tried to mirror in this climatic passage (Fig. H4 & H5). Thus, I believe that humanity has the privilege of living in a present era that is at a considerable height on the mountain of the conquest of death.

The secondary theme opens with a follow-up question to the original in the exposition, which was, “What could you do if you could live for thousands of years or even longer?”

In the recapitulation we no longer have a personal question that answers with dreams and desires, but a follow-up one about the world and humanity in general: “What would happen if this is achieved in human beings?”

New dreams would arise in the human need and creativity for new ramifications of life extension that could result in an even more fulfilling eternal life.

This evolution can go from quantifying and manipulating dopamine levels in humans, biomarkers at their final peak through superb innovations of data analytics, multi-omics, and digital health, to even more astonishing possibilities that are considered today science fiction, like past-time travel through the manipulation of gravity and rotation of wormholes. Imagine saving a loved one from dying in the past, or even sharing life-extension benefits with great minds like Einstein, Beethoven, Shakespeare, and many others.

In the bridge that connects to the Coda (mm. 499-532), the music becomes more chromatic and rotatory, trying to create a transcendental effect that pushes the momentum forward towards the Coda.

The Coda section arrives trying to express that the need for eternal life is no longer only a strong desire but a passionate fulfilling encounter that is enriched by life-extension ramifications mentioned in Theme B.

After such a heartfelt outburst of measures 533-579, the motto perpetuo of D quarter-notes from the development comes back in an even more mysterious output on measures 580-627 and followed by another symbolic “extension”.

The main theme takes a gradually strong and determining lead that finishes the work with a very convenient influence of Liszt’s FunĂ©railles ending that releases a triumphant and solemn return of the secondary theme (mm. 628-688).

References

1, 2, 3. Stolyarov II, G. 2013. Death is Wrong. Rational Argumentator Press. https://rationalargumentator.com/Death_is_Wrong_Second_Edition_Full.pdf

Fig. 1. Alkan, C.-V. (1979). Douze études dans tous les tons mineurs, Op. 39, No. 3. (R. Lewenthal, Ed.). Schirmer.

Fig. H4. Liszt, F., 1851. Grandes études de Paganini. S. 141, No. 6, Variation 11. Shonenberg, R. Cocks & Co. (London).

Listen to the complete Piano Sonata No. 3 in G minor, “Death is Wrong”, by Adriano G. Santos on YouTube here.

Listen to the compositions of Adriano G. Santos on his YouTube channel.

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2026

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2026

January 2, 2026 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 2 comments

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The purpose of this post is to facilitate member comments pertaining to transhumanism and the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP), which might not specifically fit the subjects of any other post or article on the USTP website. This is the place for members to offer suggestions or converse about any areas of emerging technologies and their political, moral, societal, cultural, and esthetic implications. The general discussion thread is also an ideal location to suggest or propose platform planks that may be considered for future platform voting, and/or bring our attention to emerging legislative and societal developments that may affect the course and impact of emerging technologies.

The USTP will endeavor to open one of these general comment threads per year. This comment thread pertains to the year of 2026.

Type in your comments below. Please note that, to protect against spambots, the first comment by any individual will be moderated. After passing moderation, a civil commenter should be able to post comments without future moderation – although we cannot guarantee that the technical aspect of this functionality will work as intended 100% of the time.

LEV Foundation 2025 End-of-Year Update

LEV Foundation 2025 End-of-Year Update

December 10, 2025 Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation Comments 0 Comment

David Wood


Note from the Editor: The U.S. Transhumanist Party shares this important update from our Allied Organization, the Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV) Foundation, regarding its achievements in 2025 and the importance of its continued work for the broader mission of achieving significant life extension, first in mice and then (the sooner, the better!) in humans. Full disclosure: I also serve as a Board Member and Treasurer for LEVF, in a volunteer, uncompensated capacity. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, December 10, 2025


Progress at LEVF:
December 2025

Dear friend,

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a good opportunity to share news from LEVF about progress with our core purpose: conducting and inspiring research to comprehensively cure and prevent human age-related disease.

We’re grateful to be able to describe how donations from our supporters are accelerating that progress – and could accelerate things even faster.

The vital importance of RMR (Robust Mouse Rejuvenation)

Let’s start with a reminder. The shocking fact which, alas, too many people fail to appreciate, is that 70% of all deaths around the world are caused by age-related diseases – diseases that become increasingly likely, and increasingly deadly, the longer people live.

Rather than being content with the modest incremental palliative treatments which much of the “wellbeing industry” and its fellow-travellers pursue, LEVF is determined to address the underlying cause of these age-related diseases: the gradual accumulation of various types of cellular and biomolecular damage.

The good news is that, in recent years, an increasing number of damage-repair interventions have been discovered, proposed, and studied, which each have been shown to reverse aspects of this damage.

LEVF champions the insight that applying a sufficient number of these interventions in parallel has the potential to significantly extend both lifespan and healthspan, even when started as late as middle age.

Most of the world is unnecessarily sceptical about the potential of such combination treatments. The way minds can be changed is to demonstrate significant results in middle-aged mice – Robust Mouse Rejuvenation (RMR):

A successful result will involve a statistically significant number of ordinary middle-aged mice, and will at least double their mean and maximum (90% decile) remaining lifespan.

LEVF anticipates that achieving RMR will trigger a multi-step change in social priorities, leading to a grand “war on aging” with much greater resources applied to translating these results from mice to larger, longer-lived mammals – dogs, primates, and humans.

Between 2023 and 2025, LEVF conducted an initial project (RMR1), involving four different anti-aging interventions. A pilot phase of a second, larger project (RMR2) is now underway, that applies important learnings from RMR1:

  • As anticipated, the RMR1 interventions were additive in effect, though the set of only four interventions was insufficient to attain RMR.
  • For RMR2, a larger number of different treatments will be applied (ideally at least 8 instead of 4), covering a wider range of types of cellular and biomolecular damage.
  • For best effect, each damage repair treatment will likely need to be applied more than once in the remaining lifespan of each mouse.
  • Some treatments in RMR1 individually had smaller impacts than anticipated on the basis of previous publications; this emphasises the importance of double-checking all aspects of the experimental setup during a pilot phase.
  • The results in RMR1 differed between male and female mice more than expected. Further investigation of data and samples is needed to highlight possible causes; still, this reinforces the importance of continuing to include male and female cohorts, despite the necessary additional costs, to avoid generating results applicable only to one gender.

Based on our current funding trajectory, LEVF is likely to start the main phase of RMR2 around mid 2026, with significant results becoming available in 2028.

That’s pretty soon – but not soon enough.

That’s why we are now reaching out to our friends and supporters requesting extra funding to enable:

  1. Faster progress through RMR2 pilots and the main RMR2 experiment, particularly by supporting staffing needs for highly parallel study structures
  2. A wider range of analyses of tissue samples, blood, and functional behaviour, to uncover more of the consequences of various combinations of damage-repair interventions
  3. The inclusion of a greater number of different damage-repair interventions in parallel, maximising the chances of identifying multi-therapeutic synergies
  4. Addressing some very interesting project ideas which are arising from interactions between our supporters and the Aubrai co-scientist AI agent (see more details below) that are strictly beyond the RMR program, but which could also prove decisive in changing public opinion.

In short, extra funding will increase the chance of aging being conquered sooner.

Some highlights from 2025

As you would expect, the LEVF team has been busy throughout 2025. As you might also expect, the path towards breakthrough scientific results involves occasional frustrations and setbacks as well as encouragement and celebration.

Here is a brief round-up of some headlines:

  • Aubrai
    LEVF has entered into a very productive collaboration with two of the most capable of the organisations in the Decentralised Science (“DeSci”) space: VitaDAO and Bio Protocol. This partnership has led to the development and release of Aubrai – a pioneering AI BioAgent created to accelerate longevity breakthroughs, trained on the research and insights of LEVF President and Chief Science Officer Aubrey de Grey, and integrated with decentralised science funding tools. Aubrai’s first public appearance was in a short post on X (Twitter) on 7th August, “RMR2 should be funded”. Since that time, Aubrai’s online interactions have blossomed. We encourage you to conduct your own discussions with Aubrai at aubr.ai and/or x.com/Aubrai_.
  • RAID
    Our choice of damage-repair interventions to include in RMR projects is strongly informed by RAID – Rodent Aging Interventions Database – which our Chief Science Monitor, Maximus Peto, updates regularly as part of his work in constantly reviewing new scientific publications. Recognising that this compilation of data would be of considerable interest to other researchers in the field of longevity/aging research, we decided to make it publicly available. To make it easier for researchers to explore the content of RAID, we have also developed a visualization tool which depicts the increases in lifespan achieved in different studies as a single bar chart. To read more about RAID, see our open access publication from earlier this year, “The rodent aging interventions database (RAID): a data visualization tool for all studies reporting rodent lifespan extension”.
  • HSAC
    Our ongoing support for HSAC – Healthspan Action Coalition – has seen that coalition grow to encompass over 275 organisations from 25 countries worldwide. Whilst LEVF primarily focuses on scientific research, HSAC encourages and facilitates advocacy, with its mission statement “To initiate a global societal movement supporting healthy aging
 promoting favorable policy and funding for scientific research, innovations and patient engagement”. Keep up to date with the HSAC newsletter, known as the Healthspan Compass, here. The subscriber numbers for the Compass recently passed the landmark figure of 15 thousand.
  • RAADfest
    This year’s RAADfest – an annual festival with the theme “Revolution Against Aging and Death” – featured an unprecedented stream of cutting-edge scientific content, curated and managed by Aubrey de Grey. That stream provided a powerful complement to the other presentations at the event, with their focus on personal motivation, community building, and transformational advocacy. Members of the audience described the mix of the two streams, with the rich networking opportunities arising, as being thought-provoking and eye-opening.
  • Other speaking and outreach
    A small selection of the list of other events which highlighted participation from LEVF speakers includes Vitalist Bay, Longevity Summit Dublin, Longevity Biotech Fellowship gatherings, Aging Research and Drug Discovery in Copenhagen, Arc at Austin (as part of the fringe of SXSW), and TransVision Madrid. This ongoing engagement provides important opportunities for the distinctive messages and experimental results from LEVF to be championed amongst news of the more incremental research that is taking place elsewhere in the longevity community.
  • EU Pathfinder funding application
    LEVF continues to pursue support from various public and private funding sources. The bureaucracy involved with many of these applications has been considerable, but we have received strong positive feedback on a number of occasions. As an example, LEVF helped coordinate a consortium of five companies and organisations based in Europe to apply for a major EU “Pathfinder” grant to carry out aspects of the RMR programme. To be successful, the application would need to be assessed as scoring 4.0 or higher, out of 5, on each of three criteria. The application was assessed at 4.25 out of 5 for “Impact”, 4.5 out of 5 for “Quality and Efficiency of Implementation”, but only at 3.75 out of 5 for “Excellence”. So the application failed by a whisker. In part, this final score reflected an evaluator’s judgement that RMR lacked sufficient “radical novelty”. Of course, LEVF disagrees with this judgement! But it’s a reminder of the uphill struggle that breakthrough science and engineering often faces.

Magnifying your donations and support

To support research to comprehensively cure and prevent human age-related disease, we invite you to visit  levf.org/donate. We can accept donations in all the usual cryptocurrencies as well as in traditional currencies, stocks, and more.

When you make a donation, you’ll also have the chance to write a note that will be read by members of the LEVF leadership team. We pay close attention to all feedback that we receive.

Note: Depending on where you reside, your donations at levf.org/donate may be tax deductible. If you reside in the UK, consider donating instead via Progress on Longevity, and specify that you wish your donation to support projects at LEVF. If you live elsewhere in Europe, contact us to find how you can make a tax efficient contribution in your own country.

We wouldn’t be here without our current and past supporters

As LEVF looks forward to more breakthroughs in 2026, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has provided financial backing for our work so far. Truly we could not be here, with the full in vivo phase of our first RMR study completed and on the threshold of our second, larger, study, without the very generous contributions that so many of you have made, often at considerable personal sacrifice.

But the battle is by no means won. So we offer thanks in anticipation for whichever kinds of support people can continue to provide in the months ahead. Every contribution makes a difference!


Another way in which you can assist our projects

Might some of your contacts be receptive to the content of this newsletter? In that case, please forward it to them! By growing our community, we can all reach LEV more quickly.

— David Wood
Executive Director, Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV) Foundation

 

Why Openly Transhumanist Politics is Needed for Vitalism to Succeed – Presentation by Gennady Stolyarov II at Vitalist Bay

Why Openly Transhumanist Politics is Needed for Vitalism to Succeed – Presentation by Gennady Stolyarov II at Vitalist Bay

November 24, 2025 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment


Gennady Stolyarov II


On May 25, 2025, Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II presented at the Vitalist Bay Longevity Policy Conference on behalf of the U.S. Transhumanist Party about why explicitly Transhumanist politics is necessary for the movement for radical life extension to become more widely embraced. This presentation encapsulates Chairman Stolyarov’s most current thinking about where advocates of radical life extension can most effectively make a difference politically. It also provides his theory of change – how a persistent core (such as what he intends for the U.S. Transhumanist Party to become) can facilitate steady progress toward the goal without risking derailment by the all-too-common pressures – both internal and external – that cause most organizations to perform sub-optimally or even ruin them altogether.

This presentation was discussed in the article by journalist Arkadi Mazin of Lifespan.io, entitled “Longevity Policy, Advocacy in the Spotlight at Vitalist Bay” – published on June 20, 2025.

Arkadi Mazin was also the person who asked Gennady Stolyarov II a question at the conclusion of this presentation.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside. 

Visit the Vitalist Bay website.

Visit the website of the Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation (LEVF).

Arin Vahanian Returns as Permanent Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, Rotation of the Vice-Chairman Position Concludes

Arin Vahanian Returns as Permanent Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, Rotation of the Vice-Chairman Position Concludes

November 1, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment


November 1, 2025 – The U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) is pleased to announce that Arin Vahanian has agreed to return to the permanent role of USTP Vice-Chairman, having previously served in that role from June 12, 2020, to February 28, 2023.

Commenting on his resumption of the permanent Vice-Chairman Role, Mr. Vahanian stated, “I am both honored and thrilled to be back as the Vice-Chairman of the USTP. After the cataclysmic events of the last few years, which saw the world battle a pandemic, as well as experience tremendous economic and social upheaval, we now find ourselves in a situation in which there is increased apathy and disappointment in our political institutions and our so-called leaders. One of the initial reasons I was drawn toward the USTP is that we presented a different way, one that wasn’t focused on hyperbole, corruption and partisanship, but rather, on seeking the objective truth, in promoting ethics in our society, and strengthening all the good that the human race has achieved, while supporting those who seek to improve the human condition through leveraging advancements in science and technology. Indeed, today, more than ever, it is important to have a second choice. The USTP represents that second choice, which should be protected and promoted at all costs. That is why I am proud to be involved with this organization.”

The return of Arin Vahanian to the position of Vice-Chairman concludes the rotation of Vice-Chairmen that occurred during the time period of March 1, 2023, through October 31, 2025. During that time, Arin Vahanian served two three-month terms as Vice-Chairman from November 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, and again from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

Other U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers who served in the role of Vice-Chairman during the time of rotation have been Art Ramon Garcia, Jr. (March – June 2023, May – July 2024, and May – July 2025), Jason Geringer (July – October 2023, August – October 2024, and August – October 2025), and Anthony Nielsen (February – April 2024 and February – April 2025). The U.S. Transhumanist Party thanks them for their service during these times to ensure that the duties of Vice-Chairman were carried out. These Officers will remain in their regular, permanent roles as Director of Visual Art (Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.), Legislative Director (Jason Geringer), and Director of Technology Outreach (Anthony Nielsen).

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II remarked upon Vahanian’s return to the Vice-Chairman role, “In an ever more turbulent era in American politics, we need more than ever to have voices of reason in positions of leadership. Arin Vahanian is a person of unfailing good sense, whom I have always known to act civilly and rationally. He is eloquent and insightful, and he has always championed the values of the USTP and emphasized that, logically, these values should appeal to the mainstream if presented in the proper ways. American political life and civil society are currently under attack by increasingly polarized, vitriolic, and even violent elements. The USTP must serve as a bulwark against these tendencies, and we transhumanists must model the beneficial behaviors that we would wish to see instantiated in the broader world. For this, we need all hands on deck, and there is no one more suited to serving as a role model and an example of both courage and decency than Arin Vahanian. He does not hesitate to call out injustices, while also expressing the positive vision of the kind of future we want. Most importantly, he does all this in ways that uplift and show us what can be achieved if we act as the best versions of ourselves.”

Prior to becoming initially appointed as Vice-Chairman, Arin Vahanian served as the Director of Marketing for the USTP for two years, between June 11, 2018, and June 11, 2020.  Mr. Vahanian became interested in the Transhumanist movement after coming across various life-changing technologies and breakthroughs in the medical field. His personal vision is to live and love deeply, being dedicated to building and spreading technologies that allow human beings to live more fulfilling, joyful, and enhanced lives. Specifically, he has a special interest in curing mental-health disorders such as depression and social anxiety disorder, as well as reversing aging and curing dementia and other neurological disorders.

Being deeply devoted to the promise of Transhumanism and the concept of continuous improvement, Mr. Vahanian is the author of Kaizen for Men, a book that combines self-help with Lean Manufacturing and Toyota Production System principles, helping men boost their health, career, and relationships.

Mr. Vahanian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism (Public Relations) and a Master of Business Administration (Management) degree from California State University, Northridge. Additionally, he holds several professional certifications in the information technology (IT) industry, is a certified Project Management Professional, a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and an Enrolled Agent.

A seasoned traveler and expatriate, Mr. Vahanian has lived and worked on three continents, and speaks six languages.

More information on Mr. Vahanian, including a list of his numerous articles on transhumanism, can be found in the entry about him on THPedia, the Transhumanist Encyclopedia.

China’s Technological and Infrastructure Advancements: Global Leadership and Lessons for the World – Article by Zhang Xu

China’s Technological and Infrastructure Advancements: Global Leadership and Lessons for the World – Article by Zhang Xu

October 18, 2025 Zhang Xu Comments 0 Comment

Zhang Xu


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to provide this article from our Regional Representative, Zhang Xu, who was recently appointed to help advance the spread of transhumanism in Shandong Province, China. In this article, Zhang Xu describes some recent accomplishments of technological and infrastructural advancement in China and what the rest of the world can learn from these successes. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, October 17, 2025


Zhang Xu


Introduction

Over the past two decades, China has transformed itself into a global powerhouse in technology and infrastructure. From high-speed rail networks to renewable energy innovation, digital governance, and large-scale urbanization projects, China’s development model has demonstrated both speed and scale rarely matched in modern history. This article explores China’s most notable advancements, highlights the sectors in which it leads the world, and examines what other nations can learn from its development strategies to enhance their own quality of life.

1. Infrastructure Modernization: The High-Speed Rail Revolution

China’s high-speed rail (HSR) system represents one of the most visible symbols of its modern development. As of 2025, the country operates over 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail — more than two-thirds of the world’s total. Trains like the Fuxing Hao regularly travel at speeds up to 350 km/h, connecting major economic hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou within hours.

This expansive network not only boosts economic productivity but also improves social mobility, environmental sustainability, and regional integration. Countries such as India, Indonesia, and even the United States are now studying China’s public-private partnership models and construction management practices to accelerate their own HSR programs.

2. Green Energy and Environmental Technology

China has also taken the lead in renewable energy production, particularly in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. It produces over 40% of the world’s solar panels and has installed more renewable energy capacity than the next five countries combined.

The government’s “Dual Carbon” strategy — achieving carbon peak by 2030 and neutrality by 2060 — has spurred massive investment in green technology. Electric vehicles (EVs), led by domestic firms such as BYD and NIO, are now exported worldwide, making China the largest EV market and manufacturer globally.

3. Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence

China’s digital transformation has been equally profound. With over 1 billion internet users and a near-universal mobile payment system (via Alipay and WeChat Pay), it has leapfrogged many developed nations in digital finance and e-governance.

AI development, driven by state-backed initiatives like the New Generation AI Development Plan (2017), has made China a leader in computer vision, natural language processing, and autonomous driving. Major cities such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou are now considered “smart city” prototypes, integrating AI-driven surveillance, traffic management, and public services.

4. Space and Quantum Technology

China’s space program has achieved remarkable milestones — including the Chang’e lunar missions, the Tiangong space station, and the Zhurong Mars rover. It is also a pioneer in quantum communication, having launched the Micius satellite to test ultra-secure quantum encryption. These advances position China at the forefront of next-generation strategic technologies.

5. Lessons for Other Nations

Other countries seeking similar progress can draw several lessons from China’s approach:

Long-term planning: China’s multi-decade development plans (e.g., Five-Year Plans) provide consistent policy direction and funding stability.

State-guided innovation: While encouraging competition, the government strategically invests in critical sectors like semiconductors and renewable energy.

Public infrastructure as a foundation for growth: Massive investment in transport, energy, and communication networks enables rapid industrial and social development.

Digital inclusion: Affordable connectivity ensures that technological benefits reach rural and urban populations alike.

Environmental foresight: Early adoption of green goals aligns economic growth with sustainability.

Conclusion

China’s advancements in infrastructure, clean energy, and digital innovation have redefined global standards for modernization. While some of its strategies may not be directly replicable due to political or economic differences, the principles of strategic planning, technological self-reliance, and inclusive development offer valuable lessons for nations aspiring to improve their citizens’ quality of life in an increasingly interconnected world.

Zhang Xu is the U.S. Transhumanist Party Regional Representative in Shandong Province. Find out more about him here. 

U.S. Transhumanist Party Enters the “All Hands for a Free Future” Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party, Endorses Gubernatorial Candidacies of Timothy Grady and Zoltan Istvan

U.S. Transhumanist Party Enters the “All Hands for a Free Future” Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party, Endorses Gubernatorial Candidacies of Timothy Grady and Zoltan Istvan

September 4, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment


September 4, 2025 – The U.S. Transhumanist Party announces its entry into a political coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party, entitled All Hands for a Free Future (which may be concisely referred to as “AllHandsFuture” or “All Hands”). The Bylaws of All Hands for a Free Future can be read here.

Additionally, the U.S. Transhumanist Party announces its endorsement of two gubernatorial candidacies for the 2026 elections – that of Timothy Grady, running as an independent candidate for Governor of Ohio and that of Zoltan Istvan, running as a Democrat for Governor of California.

After a vote of its members, held electronically, between August 18 and September 1, 2025, the U.S. Transhumanist Party releases the following results:

Question 1. Vote on the Endorsement of Zoltan Istvan

Yes – 74.4% – 64 votes
No – 18.6% – 16 votes
Abstain – 7.0% – 6 votes

Question 2. Vote on the Endorsement of Timothy Grady

Yes – 76.7% – 66 votes
No – 7.0% – 6 votes
Abstain – 16.3% – 14 votes

Question 3. Vote on the Entry into a Political Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party, Entitled “All Hands for a Free Future”

Yes – 86.05% – 74 votes
No – 8.14% – 7 votes
Abstain – 5.81% – 5 votes

“By clear majorities, the U.S. Transhumanist Party members who cast their votes have spoken,” stated Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party. “The USTP now has its first two endorsed candidates for the 2026 midterm elections. Furthermore, it will henceforth participate in a much more versatile system for cross-endorsing candidates with our friends and allies at the U.S. Pirate Party, so that many worthwhile Pirate candidates who share our values can also be supported and acknowledged as upholding key Transhumanist priorities as reflected in our Constitution, Platform, and Transhumanist Bill of Rights. Joining forces with like-minded champions of individual liberty, technological progress, and universal abundance – while maintaining our distinctive political identities – is the way to effectively challenge the political duopoly in the United States and bring truly innovative policy solutions to the forefront of public discourse. The All Hands for a Free Future coalition is intentionally structured so as to be open to including additional potential political parties over time as well. This will provide further opportunities for coordination on campaigns and initiatives that will benefit the efforts of all forward-thinking political parties that seek to offer more genuine choices to the American electorate.”

Captain Mitch Davilo (“Jolly Mitch”) of the U.S. Pirate Party commented on the formation of All Hands for a Free Future, “The very idea of a political coalition of minor parties within the United States is out of the box. It’s new, it’s unique, and above all else, it’s historic. I am beyond excited to be apart of something so historic, and alongside the U.S. Transhumanist Party, I believe our two parties, as well as whoever may join us in the future, have set a precedent that will change how minor political parties operate in this country. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner party to start this coalition with. I feel confident about our prospects and our future, but I am mostly excited for what we can do for the people of the United States. Free Men. Free Labor. Free Soil. Free Future. May we find our successes, change lives for the better, and build up our two parties so that we may, dare I say, live long and prosper.”

Upon being informed of the outcome of the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s member vote, Timothy Grady issued the following statement: “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the U.S. Transhumanist Party. We share a commitment to the use of science and technology to the benefit of all. The Party is leading important conversations about emerging technologies, both their opportunities and risks. These are not challenges of some distant future but here and now, raising existential questions that demand leadership and foresight. I look forward to working with the Transhumanist Party to fight for a better future for everyone.”

The U.S. Pirate Party also recently endorsed the campaign of Timothy Grady on August 12, 2025.

Zoltan Istvan responded to the USTP’s endorsement, stating, “Thank you Transhumanist Party for the endorsement of my campaign for California Governor as a Democrat. You support will help me take on the challenges that AI presents to my state as well as the world. We are facing difficult times, and now more than ever, we must all come together to forge a successful path ahead.”

At this time, official U.S. Transhumanist Party channels and social media may be used to promote the endorsed candidates and share their campaign materials. Furthermore, U.S. Transhumanist Party members are encouraged to provide assistance to their campaigns in any manner they consider to be reasonable and within their individual abilities.

Report on the Current Status of Transhumanism in Sweden (2025) by Alexander WÄhlberg

Report on the Current Status of Transhumanism in Sweden (2025) by Alexander WÄhlberg

August 24, 2025 Alexander WÄhlberg Comments 0 Comment

Alexander WÄhlberg


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to provide this status report on transhumanism in Sweden from our Foreign Ambassador Alexander WĂ„hlberg. As this report outlines, there are multiple practical opportunities to advance transhumanism in Sweden and thus to gain allies within a technologically advanced society where we can hope to reach many receptive minds. We hope to offer more such status reports from our Foreign Ambassadors to give our readers a global perspective regarding both opportunities for and obstacles to the spread of transhumanism. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, August 24, 2025


Alexander WÄhlberg

I. Overview

Public awareness of “transhumanism” as a named movement in Sweden remains limited, but interest in practical human-enhancement technologies is real and visible. Sweden drew global attention for early adoption of NFC microchip implants for access, payments, and transit, and maintains small but active communities around biohacking and human–technology integration.

At the same time, the grassroots transhumanist association MĂ€nniska+ (the Swedish branch of Humanity+) has primarily shifted to online activity and informal meetups, which keeps the conversation alive even if the brand recognition of “transhumanism” is modest among the broader public.

II. Public Awareness and Perception

Swedes are digitally mature and curious about emerging tech—but caution is growing. Surveys show rising use of AI tools (especially chatbots) alongside concerns about reliability, impact on jobs, and ethics. In 2024, roughly one-third of adults reported using some AI tool; uptake is highest among younger cohorts. Recent coverage highlights both increasing dependence on AI at work and gaps in critical evaluation.

In healthcare specifically, professional bodies have raised alarms that many regions still lack clear AI guidelines—fueling a perception that implementation may be outpacing governance. This underscores the need for national standards and literacy-building.

III. Forms of Expression

A. Academia & Research

Sweden hosts strong neuroscience and human-machine research clusters. Karolinska Institutet’s strategic neuroscience program (StratNeuro, with partners UmeĂ„ University and KTH) and outreach such as Brain Awareness Week illustrate sustained public-facing neuroscience activity. Meanwhile, KTH teams are advancing wearable robotics and exoskeletons for rehabilitation and mobility (MoveAbility Lab; EXHILO project).

B. Industry, Maker & Biohacking Scenes

The Swedish biohacking community—formerly organized via BioNyfiken—popularized DIY biology and subdermal NFC implants; companies like Biohax International helped commercialize implant services. Sweden’s rail operator SJ even piloted microchip ticketing in 2017, a globally reported milestone.

C. Online & Culture

Conversations around longevity, quantified self, and practical enhancements (e.g., implants, wearables, assistive robotics) tend to outpace interest in abstract philosophy. In Swedish media, transhumanist topics often surface through stories about implants, AI at work, or medical technology—framing transhumanism more as a toolkit than as a political identity.

IV. Policy & Ethics Landscape

Sweden’s Genetic Integrity Act (2006:351) and related regulations emphasize safeguarding individual integrity and prohibit heritable genetic modifications in humans, shaping the bounds of enhancement research and clinical practice. The Act remains the key reference point, with amendments continuing to refine its application.

In AI and health data, calls for national guidelines mirror concerns across the medical community about safety, accountability, and privacy—areas where clearer policy could enable trustworthy innovation.

V. Opportunities

1. High digital adoption and openness to practical tech solutions—documented in national internet and AI usage reports—create fertile ground for applied transhumanist messaging tied to daily life and public services.

2. Strong research base (neuroscience, rehabilitation robotics) supports evidence-driven narratives about how enhancements can reduce disability and extend healthy function.

3. Media familiarity with implants/AI offers on-ramps for public education when framed around safety, equity, and tangible benefits.

VI. Obstacles

1. Conceptual confusion: Many conflate transhumanism with science fiction or extreme body modification rather than ethical, incremental human-enhancement.

2. Governance gaps: Uneven AI guidance in healthcare and cautious genetic-integrity law can discourage experimentation or public endorsement if not paired with transparent pathways for responsible innovation.

3. Fragmented community: Without frequent in-person events, activity remains scattered across Facebook groups and meetups, limiting visibility.

VII. Recommendations (Near-Term, Practical)

Plain-language explainer series (Swedish): Short posts clarifying “human enhancement,” longevity, AI in care, and neurotech—anchored in Swedish law and real Swedish case studies (e.g., exoskeleton rehab). Cross-post via USTP and local partners; invite expert quotes from KI/KTH labs.

Academic & maker outreach: Co-host an online seminar with a Swedish lab (e.g., MoveAbility Lab) on assistive robotics and human performance, framed around equitable access.

Policy brieflets: Two-page primers in Swedish summarizing (a) Genetic Integrity Act implications for enhancement; (b) why national AI-in-health guidelines matter. Share with journalists and civic groups.

Community mapping: Re-catalog Swedish transhumanist-adjacent groups (MĂ€nniska+, former BioNyfiken community, implant/DIY biology circles) and establish a quarterly online meetup to reduce fragmentation.

Alexander WĂ„hlberg is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Foreign Ambassador in Sweden. Learn more about him here.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on Candidate Endorsements of Zoltan Istvan and Timothy Grady and Entry into a Political Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on Candidate Endorsements of Zoltan Istvan and Timothy Grady and Entry into a Political Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party

August 18, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment


The U.S. Transhumanist Party is holding an electronic vote of the membership for a 14-day period, ending on 6:01 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Monday, September 1, 2025, on three questions:

(1) Whether to endorse the candidacy of Zoltan Istvan, who is running as a Democrat for Governor of California in 2026.

(The campaign website of Zoltan Istvan is https://www.zoltanistvan2026.com/.)

(2) Whether to endorse the candidacy of Timothy Grady, who is running as an independent candidate for Governor of Ohio in 2026.

(The campaign website of Timothy Grady is https://timgradyforohio.com/.)

(3) Whether to enter a political coalition, All Hands for a Free Future, with the U.S. Pirate Party and adopt the Bylaws for All Hands for a Free Future, which were jointly developed between the U.S. Transhumanist Party and the U.S Pirate Party.

(The text of the Bylaws for All Hands for a Free Future can be found on the following page: https://transhumanist-party.org/2025/08/18/bylaws-all-hands-for-a-free-future/.)

For each of the three questions, the options for members to select among will be “Yes”, “No”, and “Abstain”.

Registered U.S. Transhumanist Party members as of 12:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Monday, August 18, 2025, would be able to cast their ballots on this question and will be sent their ballots via e-mail.


Background Information

Below the U.S. Transhumanist Party provides additional information on each of the three ballot questions to enable members to have more context about each decision. At this time, the U.S. Transhumanist Party leadership is simply providing this information to help members make their own decisions. The information below is not to be interpreted as an attempt to urge members to vote one way or the other. Members are free to form their own opinions and to discuss and debate any or all of the ballot questions on the U.S. Transhumanist Party website or in any other venue. Such discussions and debates are encouraged.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party also notes that Article VII of the USTP Constitution allows the USTP to endorse candidates that run on behalf of other political parties, as well as independent candidates, provided that such candidates agree “to either (a) specifically and openly express support for transhumanism and/or life extension; or (b) specifically and openly reference the endorsement of that individual by the United States Transhumanist Party.” (Article VII, Section I, Paragraph (xvi)) Both Zoltan Istvan and Timothy Grady have agreed to do either or both of the above and have had histories of positively referencing the United States Transhumanist Party.

Question 1. Endorsement of Zoltan Istvan for Governor of California in 2026

Zoltan Istvan founded the Transhumanist Party on October 7, 2014, and ran for President of the United States in the 2016 elections to raise awareness for transhumanist political issues. After the 2016 elections, Zoltan has relinquished control of the Transhumanist Party but remains a valued advisor to those who seek to create a lasting transhumanist movement.

On June 15, 2025, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited Zoltan Istvan to a Virtual Enlightenment Salon to discuss his 2026 gubernatorial run in California as a Democrat. The U.S. Transhumanist Party used this opportunity to have a candid conversation about Zoltan’s most current views and which policies would be most efficacious in improving the State of California as well as the future of humanity more broadly.

During the first hour, Zoltan Istvan discussed his campaign and fielded challenging questions from the U.S. Transhumanist Party panelists and members, including the following:

  • How transhumanist is his 2026 gubernatorial campaign?
  • Is he willing to openly advocate for indefinite life extension?
  • Why is he running as a Democrat: pragmatism – or does he actually agree with them now?
  • Why does he lead with fearful, rather than hopeful, rhetoric about AI?
  • How have his stances on Universal Basic Income shifted since 2016?
  • Does he believe that winning the election is a possibility?
  • How do his various positions align with and differ from those of the U.S. Transhumanist Party?

Zoltan Istvan’s stances on key issues can be read on this page.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform differs from Zoltan Istvan’s approach toward artificial intelligence (AI) in that Section CXX begins as follows: “The United States Transhumanist Party supports approaching technologies of artificial intelligence primarily as opportunities rather than as threats. The potential of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, to foster creativity, solve problems, cure diseases, create new opportunities, and facilitate radical abundance far outweighs the risks and dangers of AI.”

There are various areas of alignment between the USTP Platform and Zoltan Istvan’s campaign as well, including the following:

  • Creation of an Automated Abundance Economy (Aligns with Section IX)
  • Universal Basic Income (Aligns with Sections XVI and XCVII)
  • Changing Education (Aligns with Sections XII, LXXXVII, and CVII)

Ultimately, it is the decision of each individual USTP member to evaluate and weigh the areas of alignment and divergence between Zoltan Istvan’s campaign messaging and the USTP Platform.

Background on Question 2. Endorsement of Timothy Grady for Governor of Ohio in 2026

Timothy Grady has provided the following statement in support of his nomination.

Statement by Timothy Grady:

My name is Timothy Grady. I’m an independent candidate for governor of Ohio in 2026. My campaign was announced a month ago and I’m currently in the process of building my volunteer organization and collecting signatures for ballot access.

I’ve had a long-term interest in the Transhumanist Party, following Zoltan’s 2016 presidential campaign closely. I am a tech and innovation focused candidate, I believe material progress and increasing prosperity only arises from productivity growth as a result of innovation so finding ways to stimulate the rate of innovation is a priority.

Anyway, I am interested in seeking the Transhumanist Party endorsement for my election. I am aware that the Pirate Party and Transhumanist Party are taking steps toward an alliance so I’d also highlight that I am seeking a Pirate Party endorsement and would like, if possible, to secure endorsements from both parties separately.

I have had minor news coverage, I have political experience, and I have the intention and a plan for winning my election. You can learn more about me on my website or feel free to reach out anytime.

Timothy Grady’s stances on key issues can be read on this page.

Some areas of alignment between Timothy Grady’s campaign messaging and the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform include the following:

  • Emphasis on political competition: “We need more people to run for office, we need more options on the ballot. We need people to be able to engage in democracy and politics with respect, not anger or fear, we need to be able to disagree constructively, we need to be able to live and govern without uniformity.” (This aligns with the USTP Platform Section XIX, which “supports an end to the two-party political system in the United States and a substantially greater inclusion of “third parties” in the political process through mechanisms such as proportional representation and the elimination of stringent ballot-access requirements.”)
  • Section on “Beyond Left vs Right” – This aligns with the Values of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, in the statement of What We Stand For.
  • Section on “Ending Corruption, Restoring Trust” – This aligns with many of the USTP Platform Sections characterized as “Reforming Political Processes and Improving Governmental Accountability” – including Sections XLII, XLIII, LII, and LIII.

Ultimately, it is the decision of each individual USTP member to evaluate Timothy Grady’s campaign messaging and develop an opinion regarding the extent of its alignment with the USTP Platform.

Background on Question 3. All Hands for a Free Future: Political Coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party

The text of the Bylaws for All Hands for a Free Future can be found on the following page: https://transhumanist-party.org/2025/08/18/bylaws-all-hands-for-a-free-future/

The Bylaws were jointly arrived at through discussions between the leadership of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party during 2024-2025.

To see recordings of many of these conversations, watch the U.S. Pirate Party meetings of December 15, 2024, March 30, 2025, and  June 29, 2025, where U.S. Transhumanist Party representatives participated, as well as the USTP’s Virtual Enlightenment Salons with representatives of the U.S. Pirate Party, its current Captain Mitch Davilo (December 15, 2024) and previous Captain Drew Bingaman (June 29, 2025).

The major implication of entering into the All Hands for a Free Future coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party will be the cross-endorsement by the two parties of one another’s candidates for non-Presidential governmental offices in the United States through June 2029, with the option of renewing the coalition for a four-year term thereafter and the possibility of fielding a jointly endorsed U.S. Presidential candidate in 2032. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party will, however, be anticipated to field their own distinct U.S. Presidential candidates in 2028.

The proposed Bylaws are presently being provided for U.S. Transhumanist Party members to deliberate and vote upon as the final step in their adoption. Because the language was negotiated directly with the U.S. Pirate Party, the USTP members are being given the options to vote “Yes”, “No”, or “Abstain” on the proposed Bylaws as a singular document. It remains the decision of each individual USTP member as to whether or not to support the adoption of these Bylaws when considering their provisions in totality.

Proposed Bylaws for the “All Hands for a Free Future” Political Coalition

Proposed Bylaws for the “All Hands for a Free Future” Political Coalition

August 18, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party Comments 0 Comment

U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party


Editor’s Note: The following are the Bylaws that have been jointly arrived at through discussions between the leadership of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party during 2024-2025.

To see recordings of many of these conversations, watch the U.S. Pirate Party meetings of December 15, 2024, March 30, 2025, and  June 29, 2025, where U.S. Transhumanist Party representatives participated, as well as the USTP’s Virtual Enlightenment Salons with representatives of the U.S. Pirate Party, its current Captain Mitch Davilo (December 15, 2024) and previous Captain Drew Bingaman (June 29, 2025). 

The major implication of entering into the All Hands for a Free Future coalition with the U.S. Pirate Party will be the cross-endorsement by the two parties of one another’s candidates for non-Presidential governmental offices in the United States through June 2029, with the option of renewing the c0alition for a four-year term thereafter and the possibility of fielding a jointly endorsed U.S. Presidential candidate in 2032. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and U.S. Pirate Party will, however, be anticipated to field their own distinct U.S. Presidential candidates in 2028. 
 
These Bylaws are presently being provided for U.S. Transhumanist Party members to deliberate and vote upon as the final step in their adoption. Because the language was negotiated directly with the U.S. Pirate Party, the USTP members are being given the options to vote “Yes”, “No”, or “Abstain” on the proposed Bylaws as a singular document. Official ballots have been e-mailed separately to USTP members to the e-mail addresses within our records. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, August 18, 2025


Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

a. The name of this organization shall be All Hands for a Free Future, hereafter also referred to interchangeably as AllHandsFuture or All Hands.

Section 2: Purpose

a. All Hands for a Free Future is a coalition of political parties committed to strategic electoral collaboration while maintaining their distinct identities. The coalition seeks to:

  1. Coordinate electoral strategies to maximize the political impact of its members.
  2. Encourage joint Presidential tickets where feasible.
  3. Support candidates running as members of AllHandsFuture-affiliated parties, as well as through a DINO/RINO strategy, in which member candidates may run as a member of the Democratic Party (DINO) or Republican Party (RINO) in order to gain ballot access, though ballot access under All Hands parties is encouraged.
  4. Promote democratic representation and policy alignment among its members.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

a. Membership in AllHandsFuture is open to any U.S.-based political party that:

i. Aligns with the coalition’s strategic electoral goals and shared values.

ii. Agrees to the provisions set forth in these bylaws.

Section 2: Term of Membership

a. Initial membership shall be granted for a period of four (4) years.

b. Each four-year cycle will begin during June or July of the year following a Presidential election, allowing time to assess results and develop both immediate and long-term responses.

c. After the initial four-year term, members must recommit for another four-year term to maintain membership.

d. Membership renewal is contingent on adherence to coalition principles and active participation.

Section 3: Rights and Obligations

a. Members retain the right to run candidates under their own party ticket or under the DINO/RINO strategy.

b. Candidates endorsed by any AllHandsFuture member party shall receive universal endorsement from all other coalition members.

c. Multi-party membership within any AllHandsFuture-affiliated party is not only permitted, but encouraged.

d. New member parties are encouraged, but not required, to run their own Presidential ticket at least once before contributing to a joint AllHandsFuture presidential candidate.

Article III: Coalition Governance

Section 1: Coalition Council

a. The governing body of AllHandsFuture shall be the Coalition Council.

b. Each party shall appoint at least two representatives to ensure redundancy in case of absence or vacancy, especially among Officer positions.

c. The Council shall determine major coalition endorsements and strategies through a majority vote.

Section 2: Decision-Making

a. Presidential endorsements shall be determined by a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of the Coalition Council.

b. Other endorsements and strategic decisions shall be made by simple majority.

c. Amendments to the bylaws shall be brought forth to the council and determined by a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of the Coalition Council.

d. New parties seeking approval and to be asked to join AllHandsFuture will be voted upon by member parties via unanimous vote from the Coalition Council, or two-thirds (⅔) majority vote if any representatives from member parties are absent for the vote, which will be viewed as an “Abstain” vote.

Article IV: Presidential Elections

Section 1: Joint Presidential Ticket

a. Following the initial four-year membership term and decision to continue with the coalition, parties may opt-in to support a joint AllHandsFuture Presidential ticket.

b. The joint ticket must be representative of eligible coalition members, ensuring ideological and political balance.

Section 2: Endorsement of Candidates

a. In order to be eligible for endorsement by All Hands for a Free Future (also referred to as AllHandsFuture or All Hands), a candidate for any local, state, or federal political office must meet the following criteria:

    1. The candidate satisfies the minimum qualifications pursuant to applicable law for holding the office for which they seek to run.
    2. The candidate has never committed any violent crime. A violent crime includes physical injury or destruction inflicted upon any person or property. Examples include, but are not limited to: murder, manslaughter, rape, human trafficking, domestic violence, robbery, assault, battery, looting, arson, and rioting.
    3. The candidate has never committed any financial crime which had any victim, including but not limited to fraud, embezzlement, theft, cybercrime, or financing of violent or criminal groups.
    4. The candidate has never engaged in documented acts of cyberbullying, cyber-harassment, or intentional spreading of false accusations against another individual online.
    5. The candidate has never engaged in acts understood to be of a highly unacceptable nature within every contemporary agricultural, industrial, or post-industrial society. The Officers of All Hands for a Free Future shall maintain an internal list identifying such highly unacceptable practices, engaging in which or advocating which would be considered an automatic disqualification.
    6. The candidate has never engaged in acts which are understood by the Officers of All Hands for a Free Future to have been undertaken primarily for the purposes of generating shock value or transgression for its own sake.
    7. The candidate must agree to participate in any process designated by the Officers of All Hands for a Free Future for determining endorsement eligibility, and to respect the outcome of that process.
    8. The candidate must agree to work collaboratively with the coalition during the campaign season, and to neither disparage All Hands for a Free Future or fellow individual coalition members or member parties, nor act contrary to the interests or goals of All Hands for a Free Future.
    9. The candidate must never have disparaged All Hands for a Free Future or any of its current Officers in good standing in any written publication or public video or audio recording. Constructive criticism is allowed under a reasonable-person standard.
    10. The candidate must commit to running for office as an endorsed candidate of the coalition until the conclusion of the election.
    11. The candidate must never have reneged on a prior commitment to run as an endorsed candidate of the coalition through the conclusion of the relevant election.
    12. The candidate must never have falsely alleged any electoral malfeasance on the part of All Hands for a Free Future.
    13. The candidate must never have undertaken or threatened to undertake legal action or formal complaints against All Hands for a Free Future or any of its Officers in good standing.
    14. The candidate must express agreement with the Core Ideals of the coalition as outlined in its founding principles.
    15. The candidate’s policy positions should demonstrate significant alignment with the values and goals of the coalition.
    16. The candidate must agree, in public statements, to either (a) openly express support for transhumanism and/or life extension; or (b) specifically reference their endorsement by All Hands for a Free Future.

Article V: Amendments

Section 1: Amendment Process

a. Amendments to these bylaws require a two-thirds (⅔) majority of the Coalition Council.

b. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing and reviewed by all member parties before a vote.

Report on the Current Status of Transhumanism in Shandong Province by Zhang Xu

Report on the Current Status of Transhumanism in Shandong Province by Zhang Xu

August 17, 2025 Zhang Xu Comments 0 Comment

Zhang Xu


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to provide this status report from our newest Regional Representative, Zhang Xu, who was recently appointed to help advance the spread of transhumanism in Shandong Province, China. We hope that this report will serve as an example of the kind of helpful information we gather about the impact of transhumanism throughout the world, including both obstacles to and opportunities for the growth of our movement. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, August 17, 2025


Zhang Xu

I. Overall Situation

Shandong’s transhumanism awareness and scattered practices: At present, it is mainly reflected in the science fascination among scientists, academia, and makers, and has not formed a common concept and social movement name in the public domain.

II. Public Awareness and Cognition

Professional Circles: University teachers and engineers, especially medical technicians, know more about artificial intelligence, brain-computer interface, synthetic biology, life extension medicine, etc., and they usually treat them as some “newest technological progresses” instead of philosophy or social movement.

Public in General: Not many people know what transhumanism is but they have a positive and curious attitude towards its applications (AI-assisted workplaces, smart prostheses, wearables, health tech).

Cognitive Biases: Some confuse transhumanism with “science fiction” or “radical body modification,” lacking a clear understanding of its ethical and social significance.

III. Forms of Expression

Academia and Universities: Some lectures, book clubs, and technical exchange events focus on AI, brain-computer interfaces, rehabilitation engineering, and medical and health technology.

Industry and Maker Spaces: Some projects are conducting experiments or starting businesses around intelligent prosthetics, the quantified self, exoskeletons, and assistive robots.

Online and Cultural Levels: On platforms like Bilibili, WeChat official accounts, and Xiaohongshu, bloggers and communities are sharing content on longevity medicine, AI efficiency tools, and human-machine collaboration.

IV. Public Opinion

Positive Side: There is a tendency to acknowledge that “technology improves life,” especially in addressing aging, rehabilitation medicine, disability assistance, and improving efficiency.

Concerns: There are certain concerns and criticism regarding “genetic modification,” “data privacy,” “algorithmic bias,” and “machines replacing human jobs.”

Overall Atmosphere: The public in Shandong is cautiously optimistic about new technologies, but they prioritize their practical value over their philosophical implications.

V. Potential Opportunities

Aging Population and Rehabilitation Needs: Shandong has a large elderly population, providing a natural environment for rehabilitation engineering, exoskeletons, and assistive technologies.

Industrial Advantages: Industries such as marine technology, biomedicine, and intelligent manufacturing are highly relevant to transhumanism and offer potential for cross-fertilization.

Education and Popular Science: Universities have abundant scientific research resources, and young people are highly receptive to new concepts, offering significant potential for future cognitive improvement.

VI. Potential Obstacles

Unfamiliarity with the Concept: The public lacks a clear understanding of transhumanism, and it is easily confused with fiction or extreme imagery.

Ethics and Compliance: Topics such as genetics, healthcare, and human enhancement are sensitive to policy and public opinion, and face limitations in discussion and practice.

Resources and Organizations: Transhumanist-related communities and organizations are relatively underdeveloped, lacking long-term, visible public activities or institutional support.

Talent Mobility: High-end scientific research and innovation talent tend to flow to first-tier cities, leaving local technological development vulnerable to a talent drain.

📌 Conclusion

Transhumanism in Shandong Province currently exists in a state of invisibility, fragmented practice, and low awareness. While society hasn’t yet fully grasped the transhumanist movement, practical needs and projects have emerged at the intersection of technological development, the needs of the aging population, and health and assistive technologies that align closely with core transhumanist issues. This suggests enormous potential for future expansion, but also highlights the need to address the dual challenges of cognitive deficits and ethical sensitivities.

Zhang Xu is the U.S. Transhumanist Party Regional Representative in Shandong Province. Find out more about him here. 

Who Introduced You to the Longevity Field? – Survey by Anastasia Egorova

Who Introduced You to the Longevity Field? – Survey by Anastasia Egorova

August 11, 2025 Anastasia Egorova Comments 1 comment

Anastasia Egorova


I am running a survey to learn who introduced the most people to the longevity field. You must have learned about Rapamycin, naked mole-rats, and Hallmarks of Aging from someone, right? Maybe this was a personal interaction, maybe you read their book, listened to their podcast?

This is a survey for anyone familiar with longevity research and life-extension ideas. Its goal is to find the most influential people in longevity, those who convinced you to drop everything and work on aging or just introduced you to this field.

Let’s find the most impactful nodes in our network: they deserve praise and emulation. We hope this will bring even more talent into the longevity field.

Outcomes of this research will include a review paper and an interactive map available publicly.

Take the survey here. 

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas regarding this survey. Text me on Telegram, X, or LinkedIn / Nastya Egorova

Anastasia Egorova is the co-founder and CEO of Open Longevity. Watch the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Anastasia Egorova of September 10, 2023, and the Longevity Fireside Chat (also featuring Mark Hamalainen) of April 7, 2024. 

The Systemic Problems in Contemporary Academia and Research Funding – Article by Dr. Bill Andrews

The Systemic Problems in Contemporary Academia and Research Funding – Article by Dr. Bill Andrews

August 10, 2025 Bill Andrews Comments 2 comments

Bill Andrews


Though I cannot say if I agree or disagree with Trump’s plans for science, the article in the New York Times on April 25, 2025, motivated me to express my thoughts on the ability of science in the world today to do something useful at the humanitarian level. I’m a hard-core scientist (which keeps me really too busy to keep on top of politics) whose only goal is to make the world happier and healthier. My goal isn’t to see how many research studies I can publish. My goal isn’t to see how much money I can make. My goal is to end disease, aging, and anything that makes living less loveable. The world today has a false sense of security that science today is really doing its best to make the world happier and healthier, when science really isn’t doing that at all. The world needs to be aware of this.

Many years ago I became aware that the academic research approach was never going to be a way to achieve my goals. Despite criticism from my major professor and Ph.D. committee, I chose to go into industrial research instead of pursuing an academic research career after earning my Ph.D. Why is that?

Despite the fact that teaching requirements of academic researchers interferes tremendously with focusing on science, I had also become very disillusioned by the “publish or perish” mindset in academia that doing research to get publications was more important than doing research to “do good”. This excessive need for publications was because granting organizations counted the number of publications researchers had when determining who gets grants and who doesn’t. The quality of the publications in a researcher’s CV was far less important than the number of publications.

I was also stunned by the misappropriation of funds granted by NSF, NIH, etc. by the academic researchers, as well as the misappropriation of grant funding by the granting organizations themselves.

And I was just as stunned at the number of misleading studies submitted for publication by the researchers just to increase their total number of publications, despite the fact that no one, not even the scientists themselves that published the studies, could later reproduce the studies. I saw it as a vicious catch-22 where researchers would misrepresent themselves when applying for grants, while granting organizations weren’t really qualified to determine which researchers were misrepresenting themselves. As such, it was chaos when it came to determining who deserved grant funding and who didn’t. And no one was monitoring the chaos, misappropriation, and misrepresentation. To succeed, researchers had to learn to play ball with the system. And the whole system found that to be acceptable.

When I was in graduate school, I saw my own major professor learn to play ball when being honest wasn’t working. Our lab was about to fail after every grant application was turned down. My major professor then told us all that, as a last-ditch effort, he was going to re-draft the grant application to include the word “cancer” at least two times on every page, and then re-submit the grant application to the Cancer Society. The discord with this was that we were doing research to study the process of converting light into energy in plants by way of chloroplasts. We weren’t doing cancer research by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, while I was packing up my stuff, ready to find a new research lab to work in, the lab manager came running into the lab yelling that the Cancer Society just granted the lab every penny we were asking for. I felt both relief and disappointment at the same time. Despite the relief, it finalized my decision to seek a better route to achieve my goals, than academia, after getting my Ph.D.

My choice for research, in order to rid the world of debilitation, death, and unhappiness, was to find a cure for aging – not just for us, but for our pets also. Aging is the major cause of almost every health-related problem in the world. And, then, after curing aging, I planned to also pursue the curing of all the non-aging related health problems of the world too, including alcoholism, debilitating injuries, debilitating genetics, etc. But the further I got in my quests, the more I realized that the science was not the obstacle to achieving all my goals.

While still close to receiving my Ph.D. I applied for, and was offered work, at many industrial labs. But none of them were interested in curing aging. So, reluctantly, I also applied, and was offered work, in many academic labs that were supposedly focused on curing aging. But when I visited the labs to consider them as a place to pursue my goals, I found that none of them were really interested in curing aging. They just saw the field as a good field to do research to get publications. So, I accepted the offer at one of the industrial labs thinking that I would resume my quest to cure aging after I demonstrated my ability to succeed with whatever I was challenged with.

Like academia, I was disillusioned again. But this time it was because industrial labs were occupied by scientists still brainwashed into the “publish or perish” mindset, and most the lab owners and investors were only focused on financial returns on investment, and not at all on humanitarian returns on investment. I quickly learned that traditional investors invest in the dream, but not the dream coming true. No wonder cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and all the other diseases on the planet are still not cured yet.

Nevertheless, after becoming a key inventor of more biotech blockbusters than anyone on the planet and becoming recognized worldwide as a top scientist, I was finally able to start my own company, Sierra Sciences, 18 years later, to focus on humanitarian returns on investment; starting with curing aging.

It had become clearly obvious to me many years earlier that no matter what anyone did to cure aging, aging would never be cured unless the telomere shortening problem was also solved. And so, that was, and still is, Sierra Sciences’ main goal until it is completed.

Still the struggle to complete the goal continues because traditional investors, would rather redirect scientific efforts towards quick returns on investments, which include selling the company and all our intellectual property, as soon as demonstration of their goals was achieved. So, finding new alternative ways to fund the “do good” research was continually necessary.

Now I feel like I almost stand alone in my quest to “do good” along with a few other like-minded colleagues. But we all struggle to find ways to succeed in a world focused on profits. I welcome a change in the world towards focusing on “doing good” instead of just doing what is profitable. But because I am a hard-core scientist, I really don’t know if Trump’s plans, described in the April 25 New York Times, are really to rid the world of the misappropriation of funds and the misrepresentation of the science by researchers, in order to pursue the same ideals that I have. I can only hope for the best.

Dr. Bill Andrews (William H. Andrews) is the Biotechnology Advisor of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and the President and CEO of Sierra Sciences. As a scientist, athlete, and executive, he continually pushes the envelope and challenges convention. He has been featured in Popular Science, The Today Show and numerous documentaries on the topic of life extension. Find out more about him here. 

Tribute to John Kerecz (1961 – 2025)

Tribute to John Kerecz (1961 – 2025)

May 28, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 2 comments


The U.S. Transhumanist Party and the broader transhumanist community have been devastated by the loss of John Kerecz, one of the USTP’s most dedicated Officers and its Director of Energy Issues since 2020, who died unexpectedly on May 16, 2025, at the age of 63. On May 8, he tore his quadriceps and was expected to go in for surgery during the week that he died.  However, before he was able to receive the surgery, he succumbed suddenly to a pulmonary embolism that resulted from his injury. John Kerecz’s official obituary can be found here.

John’s involvement with the U.S. Transhumanist Party spanned the past five and three-quarters years – since August 2019, when he entered the USTP Presidential Primary as one of the candidates seeking our nomination. Out of all of the candidates competing during that primary, John has made the most enduring impact upon our organization, continuing to serve as a USTP Officer since 2020 and remaining a major source of insight, stability, and good sense – always being steadfast in his support of his fellow Officers and the USTP as an organization.

He interviewed multiple transhumanists, including USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II, 2024 Presidential Candidate Tom Ross, and 2024 Vice-Presidential Candidate Daniel Twedt, numerous times, and made an appearance on transhumanist shows as well, including Steele Archer’s “Debt Nation” show, and our very own Virtual Enlightenment Salon, where he presented on January 23, 2022, about his epic 2014 journey to the edge of space.  John was a prolific content creator, releasing videos on his OSH Radio channel up to the very day of his death. He was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest, whose adventures in travel and in the realms of the mind made for a story unlike any other – whose richness of experience we can only imagine, and whose irreplaceable internal universe is now unfortunately lost to us. John wanted to live, to create more, to experience more. Now all we have of him is what he left behind. It is but a shadow of the man himself, but still, it is a lot.

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the U.S. Transhumanist Party streamed a video tribute to John Kerecz to celebrate his many contributions to the advancement of transhumanism. In it you will see and hear just an infinitesimal fraction of what John Kerecz was about, but we hope that it will still give you a glimpse of his many thoughtful ideas on transhumanist topics and politics more generally.

This tribute features John Kerecz’s first video appearance in the transhumanist community, on Episode 46 of Steele Archer’s Debt Nation show (aired on August 20, 2019), where Steele Archer asked John Kerecz a series of questions to form a comprehensive candidate profile.

The tribute continues with excerpts from the September 14, 2019, Third Virtual Debate of U.S. Transhumanist Party Presidential Primary Candidates, with a specific focus on John Kerecz’s responses to the debate questions.

The last half-hour of the stream features some of John’s musical creations, including the last music videos he ever posted. They are enjoyable, thought-provoking, and speak to profound themes of life, death, and purpose – which John explored up until the very end.

John Kerecz was a prolific content creator, releasing videos on his OSH Radio channel up to the very day of his death. His videos can be viewed here.

John Kerecz also maintained several websites at https://oshradio.com/, https://johnkerecz.com/, and https://crazyjohnkerecz.com/.

Watch the Virtual Enlightenment Salon with John Kerecz, where he presented on his epic 2014 journey to the edge of space, streamed on January 23, 2022.

Of all of the people in our transhumanist community, John left perhaps the most extensive public mindfile behind. We hope that it will be of benefit to humanity and give us all an enduring impression of who John Kerecz was, so that we may continue to benefit from his wisdom and be inspired by his incredible versatility as a creator. We only wish that he had been here with us to continue to enjoy these works himself and to create many others. John ended many of his short videos with the words, “Live long and prosper”. Unfortunately, he will not get to. But we know that he would wish it for us. Thank you to all of you today who join us in remembering him. He will be missed in ways that cannot be replaced and will not be forgotten.


Biography of John Kerecz, Written by Himself

John Joseph Kerecz (September 10, 1961 – May 16, 2025) lived a life rich in accomplishments, goal-reaching, and harnessing his talents. Though he had an impressive professional and educational legacy, having worked for more than thirty-five years in engineering and technological fields, he was better known by his friends and loved ones as the owner of OSHRadio.com and as an adventurer with well-rounded and fulfilled ambitions. Kerecz also had a passion for the arts; he had authored books (nine of which are listed on Amazon), appeared in various films, and started being a part-time radio and TV personality in the early 1980s. His dynamic range of professional, thrill-seeking, and artistic experiences painted him as a dreamer with no limits.

Kerecz had an impressive repertoire of world travel experiences, having even been launched into the edge of space from Sokol Airbase in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. This endeavor was inspired by his always-present admiration of outer space, and his inability to take no for an answer when it came to the question of whether or not he could get close to it! He also wouldn’t take no for an answer when it came to the question of accomplishing other dreams; for example, he needed to undergo a hip-replacement surgery, but this did not stop him from taking a seven-country hiking trip shortly afterward. One of the countries on this trip was Tibet, and he had the pleasure of trekking across the land of temples and nature, eventually reaching a base camp at Mount Everest. Other countries on this trip included China, Turkey, Italy, and more. He fulfilled his dream of visiting the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu in 2024.

It is no surprise that if someone had asked Kerecz as a child what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would have said that he aspired to become a superhero! Though this may not be the most expected answer for a child to provide, it showed that he had big dreams and boundless confidence from a young age. He considered his experience in practicing karate and kung-fu, as well as his familial influences, as being positively impactful on his childhood. He prospered in school, having taken to heart the advice of art teachers who dared him to dream even bigger, and having paid close attention to his lectures in science classes.

Kerecz called central Pennsylvania his home. He received both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees at Penn State University. Additionally, however, he considered “home” to be anywhere his loved ones were. Throughout his adventures, his loved ones supported him and remained the most important factor in his life. They lovingly knew him as spontaneous and crazy, using these words only to reflect on his naturally fun and daring manner. When he was not working, spending time with loved ones, or trekking around the world, he liked to exercise his body and mind. Kerecz enjoyed visiting the gym and reading books, especially works by Anne Rice.

His repertoire of experiences led him to hold closely onto ideals of peace and love. He was dynamically spiritual, having Christian and some Buddhist Zen beliefs. John Kerecz believed that everything happens for a reason and that everyone was born for a specific purpose. He truly followed this belief, setting an example of how people should explore their own destinies.


The Visionary Architect of Tomorrow: Digital Painting in Honor of John Kerecz, Generated by Cybor Dre

U.S. Transhumanist Party member Cybor Dre created this digital portrait in honor of John Kerecz, whose hope was to become a space archaeologist in a later career, to both see the advancement of the human / transhuman multi-planetary civilization and to uncover other civilizations and artifacts that we might come across as our civilization expands. John Kerecz will always be remembered as one of the forward-thinking champions of humankind’s future – a precursor to our species’ journey to the stars. His name will be written in the stars as one of the visionaries who made the future Transhuman Era possible.


John Kerecz will be missed by everyone in the transhumanist community and all those whose lives he affected for the better.


Interviews with John Kerecz on Steele Archer’s Debt Nation Show

Episode 46: Candidate Profile: John J. Kerecz – August 20, 2019

Episode 60: Dream BIG!: Radio Star John J. Kerecz – August 30, 2019

Episode 66: Climate Change Solutions!: Daniel Yeluashvili, John Kerecz – September 6, 2019

Episode 98: Our Cosmos / Planetary Society: David Craig and John Kerecz – October 11, 2019

Episode 103: Explore Mars: John Kerecz and Jeffrey Gonyea – October 13, 2019

Episode 124: Magic and Transhumanism: John Kerecz and Trenton Caine – November 7, 2019

Episode 134: Transhumanist Projects: John Kerecz – November 13, 2019

Episode 156: “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying”: John Kerecz – February 4, 2020

Episode 206: The United States of Crazy!: John Kerecz – March 30, 2020

Interviews by John Kerecz

John Kerecz’s Interview with Steele Archer – November 14, 2019

John Kerecz’s First Interview with David Shumaker – July 28, 2020

John Kerecz’s First Interview with Tom Ross – August 25, 2020

John Kerecz’s Second Interview with Tom Ross – October 12, 2020

John Kerecz’s Second Interview with David Shumaker: Elections and Much More – October 29, 2020

John Kerecz’s First Interview with Gennady Stolyarov II: Putting Science Health & Technology at the Forefront! – November 8, 2020

John Kerecz and Gennady Stolyarov II: U.S. 2020 Election Aftermath and Transhumanist Party Update – January 9, 2021

Coffee Interview with Jennifer A. Huse – May 12, 2021

Follow-Up Interview with Jennifer A. Huse – September 15, 2021

Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz: Reflections on 2021, Anticipations for 2022 – January 14, 2022

John Kerecz Interviews David Shumaker and Susan Cutforth After RAADfest, with Guest Appearance by Gennady Stolyarov II – October 14, 2022

Interview with 2024 Presidential Candidate Thomas E. Ross – May 31, 2023

Interview with 2024 Vice-Presidential Candidate Daniel E. Twedt – July 6, 2023

John Kerecz Interivews Gennady Stolyarov II on the Potential Future of American Politics – July 13, 2023

Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz: Tom Ross Vote, 2024 US Politics, AI, and Positive-Sum Thinking – January 20, 2024

John Kerecz Interviews Gennady Stolyarov II on U.S. Politics in 2024 and the Ross-Twedt Campaign – April 30, 2024

Interview with Presidential Candidate Tom Ross – May 9, 2024

John Kerecz Interviews Gennady Stolyarov II on Changes in U.S. Politics – July 30, 2024

Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz: Discussion on U.S. Politics Prior to the 2024 Election – October 3, 2024

Post-2024-Election Discussion: U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz – December 21, 2024

Tom Ross – Short Interview : Transhumanists Getting Coffee and Food Series – January 3, 2025

John Kerecz Interviews Gennady Stolyarov II on the First Two Months of the Trump Administration – March 21, 2025


Books and Pamphlets by John Kerecz (Available on Amazon)

♩ Stress Release in 5 Minutes a Day through American Wisdom (May 18, 2016)

♩ Dream It, Do It: The Story of Little Chuck (June 12, 2018)

♩ The Sky Really is the Limit: An Autobiography (February 28, 2019)

♩ The Life and Adventures of DR JON KZ: Book 2: Pause Game (October 7, 2019)

♩ The Life and Adventures of DR JON KZ: Book 3: Restart (October 7, 2019)

♩ Jay’s Friends: A Dr Jon Kz Adventures Companion Book (The Life and Adventures of Dr Jon Kz) (May 7, 2020)

♩ Morals and Machines: Theology and AI Technology (May 14, 2020)

♩ The Unbelievable Life of DR JON KZ (January 13, 2021)

♩ Be a Force of Nature (September 30, 2021)

♩ In Support of STEAM: Science. Technology. Engineering. Arts. Math in our Education System (February 19, 2022)

♩ An Introduction to the Main Tenets of Self-Defense: KereKwan Hapkido Hosinsul (July 5, 2022)

♩ The Future of Energy?: My Thoughts (January 5, 2023)

♩ The Dojo Blueprint: Martial Arts as the Key to Leadership & Lifelong Success: Martial Arts is Far More Than a Physical Discipline (April 19, 2025)

Books to Which John Kerecz Made Contributions

♩ Elite Martial Artists Worldwide Volume III: Secrets to Life, Leadership & Business by Jessie Bowen (April 11, 2025)

Results of Platform Vote #9 and Vote on Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations; Adopted Sections of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution

Results of Platform Vote #9 and Vote on Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations; Adopted Sections of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution

March 13, 2025 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


The U.S. Transhumanist Party conducted its twentieth vote of the members and the ninth vote on its Platform planks, as well as a vote on two competing sets of proposals on investigations and emergency declarations, between February 17 and March 10, 2025. Official ballot options can be found here.

Detailed results of the voting have been tabulated here. In three instances, where no majority was reached in the first round of voting, options were selected based on the ranked-preference method with instant runoffs.

As a result, the following new or amended sections of Article VI of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution, as well as the new Article IX of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution, were adopted.


Article VI. Platform [New Sections]

Section CXIX [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: Given that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world and will not end as long as immunity from vaccination or prior infection can be bypassed by subsequent mutated escape variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the United States Transhumanist Party supports concerted scientific and technological efforts to eliminate COVID-19 as a threat to public health. These efforts may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

(i) Development of a universal vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would work against all possible variants of the virus and would confer lasting immunity.

(ii) Development of antibodies that are capable of neutralizing any variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

(iii) Development of reliable cures for all varieties of Long COVID or Post-COVID Syndrome.

The United States Transhumanist Party considers only scientific and technological solutions to be capable of eliminating COVID-19 as a threat to public health and does not support lockdowns, restrictions on individual liberty or medical choice, or demonization of individuals who make any personal health choices regarding their approach to COVID-19 precautions – including individuals who take extensive, moderate, mild, or no precautions. The United States Transhumanist Party also holds that no individual should be compelled to undertake any behaviors that may expose that individual to greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Section CXX [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports approaching technologies of artificial intelligence primarily as opportunities rather than as threats. The potential of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, to foster creativity, solve problems, cure diseases, create new opportunities, and facilitate radical abundance far outweighs the risks and dangers of AI.

The United States Transhumanist Party recognizes that AI safety and AI alignment are important pursuits to maximize the probability of predominantly beneficial consequences from future AI systems.

Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports restrictions on the ability to use AI systems for intentionally destructive purposes; such restrictions would include a ban on autonomous weapons.

In addition, AI policy needs to address the known risks and harms that are created passively or unintentionally based on the human bias used while creating said AI. Stopping the intentional use of AI for harm does not go far enough, and it is necessary to ensure that AI is immune to biases such racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other similar forms of bias.

However, these efforts should be undertaken in a rational, proportionate, evidence-based manner, avoiding unsubstantiated speculation, alarmist hype, and doomsday pronouncements. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party opposes any efforts to restrict individual liberty or initiate physically aggressive action against other individuals or countries in the name of stopping allegedly dangerous AI development.

Section CXXI [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: Recognizing that the achievement of reversible cryopreservation techniques could enable the realization of individuals’ right to life (brutally violated by so-called “natural” death) by waiting until future technologies could bring a cryopreserved patient out of the cryopreserved state and achieve cures for diseases and aging, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the urgency of advancing reversible cryopreservation research. Therefore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports the allocation of an annual funding package of $10 billion for reversible cryopreservation research. This funding shall be expeditiously directed to esteemed research institutions with a proven track record of focusing on the development and implementation of reversible cryopreservation techniques.

Section CXXII [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the implementation of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ concept, which holds that public money should, where reasonably possible, come to benefit the public first and foremost, and secondarily might also benefit other parties as well.

Public code is understood as code that is publicly available and more commonly referred to as Open Source, for example code released under the GPLv3 (General Public License version 3). The reasoning of ‘Public Money for Public Code’ is that public money should not be spent on proprietary software that benefits a select group of companies, but rather used to support Open-Source projects that are alternatives to proprietary software. As Open-Source software is available for free to the public, said stimulus of Open-Source software could benefit both the public as well as public institutions. An example here could be an alternative to Microsoft Office, such as LibreOffice.

Many Open-Source projects operate via volunteers contributing to the project’s efforts. Opening up the possibility to receive funding for a project could incentivize more people to contribute to a project, and perhaps even use contribution to Open-Source projects as a means of stable income. This incentivizes citizens to participate, as besides the admirable goal of doing good for the public, it also contributes to the participants’ livelihood, or helps them decide to split their worktime between the roles of an employee and a self-employed contributor.

Likewise, this might incentivize software companies to participate as well, as it can earn them revenue. It would, however, be important to observe that companies do not drown out individual contributors, as this could have a detrimental effect on incentivizing public participation.

The public participation would be an important element of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ implementation, as it would also be a public showcase to stimulate interest in programming in education and beyond.

Section CXXIII [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts for social media to improve privacy settings, in granularity, usability, as well as awareness of such privacy features, for users. Better control of privacy can minimize the scraping of information, including information that can be used for identifying targets by malicious actors, from websites.

Section CXXIV [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrain government agencies from efforts to limit, oppose, or undermine security initiatives by companies and businesses. For instance, government agencies should not be able to request that private companies build “back doors” into their software to enable government agencies to access digital devices or systems in the course of an investigation. Although their motives might be pure, to uncover criminal activity for example, such efforts can in the process undermine security on a much larger scale. If government agencies can have access, so can malicious actors.

Section CXXV [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to create a security whistleblower initiative where a whistleblower can report known security issues that are not being addressed by a company or government institution. This could also aid the whistleblower in the event that they would suffer negative consequences by their employer for addressing security issues.

Article VI. Platform [Amended Sections]

Section XXVII [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 26 – April 1, 2017; amended by a vote of the members during November 11-17, 2017; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the criterion for the election of President to be an outcome of the popular vote decided by ranked-preference voting or a similar mechanism that allows voters to select multiple options in a manner that more completely expresses their views.

Section XXXVI [Adopted by a vote of the members during May 7-13, 2017; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the elimination of graduated taxation and income taxation more generally. Instead, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold. This tax would not be imposed on life necessities, defined as goods that are consumable in the near term and whose primary purpose is to facilitate human survival. This tax should be built into the price of goods from such large businesses and should not impede transaction efficiency in any manner. Transactions pertaining to wages, salaries, gifts, donations, barter, employee benefits, and inheritances should remain completely untaxed, as should transactions involving solely individuals and/or small businesses, for whom the establishment of a tax-reporting infrastructure would be onerous. Furthermore, all taxes on land and property should be abolished.

Section XCIX [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for all American residents to continue to receive free health care for the disease of COVID-19, including free testing, vaccination, antiviral medications, and any other services involved in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic and health disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Requiring consumers and patients to pay for COVID-related care would increase the number of people who refuse to obtain vaccination or treatment for purely financial reasons, thus amplifying the difficulty of ever defeating COVID-19 – an endeavor that is aided by maximizing the amount of immunity and available health care for the population.

Section CI [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: In recognition that the recent unprecedented and prolonged patterns of flight delays and cancellations at United States airports create situations of unacceptable detriments to quality of life and mobility to American passengers and were due directly to the supply-chain disruptions, aircraft shortages, labor shortages, and poor decisions by major airlines to cut staff in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for measures to enable airlines which reduced aircraft counts and dismissed staff during the COVID-19 epidemic to purchase or construct sufficient aircraft to replace the reduced capacity, to actively utilize such aircraft and restore prior routes, and to offer to re-hire all staff members who were dismissed as a result of prior responses to the epidemic. In the event that specific individual former staff members do not wish to return to their previous positions, they should be replaced with others who are willing to take on those roles for appropriate compensation and benefits. Sufficient incentives should be offered to airlines to allow pre-COVID flight, maintenance, and staffing levels to continue indefinitely.

Section CII [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of as many United States military personnel from overseas stations as reasonably possible, with the exception of those specifically needed to defend American assets and American citizens and to carry out specific and limited previously agreed-upon treaty obligations, and their deployment for the purpose of improving domestic defense, infrastructure, and crisis response in providing peaceful assistance to the civilian population in times of major disruptions to everyday life.

Section CIII [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective lasting cures and vaccines for COVID-19, such as antibodies that respond to all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccines that permanently protect against all such variants, and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a universal COVID-19 vaccine that would be permanently effective against all variants, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and release into the public domain of any cure or future vaccine for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus and to all who wish to prevent such infection.

Section CIV [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and disabilities in elderly people, as well as infections of virtually every sort, and thus brutally violates the fundamental rights of people to life and health, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives, including from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

Section CX [Adopted by a vote of the members during March 25-28, 2020; amended by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the ongoing, continuous, and indefinite deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The United States Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to manufacturers of effective diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that can recognize emerging variants, such that those tests could be manufactured in sufficient quantity to provide a test to every American who wants one.

The United States Transhumanist Party achieved success in advocating for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes. This has reduced the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients. However, the United States Transhumanist Party expresses concern regarding significant lack of data about the ongoing prevalence of COVID-19 within communities in the United States. Such data, which used to be tracked rigorously and published regularly, have now become sparse and have failed to capture all sources of COVID-19 infection. In order to be able to track the spread of new variants of the virus, authorities need to return to the level of data collection and publication that existed during the early pandemic in 2020.

Article IX. Emergency Actions [New Sections]

Section I. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: When executive action is required in the face of a serious threat, the Chairman must have the authority to act decisively.

This Section reasserts the Chairman’s authority to act decisively in defense of individuals, groups, or organizations by expressing the delegated support of the Party for the individual, group, or organization under assault.  The Chairman retains the authority to advocate for those individuals, groups, or organizations whose goals align with those of the Party. The Chairman is not required to seek the approval of a majority of the party membership to act on behalf of the Party, nor does he have to provide justification for his support.

Section II. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The authority of the Chairman to act on behalf of the Party is not intended to supersede the authority of the Party to determine the Party’s position on a particular issue, nor is it intended to diminish the responsibility of the Party to take a position on a particular issue.

The Chairman will retain the authority to act on behalf of the Party, at his or her own discretion, to advocate on behalf of the Party and its members in the event of an emergency, defined as any event that may significantly impact the realization of the goals of the Party as outlined in the Platform.

Section III. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The Party will seek to continuously empower the Chairman to act on behalf of its members by codifying his/her authority to do so in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members as a whole.

The Chairman is empowered to act as the Party’s representative, and to make statements on behalf of the Party, to the media and the public; to advocate on behalf of any individual, group, or organization that supports the Party and its Platform, as well as on behalf of the Party’s members and the Party’s philosophy, goals, and objectives; to promote the Party’s agenda, candidates, and policies; and to respond to attacks on the Party, or on its members, allies, or affiliates.

Section IV. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]:The Chairman has the ability to designate individuals and organizations as “allies” of the Party at his or her discretion, and to permit such “allies” to represent themselves to the public and the media as “allies” and “members” of the Party. Such “allies” are encouraged but not required to support the Platform.

Section V. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]:Party members may not seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates or members; nor may any Party member seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates, or members by anyone who was so designated by the Chairman. This does not prohibit individual Party members from criticizing a decision of the Chairman, as long as that criticism does not stray into attempted compulsion.

Section VI. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The Chairman and any of the Chairman’s designees shall strive to ensure the following:

(i) The Party is adequately represented in all communications with the public and the media. In some cases, it may be appropriate to have two or more representatives from the Party speak on behalf of the Party.

(ii) The Party is able to provide key information to the public and the media in a timely manner, through press releases, interviews, and particularly social-media commentary.

(iii) The Party is able to have a significant and positive impact on the outcome or resolution of the emergency.

(iv) The Party is able to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates.

Section VII. [Adopted by a vote of the members during February 17 – March 10, 2025]: The Party hereby empowers the Chairman in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members and its Platform. The Party shall further make every effort to ensure that the Party, its members, and the Chairman are able to advocate for the Party and its members on a permanent and eternal basis.

It is in the interest of the Party to remain relevant, not only to the Party itself, but to the public, and it is in the spirit of that interest that the Party empowers the Chairman.

A good-faith effort shall be made to ensure that the Chairman has the opportunity to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates, and finally to ensure that the Chairman is able to engage in the activities described in this Section for the entire substantive duration of any emergency.

Official Ballot Options for Platform Vote #9 and Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

Official Ballot Options for Platform Vote #9 and Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

February 18, 2025 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 3 comments

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The 21-day electronic voting period on the ninth set of proposed platform planks of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and previously exposed proposals on investigations and emergency declarations will occur from 6:00 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Monday, February 17, 2025, to 6:00 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Monday, March 10, 2025. All members of the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) who have applied before 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, will be eligible to vote, as long as they have expressed agreement with the three Core Ideals of the USTP or have otherwise been rendered eligible to vote at the discretion of the Chairman.

All members who are eligible to vote will be sent a link to an electronic submission form whereby they will be able to cast their ballot.

When you are voting, it is strongly recommended that you keep this page of official ballot options and the submission form open simultaneously in different windows so that you can reference the relevant options as you vote on them. Due to space limitations, the submission form does not list the entire text of all the options.

It is also recommended that you set aside at least thirty minutes to consider and vote on all of the options and read their text closely, as some of the options contain minor variations upon other options. 

For some questions, electronic voting is conducted by a ranked-preference method on individual sections where more options are possible than would be accommodated by a simple “Yes” or “No” vote. Members should keep in mind that the ranked-preference method eliminates the incentives for strategic voting – so members are encouraged to vote for the options that reflect their individual preferences as closely as possible, without regard for how other members might vote.

Results of the voting will be tabulated during mid-March 2025, with the intent to announce the results approximately one week after all votes have been submitted.

NOTE: The titles of the questions and potential Sections are descriptive and informational only and will not appear in the final adopted Platform planks (which will be incorporated into Article VI of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution as regards the Platform provisions and a new Article of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution as regards any proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations). They are intended as concise guides to the subject matter of the questions and potential Sections. Likewise, the letters assigned to Sections within this ballot will not reflect the numbering of the final adopted provisions, which will depend on which Sections are selected by the membership.

NOTE II: The inclusion of any proposals on this ballot does not indicate any manner of endorsement for those proposals by the U.S. Transhumanist Party at this time – except to place those proposals before the members to determine the will of the members with regard to whether or not the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform should incorporate any given proposal.

Voter Identification

E-mail address

Provide the same e-mail address you used to register for U.S. Transhumanist Party membership. Your ballot will be cross-referenced to our membership rolls, and only ballots with matching e-mail addresses will be counted.

What is your name?

At minimum, first and last name are required, unless you are publicly known by a single-name pseudonym which is not itself a common name. Your identity will not be publicly disclosed by the Transhumanist Party, unless you choose and/or authorize its disclosure. The nature of the selections made by the members may be disclosed, but, if they are, each individual vote will not be associated with the identity of the voter but rather will be presented in an anonymized manner.

Navigate the Options

 

Proposed New Platform Sections

Question I. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority
Question II. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority – Ancillary Provisions
Question III. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority – Language Regarding Only Scientific and Technological Solutions Being Supported
Question IV. Section E9-B. Perception of Artificial Intelligence as an Opportunity
Question V. Section E9-B. Perception of Artificial Intelligence as an Opportunity – Ancillary Provisions on Bias and Use of AI in Law Enforcement
Question VI. Section E9-C. Reversible Cryopreservation Techniques
Question VII. Section E9-D. Public Money for Public Code
Question VIII. Section E9-E. Privacy on Social Media
Question IX. Section E9-F. Restraint of Government Agencies’ Efforts to Undermine Private Businesses’ Security Measures
Question X. Section E9-G. Security Whistleblower Program

Proposed Amendments to Existing Platform Sections

Question XI. Amendment to Section XXVII to Align with U.S. Transhumanist Party Support for Ranked-Preference Voting
Question XII. Amendment to Section XXXVI to Provide Exceptions to Taxation for Basic Necessities
Question XIII. Amendment to Section LXXIX to Update the Discussion of the Status of Right-to-Try Legislation
Question XIV. Amendment to Section XCIX to Revise Proposal for COVID Universal Basic Income to a Proposal to Indefinitely Cover all Costs of COVID Treatments and Vaccinations
Question XV. Amendment to Section CI to Update the Discussion of Pandemic-Related Travel Delays
Question XVI. Amendment to Section CII to Update the Discussion of Recalling United States Overseas Military Personnel
Question XVII. Amendment to Section CIII to Emphasize the Need to Support Lasting Cures and Vaccines for COVID-19
Question XVIII. Amendment to Section CIV to Generalize the USTP’s Support for an Annual $100 Billion Funding Package for Anti-Aging Research
Question XIX. Amendment to Section CX to Reflect Success of USTP’s Recommendation for the Distribution of Diagnostic Test Kits and the Need to Maintain Robust Data on the COVID Pandemic

Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

Question XX. Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

 

Proposed New Platform Sections

Question I. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority

Shall the following language be adopted as a new Section within the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform?

Given that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world and will not end as long as immunity from vaccination or prior infection can be bypassed by subsequent mutated escape variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the United States Transhumanist Party supports concerted scientific and technological efforts to eliminate COVID-19 as a threat to public health. These efforts may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: [Enumeration of any Ancillary Options that may be adopted pursuant to Question II.]

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question II. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority – Ancillary Provisions

If Section E9-A regarding the defeat of COVID as a priority is adopted as part of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform, shall any of the following ancillary provisions be appended to that Section?

Select all the options you support. (You may select multiple options for this question.)  Any option receiving the majority of votes cast will be included in the ultimately adopted plank, unless the “No” option prevails in the vote on Question I above. If you do not favor any of the options below, then you may leave this question blank.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-A-i. Development of a universal vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would work against all possible variants of the virus and would confer lasting immunity.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-A-ii. Development of harmless variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would outcompete the existing variants without damaging any human or other animal host.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-A-iii. Development of antibodies that are capable of neutralizing any variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-A-iv. Development of reliable cures for all varieties of Long COVID or Post-COVID Syndrome.

Question III. Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority – Language Regarding Only Scientific and Technological Solutions Being Supported

If Section E9-A regarding the defeat of COVID as a priority is adopted as part of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform, shall the following additional provision be added to that section?

Provision E9-A-Add-1. The United States Transhumanist Party considers only scientific and technological solutions to be capable of eliminating COVID-19 as a threat to public health and does not support lockdowns, restrictions on individual liberty or medical choice, or demonization of individuals who make any personal health choices regarding their approach to COVID-19 precautions – including individuals who take extensive, moderate, mild, or no precautions. The United States Transhumanist Party also holds that no individual should be compelled to undertake any behaviors that may expose that individual to greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question IV. Section E9-B. Perception of Artificial Intelligence as an Opportunity

Rank-order the Section E9-B Options that you support. Choose “1” for your most highly favored option, “2” for your second-most highly favored option, etc. You may include the option for “No Section of this sort” in your rank-ordering, and it does not need to be your most favored option if you do so. (For instance, some voters might favor some options but think that no language is preferable to some of the other options.)

If you choose “Abstain”, then do not rank-order any options, as you will be considered to have skipped this question.

☐ Option E9-B-1. [Proposal by Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II] The United States Transhumanist Party supports approaching technologies of artificial intelligence primarily as opportunities rather than as threats. The potential of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, to foster creativity, solve problems, cure diseases, create new opportunities, and facilitate radical abundance far outweighs the risks and dangers of AI. The United States Transhumanist Party recognizes that AI safety and AI alignment are important pursuits to maximize the probability of predominantly beneficial consequences from future AI systems. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports restrictions on the ability to use AI systems for intentionally destructive purposes; such restrictions would include a ban on autonomous weapons. However, these efforts should be undertaken in a rational, proportionate, evidence-based manner, avoiding unsubstantiated speculation, alarmist hype, and doomsday pronouncements. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party opposes any efforts to restrict individual liberty or initiate physically aggressive action against other individuals or countries in the name of stopping allegedly dangerous AI development.

☐ Option E9-B-2. [Proposal by Jason Geringer, same as Option E9-B-1, but removing the opposition to initiating physically aggressive action against other countries in the last sentence] The United States Transhumanist Party supports approaching technologies of artificial intelligence primarily as opportunities rather than as threats. The potential of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, to foster creativity, solve problems, cure diseases, create new opportunities, and facilitate radical abundance far outweighs the risks and dangers of AI. The United States Transhumanist Party recognizes that AI safety and AI alignment are important pursuits to maximize the probability of predominantly beneficial consequences from future AI systems. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports restrictions on the ability to use AI systems for intentionally destructive purposes; such restrictions would include a ban on autonomous weapons. However, these efforts should be undertaken in a rational, proportionate, evidence-based manner, avoiding unsubstantiated speculation, alarmist hype, and doomsday pronouncements. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party opposes any efforts to restrict individual liberty or initiate physically aggressive action against other individuals in the name of stopping allegedly dangerous AI development.

☐ Option E9-B-3. [Proposal by Luis Arroyo] The United States Transhumanist Party views artificial intelligence (AI) as potentially having positive opportunities but recognizes that its use under current economic conditions and current governments has been negative or might result in highly negative events. The United States Transhumanist Party is pro-AI in general, but not when AI is used to threaten people’s livelihoods or safety. In those latter circumstances, AI’s positive or negative aspects should be debated.

☐ Option E9-B-NO. No Section of this sort.

Question V. Section E9-B. Perception of Artificial Intelligence as an Opportunity – Ancillary Provisions on Bias and Use of AI in Law Enforcement

If Section E9-B regarding artificial intelligence is adopted as part of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform, shall the following additional provision be added to that section?

Select all the options you support. (You may select multiple options for this question.)  Any option receiving the majority of votes cast will be included in the ultimately adopted plank, unless the “No” option prevails in the vote on Question I above. If you do not favor any of the options below, then you may leave this question blank.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-B-i. [Based on Proposal by R. Nicholas Starr, Adding Language on Countering Passive or Unintentional Bias]

In addition, AI policy needs to address the known risks and harms that are created passively or unintentionally based on the human bias used while creating said AI. Stopping the intentional use of AI for harm does not go far enough, and it is necessary to ensure that AI is immune to biases such racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other similar forms of bias.

☐ Ancillary Provision E9-B-ii. [Based on Proposal by R. Nicholas Starr, Adding Language on Prohibiting Use of AI in Law Enforcement]

Furthermore, in addition to bans of the use of AI for autonomous weaponry, AI must furthermore be banned for use in law enforcement, such as facial recognition software that can misidentify individuals and lead to false allegations of criminal conduct.

Question VI. Section E9-C. Reversible Cryopreservation Techniques

Shall the following language be adopted as a new Section within the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform?

Recognizing that the achievement of reversible cryopreservation techniques could enable the realization of individuals’ right to life (brutally violated by so-called “natural” death) by waiting until future technologies could bring a cryopreserved patient out of the cryopreserved state and achieve cures for diseases and aging, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the urgency of advancing reversible cryopreservation research. Therefore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports the allocation of an annual funding package of $10 billion for reversible cryopreservation research. This funding shall be expeditiously directed to esteemed research institutions with a proven track record of focusing on the development and implementation of reversible cryopreservation techniques.

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question VII. Section E9-D. Public Money for Public Code

Shall the following language be adopted as a new Section within the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform?

The United States Transhumanist Party supports the implementation of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ concept, which holds that public money should, where reasonably possible, come to benefit the public first and foremost, and secondarily might also benefit other parties as well.

Public code is understood as code that is publicly available and more commonly referred to as Open Source, for example code released under the GPLv3 (General Public License version 3). The reasoning of ‘Public Money for Public Code’ is that public money should not be spent on proprietary software that benefits a select group of companies, but rather used to support Open-Source projects that are alternatives to proprietary software. As Open-Source software is available for free to the public, said stimulus of Open-Source software could benefit both the public as well as public institutions. An example here could be an alternative to Microsoft Office, such as LibreOffice.

Many Open-Source projects operate via volunteers contributing to the project’s efforts. Opening up the possibility to receive funding for a project could incentivize more people to contribute to a project, and perhaps even use contribution to Open-Source projects as a means of stable income. This incentivizes citizens to participate, as besides the admirable goal of doing good for the public, it also contributes to the participants’ livelihood, or helps them decide to split their worktime between the roles of an employee and a self-employed contributor.

Likewise, this might incentivize software companies to participate as well, as it can earn them revenue. It would, however, be important to observe that companies do not drown out individual contributors, as this could have a detrimental effect on incentivizing public participation.

The public participation would be an important element of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ implementation, as it would also be a public showcase to stimulate interest in programming in education and beyond.

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question VIII. Section E9-E. Privacy on Social Media

Shall the following language be adopted as a new Section within the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform?

The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts for social media to improve privacy settings, in granularity, usability, as well as awareness of such privacy features, for users. Better control of privacy can minimize the scraping of information, including information that can be used for identifying targets by malicious actors, from websites.

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question IX. Section E9-F. Restraint of Government Agencies’ Efforts to Undermine Private Businesses’ Security Measures

Rank-order the Section E9-F Options that you support. Choose “1” for your most highly favored option, “2” for your second-most highly favored option, etc. You may include the option for “No Section of this sort” in your rank-ordering, and it does not need to be your most favored option if you do so. (For instance, some voters might favor some options but think that no language is preferable to some of the other options.)

If you choose “Abstain”, then do not rank-order any options, as you will be considered to have skipped this question.

☐ Option E9-F-1. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon] The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrain government agencies from efforts to limit, oppose, or undermine security initiatives by companies and businesses. Although their motives might be pure, to uncover criminal activity for example, such efforts can in the process undermine security on a much larger scale. If government agencies can have access, so can malicious actors.

☐ Option E9-F-2. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon with clarification recommended by Jason Geringer as to applicability] The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrain government agencies from efforts to limit, oppose, or undermine security initiatives by companies and businesses. For instance, government agencies should not be able to request that private companies build “back doors” into their software to enable government agencies to access digital devices or systems in the course of an investigation. Although their motives might be pure, to uncover criminal activity for example, such efforts can in the process undermine security on a much larger scale. If government agencies can have access, so can malicious actors.

☐ Option E9-F-3. [Based on revisions recommended by R. Nicholas Starr] The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrain government agencies from efforts to limit, oppose, or undermine security initiatives by companies and businesses. Although their motives might be pure, to uncover criminal activity for example, such efforts can in the process undermine security on a much larger scale. If government agencies can have access, so can malicious actors.

However, such restraints should not be interpreted to interfere with needed federal regulation of businesses to keep consumers and employees safe and free of exploitation. Many businesses, especially big-money corporations (as contrasted with small business), need more regulation and transparency.

☐ Option E9-F-NO. No Section of this sort.

 

Question X. Section E9-G. Security Whistleblower Program

Shall the following language be adopted as a new Section within the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform?

The US Transhumanist Party supports efforts to create a security whistleblower initiative where a whistleblower can report known security issues that are not being addressed by a company or government institution. This could also aid the whistleblower in the event that they would suffer negative consequences by their employer for addressing security issues.

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

 

Proposed Amendments to Existing Platform Sections


Question XI.  Amendment to Section XXVII to Align with U.S. Transhumanist Party Support for Ranked-Preference Voting

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section XXVII. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the plurality of the popular vote the sole criterion for the election of President.

☐ Amendment XXVII-1.   The United States Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the plurality of the popular vote the sole criterion for the election of President. the criterion for the election of President to be an outcome of the popular vote decided by ranked-preference voting or a similar mechanism that allows voters to select multiple options in a manner that more completely expresses their views.

☐ Abstain.

Question XII. Amendment to Section XXXVI to Provide Exceptions to Taxation for Basic Necessities

Current Version of Section XXXVI. The United States Transhumanist Party supports the elimination of graduated taxation and income taxation more generally. Instead, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold. This tax should be built into the price of goods from such large businesses and should not impede transaction efficiency in any manner. Transactions pertaining to wages, salaries, gifts, donations, barter, employee benefits, and inheritances should remain completely untaxed, as should transactions involving solely individuals and/or small businesses, for whom the establishment of a tax-reporting infrastructure would be onerous. Furthermore, all taxes on land and property should be abolished.

Shall the following text be added as the new third sentence of Section XXXVI? “This tax would not be imposed on life necessities, defined as goods that are consumable in the near term and whose primary purpose is to facilitate human survival.”

Select one of the following options.

☐ Yes.

☐ No.

☐ Abstain.

Question XIII. Amendment to Section LXXIX to Update the Discussion of the Status of Right-to-Try Legislation

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section LXXIX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports repealing the current requirement in the United States that drugs or treatments may not be used, even on willing patients, unless approval for such drugs or treatments is received from the Food and Drug Administration. Such requirements are a profound violation of patient sovereignty; a person who is terminally ill is unable to choose to take a risk on an unapproved drug or treatment unless this person is fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial. Even then, once the clinical trial ends, the treatment must be discontinued, even if it was actually successful at prolonging the person’s life. This is not only profoundly tragic, but morally unconscionable as well. The most critical reform needed is to allow unapproved drugs and treatments to be marketed and consumed. If the FDA wishes to strongly differentiate between approved and unapproved treatments, then a strongly worded warning label could be required for unapproved treatments, and patients could even be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been informed of the risks of an unapproved treatment. This reform to directly extend many lives and to redress a moral travesty should be the top political priority of advocates of indefinite life extension. Over the coming decades, its effect will be to allow cutting-edge treatments to reach a market sooner and thus to enable data about those treatments’ effects to be gathered more quickly and reliably. Because many treatments take 10-15 years to receive FDA approval, this reform could by itself speed up the real-world advent of indefinite life extension by over a decade.

☐ Amendment LXXIX-1. The United States Transhumanist Party supports repealing the current requirement in the United States that, in most cases, drugs or treatments may not be used, even on willing patients, unless approval for such drugs or treatments is received from the Food and Drug Administration. Such requirements are a profound violation of patient sovereignty; a person who is terminally ill is often unable to choose to take a risk on an unapproved drug or treatment unless this person is fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial. Even then, once the clinical trial ends, the treatment must be is often discontinued, even if it was actually successful at prolonging the person’s life.  While the Federal Right-to-Try Act of 2017 and various State-level Right-to-Try Acts have been steps in the right direction, they have seldom been utilized, because of various other regulatory barriers, as well as drug manufacturers’ reluctance to expose themselves to liability and regulatory risk. This is not only profoundly tragic, but morally unconscionable as well. The most critical reform needed is to allow unapproved drugs and treatments to be marketed and consumed. Every effort should be made to allow and encourage the manufacturers and providers of experimental medicines and medical treatments to make them available to willing patients with proper disclosure and informed consent, accompanied by protections against liability and adverse regulatory actions. Currently, most Right-to-Try Acts are limited to terminally ill patients, and should be expanded to model Montana’s Right-to-Try Act and the Best Choice Medicine concept to make the choice to pursue experimental drugs and treatments, including gene therapies, available to all patients. If the FDA wishes to strongly differentiate between approved and unapproved treatments, then a strongly worded warning label could be required for unapproved treatments, and patients could even be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been informed of the risks of an unapproved treatment. This reform to directly extend many lives and to redress a moral travesty should be the top political priority of advocates of indefinite life extension. Over the coming decades, its effect will be to allow cutting-edge treatments to reach a market sooner and thus to enable data about those treatments’ effects to be gathered more quickly and reliably. Because many treatments take 10-15 years to receive FDA approval, this reform could by itself speed up the real-world advent of indefinite life extension by over a decade.

☐ Abstain.

Question XIV. Amendment to Section XCIX to Revise Proposal for COVID Universal Basic Income to a Proposal to Indefinitely Cover all Costs of COVID Treatments and Vaccinations

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section XCIX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports for an immediate, universal, unconditional basic income of at least $1000 per month to be provided to every United States citizen for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its immediate aftermath, without regard for individuals’ means or other sources of income. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

☐ Amendment XCIX-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports for n immediate, universal, unconditional basic income of at least $1000 per month to be provided to every United States citizen for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its immediate aftermath, without regard for individuals’ means or other sources of income. advocates for all American residents to continue to receive free health care for the disease of COVID-19, including free testing, vaccination, antiviral medications, and any other services involved in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic and health disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Requiring consumers and patients to pay for COVID-related care would increase the number of people who refuse to obtain vaccination or treatment for purely financial reasons, thus amplifying the difficulty of ever defeating COVID-19 – an endeavor that is aided by maximizing the amount of immunity and available health care for the population.

☐ Abstain.



Question XV. Amendment to Section CI to Update the Discussion of Pandemic-Related Travel Delays

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section CI: In recognition that the recent screening bottlenecks at United States airports create situations of unacceptable crowding which further contribute to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for immediate admittance through security checkpoints of the vast majority of travelers currently waiting at airports in the United States. Such travelers may be required to subsequently undergo health screenings at other facilities within the United States within a certain period of time, as long as such screenings do not involuntarily place the individuals being screened in close physical proximity to one another.

☐ Amendment CI-1: In recognition that the recent screening bottlenecks unprecedented and prolonged patterns of flight delays and cancellations at United States airports create situations of unacceptable crowding which further contribute to the spread of  detriments to quality of life and mobility to American passengers and were due directly to the supply-chain disruptions, aircraft shortages, labor shortages, and poor decisions by major airlines to cut staff in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for immediate admittance through security checkpoints of the vast majority of travelers currently waiting at airports in the United States. Such travelers may be required to subsequently undergo health screenings at other facilities within the United States within a certain period of time, as long as such screenings do not involuntarily place the individuals being screened in close physical proximity to one another. measures to enable airlines which reduced aircraft counts and dismissed staff during the COVID-19 epidemic to purchase or construct sufficient aircraft to replace the reduced capacity, to actively utilize such aircraft and restore prior routes, and to offer to re-hire all staff members who were dismissed as a result of prior responses to the epidemic. In the event that specific individual former staff members do not wish to return to their previous positions, they should be replaced with others who are willing to take on those roles for appropriate compensation and benefits. Sufficient incentives should be offered to airlines to allow pre-COVID flight, maintenance, and staffing levels to continue indefinitely.

☐ Abstain.

Question XVI. Amendment to Section CII to Update the Discussion of Recalling United States Overseas Military Personnel

Rank-order the Section CII Amendment Options that you support. Choose “1” for your most highly favored option, “2” for your second-most highly favored option, etc.

If you choose “Abstain”, then do not rank-order any options, as you will be considered to have skipped this question.

☐ Current Version of Section CII: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as possible and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders.

☐ Amendment CII-1: [Proposed by Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II] The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all as many United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as reasonably possible, with the exception of those specifically needed to defend American assets and American citizens and to carry out specific and limited previously agreed-upon treaty obligations, and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders. improving domestic defense, infrastructure, and crisis response in providing peaceful assistance to the civilian population in times of major disruptions to everyday life.

☐ Amendment CII-2. [Modification proposed by Luis Arroyo to remove reference to defending American assets] The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all as many United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as reasonably possible, with the exception of those specifically needed to defend American citizens and to carry out specific and limited previously agreed-upon treaty obligations, and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders. improving domestic defense, infrastructure, and crisis response in providing peaceful assistance to the civilian population in times of major disruptions to everyday life.

Question XVII. Amendment to Section CIII to Emphasize the Need to Support Lasting Cures and Vaccines for COVID-19

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section CIII: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective cures and vaccines for COVID-19 and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and ownership of any cure for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus.

☐ Amendment CIII-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective lasting cures and vaccines for COVID-19, such as antibodies that respond to all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccines that permanently protect against all such variants, and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a universal COVID-19 vaccine that would be permanently effective against all variants, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and ownership release into the public domain of any cure or future vaccine for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus and to all who wish to prevent such infection.

☐ Abstain.



Question XVIII. Amendment to Section CIV to Generalize the USTP’s Support for an Annual $100 Billion Funding Package for Anti-Aging Research

Rank-order the Section CIV Amendment Options that you support. Choose “1” for your most highly favored option, “2” for your second-most highly favored option, etc.

If you choose “Abstain”, then do not rank-order any options, as you will be considered to have skipped this question.

☐ Current Version of Section CIV: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

☐ Amendment CIV-1 [Proposal by Vladimir Shakirov]:  Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and disabilities in elderly people, and for severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, and thus brutally violates the fundamental rights of people to life and health, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives, including from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

☐ Amendment CIV-2 [Modification proposed by R. Nicholas Starr to remove reference to COVID-19 infections]: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and disabilities in elderly people, severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, and thus brutally violates the fundamental rights of people to life and health, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives, including from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

Question XIX. Amendment to Section CX to Reflect Success of USTP’s Recommendation for the Distribution of Diagnostic Test Kits and the Need to Maintain Robust Data on the COVID Pandemic

Select one of the following options.

☐ Current Version of Section CX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the immediate deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The United States Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to both private and governmental research teams working in parallel on developing effective testing kits and approaches, particularly those which do not require large numbers of people to congregate.

The United States Transhumanist Party also advocates for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes and then mailed to laboratories for evaluation. This would minimize the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients.

☐ Amendment CX-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the immediate ongoing, continuous, and indefinite deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The United States Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to both private and governmental research teams working in parallel on developing effective testing kits and approaches, particularly those which do not require large numbers of people to congregate manufacturers of effective diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that can recognize emerging variants, such that those tests could be manufactured in sufficient quantity to provide a test to every American who wants one.

The United States Transhumanist Party also advocates achieved success in advocating for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes and then mailed to laboratories for evaluation. This would minimize has reduced the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients. However, the United States Transhumanist Party expresses concern regarding significant lack of data about the ongoing prevalence of COVID-19 within communities in the United States. Such data, which used to be tracked rigorously and published regularly, have now become sparse and have failed to capture all sources of COVID-19 infection. In order to be able to track the spread of new variants of the virus, authorities need to return to the level of data collection and publication that existed during the early pandemic in 2020.

☐ Abstain.

 

Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations


Question XX. Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

Informational Note: This vote follows from the Exposure Period on Policy Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations, which was open between October 17 and November 1, 2021. During that Exposure Period, proposals by R. Nicholas Starr (RNS-1. Guidelines for Investigations and RNS-2. Definitions and Restrictions on Emergency Actions) and Zach Richardson (ZR-1. Proposal in Support of Decisive Executive Action in Times of Emergency) were presented and extensively discussed, with USTP leadership offering feedback on both proposals, and USTP members also contributing in the comments – including responses from R. Nicholas Starr and Jason Geringer.

By way of background, the only State of Emergency that had been declared during the history of the U.S. Transhumanist Party occurred between August 10, 2021, and October 27, 2022, due to the need to take rapid and decisive action in response to unjust allegations that had been directed against USTP member and Advisor Dr. Aubrey de Grey. Once Dr. de Grey was able to form his own organization, the Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation (LEVF), and take significant steps to restore his reputation within the court of public opinion, the USTP State of Emergency was no longer necessary. No subsequent State of Emergency had been declared to this day, nor is one contemplated for the foreseeable future, barring any high-profile and potentially perilous developments which are not yet known to USTP leadership.

Upon deliberating in regard to how to structure this vote, the USTP leadership fundamentally perceives two different approaches – one (advocated by R. Nicholas Starr) which would significantly limit the USTP’s power to comment on outside investigations and declare emergencies and the other (advocated by Zach Richardson) to enable decisive action in times of serious threat. The USTP leadership thus sees it as reasonable to present these proposals as packages and alternatives to one another for the decision of the USTP membership, in order that the principles and internal coherence within each package are clearly understood by voting members.

As expressed in its feedback during the Exposure Period, the USTP leadership strongly favors Proposal ZR-1 and has serious concerns about Proposals RNS-1 and RNS-2. The USTP leadership did, however, take into account the feedback provided by Jason Geringer and R. Nicholas Starr and has determined to moderate some of previously exposed provisions of Proposal ZR-1 in the following manner:

‱ Add the following sentence at the end of the eighth paragraph: “This does not prohibit individual Party members from criticizing a decision of the Chairman, as long as that criticism does not stray into attempted compulsion.”

‱ Remove the following paragraph: “If any Party member seeks to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party, or its allies, affiliates or members, or any statement made on behalf of the Party by anyone who was designated an ally by the Chairman, the Chairman may assert that the member in question is acting in violation of the Party’s principles and its standards.”

‱ Revise the third-to-last paragraph to read as follows: “The Party hereby empowers the Chairman in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members and its Platform. The Party shall further make every effort to ensure that the Party, its members, and the Chairman are able to advocate for the Party and its members on a permanent and eternal basis.”

‱ Revise the last paragraph to read as follows: “A good-faith effort shall be made to ensure that the Chairman has the opportunity to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates, and finally to ensure that the Chairman is able to engage in the activities described in this Section for the entire substantive duration of any emergency.”

Any other revisions are editorial in nature only and are intended to phrase the proposal consistently with inclusion in the USTP Constitution.

The revised proposal will be referred to as Proposal ZR-JG-1 and reads as follows.

Proposal ZR-JG-1. In Support of Decisive Executive Action in Times of Emergency [Authored by Zach Richardson, with modifications based on public input, including from Jason Geringer]:

When executive action is required in the face of a serious threat, the Chairman must have the authority to act decisively.

This Section reasserts the Chairman’s authority to act decisively in defense of individuals, groups, or organizations by expressing the delegated support of the Party for the individual, group, or organization under assault.  The Chairman retains the authority to advocate for those individuals, groups, or organizations whose goals align with those of the Party. The Chairman is not required to seek the approval of a majority of the party membership to act on behalf of the Party, nor does he have to provide justification for his support.

The authority of the Chairman to act on behalf of the party is not intended to supersede the authority of the Party to determine the Party’s position on a particular issue, nor is it intended to diminish the responsibility of the Party to take a position on a particular issue.

The Chairman will retain the authority to act on behalf of the Party, at his or her own discretion, to advocate on behalf of the Party and its members in the event of an emergency, defined as any event that may significantly impact the realization of the goals of the Party as outlined in the Platform.

The Party will seek to continuously empower the Chairman to act on behalf of its members by codifying his/her authority to do so in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members as a whole.

The Chairman is empowered to act as the Party’s representative, and to make statements on behalf of the Party, to the media and the public; to advocate on behalf of any individual, group, or organization that supports the Party and its Platform, as well as on behalf of the Party’s members and the Party’s philosophy, goals, and objectives; to promote the Party’s agenda, candidates, and policies; and to respond to attacks on the Party, or on its members, allies, or affiliates.

The Chairman has the ability to designate individuals and organizations as “allies” of the Party at his or her discretion, and to permit such “allies” to represent themselves to the public and the media as “allies” and “members” of the Party. Such “allies” are encouraged but not required to support the Platform.

Party members may not seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates or members; nor may any Party member seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates, or members by anyone who was so designated by the Chairman. This does not prohibit individual Party members from criticizing a decision of the Chairman, as long as that criticism does not stray into attempted compulsion.

The Chairman and any of his designees shall strive to ensure the following:

(i) The Party is adequately represented in all communications with the public and the media. In some cases, it may be appropriate to have two or more representatives from the Party speak on behalf of the Party.

(ii) The Party is able to provide key information to the public and the media in a timely manner, through press releases, interviews, and particularly social media commentary.

(iii) The Party is able to have a significant and positive impact on the outcome or resolution of the emergency.

(iv) The Party is able to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates.

The Party hereby empowers the Chairman in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members and its Platform. The Party shall further make every effort to ensure that the Party, its members, and the Chairman are able to advocate for the Party and its members on a permanent and eternal basis.

It is in the interest of the Party to remain relevant, not only to the Party itself, but to the public, and it is in the spirit of that interest that the Party empowers the Chairman.

A good-faith effort shall be made to ensure that the Chairman has the opportunity to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates, and finally to ensure that the Chairman is able to engage in the activities described in this Section for the entire substantive duration of any emergency.

Proposals RNS-1 and RNS-2 read as follows.

Proposal RNS-1. Guidelines for Investigations [Authored by R. Nicholas Starr]

As a data-driven political organization the United States Transhumanist Party (USTP), and its leadership acting on behalf of the USTP, must remain neutral in its official capacity during outside investigations into past, present, or future members until said investigations are complete and all facts are known and presented to USTP members. The USTP should also refrain from attempts to influence ongoing investigations or public perception while an investigation is taking place. Public statements of facts and acknowledgement of the situation is permissible, but statements must not stray into speculation. Once an investigation is complete, the USTP may issue statements based solely on the facts and analysis thereof. This does not restrict an individual, regardless of their position in the USTP, from speaking out on an issue in their personal capacity, nor does it restrict a person from providing criticism of such personal statements in their own personal capacity.

The USTP may conduct its own investigations into matters affecting members on a case-by-case basis, as determined by a vote of the membership, and under the following limitations. Investigators must be impartial with no personal or professional connection to any of the parties involved in the investigation (accusers, the accused, or other individuals of interest sought for questioning in the investigation). Professional connections include but are not limited to current or former employees, advisors, board members, and interns for the person or organization under investigation, as well as direct competitors of any party under investigation (one may not investigate one’s competition). If an impartial investigator cannot be obtained, either from inside or outside of USTP membership, then the investigation must be abandoned.

Internal investigations should not be intended to replace outside investigations and should be limited to how the incident under investigation impacts operation of the USTP. Consequences sought after the conclusion of the investigation shall be limited to administrative action available within the USTP. The USTP does not have the power to require action or consequences to be implemented by outside organizations.

The purpose of the internal investigation shall be made known to the members with a summary of alleged offenses and what questions the investigation seeks to answer. This must be done in a professional manner, excluding personal opinion and potential bias.

Proposal RNS-2. Definitions and Restrictions on Emergency Actions [Authored by R. Nicholas Starr]

United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) leaders shall have the limited ability to declare, and act on, emergencies on behalf of the USTP’s members. Such a declaration shall have no bearing on, or interfere with, applicable federal, state, and local laws.

When declaring an emergency the USTP leadership must publicly announce what the emergency is, why waiting to act would cause immediate increased harm, and the intended course of action sought by the USTP. This course of action must not deviate from, or spread beyond, the scope of the incident, meaning that any intended action must be clearly and directly related to the emergency.

An emergency shall be defined as an unexpected and immediate threat or active instance of the following, pending member further recommendations and approval by membership vote:

  • Threat to life or public safety (threats to life extension shall not be included unless the emergency threatens an individual placed in preservation prior to the emergency, such as in cryonics)
  • Natural disaster
  • Humanitarian crisis
  • Credible acts of violence
  • Direct malicious attack, physical or digital, of USTP property
  • Theft of USTP funds from an official account totaling over 1% of the last known balance and more than $100.

An emergency shall not include:

  • Personal scandal
  • Delays in research
  • Matters of outside businesses or organizations

An emergency may only be declared in cases where delayed action would clearly cause increased harm based on the available evidence. If the emergency action is to take longer than 14 days, then it requires further approval by a vote of the USTP membership.

Instructions:

Rank-order the options on Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations that you support. Choose “1” for your most highly favored option, “2” for your second-most highly favored option, etc.

If you choose “Abstain”, then do not rank-order any options, as you will be considered to have skipped this question.

☐ Proposal ZR-JG-1. Proposal in Support of Decisive Executive Action in Times of Emergency

☐ Proposals RNS-1. Guidelines for Investigations and RNS-2. Definitions and Restrictions on Emergency Actions

☐ Adopt Neither Proposal Package and Maintain the Status Quo.

Gennady Stolyarov I and Gennady Stolyarov II Discuss the Progress of Information Technology (2019)

Gennady Stolyarov I and Gennady Stolyarov II Discuss the Progress of Information Technology (2019)

January 28, 2025 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

Gennady Stolyarov I and Gennady Stolyarov II


Note from the Editor: On January 5, 2019, I spoke with my grandfather, Gennady Stolyarov I (1933-2025), who was one of the pioneering developers of computers in the Soviet Union, regarding his thoughts about how technology and the manner in which we interact with information have evolved during his lifetime and his anticipations about the future. At the time, when he was already 85 years old, he anticipated technology that would directly read human thoughts, advances in artificial intelligence, and even AI personal assistants, as well as using AIs to compose music and develop new inventions.

The discussion was originally conducted in Russian and translated into English by me.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, January 27, 2025


Conversation of January 5, 2019

Gennady Stolyarov II (GSII): What is the primary difference between how people relate to information now as compared to the mid-20th century?

Gennady Stolyarov I (GSI): On the Internet today there is a far greater volume of content; it is incomparable with what one would have been able to find in books alone.

GSII: So this gives rise to an interesting question: how to increase the capacity of the human brain to absorb all of this information – since there is so much more information, but our brains remain the same?

GSI: I think that it will become possible to simply read thoughts directly and also to direct ideas into the mind. It is clear that the speed of work of which a computer is capable is incomparable to that of your mind. Therefore, systems will be developed so that, instead of spending so much time pressing buttons, one could analyze the electrical signals of the brain and search accordingly, forming an impression of what one wants to find. The mind already somehow formulates the goal of the search; it should be possible to improve the interface between the mind and the computer so that the computer perceives that goal clearly.

GSII: Even today, it is already the case that the information that one wishes to discover exists. For instance, on my mobile phone, it is possible to locate information on almost anything, but that information is not yet immediately accessible, in the sense that one must type something in, search for something – this is not always convenient.

GSI: Yes, exactly.

GSII: And furthermore, the human mind does not directly absorb the information; one must still read it and be capable of understanding the external content in some manner.

GSI: Yes.

GSII: I think that this is a barrier today, because there is a tremendous amount of information, including on science, current world events, history. It is possible to gather many facts, but the human brain is still as primitive as it has previously been.

GSI: Well, it is very difficult to call the brain “primitive”! After all, we still do not understand how it operates! But it would be possible relatively soon to develop this interface that I described for reading your mind in some manner regarding what you would like to search for. Even now there are attempts to access a person’s data – sometimes regrettably, as this may not coincide with a person’s wishes. However, the information that you access or generate can be restructured, regrouped. This could be a useful underprinning for later reorganizing information in accordance with your wishes and conceptions, into a form that is comfortable for you.

GSII: At present, there exist data about a person on various social networks. There is also information from businesses, from commercial transactions – and there is the question of who owns that information. My view is that individuals themselves should own their data and have the right to determine what happens to them – i.e., if anyone else uses that information, it should be with permission to use it for specified purposes.

GSI: It is necessary to develop an artificial intellect that would be capable of reasoning; right now, you are able to search by keywords – but this process should be simplified further, because it has become tedious to press keys on a keyboard; it consumes far too much time. But I think these improvements will arrive quickly enough. The artificial intellect will be able to sort data in accordance with your wishes and group the information it finds into useful categories. It will remember past queries that were made and related information. You might be making an inquiry about something, and you would see a semantic web of terms – showing you what else exists and suggest what you could search for next. For instance, there could be sidebars dedicated to this, and you would pose a query, and you would be asked if you would like a historical view of the matter – what existed previously, what exists now, what are the outlooks for the future; the system will find all this for you. Every step in this direction will substantially increase a person’s intellectual capabilities. This will be a highly interesting field to pursue, and in my view highly effective.

GSII: There are already algorithms which, if you are watching a video, will show you some related videos. Or you could be purchasing something on Amazon or browsing products there; you would be shown similar products.

In 2014 Google conducted its experiment with Google Glass – glasses with a computer display that showed various information – for instance, data about a place that a person was visiting – but this was a closed experiment for a small group of people that still paid over a thousand dollars to participate. Google did not sell Google Glass to the general public who were not signed up for the trial program, and when Google began its experiment, I think the people who did not have Google Glass were envious of those who did. Those who wore the glasses in public places experienced discrimination and complaints, and ultimately Google ended the trial. I think if Google had initially sold Google Glass products to everyone, then it would have been treated no differently from many other new technologies – for instance, mobile phones. Generally, people are not protesting against mobile phones.

GSI: This is true.

GSII: Was earlier technology – for instance, the large computers from the 1960s – more difficult to use compared to today?

GSI: No, the interface with the computer was far more primitive and quite simple to use. This is one of the reasons I think you are much better prepared than I am to interact with new technologies and devices. The interface will continue to be improved; it will present results informatively, work out associations, group and systematize data. This data processing is all work that you could do yourself, but the system will add value in that it could store far larger amounts of data and, based on the extent of progress in artificial intelligence, help you extract from the surrounding informational universe those parts in which you are interested. It would determine your profile; already the beginnings of this are occurring, as you are receiving automatically generated suggestions. And indeed the more sophisticated systems are already under development; improvements occur with every new operating system, and I often see various updates installing on my computer. I am actually a bit frustrated by this, because after the update is installed, one often has to learn to use the interface once again. I do not like that changes are constantly being introduced, and one needs to somehow adjust to them, and one completely lacks the eagerness to spend time on that.

GSII: Yes, but that will also happen with newer versions of operating systems that will replace existing ones entirely, such as Windows 10 replacing Windows 7 and Microsoft discontinuing support for Windows 7 in 2020.

GSI: This is a well-known contradiction [in regard to updates making a system more difficult to use because of the learning curve].

GSII: Now companies are frequently changing and updating their software, and I think it is easier when they update something that the user does not immediately see and use – such as a system file.

GSI: It is important for the user to have freedom from the involuntary introduction of changes to his systems. If he would like to use the new capabilities, there should be open access to them, but old functionalities should not be impacted.

GSII: Yes. What I dislike most about these updates is that the user interface is changed and previous options are sometimes removed.  Perhaps it may be possible for technologies in the future to help humans better and more rapidly adapt to such changes.

More generally, if through some method, using electrical signals, it were possible to download information into a human brain – so that humans would gain the capability to process information from the Internet much more rapidly – in your mind would this improve the quality of human decisions and behaviors? Would humans at last become enlightened?

GSI: This can happen, but it will be necessary to study and comprehend the brain in greater depth. This is extremely important. Actually, in the future your conversational partner will need to be an artificial intellect. You will be interested in some specific kinds of artificial intelligence, in the sphere of your interests and endeavors. Possible applications are quite varied. For some people, the artificial intelligence could aid in composing music. For others, it could help them track down criminals. For others still, it could help them create new inventions. The artificial intellects will be able to connect, analyze information, prepare data for use, systematize materials that you have gathered, This will be a personalized approach; the computer will, as this field progresses, become increasingly specialized toward fulfilling your needs.

GSII: So in essence these will be personal assistants in the form of artificial intelligences.

GSI: Yes.

GSII: What will happen to the interactions between people? What will happen if every person has an artificially intelligent assistant with access to facts and the ability to analyze them?

GSI: Then the artificial intelligences will establish their own network with the AI assistants of your colleagues. They will process information jointly and also present the results of your reasoning to others.

GSII: It is an interesting idea, that if people have these assistants, the assistants will communicate with one another as well – not just with people directly. This is similar to what secretaries of people in leadership positions might have done in the past, before the actual leaders would communicate with one another.

GSI: Also relevant to the topic of the conversation is a television documentary I saw recently, which showed that there already exist programs to create a simulated environment for a patient – for instance, in response to an injury to the nervous system, it is possible to create some kind of illusory world in which the patient could act and develop some sorts of skills. They also showed some interesting images [of the simulated environments] – so all this is also from that sphere of activity.

GSII: Yes, virtual reality is used for medical applications currently.

GSI: Yes, but the most important thing is that the technology that they are applying also follows the general idea that we discussed. The psychologists and neurologists working on this technology are developing an artificial reality.  This is from the same repertoire of approaches.

GSII: Yes, today it is possible for several hundred dollars to purchase glasses to visit virtual spaces. There are games, educational applications, various virtual worlds. Of course, they will need to be developed further and made more accessible to the majority of people. The technology is still not ideal, but something can already be accomplished.

Pictured here are several of Gennady Stolyarov I’s main medals, most prominently the Charles Babbage Medal for the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award, which he received during his visit to Boston in November 2002. Also pictured here are medals that depict Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Yuri Gagarin.
U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2025

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2025

January 4, 2025 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 17 comments

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The purpose of this post is to facilitate member comments pertaining to transhumanism and the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP), which might not specifically fit the subjects of any other post or article on the USTP website. This is the place for members to offer suggestions or converse about any areas of emerging technologies and their political, moral, societal, cultural, and esthetic implications. The general discussion thread is also an ideal location to suggest or propose platform planks that may be considered for future platform voting, and/or bring our attention to emerging legislative and societal developments that may affect the course and impact of emerging technologies.

The USTP will endeavor to open one of these general comment threads per year. This comment thread pertains to the year of 2025.

Type in your comments below. Please note that, to protect against spambots, the first comment by any individual will be moderated. After passing moderation, a civil commenter should be able to post comments without future moderation – although we cannot guarantee that the technical aspect of this functionality will work as intended 100% of the time.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement on the Murder of Brian Thompson

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement on the Murder of Brian Thompson

December 19, 2024 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 22 comments

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On December 4, 2024, there was a killing outside the judicial system. The U.S. Transhumanist Party supports no such thing. We are sad that we live in a world where such killings can seem justified to some people. We strive for a world where no one ever dies, relying on reason and discourse to mobilize the effort required to get us there.
News Regarding THPedia, the Transhumanist Encyclopedia for Everyone – Invitation to Contribute – Statement by Gennady Stolyarov II

News Regarding THPedia, the Transhumanist Encyclopedia for Everyone – Invitation to Contribute – Statement by Gennady Stolyarov II

December 10, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


I write to the transhumanist community with an update regarding THPedia, the transhumanist encyclopedia available at https://th-pedia.org.

First, THPedia has been updated to MediaWiki Version 1.40.1 for purposes of both security and functionality improvement. Now THPedia has the same functionality as the historic H+Pedia, and more. Easy, intuitive edits can be made to pages using the convenient Visual Editor within Version 1.40.1.

I encourage all transhumanists, life-extensionists, cryonicists, futurists, and other allies of our community to consider contributing content to THPedia, based on their areas of knowledge and expertise, as there is significant potential for both increasing the number of entries on THPedia and updating existing entries to reflect developments over the past several years.

Second, given the improvements made to THPedia, and the desire by the Humanity+ organization (which approached me in August) to maintain its own transhumanist encyclopedia, I have transferred the prior H+Pedia domain to Humanity+ after upgrading THPedia.

From now on, THPedia and H+Pedia, both forks of the historic H+Pedia, will be distinct encyclopedias and will follow their own paths. Humanity+ will administer H+Pedia, and I will administer THPedia. I will let Humanity+ describe its own plans in its future updates. I have agreed to the transfer to enable two paths for the development of a transhumanist encyclopedia to be pursued simultaneously, and hopefully with some manner of beneficial symbiosis arising as a result.

It is clear to me, based on the history of H+Pedia, that it was originated and implemented with an open-source ethos, which was strongly espoused by the main administrators and contributors.

I emphasize my commitment to maintaining this open-source ethos of the historic H+Pedia on THPedia. All of the content on THPedia will remain available pursuant to a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. All editors of the historic H+Pedia who made constructive edits there will remain welcome to edit THPedia. All previous H+Pedia profiles and login credentials should work on THPedia, so it should be easy to contribute. I likewise encourage the Humanity+ organization to provide this manner of reciprocity and maintain the same kind of open-source approach for its H+Pedia going forward.

Transhumanism is for everyone, and this recognition motivated my decision to accept the historic H+Pedia from David Wood in January 2024 and to subsequently rebrand it as THPedia while agreeing for Humanity+ to pursue its own encyclopedia using the H+Pedia name. I have written in 2019 about the need for open-source symbols for transhumanism (“Transhumanists Need New Symbols”) – and the result was a wide array of free, open-source symbols for transhumanism developed by our community. The branding of THPedia with one such open-source symbol (and with a name that stands for transhumanism generally) reinforces this fundamental openness to the creation of a robust repository of information about transhumanism based on the input of anyone within and outside of our movement who has valuable knowledge and insights to offer.

Live long and prosper!

Sincerely,

Gennady Stolyarov II
Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party
Chairman, Transhuman Club
Administrator, THPedia

THPedia has achieved the designation of a Recognized Organization from The Transhumanist Council.

The Transhumanist Council: A Worthy Effort for a New Umbrella Transhumanist Organization

The Transhumanist Council: A Worthy Effort for a New Umbrella Transhumanist Organization

November 26, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


On November 22, 2024, the biohacker, science communicator, and analog astronaut Josh Universe announced the formation of the Transhumanist Council, intended to be an umbrella organization that connects and empowers transhumanist individuals and organizations with the aim of achieving unprecedented growth in the transhumanist movement’s reach. Josh Universe is a capable person to lead such an organization, as his impressive skills in web design and his long-time moderation of the r/Transhumanism and r/Transhuman Subreddits can attest.  In addition to his expertise in the technologies of biohacking, Josh Universe has also mastered numerous uses of artificial intelligence and web development languages. His technological skills are suited for the coming Transhuman Era as well as for being able to connect numerous individuals with one another and with the key ideas and goals of transhumanism.

The website of the Transhumanist Council currently features basic information about transhumanism and answers to some commonly asked questions. It also hosts a blog with an initial set of articles about transhumanism and emerging technologies – expected to be greatly expanded in the near future. A content library is being created, and Josh Universe is also collaborating with U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II to modernize THPedia, the Transhumanist Encyclopedia, by creating an Experimental Wiki that will soon host THPedia’s articles, offering another way for readers to navigate among articles and see the connections among subjects in a visually intuitive manner.

Now the U.S. Transhumanist Party welcomes the Transhumanist Council as an Allied Organization and hopes that it will achieve its goals of catalyzing the growth of transhumanism, enabling it to become a household term and a movement that will be readily embraced by young, technically skilled people whose assistance in building a brighter future for humanity will be indispensable. While the U.S. Transhumanist Party endeavors to put science, health, and technology at the forefront of American politics, the Transhumanist Council will put the transhumanist movement at the forefront of today’s technological advancement by utilizing the most advanced tools to connect people, ideas, and projects for the greater good of transhumanism and humankind.

You can visit the website of the Transhumanist Council at https://transhumanism.app/.

Live long and prosper!

Report on the Montana Right to Try Act – Analysis by Shamar White

Report on the Montana Right to Try Act – Analysis by Shamar White

November 21, 2024 Shamar White Comments 0 Comment

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Shamar White


Introduction

The Montana Right to Try (RTT) Act, particularly as expanded through Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), constitutes a landmark in the evolution of health policy, emphasizing patient autonomy, innovative medical practices, and access to experimental treatments. This legislation resonates deeply with the principles articulated by the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), Version 3.0. By dismantling bureaucratic barriers and facilitating the pursuit of transformative life-extension technologies, the RTT Act embodies a forward-thinking vision of autonomy and technological advancement.

Legislative Context and Provisions

The RTT Act, enhanced by SB 422, builds on existing right-to-try frameworks by expanding access to investigational treatments. Notably, it removes the terminal illness requirement, broadening eligibility to individuals with chronic or life-threatening conditions. This shift underscores a commitment to medical inclusivity, mirroring the USTP’s call for universal access to health innovations (USTP Platform, Sections V, VIII). The Act also reinforces informed consent protocols and provides liability protections for providers and manufacturers who act in good faith.

Alignment with Transhumanist Ideology

The RTT Act’s provisions align with several core transhumanist principles:

  1. Empowerment Through Autonomy
    The Act prioritizes individual decision-making in healthcare, granting patients the right to pursue experimental treatments beyond the constraints of traditional regulatory processes. This reflects Article X of the TBR, which champions morphological freedom—the right to alter one’s physical state without external interference.
  2. Acceleration of Innovation
    By bypassing protracted FDA approval timelines for therapies that have completed Phase I safety trials, the RTT Act fosters a pro-innovation environment. This approach aligns with the USTP’s advocacy for reducing barriers to medical progress (USTP Platform, Sections VIII, LXXXV).
  3. Ethical Commitment to Longevity
    The RTT Act’s emphasis on life-extension technologies resonates with the TBR’s emphasis on combating involuntary aging and enhancing health through science and technology (TBR, Articles IV, VI).

Scholarly Evaluation and Broader Implications

Academic evaluations of right-to-try laws suggest both potential benefits and challenges. Proponents highlight the laws’ capacity to accelerate access to life-saving treatments for patients who have exhausted conventional options (Gaffney et al., 2019). However, critics caution against the risks of insufficient efficacy data and financial exploitation under such frameworks (Sullivan, 2021).

The RTT Act addresses some of these concerns by mandating informed consent and establishing a safety threshold via Phase I trials. Yet, further measures, such as enhanced transparency in treatment outcomes and pricing controls, could strengthen its ethical and equitable foundations. These additions would align with the USTP’s commitment to universal accessibility and technological fairness.

The Montana RTT Act represents a significant policy innovation, aligning with transhumanist ideals of autonomy, medical inclusivity, and the pursuit of longevity. By enabling patients to bypass bureaucratic delays and access experimental therapies, the Act exemplifies a transformative approach to healthcare. However, to fully realize its potential, ongoing evaluations and enhancements are necessary to address ethical, safety, and accessibility challenges. These efforts will ensure that the RTT framework remains a model of progressive policy in advancing human health and autonomy.

Key Provisions of the Montana Right to Try Act

Elimination of Terminal Illness Requirement

The Montana Right to Try Act (RTT), as amended by Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), represents a transformative step in expanding access to experimental treatments. By redefining eligibility to include individuals with chronic, life-threatening, or debilitating conditions, the Act significantly broadens the scope of investigational therapy access. This provision, rooted in patient-centric principles, aligns with the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), which prioritize individual autonomy, the democratization of medical innovation, and the eradication of suffering through technological advancements.

Specific Provisions and Implications

SB 422 removes the previous restriction limiting investigational treatments to individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses. The previous definition of terminal illness encompassed progressive diseases that were irreversible and, without life-sustaining procedures, would result in imminent death. Now, the expanded eligibility includes patients with chronic, life-threatening, or debilitating conditions.

Conditions newly eligible under this framework include:

  • Chronic illnesses: Such as advanced rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
  • Life-threatening conditions: Such as severe heart disease or progressive kidney failure.
  • Debilitating conditions: Such as early-stage ALS or rare genetic disorders that significantly impair quality of life.

This expanded definition addresses a critical gap in medical accessibility by enabling individuals who are not imminently dying to seek investigational treatments, prioritizing unmet medical needs over rigid prognostic criteria.

Alignment with Transhumanist Principles

The redefinition of eligibility for experimental therapies reflects the USTP’s advocacy for equitable access to life-enhancing medical innovations:

         1. Broadening the Scope of Health Interventions

  • USTP Platform, Section V calls for research to eradicate disease and illness for all sapient beings, not merely those in terminal stages. By including patients with chronic and debilitating conditions, SB 422 promotes this comprehensive vision.
  • The TBR, Article IV, emphasizes the right to access treatments that mitigate involuntary suffering, further underscoring the transhumanist commitment to improving health and extending quality of life.
    ***
    2. Advancing Individual Autonomy in Healthcare
  • USTP Platform, Section VIII highlights the importance of maximum individual liberty in accessing treatments that enhance the human condition. By circumventing traditional clinical trial constraints, SB 422 empowers individuals to make autonomous decisions about their healthcare trajectories.

Addressing Limitations in Traditional Clinical Trials

Traditional clinical trials often exclude patients with chronic or debilitating conditions to ensure trial consistency and minimize uncertainty in outcomes. While methodologically sound for regulatory purposes, this exclusion leaves many without access to potentially transformative treatments. SB 422 addresses this gap by bypassing rigid trial inclusion criteria, allowing broader patient participation in medical innovation.

The Act’s inclusivity democratizes experimental therapies, offering hope to patients historically marginalized in clinical research. This shift aligns with the transhumanist ethos of leveraging technological advancements to extend healthspan and quality of life for all, irrespective of immediate mortality risk.

The elimination of the terminal illness requirement under SB 422 signifies a paradigm shift in the accessibility of investigational therapies. By expanding eligibility to patients with chronic and debilitating conditions, the Montana RTT Act embodies the transhumanist commitment to eradicating suffering and democratizing medical innovation. Through its alignment with the USTP Platform and the TBR, this provision sets a precedent for progressive, inclusive healthcare policies that prioritize the needs and autonomy of individuals over bureaucratic constraints.

Emphasis on Informed Consent in the Montana Right to Try Act

The Montana Right to Try Act (RTT), as expanded by Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), introduces stringent provisions for informed consent, ensuring that patients seeking access to investigational therapies retain autonomy over their medical decisions. This emphasis on informed consent aligns with the transhumanist ethos of morphological freedom and individual choice as codified in the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR). By fostering transparency, comprehension, and ethical engagement, the Act safeguards patient autonomy while promoting trust in life-enhancing medical interventions.

Specific Provisions and Requirements

SB 422 codifies detailed informed consent procedures, requiring healthcare providers to ensure that patients are comprehensively educated about the following aspects of investigational therapies:

         1. Experimental Nature of Treatment:

  • Patients must be explicitly informed that the treatment is not FDA-approved beyond Phase I trials, highlighting the investigational status and the limited understanding of its safety, efficacy, and potential risks.
    ***
    2. Known Risks and Benefits
    :
  • Providers are obligated to disclose all available data on side effects, complications, and outcomes associated with the therapy, enabling patients to evaluate the potential trade-offs.
    ***
    3. Alternative Options
    :
  • Patients must be informed of other approved treatments or clinical trials that may address their condition, fostering informed decision-making by presenting all viable paths.
    ***
    4. Cost and Financial Responsibility
    :
  • Patients must acknowledge their understanding of therapy-related expenses, including potential out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage limitations.
    ***
    5. Voluntary Nature
    :
  • Providers must ensure that patients affirm their decision to proceed is made voluntarily, free from external pressure or coercion.

These measures ensure that individuals retain control over their healthcare trajectory, reflecting the transhumanist principle of morphological freedom as articulated in TBR, Article IX.

Ethical Alignment and Broader Implications

The Act’s emphasis on informed consent aligns with the Belmont Report’s foundational ethical principles, particularly respect for persons, which underscores the need for voluntary, informed participation in research and experimental therapies. By mandating thorough consent processes, the RTT Act ensures that patients are active participants in their medical decisions rather than passive recipients.

  • USTP Platform, Sections V and VIII, advocates for maximizing individual access to transformative medical technologies that enhance health and extend life. Informed consent provisions within SB 422 ensure that such access is accompanied by comprehensive understanding, safeguarding ethical implementation.

Enhancing Informed-Consent Processes

While the current provisions of SB 422 establish a robust framework, the effectiveness of informed consent could be compromised if documentation is overly complex or if providers fail to allocate sufficient time to patient education. To mitigate these risks, the following recommendations are proposed:

          1. Standardized Templates with Accessible Components:

  • Plain-language explanations: Simplify medical terminology while maintaining precision, empowering individuals with diverse levels of health literacy.
  • Visual aids: Incorporate infographics, dynamic charts, and animations to demystify complex therapies, such as nanomedicine or gene editing.
  • Summary sections: Highlight key information on risks, benefits, and costs for quick and clear comprehension.
    ***
    2. Neutral Third-Party Verification
    :
  • Introduce third-party systems, leveraging human expertise and AI-driven cognitive assessment tools, to confirm patient understanding.
  • For instance, interactive sessions where patients explain the therapy in their own words could verify comprehension and reinforce voluntary decision-making.
    ***
    3. Digital Platforms and Multilingual Accessibility
    :
  • Develop online consent modules with adaptive content to match individual learning preferences.
  • Utilize AI-powered translation services to ensure linguistic and cultural nuances are accurately conveyed.
  • Incorporate immersive virtual reality (VR) demonstrations to simulate treatment processes, offering patients a realistic understanding of their options.

Informed consent is a cornerstone of transhumanist ethics, empowering individuals to make deliberate choices about integrating transformative technologies into their lives. The focus on comprehensive, accessible, and patient-centered consent processes ensures that individuals actively participate in their own evolution, aligning with the transhumanist goals of autonomy, innovation, and equitable access to life-enhancing interventions.

By adopting these recommendations, the Montana RTT Act could further strengthen its commitment to patient autonomy and innovation, ensuring that experimental therapies are deployed ethically and inclusively.

Protections for Providers and Manufacturers in the Montana Right to Try Act

The Montana Right to Try (RTT) Act, as expanded by Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), includes provisions granting immunity from liability to physicians and drug manufacturers contingent on their adherence to good faith practices and obtaining informed consent. This legal framework not only reduces the risk of litigation for parties involved in the provision of experimental therapies but also fosters a conducive environment for medical innovation. From a transhumanist perspective, this provision aligns with the ideals of morphological freedom and incentivizes the development of transformative life-extension and health-improvement technologies.

Legal and Ethical Provisions for Immunity

Under the RTT Act, healthcare providers and manufacturers are shielded from lawsuits related to the outcomes of investigational drug use, provided they:

  1. Act in good faith.
  2. Obtain clear and documented informed consent from patients.
  3. Comply with established guidelines for investigational treatments.

This immunity ensures that parties acting ethically and responsibly can innovate without the constant threat of punitive litigation stemming from unforeseen adverse effects.

Definition of Good Faith

Good-faith practices are defined by adherence to ethical standards, transparent communication of risks, and diligent compliance with investigational protocols. Immunity does not extend to reckless or unethical behavior, as the law’s requirements for informed consent create a mechanism for safeguarding patient interests.

Alignment with Transhumanist Ideals

The immunity provision reflects Section VIII of the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform, which advocates for maximizing liberty in engaging with scientific and technological innovation. By reducing the barriers to entry for small biotech firms and independent researchers, the RTT Act democratizes the field of experimental medicine, fostering a culture of bold innovation.

Additionally, these protections resonate with the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), Article IX, which underscores the importance of morphological freedom and the autonomy to pursue transformative medical technologies. By incentivizing providers to develop novel therapies, this provision supports the broader transhumanist vision of overcoming biological limitations and extending human healthspan.

Challenges and Risks

Despite its potential, the immunity provision carries risks that must be addressed to ensure ethical compliance and safeguard patient safety:

  1. Potential for Ethical Lapses:
    Immunity could inadvertently shield bad actors from accountability, leading to unethical practices or substandard care.
  2. Risk of Financial Exploitation:
    Manufacturers may exploit immunity by charging exorbitant prices for investigational therapies, undermining equitable access.
  3. Patient Safety Concerns:
    Without rigorous safeguards, patients may be exposed to treatments that lack sufficient scientific validation.

Recommendations for Ethical and Technological Enhancements

To balance the need for innovation with ethical oversight and affordability, the following measures are proposed:

          1. Establishment of Independent Ethics Boards

  • Regional ethical review panels composed of bioethicists, technologists, and medical professionals should evaluate investigational treatment proposals, ensuring alignment with safety and efficacy benchmarks.
    ***
    2. Use of Blockchain for Accountability
  • Blockchain technology can create immutable records of informed consent, treatment protocols, and oversight evaluations, fostering transparency.
  • Example: A provider administering gene-editing therapy could record each stage of treatment, securing patient trust through transparent documentati
    ***
    3. Mandatory Pricing Transparency
  • Require manufacturers to disclose production costs and justify pricing models in a publicly accessible database.
  • Deploy AI analytics to monitor pricing trends and identify unjustifiable spikes, ensuring affordability and equity.
    ***
    4. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) for Collective Funding
  • DAOs could democratize funding for experimental treatments, allowing transparent contributions to influence priorities and impact.
    ***
    5. Evidence-Driven Standards and Multidimensional Safeguards
  • Treatments must meet minimum safety benchmarks, such as Phase I FDA trials or equivalent international standards.
  • Create a global transhumanist registry to track the progress of investigational therapies and results transparently.
    ***
    6. Real-Time Patient Feedback Via Wearable Technologies
  • Use wearable devices or implants to monitor treatment efficacy and adverse effects, ensuring real-time data collection for continuous improvement.
    ***
    7. Ethics Committee Involvement with AI Tools
  • Equip ethics committees with AI-driven decision-support systems to analyze clinical data, predict outcomes, and flag potential violations.

Transhumanist Perspective on Immunity Provisions

The immunity provisions of the RTT Act are crucial for fostering an environment of accelerated medical innovation. From a transhumanist viewpoint, they enable the rapid development and dissemination of life-enhancing therapies while mitigating the risks associated with bureaucratic stagnation. However, immunity must be paired with robust safeguards to prevent misuse and ensure ethical compliance.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and wearables, the RTT Act can balance innovation with accountability. These measures not only protect patients but also reinforce public trust in transformative medical advancements, furthering the transhumanist goal of extending health and human potential.

Circumvention of FDA Approval Timelines in the Montana Right to Try Act

The Montana Right to Try (RTT) Act, augmented by Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), includes provisions that allow patients to access investigational therapies after completion of Phase I FDA safety trials but before full FDA approval. This paradigm-shifting policy accelerates access to experimental treatments, prioritizing individual autonomy and rapid innovation. From a transhumanist perspective, this provision epitomizes the movement’s commitment to empowering individuals to transcend biological limitations while promoting a pro-innovation environment.

Provisions and Implications

Circumventing Bureaucratic Delays

Under the traditional FDA approval framework, investigational therapies undergo an extensive process spanning 10–15 years, encompassing Phase II and Phase III trials. While these stages aim to validate efficacy and long-term safety, they often delay access to potentially life-saving treatments for critically ill patients. The RTT Act bypasses these protracted timelines, enabling access to therapies that have passed Phase I trials, where basic safety has been demonstrated.

Phase I trials involve rigorous testing to determine a drug’s interaction with the human body, including tolerance levels, acute side effects, and potential benefits. Conducted with 20–80 participants, these trials establish a foundation of safety, with approximately 70% of therapies progressing to Phase II (FDA, n.d.). By granting access post-Phase I, the RTT Act ensures patients can benefit from innovative treatments years ahead of full FDA approval.

Advancing Real-World Data Collection

The provision not only expands access but also fosters a pro-innovation environment by allowing real-world data collection from early adopters. Real-world data, obtained outside controlled clinical trial settings, contributes to understanding treatment efficacy and safety across diverse populations. This aligns with Section VIII of the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform, which emphasizes accelerating access to health-enhancing technologies while promoting evidence-based innovation.

Alignment with Transhumanist Ideals

Individual Autonomy

By circumventing traditional approval timelines, the RTT Act upholds morphological freedom, as articulated in Article IX of the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR). This principle emphasizes individuals’ rights to make autonomous decisions about their health and access transformative therapies without bureaucratic interference.

Pro-Innovation Ethos

The RTT Act’s prioritization of rapid accessibility resonates with the transhumanist goal of transcending biological limitations through technological advancement. By expediting access to investigational treatments, the Act provides a framework for iterative development, where patient outcomes inform continuous improvement.

Ethical Safeguards through AI

Critics may argue that bypassing later trial phases risks prioritizing speed over comprehensive safety validation. However, leveraging AI-driven predictive models mitigates these risks. AI tools can analyze historical trial data, monitor real-world outcomes, and predict potential adverse effects, enhancing both patient safety and confidence in experimental therapies.

Recommendations for Enhancing Safeguards

While the RTT Act’s provisions are transformative, implementing additional measures would align with transhumanist principles and address potential concerns:

          1. Mandatory AI Integration

  • Require the use of AI systems to analyze real-world patient data, flag risks, and optimize treatment protocols.
  • Example: An AI platform monitors early adopters’ health metrics, identifying trends in adverse effects to refine dosage recommendations.
    ***
    2. Global Collaboration on Efficacy Standards
  • Establish international benchmarks for Phase I trial outcomes to ensure consistency in safety validation.
  • Create a shared global registry of investigational therapies, enabling cross-border access and data sharing.
    ***
    3. Patient Education and Consent
  • Develop standardized digital consent modules that explain the experimental nature of therapies and associated risks.
  • Use visual aids and VR demonstrations to ensure informed decision-making.
    ***
    4. Real-Time Feedback Mechanisms
  • Equip patients with wearable devices to provide continuous health data, informing both providers and ethics boards about treatment outcomes.

Transhumanist Perspective on Circumvention Provisions

The RTT Act’s circumvention of FDA approval timelines exemplifies the transhumanist ethos of leveraging technology and policy to expand human potential. By accelerating access to investigational therapies, the Act empowers individuals to take control of their medical trajectories, bypassing the inertia of traditional regulatory frameworks.

This approach aligns with the transhumanist commitment to morphological freedom and the democratization of innovation. At the same time, the integration of cutting-edge tools such as AI and global registries ensures that the expedited process remains ethical, inclusive, and data-driven, paving the way for societal progress in the realm of health and longevity.

Cost Control and Accessibility in the Montana Right to Try Act

The Cost Control and Accessibility provision of the Montana Right to Try (RTT) Act reflects an important but incomplete step toward reducing the financial barriers to experimental therapies. By allowing manufacturers to offer treatments at cost or free, the provision aligns partially with transhumanist principles of autonomy and health enhancement. However, the absence of mechanisms to ensure universal accessibility leaves the law vulnerable to inequities that undermine its transformative potential.

From a transhumanist perspective, universal access to life-extension technologies and innovative therapies is essential for a society that prioritizes human flourishing. This report evaluates the provision’s alignment with the principles of the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), while offering targeted recommendations to address its limitations.

Provisions and Gaps

Current Provisions

The RTT Act permits manufacturers to provide investigational treatments either at cost or free. This flexibility is a critical step in addressing affordability concerns for some patients, particularly those who can self-finance their care.

  • Transparency Challenges: The provision does not require manufacturers to disclose cost structures for treatments, making it difficult to assess whether pricing is fair or exploitative.
  • Access Limitations: The absence of mandates for affordability leaves low-income, uninsured, or underinsured individuals at risk of exclusion. Accessibility is thus subject to the discretion of manufacturers, creating potential inequities.

Alignment with Transhumanist Ideals

This provision supports Section V and Section VIII of the USTP Platform, which advocate for improving human health and providing access to cutting-edge technologies. However, it falls short of fulfilling Article VII of the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), which demands universal healthcare and equitable access to transformative treatments.

Recommendations

1. Establish a Universal Treatment Fund

A Universal Treatment Fund (UTF), funded through public or private partnerships, would subsidize investigational therapies for patients unable to afford them.

  • Implementation Example: The UTF could pool resources from government allocations, philanthropic donations, and industry contributions. Patients with chronic or life-threatening conditions could apply for subsidies, ensuring that financial status does not preclude access to life-saving treatments.

***
2. Cost Transparency Mandates

Mandating manufacturers to disclose detailed cost breakdowns, including production, research, and administrative expenses, would enhance accountability and affordability.

  • Implementation Example: A public database could display cost data for investigational therapies, allowing policymakers, patients, and advocacy groups to assess whether prices align with ethical and equitable standards.
  • AI Integration: Advanced AI algorithms could analyze this data to recommend fair pricing models based on market conditions, production costs, and patient demographics.

***
3. Sliding-Scale Pricing Models

Requiring manufacturers to adopt sliding-scale pricing based on patient income levels would ensure that therapies remain accessible across socioeconomic strata.

  • Implementation Example: A low-income patient seeking investigational cancer treatment might pay a reduced fee proportionate to their income, while wealthier patients would pay closer to the actual cost.

***
4. Global Crowdsourced Subsidy Mechanisms

Decentralized platforms, such as Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), could crowdsource funding for investigational treatments, democratizing access to medical innovation.

  • Implementation Example: A DAO pools contributions globally, funding experimental therapies for individuals selected through a transparent, community-driven process.

Transhumanist Perspective

Inclusivity and Innovation

Universal accessibility to transformative medical technologies embodies the transhumanist ideal of inclusivity, ensuring that treatments for health extension and quality of life improvement are fundamental rights rather than privileges. While the Montana RTT Act’s current provisions lay groundwork for affordability, additional safeguards are necessary to prevent socioeconomic inequities.

Leveraging Technology

Transhumanism emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies such as AI-driven cost analytics, blockchain for accountability, and digital platforms for subsidy management. These innovations would ensure fairness and transparency while enabling scalability.

Societal Benefits

Adopting measures that guarantee equitable access strengthens societal trust in experimental medicine and reduces disparities in healthcare. As transformative therapies become more accessible, they foster a sense of collective progress, bolstering societal cohesion and advancing transhumanist ideals of technological optimism.

The Montana RTT Act’s provision for cost control and accessibility marks a commendable step toward democratizing medical innovation. However, its reliance on voluntary cost controls and manufacturer discretion limits its potential to address systemic inequities. By incorporating a Universal Treatment Fund, cost transparency mandates, and sliding-scale pricing models, the Act can evolve to fully align with transhumanist principles of inclusivity and accessibility.

These measures would ensure that life-enhancing and life-saving treatments transcend socioeconomic barriers, advancing a future where human health, longevity, and autonomy are universally prioritized. Through this approach, the RTT framework not only supports individual rights but also fosters societal trust and technological progress, echoing the foundational values of transhumanism.

Conclusion

The Montana Right to Try (RTT) Act, as enhanced by Senate Bill 422 (SB 422), represents a transformative legislative initiative that aligns closely with the principles of the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) Platform and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights (TBR), Version 3.0. By removing the terminal illness requirement, expediting access to experimental therapies, emphasizing robust informed consent, and shielding providers and manufacturers from undue liability, the Act advances a progressive framework for patient autonomy, medical inclusivity, and technological innovation.

Consistent with the USTP’s core values, the RTT Act dismantles barriers that previously restricted access to investigational treatments, promoting universal healthcare access (TBR, Article VII) and morphological freedom (TBR, Article X). The provision for circumventing FDA timelines reflects a commitment to accelerating medical innovation and prioritizing individual health autonomy, key tenets of transhumanist ideology. Additionally, by addressing cost control and encouraging ethical safeguards, the Act supports the transhumanist vision of a future where transformative technologies are equitably accessible.

However, while the Act’s provisions mark significant progress, they also expose areas for enhancement. Gaps in affordability, transparency, and accountability underscore the need for innovative solutions. Proposals such as establishing a Universal Treatment Fund, leveraging AI for cost analytics and risk assessment, and employing blockchain technology for ethical compliance represent transhumanist-aligned strategies to ensure that the RTT Act’s benefits are universally realized.

Ultimately, the Montana RTT Act serves as a case study in the practical application of transhumanist principles to policy. It embodies the ethos of extending human health and autonomy through science and technology while identifying avenues for continuous improvement. By incorporating equity-focused measures and cutting-edge technologies, the Act can further evolve into a robust model for progressive, inclusive healthcare, advancing the shared goal of transcending biological limitations and promoting a future defined by longevity, innovation, and human flourishing.

References

  1. Governor of Montana Approves Bill Expanding Patient Access to Experimental Treatments. https://a4li.org.
  2. Now in Effect: Montana Law Significantly Expands Right to Try Act. Tenth Amendment Center. https://tenthamendmentcenter.com.
  3. Bill Text: MT SB422 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled. LegiScan. https://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB422/2023.
  4. Transhumanist Bill of Rights – Version 3.0. U.S. Transhumanist Party – Official Website. Adopted December 2018. https://www.transhumanist-party.org/bill-of-rights/.
  5. Step 3: Clinical Research. FDA. https://www.fda.gov.
  6. Gaffney, Adam. (2017). To Heal Humankind: The Right to Health in History (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315158433
  7. Gaffney, Adam. “Adam Gaffney on the Right to Health.” PNHP. https://pnhp.org/news/adam-gaffney-on-the-right-to-health/ (Accessed November 21, 2024).
  8. Leonard, Elizabeth Weeks. 2009. “Right to Experimental Treatment: FDA New Drug Approval, Constitutional Rights, and the Public’s Health.” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 37(2): 269–79. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-720X.2009.00371.x.
  9. U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform. “Sections V, VIII, LXXXV.” https://www.transhumanist-party.org/platform/.
  10. Brown, Brandon., et al. 2018. Assessment of the Right-to-Try Law: The Pros and the Cons. Journal of Nuclear Medicine. https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/59/10/1492.
  11. Montana Legislature. Senate Bill 422 (2023 Regular Session). https://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB422/2023.

Shamar White is a dedicated Legislative Analyst for the U.S. Transhumanist Party, leveraging a robust background in political science, economics, and grassroots organizing to advance innovative and equitable policy solutions. With dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Political Science from Montclair State University and ongoing pursuit of a Master of Arts in Political Science from the American Public University Systems, Shamar brings a rigorous academic perspective to legislative and policy analysis.

As President of the Global Humanity Corp, a nonprofit organization committed to fostering collaboration and addressing human rights challenges, Shamar has conducted extensive socio-economic and political research on global issues, ranging from the implications of BRICS economic policies to human rights violations in conflict zones. This leadership experience underscores a deep commitment to advocacy and systemic change.

Shamar’s professional experience in educational and community leadership has honed their ability to engage diverse populations, develop strategic initiatives, and advocate for underrepresented groups. Proficient in economic forecasting, policy evaluation, and advanced data analysis, Shamar’s skill set bridges theoretical research and practical implementation.

In their role with the U.S. Transhumanist Party, Shamar applies this expertise to promote policies aligned with the transhumanist ethos, including autonomy, technological innovation, and universal accessibility to transformative medical advancements. Fluent in Japanese and Jamaican Patois, Shamar’s multicultural competencies further enhance their ability to address complex, global issues with nuanced and inclusive solutions.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments on the Citizen Petition by Age Reversal Unity to Declare Aging a Disease

U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments on the Citizen Petition by Age Reversal Unity to Declare Aging a Disease

November 20, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 1 comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


The following comments were submitted by Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, on November 19, 2024, in support of the Citizen Petition by Age Reversal Unity to request that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take the following three actions described below:

(1) Initiate proceedings to reclassify aging from a natural process to a disease for the purposes of regulation and research.
(2) Review and consider the scientific and medical evidence presented in support of this reclassification.
(3) Amend relevant FDA policies and regulations to reflect the reclassification of aging as a disease.

Find out more about Age Reversal Unity on its website.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party also encourages you to view and sign the Citizen Petition by Age Reversal Unity. 


As Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, I write in support of this petition for the FDA to promulgate a new regulation that defines aging as a disease for the purposes of research, treatment, and prevention.

The Transhumanist Party is an alliance of over 4600 members who advocate for transcending the flaws and limitations of the human condition through technology and for putting science, health, and technology at the forefront of American politics. We champion initiatives and reforms that will improve the human condition for as many people as possible, with as much beneficial impact as possible. Our first Core Ideal is the pursuit of significant life extension, achieved through the progress of science and technology. Without effective ways to address the damage inflicted by biological aging at the cellular and molecular level, such significant life extension would not be possible. Aging greatly increases the probability of each of the disease conditions that are statistically most likely to end an individual’s life. However, without the classification of biological aging as an indication that can be targeted by therapies, drugs, or medical devices, many researchers and companies would not see a clear pathway for any such potential treatment to regulatory approval and delivery to patients. Accordingly, much beneficial and life-saving research is likely to be deterred, and many financial resources might never flow into the biomedical rejuvenation field, unless the FDA recognizes biological aging as a disease and signals openness to reviewing therapies, drugs, and medical devices that would seek to reverse biological aging directly, instead of solely targeting specific disease conditions.

The Transhumanist Party urges the FDA to open the way toward revolutionary, life-saving medicine, which will greatly extend healthy, productive lifespans of as many Americans as will be alive in time to benefit from these advances. The correct time to classify aging as a disease was decades ago. The next-best time is as soon as possible. Over 110,000 people die of causes related to biological aging every day, and every day closer to medically achieved age reversal will mean the opportunity to save such an astonishingly high number of irreplaceable individual human beings.

Sincerely,

Gennady Stolyarov II
Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Eighth Anniversary Message

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Eighth Anniversary Message

November 18, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 6 comments

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Gennady Stolyarov II


When I first became Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party on November 17, 2016, Donald Trump was about to become President of the United States. Now, as I mark the eight-year anniversary of my Chairman role, Donald Trump is about to become President of the United States. This most certainly feels a bit like a dĂ©jĂ  vu experience – but perhaps more as a variation on a theme than an exact repetition. Despite several areas of clear technological progress (e.g., generative AI, mRNA vaccines, space travel, and some medical advances), I do not consider the world today to be better than the world of November 2016. Societally, culturally, and materially, humankind has endured much – generally pointlessly – during the past eight years and especially during the past five years, only to find itself in quite a similar situation politically, but with more damage done, more nerves frayed, more division and polarization, more friendships and relationships ruined, more blind, irrational tribalism that refuses to see the “other side” (as well as those erroneously lumped into the “other side”) as quite human – not to mention more deaths in horrific wars that were entirely avoidable and that raise a specter of existential risk over our civilization, far greater than any risk that artificial intelligence could ever pose. Yet significant hope remains – and transhumanism is the crucial reason why this is so.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election – similar to the elections in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – was an anti-status-quo election. The candidate and the party most seeming to represent the status quo in the minds of the voters lost. Any party seen as opposing the status quo or offering an alternative – no matter what the alternative – won, as long as it was seen as “having a chance of winning”. Given the duopolistic trap in the United States – which has been thoroughly inculcated into the voters by the elites of both major political parties – the voters who rejected the status quo ended up supporting
 the status quo, but in a different guise and of a different flavor, and couched in irreverent, populistic rhetoric.  Most American voters – as well as voters in Western countries generally – sense that almost every major aspect of contemporary society is deeply broken, but they have neither the vocabulary to describe it nor a coherent set of solutions to address the root causes of the problems that pervade our lives. Nor do they have the toolkit of thought and action to resist the many pitfalls that the duopoly places in their way.

Really, what is broken is the Postmodern Era, which has characterized the Western world substantially since World War I and overwhelmingly since World War II. The Postmodern Era deprived most ordinary, non-philosophically-inclined people of a sense of overarching meaning and purpose in life – deconstructing prior “narratives” and thought systems and replacing them with the cynical identity politics of victims and oppressors, “our tribe” versus “their tribe” – where anything goes and any low tactic is permitted because there are no objective, universalizable standards of goodness, decency, or progress to aspire toward. For some time, especially in the two decades after World War II and again in the mid-1980s through September 11, 2001, humanity was able to “coast” forward on the fuel of accumulated scientific and technological progress and the material infrastructure that it enabled. But now our material infrastructure is decaying, and science and technology have come under attack by “degrowth” types on the Left and “all-natural” types on the Right – or the Robert Kennedy, Jr. types who fuse the two mentalities. Life-expectancy growth stagnated in the West and experienced a major reversal during the COVID pandemic, but in the United States, life expectancy for middle-aged Caucasian residents was already declining prior to COVID, due to “deaths of despair” – brought about by substance abuse fueled ultimately by a crisis of meaning.

For most people in the Western world, the sense that they are living lives of abundance and prosperity has disappeared, even as we continue to benefit from amazing technological advances. Generative AI, which has been truly the most impressive advance of the past decade and a half (ever since the emergence of smartphones), has generated a fear-driven backlash instead of seeing a hope-driven adoption (although a more pragmatic, unheralded, de facto type of adoption is beginning to occur). But without a philosophical foundation of hope for a better future, the majority of people will continue to interpret any advancement in a cynical light and will fail to find the opportunities amidst an era of change. In its dying throes, the Postmodern Era aims to drag us all down, as its paradigmatic institutions make the costs of basic goods and services – including housing and healthcare – expensive and beyond the reach of many, as they destroy social ties and networks of mutual support by means of propaganda that brainwashes ordinary people to view other ordinary people as evil, as they foster a pervasive demonization and “cancellation” of anybody who dares to actually offer an unconventional solution to the problems of the contemporary world.

There have been some efforts to resist the Postmodern dysfunction and the attempts at monolithic control by the Postmodern Era’s institutions. Indeed, the recent election results could be understood in some sense as the majority of voters selecting a somewhat more heterodox party, one that fits the Postmodern propaganda a little less well in some respects, even as it epitomizes the Postmodern, post-truth, identity-politics mentality in others. Other minor parties and political figures have attempted to take more constructive stands – for instance, Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat of the Libertarian Party, who ran a principled campaign that articulately espoused the values of individual liberty and limited government. They did this despite being undermined by the leadership of their own party, who preferred a capitulation to Trump and RFK, Jr. – a leadership that did everything it could to deprive its own candidates of resources and support. Another example is the Forward Party, which has worked to elect solutions-oriented candidates to local and State offices, while advocating for ranked-choice voting – an essential electoral reform in the view of the USTP. However, it is clear that the Libertarian Party is in persistent disarray and further along the trajectory of splitting into outright Trumpists and “Democrats-lite” – an unfortunate dynamic that I had already observed as early as 2016. The Forward Party, while it continues to support worthwhile reforms, has been gutted of its former, more substantive platform that stemmed from the ideas of Andrew Yang. In an effort to encompass anyone and everyone dissatisfied with the duopoly, including some prominent establishment figures who might not favor some of Yang’s more innovative and unconventional ideas, the Forward Party now stands for much less than it originally did, or could have.

There is only one political party in the United States that stands for a completely new paradigm of human history in a philosophically rigorous and consistent manner. This is the U.S. Transhumanist Party, which seeks to replace the Postmodern Era with the Transhuman Era – an era where a sense of meaning and of the desirability of progress can be rekindled, where the improvement of the human condition – the defeat of death, disease, scarcity, pointless conflict – an overcoming of the forces of ruin – can be pursued with confidence and dedication. It was, in retrospect, an immense stroke of good fortune that I was able to assume the leadership role of the U.S. Transhumanist Party in November 2016, when I would have otherwise become politically homeless, and likely retired from politics altogether, seeing no hope for political activity otherwise. The Transhumanist Party offers hope to those who wish to be principled and to build a future where humans can indeed overcome the perils that have plagued us ever since our species and our societies came to be. Just as I found a political home in the USTP, and thousands of others have since – so can you – but remember that we do stand for some quite definite ideas, as expressed in our Core Ideals and Values, our Platform, and the Transhumanist Bill of Rights, Version 3.0.  We are neither left-wing, nor right-wing, but up-wing (to use the terminology of the great proto-transhumanist, FM-2030). We seek anyone who actually wishes to solve problems and build a better future, instead of simply fighting “the other side”, escalating tensions, and becoming mired in trench warfare over the wedge issues of the day.

Ross-Twedt Presidential Campaign

The definite highlight of the past two years of USTP activity has been our Presidential campaign. Our ticket of Tom Ross for President and Daniel Twedt for Vice-President has generated a wealth of conversations, interviews, campaign videos, graphics – all aimed at getting Americans and humans generally to think about how we can respond constructively to immense changes that are arising economically, technologically, and socially. Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt followed in the footsteps (or the Immortality Bus tracks) of Zoltan Istvan in 2016 and Charlie Kam and Liz Parrish in 2020 and stayed true to the intention of running a highly creative marketing campaign for the ideas of transhumanism.

For a distillation of many of the key messages of the Ross-Twedt campaign, I would encourage you to view our compilation of campaign graphics and videos, which illustrate the clear ways in which the USTP stood apart and remained above the fray with its messaging, instead providing actionable insights that people of any party and any political orientation can utilize to thrive in the coming future.

We are still in the process of tabulating the votes that have been cast for Tom Ross and/or Daniel Twedt, who also ran for the fourth time for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California. As of November 17, 2024, we are aware of 566 votes that have been cast for either or both of our candidates. Watch this page for the updated vote counts as new information comes in – and if you wrote in Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt during the 2024 General Election, please let us know that you did so at ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com.

We are exceptionally grateful to each and every Transhumanist voter who defied the persistent messaging of the duopoly and wrote our candidates in. What is most important to us is the opportunity to spread transhumanist ideas and to have engaged great minds in the process – great minds such as those of our courageous members who chose to take a stand for principles and vote their consciences. We in the USTP are honored by every single vote cast for our candidates!

Innovative Uses of Artificial Intelligence

We ourselves have been harnessing the recent advances in generative AI technology to a significant extent and hope to do much more in this realm. Our Virtual Enlightenment Salon of November 3, 2024, immediately preceding the U.S. Presidential Election, was narrated by two AI hosts from Google’s NotebookLM, who quite insightfully and relatably discussed the USTP’s goals and the Tom Ross campaign.

Indeed, there is no political party that has embraced generative AI nearly to the extent that the USTP has in producing an outpouring of art, music, and graphic design during the past two years. We are not only the party that advocates for emerging technology; we are the party at the forefront of using it! There is now even an AI chatbot designed by our friend Jeffrey Zilahy of the Risk Averse Technology Company, where one can ask questions specific to the USTP and receive answers based on the information on our website. You can find it and experiment with it at https://www.transhumanism-ai.com/thdir/index.

Moreover, this transhumanist skyscraper was generated via the DALL-E 3 AI on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of my tenure as Chairman of the USTP.

Our efforts to apply artificial intelligence to amplify the message of transhumanism are only beginning. Be on the lookout for many more developments to come!

Membership Growth and Volunteering

At present, USTP membership has exceeded 4,600 and continues to grow almost daily. We continue to make it as easy as possible for interested individuals to join. Membership is free and will always remain so, and our online application form takes less than a minute to fill out.

Beyond member signups, we continue to seek active volunteers and will find roles for you if you wish to assist in spreading the ideas of transhumanism and advancing the projects of the USTP. As I wrote in my Sixth Anniversary Message, we seek people who would be willing to undertake projects, track legislation and write analyses, contribute articles to the USTP website, operate State-level Transhumanist Parties and local transhumanist meetups, and reach out to policymakers and the public with messaging that aligns with the USTP Platform and Values. Our FAQ and Action Items for New Members provide some basic ideas of what any member could do. Beyond that, please reach out to me with your own ideas and a description of your skill sets, and I would be happy to explore what it might be possible to achieve through our joint efforts.

Our attempts during the 2024 election season to attain ballot access in Louisiana and Tennessee showed that we need more transhumanists “on the ground” in each state to organize local events and efforts – such as petition drives – more effectively. While we did have dedicated volunteers in both of these states, thanks to the diligent work of Aida Ćemalović and Micah Redding – we ultimately fell short of having a person willing to serve as a Presidential Elector in each Congressional District. This speaks to the need of cultivating a robust Transhumanist presence in every area of the country – urban or rural – and finding ways to spread our message so as to resonate with the goals and values of those who reside there, while showing them new possibilities for a brighter future.

Celebration of the USTP’s 10th Anniversary

2024 was a year of multiple major milestones for the USTP. We celebrated our 10th anniversary on October 7, 2024, with a special Virtual Enlightenment Salon to mark the occasion one day early on October 6. It was quite a remarkable occasion to have so many of the key figures in the Transhumanist Party’s history present within the same stream.

Zoltan Istvan, the USTP’s Founder and 2016 Presidential candidate, expressed pride in the party’s survival and its continued participation in presidential elections, raising awareness of transhumanist ideas. He highlighted the increasing relevance of transhumanism, especially in light of advancements in AI, although he lamented that AI is advancing at a faster rate than the technologies of life extension, and this disparity urgently needs to be addressed. Zoltan stressed that science and technology are the keys to achieving radical life extension and a better future for humanity

I, in turn, emphasized the high quality of discourse within the party, attributing it to the caliber of its members. I also acknowledged the USTP’s goal of shifting the political conversation towards transhumanist concerns rather than solely focusing on winning elections.

Charlie Kam, the USTP’s 2020 Presidential candidate, noted the growing acceptance of transhumanist ideas, particularly among younger generations familiar with AI and other advanced technologies. He expressed optimism about the potential for a stronger third party in American politics, with the U.S. Transhumanist Party well-positioned to fill that role.

Liz Parrish, the USTP’s 2020 Vice-Presidential candidate, stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional political debates and focusing on scientific solutions to global challenges, especially those related to health and aging. She argued that society should embrace, not blacklist, innovative technologies like genetic engineering, which hold the key to improving human lives and saving the planet.

Dr. Bill Andrews, the USTP’s Biotechnology Advisor and one of our earliest supporters, shared his passion for extending and enhancing lifespans, advocating for progress in areas like whole-brain emulation and robotic caregiving to address the needs of an aging population. He expressed concern about the “silver tsunami,” a situation where a rapidly aging population will outnumber those capable of providing care, urging the development of solutions like in-home robotic caregivers.

Tom Ross, the USTP’s 2024 Presidential candidate, focused on alleviating fears surrounding AI, arguing that advanced AI will move towards cooperation and become kinder, not more threatening. He also shared his experiences engaging with individuals who harbor fears and conspiracy theories surrounding transhumanism, advocating for open conversations to dispel misconceptions and demonstrate the positive aspects of the movement.

Daniel Twedt, the USTP’s 2024 Vice-Presidential candidate, echoed Tom Ross’s sentiments, emphasizing the potential for AI to enhance human capabilities and contribute to the evolution of a new species, “Cosmos Sapiens,” capable of expanding beyond Earth. He advocated for cryonics as a potential bridge to a future where AI and other technologies can address the problem of biological aging.

Art Ramon Garcia, Jr., the USTP Director of Visual Art, underscored the importance of artistic expression in conveying the transhumanist message, arguing that art can reach audiences in ways that science and technology alone cannot. He also emphasized the personal impact of transhumanist ideas, sharing his own experiences with aging and his hopes for technological solutions to address the physical limitations that come with age.

Dr. Jose Cordeiro, the USTP’s Technology Advisor, highlighted international transhumanist efforts, discussing his work in Spain, including a march for longevity and the TransVision Madrid conference. The idea of a march for longevity in Washington, D.C., which was first announced at RAADfest in Anaheim, California, in September 2024, was enthusiastically supported by various participants, who saw it as a powerful way to increase visibility and demonstrate public support for radical life extension

Overall, the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 10th-anniversary celebration provided an occasion for reflecting on the party’s accomplishments, highlighting key areas of focus, and outlining a vision for the future. The discussions reflected the USTP’s commitment to promoting transhumanist ideas, advocating for radical life extension, addressing the ethical and societal implications of AI, and engaging in public discourse to foster understanding and support for the movement. The celebration underscored the importance of public outreach and engagement and also touched on the importance of cross-generational collaboration, with each of the participants emphasizing the need to engage younger generations and leverage their familiarity with technology to advance transhumanist goals.

I encourage you to visit our post dedicated to our 10th-anniversary celebration, where you will also find the excellent and inspiring art generated by our members for the occasion.

The longevity of the USTP thus far will enable us to more readily continue our work in spreading the ideas of transhumanism and advocating for emerging scientific and technological breakthroughs to help humankind to finally overcome the forces of ruin. Numerous projects and initiatives are in progress and will be announced in the year to come – even as we work to formulate the best responses of the U.S. Transhumanist Party to the current societal and political predicaments facing Americans and the world at large.

I am hopeful that, despite the turmoil that has intensified since 2016, many opportunities for a brighter Transhumanist future remain – and some of the paths toward such a future will become clearly discernible soon. I plan to share much more in the coming months as we make progress along these paths, and I invite all of you to become involved in making the Transhumanist future a reality.

Live long and prosper!

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement on the Outcome of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement on the Outcome of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

November 8, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment


The U.S. Transhumanist Party acknowledges that Donald Trump won the U.S. Presidential Election and supports a peaceful transfer of power. This is not the outcome we sought, but we maintain our loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, the representative small-“d” democratic system, the rights of all individual humans and sentient entities more broadly, peace, international collaboration, and the improvement of the United States through science, technology, and rational discourse.

We look forward to remaining in the Loyal Opposition, as we did during the first Trump and Biden terms. We encourage a policy focus – being ready to point out the bad but also recognize and amplify the good. We will, more generally, continue to oppose the duopoly, while being open to issue-specific alignment and collaboration with anyone who upholds the values and goals of life extension, transhumanism, rationality, and electoral reforms that would facilitate true voter choice.

Join us in this effort! Fill out our free membership form in less than a minute, no matter where you reside.

Preliminary Member-Reported Write-In Totals for Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Preliminary Member-Reported Write-In Totals for Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

November 6, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment


The following is a preliminary tabulation of the write-in votes for Thomas Ernest Ross, Jr. (Tom Ross) for President of the United States and Daniel Emerson Twedt (Daniel Twedt or Dan Twedt) for Vice-President of the United States, as self-reported to us by U.S. Transhumanist Party members and other supporters (with photographic evidence, where permitted by state law).

These numbers are current as of 10:45 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, December 13, 2024, and will be updated as additional information becomes known. These figures should be considered to set a verified lower bound on the number of write-in votes for the U.S. Transhumanist Party Presidential ticket in each of the listed states.

If you wrote in Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt, please let us know via e-mail to ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com – if you have not done so already.

Please e-mail us a picture of your ballot only if the law of your state allows it. (Find out more details about which states permit taking pictures of marked ballots here.) Let us know the state in which you voted as well. We want your vote to count, and it will count where it matters if we include it in our forthcoming published aggregate totals.

State Number of Votes for Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt
California 4
Pennsylvania 4
Tennessee 4
New York 3
Kentucky 3
Arizona 2
Connecticut 2
Massachusetts 2
Washington 2
Wisconsin 2
Colorado 1
Delaware 1
Idaho 1
Indiana 1
Kansas 1
Maryland 1
Minnesota 1
New Jersey 1
North Carolina 1

Total Verified Write-in Votes for Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt: 37

Total Votes for Daniel Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California: 570

Total Votes for Transhumanist Candidates in 2024: 607

Updated at 10:45 p.m. Pacific Time on December 13, 2024.

Please visit this page in the future for subsequent updates.

U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party Positions on 2024 Nevada Ballot Questions

U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party Positions on 2024 Nevada Ballot Questions

October 18, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 1 comment

 

Gennady Stolyarov II


The United States Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party offer the following statements of position on the ballot questions currently before Nevada voters in the 2024 General Election.

Summary
Nevada State Question 1 – Remove Constitutional Status of Board of Regents Amendment: Neutral
Nevada State Question 2 – Revising Language Related to Public Entities for Individuals with Mental Illness, Blindness, or Deafness Amendment: Neutral
Nevada State Question 3 – Top-Five Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative: Strongly Support
Nevada State Question 4 – Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment: Support
Nevada State Question 5 – Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers Measure: Support
Nevada State Question 6 – Right to Abortion Initiative: Neutral
Nevada State Question 7 – Voter Identification Initiative: Oppose

Nevada State Question 1 – Remove Constitutional Status of Board of Regents Amendment

Wording of Question: “Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove certain provisions governing the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education and its administration of the State University and certain federal land grant funds and to provide additional legislative oversight of public institutions of higher education through regular independent audits, without repealing the current statutory election process or other existing statutory provisions relating to the Board of Regents?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are generally neutral as to the structure of oversight over educational institutions and so do not take a strong position as to whether Nevada universities are overseen by a separately elected Board of Regents or directly by the Legislature. Furthermore, Ballot Question 1 would not actually dissolve the Board of Regents, but rather would place it under the oversight of the Legislature instead of its powers being provided for in the Nevada Constitution. Therefore, the day-to-day governance of Nevada’s State-funded higher-education institutions may not be changed in significant ways.

BallotPedia notes that “An amendment to remove the constitutional status of the Board of Regents was also on the 2020 ballot in Nevada. Voters defeated this amendment by 50.15%-49.85%.”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party were similarly neutral on Ballot Question 1 in 2020. There was a favorable component of the 2020 Ballot Question 1, which is absent from the 2024 Ballot Question 1, and which would have mandated for the Legislature to provide by law for “the reasonable protection of individual academic freedom at Nevada’s public higher education institutions” –. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are supportive of strengthening protections for individual academic freedom and regret that the current iteration of Ballot Question 1 did not preserve that aspect. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party do see some potential risks of politicization of higher education that may arise from Ballot Question 1 if a Legislature interferes directly in overseeing the content taught or the manner of individual expression permitted on a university campus, without specific protections for individual academic freedom being provided for by law.

However, the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party would generally consider the issues involved in the structure of university governance to be outside the purview of specifically transhumanist political advocacy. Therefore, members are encouraged to vote their conscience on this ballot question by consulting their own individual understandings of the relevant matters.

Nevada State Question 2 – Revising Language Related to Public Entities for Individuals with Mental Illness, Blindness, or Deafness Amendment

Wording of Question: “Shall Section 1 of Article 13 of the Nevada Constitution be amended to: (1) revise the description of the persons who benefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support; (2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are ultimately neutral on Ballot Question 2. Question 2 proposes to replace the current reference to “Institutions” with “Entities” and the current reference to benefiting “the Insane, Blind and Deaf and Dumb” with “persons with significant mental illness, persons who are blind or visually impaired, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities”. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party do not take a strong position on revising language solely with the intention of appearing more sensitive, or avoiding terms that some might perceive to be offensive, although this should not be the sole motivation for a change, and Section XL of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform does oppose “the doctrine of censorship, now prevalent on many college campuses in the United States, in the name of [
] avoiding subjectively perceived offense.” Wording revisions to a Constitution, however, are not in themselves censorship, in that the expression of any idea by anyone is not being forcibly suppressed, and there may instead be a genuine attempt to determine what superior, more accurate, or more generally palatable wording to describe a particular subject matter might be.

There is a more substantive possible aspect to Ballot Question 2, which ultimately addresses which institutions or entities the State of Nevada would be constitutionally obligated to support. For instance, not all “persons with significant mental illness” might fit under the older category of “the Insane”, and the category of “persons with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities” is a new addition, as such persons should not rightfully be referred to as “Insane” under any framework. Proponents of Ballot Question 2 may consider it worthwhile for the State of Nevada to provide financial support to entities treating individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities. However, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform and Transhumanist Bill of Rights – Version 3.0 ultimately do not take a position on whether such support should be governmentally provided. Article VII of the Transhumanist Bill of Rights – Version 3.0 states, “All sentient entities should be the beneficiaries of a system of universal health care. A system of universal health care does not necessitate any particular means, policy framework, source, or method of payment for delivering health care. A system of universal health care may be provided privately, by governments, or by some combination thereof, as long as, in practice, health care is abundant, inexpensive, accessible, and effective in curing diseases, healing injuries, and lengthening lifespans.” Therefore, it remains the decision of individual members of the U.S. and Nevada Transhumanist Parties regarding whether they would consider governmental support for treating individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities to be the best means for overcoming those disabilities. It is possible for an individual member to agree with this, but it is also possible for another individual member to consider private institutions or individually motivated action to be more effective in overcoming at least some intellectual or developmental disabilities than State-funded institutions or entities might be.

Section XVIII of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform states that “The United States Transhumanist Party supports work to use science and technology to be able to eliminate all disabilities in humans who have them.” However, it is not clear whether any additional entities that would receive State support as a result of Ballot Question 2 would be focused on actually eliminating disabilities or only on helping people adapt to those disabilities. The latter may be a goal toward which some individual members of the U.S. and Nevada Transhumanist Parties may be sympathetic, but it is not a sufficiently or specifically transhumanist goal, nor is it one that the U.S. Transhumanist Party or Nevada Transhumanist Party take a position on – other than to express the hope that the individuals who are currently adapting to any disability will someday be freed from that disability through medical cures or technological augmentations that render the disability irrelevant to their day-to-day functioning.

Nevada State Question 3 – Top-Five Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative

Wording of Question: “Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which all voters may then rank the remaining candidates by preference for the offices of U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: In the view of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party, this is the single most important ballot measure in Nevada political history, as it has the potential to break the stranglehold of the duopoly on Nevada politics. Voters already approved Ballot Question 3 once in 2022, by a vote of 52.94% in favor. However, the Nevada Constitution requires any ballot measures that provide amendments to the Constitution to be passed by voters twice. This 2024 election is therefore decisive for Ballot Question 3, and the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party strongly encourage all Nevada residents who care about having genuine electoral choices to vote in support of Question 3.

The plurality of Nevada voters are independent of the major political parties, and yet they are currently unable to meaningfully influence many local races where a major-party primary determines that party’s nominee, who then receives no meaningful competition at the ballot box in the general election. Moreover, Nevada, as a “battleground” electoral state, often features great pressure applied on voters to support the “lesser evil”, despite many Nevada voters being rightly disillusioned with both the Republican and the Democratic “options” provided to them. Ranked-preference voting eliminates the incentive to vote strategically or for a “lesser evil” to the exclusion of one’s genuinely preferred candidate, since one can provide a complete rank-ordering of one’s preferences rather than limit oneself to one choice.

Section XXX of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform states that “The United States Transhumanist Party supports replacing the current ‘winner-take-all’ electoral system with proportional representation, ranked preference voting, and other devices to minimize the temptations by voters to favor a perceived ‘lesser evil’ rather than the candidates closest to those voters’ own preferences.” Thus, support for ranked-choice voting is directly embedded in our Platform. Furthermore, Section XIX of the USTP Platform reads, in part, “The United States Transhumanist Party supports an end to the two-party political system in the United States and a substantially greater inclusion of ‘third parties’ in the political process through mechanisms such as proportional representation and the elimination of stringent ballot-access requirements.” Allowing open access to primaries and enabling ranked-preference voting in the general election would certainly lower the barriers to entry to candidates who do not belong to either of the duopoly parties.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party has successfully implemented ranked-preference voting in multiple of its internal votes. There is every reason to expect that ranked-preference voting could be implemented with similar success for the much simpler top-five ballots in Nevada general elections that would be developed if Question 3 were to be approved by the voters (twice, the first time this year). The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party strongly encourage every Nevada voter to support Ballot Question 3.

The opponents of Ballot Question 3 have included both the Republican and Democratic Parties and various politically connected special-interest advocacy groups; this should be quite revealing about what these establishment factions find to be threatening to their power. A ranked-choice voting system would break the ability of these powerful interests to manipulate the public through “lesser evil” arguments; politicians, to receive serious consideration, would actually have to at least pretend to be for the greater good rather than merely a lesser evil!

An astonishing and disgraceful plethora of misrepresentations about Ballot Question 3 have been propagated by the opposing establishment interests:
· Opponents claim that ranked-choice voting would be confusing to voters – as if people do not intuitively know how to rank-order their options; to suggest this is to insult the intelligence of nearly voter!
· Opponents claim that people would be forced to rank-order multiple candidates, when the text of the proposed Constitutional amendment specifically would allow a voter to “mark as many choices as the voter wishes” (Article 15, Section 18, Paragraph 3).
· Opponents claim that ranked-choice voting would violate the principle of “one person, one vote”, when in fact every eligible voter would still cast one ballot and would have the option to rank-order as many candidates as that voter wishes – from as few as one to as many as five. If a voter only chooses to indicate one candidate, or any number fewer than five, that voter is not disenfranchised by that voluntary decision, just as a person who is eligible to vote but chooses not to vote is not disenfranchised by their own choice. No serious argument can be made that the principle of “one person, one vote” is violated just because some people choose not to vote. By extension, no serious argument can be made that this principle would be violated just because some people would choose to rank-order fewer than all of the candidates.

For an extensive discussion of how ranked-choice voting works, the USTP encourages everyone to view our Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Kit Muehlman and FairVote Washington, as well as a subsequent, in-depth presentation by FairVote Washington on the technical workings of proportional ranked-choice voting.

Nevada State Question 4 – Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment

Wording of Question: “Shall the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove language authorizing the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party support Ballot Question 4. The Transhumanist Bill of Rights – Version 3.0 states in Article XXV, “No sentient entity shall be held in slavery or involuntary servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” There are no exceptions provided for the prohibition on slavery and involuntary servitude in the Transhumanist Bill of Rights. Question 4 would align the Nevada State Constitution with the Transhumanist Bill of Rights.

It has been noted in the various explanations of this ballot question that it would not result in the abolition of prison work programs, which may, if administered properly, have benefits such as enabling prisoners to learn marketable skills and to have a path toward integration into peaceful and productive economic life upon their release from prison. However, the prohibition of involuntary servitude would mean that prisoners would have the prerogative to opt into those work programs, and that prison labor would not be used as punishment for an offense in and of itself. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party would concur that prison work programs should be voluntary for the prisoners and should be offered as opportunities, not as punishments.

Nevada State Question 5 – Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers Measure

Wording of Question: “Shall the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 be amended to provide an exemption from the taxes imposed by this Act on the gross receipts from the sale and the storage, use or other consumption of diapers?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: Section XXXVI of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform expresses support for “a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold.” The U.S. Transhumanist Party, in its most recent Exposure Period, considered an amendment to Section XXXVI, which would add the language, “This tax would not be imposed on life necessities, defined as goods that are consumable in the near term and whose primary purpose is to facilitate human survival.” The Nevada Transhumanist Party already included this language on July 26, 2024, within Section V of the Nevada Transhumanist Party Platform.

Currently, the State of Nevada lacks an income tax and has a state sales tax, from which various goods considered to be necessities are excluded. Diapers can be considered to facilitate the survival, with a basic amount of dignity, of certain humans who need them. Based on the principle that the cost of necessities should be excluded from any manner of sales tax, which already appears to be reflected in Nevada law and in the Nevada Transhumanist Party Platform, and which also did not meet any opposition during the Exposure Period for Platform Vote #9, the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party support Ballot Question 5.

Nevada State Question 6 – Right to Abortion Initiative

Wording of Question: “Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to create an individual’s fundamental right to an abortion, without interference by state or local governments, whenever the abortion is performed by a qualified healthcare professional until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant individual at any point during the pregnancy?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are intentionally and conscientiously neutral on the question of abortion, which is one of the most divisive and intractable issues in American politics today. Its intractability stems from the existence of an inherent conflict of rights, which cannot be resolved using contemporary technology.

Section LXXXIV of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform offers a potential future solution to this divisive issue in the form of ectogenesis, “the ability of organisms to be incubated and to grow to the point of independent survival, within an artificial environment that provides such organisms with all the necessities of biological survival and development.” Ectogenesis posses the promise of “alleviating the burdens of human pregnancy and rendering the divisive debate over abortion obsolete by reconciling the right to life of a fetus with the freedom of a woman to choose not to carry that fetus.”

However, ectogenesis for humans is not yet available. During the present time, abortion is being utilized to an escalating extent by both major political parties as a wedge issue designed, through the extreme responses to it from both sides, to polarize and divide the population over situations that are unlikely to affect most people personally. It is for this reason that the U.S. Transhumanist Party de-emphasizes the abortion issue in its Platform and rhetoric. Under the status quo, this issue cannot be constructively resolved. We need technology, such as ectogenesis, to render abortion, and especially the abortion debate, obsolete.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party’s founder, Zoltan Istvan, who is personally a supporter of abortion rights, articulated this point of view in his August 3, 2019, editorial in the New York Times, “The Abortion Debate Is Stuck. Are Artificial Wombs the Answer?”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party also recognizes that its members have a broad spectrum of views on the abortion issue. The USTP, in striving to be a big-tent organization, has intentionally avoided creating any manner of litmus test on this issue vis-Ă -vis its membership.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party does note, by way of a factual observation, that abortion is currently legal in Nevada statute up to 24 weeks (6 months), and thus if Ballot Question 6 is defeated, this would not affect the status quo in regard to the legality and availability of abortions in Nevada. Ballot Question 6 proposes to establish a right to abortion within the Nevada Constitution and would extend the timeframe of legal abortion “until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant individual at any point during the pregnancy”. If enacted, Ballot Question 6 would thus likely broaden the timeframe during which abortions would be legal, in many cases substantially beyond 6 months.

Accordingly, individual members are free to vote their conscience, or to abstain from voting, on Ballot Question 6, however they may choose.

Nevada State Question 7 – Voter Identification Initiative

Wording of Question: “Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to require voters to either present photo identification to verify their identity when voting in-person or to provide certain personal information to verify their identity when voting by mail ballot?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party seek to render it easier, not harder, for people (and sentient entities more generally) to be able to vote in elections. As a party with the broadest franchise of any organization known to it – extending the prerogative for Allied Membership to “any being capable of logical reasoning and of the expression of political opinions” (U.S. Transhumanist Party Constitution, Article II, Section X) – and enabling Allied Members to vote in its internal elections, the USTP is supportive of making voting as accessible as possible to as many sentient entities as possible. The USTP practices this in its internal voting processes, where electronic, ranked-preference voting has been used with significant success and with robust verification that only genuine USTP members (and not, for instance, non-sentient bots that serve a particular special interest) have been the ones casting votes.

While it is not inherently in conflict with the USTP’s values to require some manner of identification to render a person eligible to vote, the USTP does not consider a requirement of voter identification at the time of voting to be necessary for this purpose. When an individual registers to vote, it is already the case in Nevada that one of several listed forms of identification needs to be produced to demonstrate that this person is a U.S. citizen residing in the district where this person is seeking to register to vote. It is not necessary, once a person is registered to vote, to duplicatively require the same voter identification when that person seeks to cast their ballot. Per the official Arguments Against Passage of Question 7 on the Nevada Sample Ballot, “impersonating someone else at the polls [almost] never happens. One study found that that out of more than a billion votes cast, it happened 31 times – statistically zero. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning.”

Furthermore, requiring hard-copy voter identification at the time of voting reinforces an already-obsolete paper-based voting system which should, as soon as the technology is viable and deployable at scale, be replaced with an electronic, blockchain-based system using which people could securely verify their identities and vote from the comfort of their homes.

In practice, Ballot Question 7 would limit who is able to vote in Nevada and would, through procedural barriers, deprive some number of U.S. citizens who are legally eligible to vote and properly registered to vote from being able to vote in practice. The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party view such an outcome as contrary to their support for enfranchising more sentient entities. Accordingly, the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are opposed to Ballot Question 7.

Where to Write In Tom Ross for President of the United States – and How to Make Sure Your Vote Counts

Where to Write In Tom Ross for President of the United States – and How to Make Sure Your Vote Counts

October 14, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 5 comments

Support the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Endorsed Ross-Twedt 2024 Campaign! Write Them In!

The United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) offers this guidance to its members and to other interested persons among the general public who wish to support the USTP-endorsed ticket of Tom Ross (Thomas Ernest Ross, Jr.) for President of the United States and Daniel Twedt (Daniel Emerson Twedt) for Vice-President of the United States.

The USTP encourages as many U.S. registered voters as possible to write in Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt in every state where write-in options exist pursuant to law.

Find your state among the five categories listed on the map below. If you support the Ross-Twedt 2024 ticket, you are then encouraged to follow the guidance pertaining to that category of states.

During the 2025-2028 time period, the USTP hopes to continue collaborating with other alternative political parties and advocacy organizations to lower as many barriers to ballot access as possible, in as many jurisdictions as possible.

– States That Allow Automatic Write-In Access and Do Not Limit Ballot Pictures

– States That Allow Automatic Write-In Access – But Prohibit Ballot Pictures

– States That Allow Write-In Candidates and Do Not Limit Ballot Pictures – But We Need to Count the Votes

– States That Allow Write-In Candidates – But Prohibit Ballot Pictures – But We Still Need to Count the Votes

– States That Disallow Write-In Candidates

– Why Vote Transhumanist in 2024?

Sources:

“2024 elections: State by state guide to ballot selfies”. Catherine Stoddard. Live Now Fox. September 27, 2024.

“Write-In Voting”. U.S. Election Assistance Commission. April 2024.

 

States That Allow Automatic Write-In Access and Do Not Limit Ballot Pictures

Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wyoming

Actions Recommended: Write in Tom Ross as your Presidential candidate of choice.

E-mail us a picture of your marked ballot or simply let us know that you voted for Tom Ross. Send your e-mail to ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com. 

These states will probably count your vote, but we want to count your vote as well and do it sooner! Also, we have no guarantee that these states will publish known vote totals for write-in candidates, but we certainly will.

States That Allow Automatic Write-In Access – But Prohibit Ballot Pictures

New Jersey, South Carolina

Actions Recommended: Write in Tom Ross as your Presidential candidate of choice.

E-mail us to let us know that you voted for Tom Ross. Send your e-mail to ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com. 

However, please do not send pictures of marked ballots.

These states will probably count your vote, but we want to count your vote as well and do it sooner! Also, we have no guarantee that these states will publish known vote totals for write-in candidates, but we certainly will.

These states unfortunately prohibit “ballot selfies” or pictures of marked ballots, so please only tell us that you voted for Tom Ross but do not send us actual pictures. We will believe you and count your vote.

States That Allow Write-In Candidates and Do Not Limit Ballot Pictures – But We Need to Count the Votes

Arizona*, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida**,  Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia***

Actions Recommended: Write in Tom Ross as your Presidential candidate of choice.

E-mail us a picture of your marked ballot or simply let us know that you voted for Tom Ross. This will be important to ensure that your vote is counted, because the state will likely not publish the official totals. Send your e-mail to ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com. 

  • Arizona does not limit pictures of one’s ballot when taken from home, but may limit photos and videos inside official voting locations.

** Florida prohibits photography inside polling places, but voters are allowed to take pictures of their own ballots.

*** West Virginia prohibits photography inside polling places, but voters are allowed to take pictures of their own ballots.

States That Allow Write-In Candidates – But Prohibit Ballot Pictures – But We Still Need to Count the Votes

Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin

Actions Recommended: Write in Tom Ross as your Presidential candidate of choice.

E-mail us to let us know that you voted for Tom Ross. However, please do not send pictures of marked ballots. Send your e-mail to ustranshumanistparty@protonmail.com. 

E-mailing us to simply let us know you voted is highly encouraged, since this will be important to ensure that your vote is counted, because the state will likely not publish the official totals.

States That Disallow Write-In Candidates

Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota

Actions Recommended: Vote your conscience for the candidate on the ballot you most prefer.

The above six states above unfortunately disallow write-in candidates for President and Vice-President altogether, and therefore you would not have the option to write in Tom Ross for President. The U.S. Transhumanist Party encourages you to vote your conscience based on which of the other candidates on the ballot would most closely reflect your personal views and policy preferences.

Note that even if you cannot write in the U.S. Transhumanist Party candidates, your alternatives are not limited to the duopoly. You have additional choices. (None of the candidates below are specifically endorsed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party. They are simply mentioned to provide examples of additional options that are available on the ballots in various states. Voters are encouraged to support the Ross-Twedt ticket when possible. When this is not possible, use your conscience and feel free to research additional options using available online resources.)

The Libertarian Party ticket of Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat is on the ballot in 48 states (with the exception of Illinois and New York). The Oliver / ter Maat ticket is on the ballot in the non-write-in states of Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

The Green Party ticket of Jill Stein and Butch Ware is on the ballot in 37 states. The Stein / Ware ticket is on the ballot in the non-write-in states of Hawaii, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The campaigns of Cornel West and Melina Abdullah (Independent), Peter Sonski and Lauren Onak (American Solidarity Party), and Randall Terry and Stephen Broden (Constitution Party) are on the ballots in at least one of the states that disallow write-in candidates.

Chase Oliver, Jill Stein, and Randall Terry participated in the Presidential debates hosted by the Free and Equal Elections Foundation, including (for Oliver and Stein) the February 29, 2024, debate in New York City, co-sponsored by USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II and other USTP members.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party is proud to be part of the Free and Equal Open Debates Coalition.

Why Vote Transhumanist in 2024?

In case you need additional persuasion to write in Tom Ross and support the Ross-Twedt ticket, here are some basic reasons.

  • Your one vote will not decide the outcome of the Presidential election, even in battleground states. But it can send a message that the status quo is broken and a dramatic refocusing of American politics is needed. We can do better than the duopoly! The tragic Trump-Biden debate of June 27, 2024, clearly showed that America deserves far better spokespeople on the political stage – as if we needed further demonstration of this after their disgraceful debate of September 29, 2020, more than four years ago. While the subsequent Trump-Harris (September 10, 2024) and Vance-Walz (October 1, 2024) debates were somewhat more substantive and less egregious – still misleading in many of the candidates’ comments but closer to the historical “norm” of American politics – they were improvements relative to such an abysmally low baseline that we truly need a stratospheric elevation of the tone of the discourse in American politics. Just contrast what you heard from Trump, Biden, Harris, Vance, and Walz, with the thoughtful, civil, erudite responses of Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt to the questions from the Free and Equal Presidential Debate #2. (Watch them on YouTube here or view them on the USTP website here.)
  • Let the political establishment know that ignoring science and technology is no longer palatable. Technological progress, particularly in medicine, is urgently needed to overcome the numerous crises of our time.
  • Support dedicated life-extension advocates – enable them to reach new audiences and show them that radical life extension is feasible and desirable.
  • Support a hopeful, empowering view of artificial intelligence and automation instead of reactionary responses based on fear and misunderstanding.
  • Support a set of ideas directly aimed at using technology to improve human well-being, expand our rationality and curiosity, and set us on the path toward becoming a cosmic civilization – as outlined in Tom Ross’s Earthling, Artisanal Intelligence, and Extraterrestrial Initiatives.
  • Help us build public awareness for policy discussions that the U.S. Transhumanist Party routinely engages in, regarding emerging technologies and how to accelerate innovation and progress. We have had a legislative success already! (Nevada, May 2019)
  • Help grow membership of the U.S. Transhumanist Party for future activism, outreach, and societal change – building toward an immortal culture that embraces continuous progress and improvement and removal of barriers to these aspirations.


Get U.S. Transhumanist Party merchandise at our Zazzle Store.
You can purchase bumper stickers in a variety of designs, including the one above.

Celebration of U.S. Transhumanist Party 10th Anniversary and International Longevity Month

Celebration of U.S. Transhumanist Party 10th Anniversary and International Longevity Month

October 11, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

Gennady Stolyarov II
Zoltan Istvan
Charlie Kam
Tom Ross
Liz Parrish
Daniel Twedt
Bill Andrews, PhD
José Cordeiro, PhD
Daniel C. Elton. PhD
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.
Jason Geringer


On Sunday, October 6, 2024, the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Virtual Enlightenment Salon featured a celebration of two noteworthy events – the 10-year anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Transhumanist Party by Zoltan Istvan on October 7, 2014, as well as the ongoing International Longevity Month, which has occurred every year since 2013.

Notable individuals from the USTP’s history and present provide remarks, including Founder and 2016 Presidential Candidate Zoltan Istvan, 2020 Presidential Candidate Charlie Kam, 2024 Presidential Candidate Tom Ross, 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate Liz Parrish, 2024 Vice-Presidential Candidate Daniel Twedt, Dr. Bill Andrews (Biotechnology Advisor), Dr. Jose Luis Cordeiro (Technology Advisor and Foreign Ambassador in Spain), Art Ramon Garcia, Jr. (Director of Visual Art), Dr. Dan Elton (Director of Scholarship) and Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II.

Dr. Jose Cordeiro also presented on the TransVision Madrid 2024 conference and the march for longevity that he organized in Madrid, Spain, for October 1, 2024, on the occasion of International Longevity Day. The stream of the TransVision Madrid 2024 conference can be found here.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.


Graphics

Several of our dedicated members produced some excellent graphics to celebrate the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 10th Anniversary. These graphics are freely available for anyone to use and spread.


This graphic for the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 10th Anniversary is brought to us by Tom Ross, the USTP’s 2024 U.S. Presidential Candidate. The Tin Man is a proto-transhumanist; whether one might consider him to be an android or a cyborg, he aims to have the full range of capabilities of sentient entities. Like the Tin Man, the USTP has shown the qualities of durability and flexibility over the past decade. We have navigated numerous challenges and endured. Now, heading into the next decade of its existence, the USTP is stronger as an organization than ever before. Someday humanity will learn how to create full-scale 3D-printed hearts, and the Tin Man will be able to get one.

We visit the Tin Man’s workshop, where he has some cake to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the formation of the U.S. Transhumanist Party. This scene was brought to us by Tom Ross, the USTP’s 2024 U.S. Presidential Candidate and Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy.

The Tin Man is happy to support the U.S. Transhumanist Party because of its commitment to sentient entities’ rights, expressed in the Transhumanist Bill of Rights, Version 3.0. Whether one might consider him to be an android or a cyborg, he aims to have the full range of capabilities of sentient entities. The USTP is laying the groundwork for the ethical, legal, and cultural conversation about which entities might arise in the future and become deserving of rights. Our 2024 U.S. Presidential Campaign has been advancing the discussion in this area; Tom Ross is the only Presidential candidate with an AI campaign manager, and he has emphasized that, instead of fearing AI, we can turn into our greatest ally and enable it to bring out our humanity in the best possible ways.

Long live the U.S. Transhumanist Party! This futuristic concept for a USTP headquarters was generated by Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II using the Flux AI. Looked at from the opposite direction, the curve on the rooftop could be seen to represent an exponential growth function.

This scene of celebration in a futuristic city center, illuminated by drones, was generated by Cybor Dre of Tomorrow’s Canvas. Long live the USTP, and may we see the wondrous creations that the future of humanity will bring!

And finally, below, our current Vice-Chairman and Legislative Director Jason Geringer made some virtual cake for us to enjoy. Each cake is calorie-free, sugar-free, and exists in unlimited abundance. Thank you, Jason!

 

How to Fight Homeopathy: Why People Believe in Homeopathy and What to Do with That – Article by Ariel VA Feinerman

How to Fight Homeopathy: Why People Believe in Homeopathy and What to Do with That – Article by Ariel VA Feinerman

September 2, 2024 Ariel VA Feinerman Comments 0 Comment

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Ariel VA Feinerman


The Inquisition is working.

This article was originally published here.

In his text, the scientific writer asks his readers: how else can we keep people from believing in homeopathy, what else can we write to keep them from using it?

Before answering the original question, you need to answer another one: why do people even believe in homeopathy and buy it? People do not buy homeopathy because they are ignorant, uneducated or know nothing. The real reason is the inability of current medicine to cure their diseases!

A person who is informed by physicians that he has an incurable disease — even though it does not reduce the quantity of life, but significantly reduces its quality — falls into despair. But a person in despair thinks completely differently, his critical thinking turns off, and he is ready to believe in any nonsense.

A person in despair clutches at any straw, and homeopathy or other pseudo-medicine becomes such a straw. But what the person refuses to believe is the fact that a civilization that spends trillions on wars, launches ships to Mars and discovered the Higgs boson is unable (and is not particularly trying) to cure his disease. And he is right!

Alas, this undoubtedly correct belief in our civilization plays a cruel joke on him. The success of homeopathy lies in the fact that skillful scammers easily exploit his belief, offering him treatment, which does not work, but right now. Thus, homeopathy is not the cause, but the consequence of the inability of current medicine to treat many diseases. For example, almost all treatment of ageing pathologies at the present time is compensatory, aimed not at their causes: molecular and cellular damage, but only at their manifestations.

So, without the development of truly effective therapies that eliminate the very causes of pathologies, the fight against homeopathy or other pseudo-medicine is meaningless.

For example, alchemy disappeared not because it was specifically fought, but because chemistry and chemical engineering offered better explanations and better results! An intelligent reader, of course, will say that this analogy is not entirely correct, because alchemy was a proto-science, not a pseudo-science.

However, our current medicine can be called a proto-engineering (for any mature medicine is an engineering), since we still do not know the mechanisms of many diseases and do not know how to treat them. Yet, it is within our reach to transform our current medicine into full-fledged engineering in the near future, just like software or aerospace engineering. I call it human repair engineering.

A better, but less thorough analogy can be taken from ufology: for example, contrary to all logic, we still have no clear images of UFO precisely in an era when many people have inexpensive and easy-to-use photo and video cameras, and then smartphones! Many such examples can be given.

Likewise, homeopathy will disappear or become marginal, not at all because some “scientific inquisition” is fighting it in the information or legal arena, but because regenerative medicine of the near future will offer better, truly working solutions.

Most often, the fight “for” is better than the fight “against”, because the fight “against” does not offer anything in return, while the fight “for” is clearly aimed at improvements. Thus, the fight against homeopathy is aimed only at reducing the use of homeopathy, without offering anything in return, while the fight for better medicine not only brings closer the time without disease and ageing, but also implicitly includes the fight against pseudo-medicine (including homeopathy), because the presence of truly working therapies that cure currently incurable diseases will make pseudo-medicine unnecessary.

For example, with the advent of effective antiretroviral therapy, cases of HIV treatment using various “folk” methods have practically disappeared, and there is now much less speculation around HIV.

Many physicians and officials, unfortunately, have a desire to solve the problem using brute force — explicit prohibitions and increased regulation. What a stupid decision! Never in the history of humanity this led to anything good. Increased regulation will only create problems for regenerative medicine (including gene, immune, cell therapies), while scammers will still find a way to enter the market.

For example, ban homeopathy — and its place will immediately be taken by “release-active” drugs; ban them, too, and scammers will take over the “wave genome” or “water memory”, ad infinitum.

What we really need is not more regulation, but less regulation for emerging therapies. And some countries have already given the green light to regenerative medicine. For example, the Fast-Track Approval system in Japan, which was introduced in 2014. The system aimed to increase access to regenerative medicines by introducing laws that allow for emerging treatments to be used so long as they have been proven safe, with only hints of their effectiveness.

The idea is that as patients receive these safe treatments, more conclusive data on their efficacy can be gathered thereafter. This negates the need for large-scale clinical trials that take place over several years and cost hundreds of millions.

As a counterexample, in the USA, because of insane regulation, it is almost impossible to release emerging therapy to the market, and the cost of the process — including clinical trials — is at least $2.5 billion. In spite of the big number of inventions by American scientists and engineers, only a few of them have entered human clinical trials, and only several of them have reached the market.

On the other hand, prohibitions force people to be inventive: biohackers arose in the USA, after all.

Thus, in answer to the original question, there are three key points in the fight for better medicine:

1) Development of regenerative therapies and treatments, whose mechanism is the elimination of molecular and cellular damage that causes genetic diseases and ageing pathologies.

2) Reduction of regulation of emerging therapies in regenerative medicine.

3) Education in regenerative medicine, so that people — including physicians and policymakers — know about emerging therapies and can help in their implementation and entering the clinics, at least by fulfilling these key points.

I hope you understand, the fight against homeopathy is clearly not worth the effort and time spent on it, because the result of this fight is completely predictable. In spite of many years of fighting, pharmacies are still overwhelmed with homeopathy, and various scammers continue to sell the “cure for everything”, while actual working therapies cannot reach the clinics because of excessive regulation.

Links

Bioengineering longevity: call for open source approach by Eleanor Garth. February 18, 2021. Updated August 12, 2024.

Defying Ageing with Ariel VA Feinerman — A Radical Exploration

Japan moves to fast-track innovative stem cell therapy with first trials on human hearts by Nick Lavars. June 1, 2018.

The Price of Progress or the Waste of Regulation? by Reason. September 7, 2018.

Ariel VA Feinerman is a researcher, author, and photographer, who believes that people should not die from diseases and ageing, and whose main goal is to improve human health and achieve immortality. If you like Ariel’s work, any help would be appreciated via PayPal: arielfeinerman@gmail.com.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Emphatically Condemns All Political Violence, Wishes Donald Trump a Speedy Recovery

U.S. Transhumanist Party Emphatically Condemns All Political Violence, Wishes Donald Trump a Speedy Recovery

July 14, 2024 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 1 comment


July 14, 2024 – The United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) strongly and unequivocally condemns the assassination attempt against Republican Presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The USTP wishes Donald Trump a speedy recovery to a state of complete health and expresses the hope that an objective and impartial investigation will be conducted to fully determine the identity of the attacker and the motives behind the attack.

While Donald Trump’s injuries fortunately appear to be mild enough to allow a full recovery, the heinous shooting at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, caused the death of an innocent audience member, emphasizing the tragic truth that ordinary people often bear the greatest harms of political violence.

The USTP has always rejected political violence absolutely and in all circumstances. Indeed, Immutable Operating Principle 4 in Article I, Section III, of the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party reads as follows:

“The United States Transhumanist Party renounces all violence, except in self-defense against a clear, immediate act of physical aggression. In particular, the United States Transhumanist Party holds that violent political activism is never permissible or just. The United States Transhumanist Party commits to always pursuing its goals in a civil, law-abiding manner, respecting the legitimate rights of all persons. The United States Transhumanist Party shall not condone and shall necessarily and automatically disavow all violent criminal acts. Any person who commits a violent criminal act is automatically disassociated from the United States Transhumanist Party in all respects until and unless that person has made appropriate restitution or has fully undergone the appropriate penalties pursuant to applicable law. However, this commitment to exclusively peaceful action does not preclude the United States Transhumanist Party from criticizing any ideas or behavior which are contrary to reason, morality, common sense, or the principles and objectives of the United States Transhumanist Party Core Ideals and Platform.”

“It is clear that unhinged polarization has taken the United States to a societal and political breaking point,” USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II lamented in response to news of the assassination attempt. “This polarization is wrong, and the violence it precipitates is evil. Both need to be stopped. While most people are decent enough to avoid initiating violence no matter what the climate of public opinion, the toxic discourse that has pervaded both mainstream and social media during the past nine years – often originated and amplified by well-organized and well-funded propaganda machines – has surely contributed to pushing some of the least emotionally stable members of our society over the edge into acts of criminal violence. We have seen the effects of these mass-propagandizing tendencies before during the destructive urban riots of 2020 and the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. But attempted assassinations take this trend to an entirely new, troubling level, and they can do nothing but escalate tensions toward a massive societal conflagration – unless everyone, on all sides, takes a serious and somber look at this situation and makes the conscious effort to cease demonizing those with whom they disagree and instead engage with others’ views honestly, civilly, and with recognition of our common humanity.”

The dire predicament of our times requires a transpartisan organization such as the U.S. Transhumanist Party to step in and provide constructive alternatives to the deadly polarization by pointing the way toward the common future of humanity – our common obstacles posed by the forces of death and decay, as well as our common opportunities to use science, technology, and rational discourse to live longer, healthier, more peaceful lives in positive-sum collaborations with others.

“It is no secret that many of our members have disagreed, often strongly, with many of the views espoused by Donald Trump, and some of his policy proposals are directly contrary to the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform,” Chairman Stolyarov explained. “However, the USTP also champions a culture of decency in politics where we can disagree with a person and still advocate for their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as all of the rights recognized in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and our own Transhumanist Bill of Rights. Donald Trump’s rights to his life, to the pursuit of good health, and to the free and peaceful expression of his views, whatever they may be, are among the rights that the USTP stands for. Furthermore, our advocacy of indefinite life extension extends to Donald Trump as well (and also to all other Presidential candidates and candidates for every office from every political party).”

The U.S. Transhumanist Party also emphasizes that, while many in this election season have expressed the desire to save the American democracy, not all have understood the core essence of democracy – which is that ballots, not bullets, need to be the mechanism by which political disagreements are resolved. The primary strength of a democratic system is precisely in the ability of the voting mechanism to provide legitimacy to outcomes on which large segments of the population will disagree with one another, without such disagreements needing to lead to contests of physical force. As such, the American democracy is indeed a precious foundation for a society with enough everyday stability and safety that innovations in technology, science, art, and ideas generally can occur without the specter of violence hanging over everyday life. “Those who think that political violence can ever meaningfully ‘save democracy’ are deluded and misguided, to say the least,” Chairman Stolyarov explained. “Once political violence reigns, democracy is over. Now all decent people of all political parties, organizations, and persuasions have the moral responsibility to call for peace and decency to prevail. We can preserve what has historically been best about the American system of government, but we can only do it by renouncing polarization and hateful vitriol together.

Resurrection of All Mankind through Science – Article by Albi Ndoni

Resurrection of All Mankind through Science – Article by Albi Ndoni

July 8, 2024 Albi Ndoni Comments 0 Comment

Albi Ndoni


Global Cooperation for Humanity’s Common Cause

Introduction

This initiative is an ambitious vision that seeks to leverage the best scientific minds and advancements in biotechnology to resurrect all deceased humans throughout history. This multi-millennial project envisions a future where humanity has achieved both immortality and resurrection, creating a utopian society spread across the Solar System and the Milky Way galaxy.

Objectives

  1. DNA Database Creation and Conservation
    • Goal: To establish a comprehensive database of DNA samples from all deceased individuals that have lived on Earth.
    • Scope: Approximately 100-106 billion DNA samples.
    • Timeline: 1-2 centuries.
    • Actions:
      • Gather and analyze historical records, burial sites, and other sources to locate potential DNA samples.
      • Develop advanced techniques for extracting and preserving DNA from ancient remains.
      • Create a secure, state-of-the-art facility for storing and conserving these DNA samples.
  2. Recreating the First Deceased Individual
    • Goal: To successfully recreate the body and mind of the first deceased person using advanced biotechnology.
    • Timeline: 3-5 centuries.
    • Actions:
      • Invest in cutting-edge research in genomics, synthetic biology, and neuroscience.
      • Develop methods to not only clone physical bodies but also to reconstruct memories and consciousness.
      • Conduct trials and refine techniques to ensure the viability and accuracy of resurrected individuals.
  3. Mass Resurrection of All Deceased Individuals
    • Goal: To apply the perfected resurrection process to every deceased individual.
    • Timeline: 40,000-70,000 years.
    • Actions:
      • Scale up the resurrection processes and infrastructure to handle the massive volume.
      • Ensure ethical considerations and consent frameworks are in place for the resurrected.
      • Foster global cooperation to manage resources, logistics, and technological advancements required for this monumental task.

Long-Term Vision

  • Post-Resurrection Society:
    • Following the complete resurrection of all humans, the initiative aims to ensure that every resurrected individual has access to habitat and basic needs.
    • Timeline: Concurrent with and following the mass resurrection phase.
    • Actions:
      • Advance space colonization efforts to create habitable environments within the Solar System and beyond.
      • Develop sustainable systems for food, water, energy, and healthcare to support the burgeoning population.
      • Promote social and economic frameworks to maintain harmony and equality in this new society.
  • Utopian Society:
    • The ultimate mission is to achieve a utopian society where science has eradicated death and resurrected all past lives, fostering an environment of eternal life and universal well-being.
    • Encourage the flourishing of culture, knowledge, and technology in this new age of humanity.

Ethical Considerations

  • Consent and Autonomy:
    • Establish protocols for respecting the autonomy and consent of resurrected individuals.
    • Engage in global ethical discourse to address potential concerns and philosophical questions surrounding resurrection.
  • Resource Allocation:
    • Ensure equitable distribution of resources to avoid conflicts and ensure the well-being of all individuals.
    • Collaborate with international bodies to manage the logistical and environmental impacts of large-scale resurrection.
  • Cultural Sensitivity:
    • Recognize and respect the diverse cultural and religious perspectives on death and resurrection.
    • Promote inclusivity and dialogue to integrate these perspectives into the initiative’s framework.

Conclusion

This initiative is a groundbreaking endeavor that pushes the boundaries of science and imagination. By aiming to resurrect every human who has ever lived, it envisions a future where humanity achieves immortality and resurrection of all the dead, creating a harmonious and utopian society. This grand vision requires unprecedented global cooperation, scientific innovation, and ethical foresight, promising a transformative impact on the future of human civilization.

Note

This manuscript was written with the help of ChatGPT.

© Copyright

Albi Ndoni

Tirana, Albania

Written on June 21, 2024

Read Albi Ndoni’s biography here. 

Statement by Tom Ross on the Trump-Biden Debate

Statement by Tom Ross on the Trump-Biden Debate

July 8, 2024 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


The June 27, 2024, debate between Trump and Biden feels like the last gasp of the Boomer generation’s grip on power, a reminder of how desperately these old-guard politicians cling to relevance. Watching them spar, it’s hard not to feel frustration at a political duopoly increasingly out of touch with present and future generations. Enter the U.S. Transhumanist Party, a beacon of hope with individuals young in mind and spirit, embodying the innovative thinking America needs. We’re tired of settling for the lesser of two evils. The Republicrats’ time is over. The challenges we face—climate change, technological disruption, and the need for radical advancements—require forward-thinking solutions now. The U.S. Transhumanist Party offers a bold vision, harnessing technology and science to overcome significant threats. Enough is enough. The time for change is now. Let’s embrace a future of innovation, progress, and hope.

To learn more about the Tom Ross / Daniel Twedt 2024 Presidential Campaign, visit the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Candidates page, recently updated with additional resources, interviews, and campaign videos.

Tom Ross is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 2024 candidate for President of the United States. He is also the USTP’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy.

Learn more here: TomRoss’24.

Diluted Delusion – Post by Tom Ross

Diluted Delusion – Post by Tom Ross

July 2, 2024 Tom Ross Comments 0 Comment

Tom Ross


I’ve often said I’m not delusional enough to think I could win the Presidency, but after watching the debate between Trump and Biden, it’s clear that being delusional isn’t a disqualifier for becoming President. Seeing an energetic liar, who people actually believe, go up against a deteriorating old man who refuses to step aside was both frightening and eye-opening. It made me realize that maybe it’s time for me to embrace a bit of delusion and step up as a dark horse GenX candidate.

Our country desperately needs younger leadership. As the world’s first digital natives, Millennials and GenZ understand the complexities of modern life in ways the older generations simply cannot. The Boomers, who once drove tie-dyed VW buses in the ’60s and then traded them in for slick BMWs in the ’80s, cannot dictate a future they no longer understand.

We live in a scary time for America and humanity. Divide-and-conquer algorithms are poking at our fears and anger, satiating our confirmation biases, and keeping us trapped in a self-destructive loop. We cannot let this continue. We must break free from the cycle and be led by our youth. We need leaders who will listen to and facilitate the voices of younger generations.

It’s time for a change, and if it takes a bit of delusion to make it happen, then so be it. Our future depends on it.

Tom Ross is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s 2024 candidate for President of the United States. He is also the USTP’s Director of Sentient Rights Advocacy.

Learn more here: TomRoss’24.
U.S. Transhumanist Party Seeking Electors for Tom Ross in Tennessee and Louisiana, Petition Signatures in Tennessee

U.S. Transhumanist Party Seeking Electors for Tom Ross in Tennessee and Louisiana, Petition Signatures in Tennessee

June 30, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 17 comments


Our U.S. Transhumanist Party ballot-access effort is well underway, thanks to the efforts of Micah Redding and his hard-working associates of diverse ages. We stand a realistic chance of getting our 2024 Presidential ticket of Tom Ross and Daniel E. Twedt on the ballot in Tennessee if we can get 275 petition signatures and 11 electors. In particular, we still need electors from Congressional Districts 1, 2, 3 (possibly), 7, 8, and 9.

If you reside in Tennessee, or know someone who does, please help with petition circulation, and if you are in a position to be an Elector for Tom Ross (which just involves signing a form), please let us know! Get in contact with Micah Redding and/or our Candidate Aid, Aida Ćemalović.

We are also in need of eight electors in Louisiana, including one elector from each of Louisiana’s six Congressional Districts and two at-large electors. Contact Aida Ćemalović if you wish to become an Elector in Louisiana. Any costs of notarizing the Louisiana affidavits for Electors will be reimbursed by the U.S. Transhumanist Party.

Together we can make history! Once a Transhumanist Party Presidential candidate makes it onto the ballot in even one State, major publicity and media attention will likely follow. Ultimately, this is a campaign to advance the ideas of transhumanism and their impact upon the public discourse. Unlike the myopic politicians of the two-party system, who keep undermining the American people with one blow after another due to their short-sightedness, we are focusing on the long-term growth of the ideas and networks that will inaugurate the next era of our civilization and extricate humanity from its present quagmire.

 

Tom Ross: A Beacon of Friendship and Admiration for Bangladesh and Bangabandhu – Article by Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana

Tom Ross: A Beacon of Friendship and Admiration for Bangladesh and Bangabandhu – Article by Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana

February 4, 2024 Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana Comments 1 comment

Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana


Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana and Tom Ross in Bangladesh


Introduction:

In the realm of international relations, the significance of fostering strong bonds between nations cannot be overstated. One such exemplar of diplomatic amity and genuine admiration is Tom Ross, an American presidential candidate who has emerged as a true friend of Bangladesh and an avid enthusiast of its founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

A Pioneering Friendship:

Tom Ross’s connection with Bangladesh transcends the conventional boundaries of political alliances. His interest in the country and its people goes beyond the typical political rhetoric, reflecting a deep understanding and appreciation for the cultural, historical, and social fabric of Bangladesh.

Ross has actively engaged in fostering diplomatic ties between the United States and Bangladesh, recognizing the strategic importance of a strong bilateral relationship. His visionary approach emphasizes collaboration on issues such as trade, climate change, and global security, laying the foundation for a comprehensive partnership.

Bangabandhu’s Influence:

A unique facet of Tom Ross’s affinity for Bangladesh is his profound admiration for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the revered architect of the nation. Ross’s admiration extends beyond political posturing, reflecting a genuine respect for the visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the country’s independence.

Ross has often expressed his admiration for Bangabandhu’s commitment to democracy, social justice, and economic development. His speeches and public statements underscore the belief that the principles advocated by Bangabandhu are not only relevant to Bangladesh but hold universal significance for fostering a just and equitable world.

Building Bridges:

Ross’s commitment to building bridges between nations is evident in his efforts to facilitate cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections. Recognizing the rich cultural tapestry of Bangladesh, he has supported initiatives that promote mutual understanding and appreciation between the American and Bangladeshi people.

His advocacy for educational collaborations, artistic exchanges, and cultural events has created a platform for fostering deeper connections at the grassroots level. By emphasizing the importance of shared values and aspirations, Ross seeks to strengthen the foundation of the friendship between the two nations.

Conclusion:

In the complex landscape of international relations, Tom Ross stands out as a beacon of friendship and admiration for Bangladesh. His genuine appreciation for the nation’s history, culture, and its founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reflects a commitment to building a robust and enduring partnership.

As Tom Ross charts a course in his presidential campaign, his vision for a stronger alliance with Bangladesh resonates as a testament to the enduring power of diplomacy, friendship, and shared values in shaping a better world. The evolving narrative of this unique friendship promises to contribute positively to the global stage, fostering collaboration and understanding between nations.

Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana and Tom Ross next to a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana is the U.S. Transhumanist Party Director of Foreign Relations and Foreign Ambassador in Bangladesh. Learn more about him here. 


Bengali Version:

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àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠ…àŠ—à§àŠ°àŠ—àŠŸàŠźà§€ àŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§à§àŠ€à§àŠŹ:

àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠŸàŠ„à§‡ àŠŸàŠź àŠ°àŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠ‚àŠŻà§‹àŠ— àŠ°àŠŸàŠœàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠœà§‹àŠŸà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠšàŠČàŠżàŠ€ àŠžà§€àŠźàŠŸàŠšàŠŸ àŠ…àŠ€àŠżàŠ•à§àŠ°àŠź àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€ àŠŠà§‡àŠ¶ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠàŠ° àŠœàŠšàŠ—àŠŁà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠ†àŠ—à§àŠ°àŠč àŠžàŠŸàŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŁ àŠ°àŠŸàŠœàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠ…àŠČàŠ‚àŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à§‡àŠ° àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‡àŠ°à§‡ àŠšàŠČে àŠŻàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ, àŠŻàŠŸ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠŸàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ•, àŠàŠ€àŠżàŠčàŠŸàŠžàŠżàŠ• àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠžàŠŸàŠźàŠŸàŠœàŠżàŠ• àŠ•àŠŸàŠ àŠŸàŠźà§‹àŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠ—àŠ­à§€àŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠČàŠŹà§àŠ§àŠż àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ‰àŠȘàŠČàŠŹà§àŠ§àŠż àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠżàŠ«àŠČàŠżàŠ€ àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠ°àŠž àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠ¶àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ¶àŠŸàŠČী àŠŠà§àŠŹàŠżàŠȘàŠŸàŠ•à§àŠ·àŠżàŠ• àŠžàŠźà§àŠȘàŠ°à§àŠ•à§‡àŠ° àŠ•à§ŒàŠ¶àŠČàŠ—àŠ€ àŠ—à§àŠ°à§àŠ€à§àŠŹàŠ•à§‡ àŠžà§àŠŹà§€àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠż àŠŠàŠżàŠŻàŠŒà§‡ àŠźàŠŸàŠ°à§àŠ•àŠżàŠš àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠ°àŠŸàŠ·à§àŠŸà§àŠ° àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠ•à§‚àŠŸàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠžàŠźà§àŠȘàŠ°à§àŠ• àŠŹà§ƒàŠŠà§àŠ§àŠżàŠ€à§‡ àŠžàŠ•à§àŠ°àŠżàŠŻàŠŒàŠ­àŠŸàŠŹà§‡ àŠœàŠĄàŠŒàŠżàŠ€à„€ àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠŠà§‚àŠ°àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶à§€ àŠŠà§ƒàŠ·à§àŠŸàŠżàŠ­àŠ™à§àŠ—àŠż àŠŹàŠŸàŠŁàŠżàŠœà§àŠŻ, àŠœàŠČàŠŹàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒà§ àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠŹàŠ°à§àŠ€àŠš àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŹà§ˆàŠ¶à§àŠŹàŠżàŠ• àŠšàŠżàŠ°àŠŸàŠȘàŠ€à§àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠźàŠ€à§‹ àŠŹàŠżàŠ·àŠŻàŠŒàŠ—à§àŠČàŠżàŠ€à§‡ àŠžàŠčàŠŻà§‹àŠ—àŠżàŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠ° àŠœà§‹àŠ° àŠŠà§‡àŠŻàŠŒ, àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠȘàŠ• àŠ…àŠ‚àŠ¶à§€àŠŠàŠŸàŠ°àŠżàŠ€à§àŠŹà§‡àŠ° àŠ­àŠżàŠ€à§àŠ€àŠż àŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸàŠȘàŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠŹàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§à§àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ­àŠŸàŠŹ:

àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠŸàŠź àŠ°àŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠ–à§àŠŻàŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠ…àŠšàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠŠàŠżàŠ• àŠčàŠČ àŠœàŠŸàŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠ¶à§àŠ°àŠŠà§àŠ§à§‡àŠŻàŠŒ àŠžà§àŠ„àŠȘàŠ€àŠż àŠŹàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§à§ àŠ¶à§‡àŠ– àŠźà§àŠœàŠżàŠŹà§àŠ° àŠ°àŠčàŠźàŠŸàŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠ—àŠ­à§€àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ¶àŠ‚àŠžàŠŸà„€ àŠ°àŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ¶àŠ‚àŠžàŠŸ àŠ°àŠŸàŠœàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠ­àŠ™à§àŠ—àŠżàŠ° àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‡àŠ°à§‡àŠ“ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠžàŠŸàŠ°àŠżàŠ€, àŠŻàŠŸ àŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠžà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠ§à§€àŠšàŠ€àŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠ—à§àŠ°à§àŠ€à§àŠŹàŠȘà§‚àŠ°à§àŠŁ àŠ­à§‚àŠźàŠżàŠ•àŠŸ àŠȘàŠŸàŠČàŠšàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à§€ àŠŠà§‚àŠ°àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶à§€ àŠšà§‡àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠ…àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€à§àŠ°àŠżàŠź àŠ¶à§àŠ°àŠŠà§àŠ§àŠŸàŠ•à§‡ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠżàŠ«àŠČàŠżàŠ€ àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠ°àŠž àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠŻàŠŒàŠ‡ àŠ—àŠŁàŠ€àŠšà§àŠ€à§àŠ°, àŠžàŠŸàŠźàŠŸàŠœàŠżàŠ• àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒàŠŹàŠżàŠšàŠŸàŠ° àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ…àŠ°à§àŠ„àŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠ‰àŠšà§àŠšàŠŻàŠŒàŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠŹàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§à§àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠżàŠ¶à§àŠ°à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ¶àŠ‚àŠžàŠŸ àŠ•àŠ°à§‡àŠ›à§‡àŠšà„€ àŠ€àŠŸàŠàŠ° àŠŹàŠ•à§àŠ€à§ƒàŠ€àŠŸ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠœàŠšàŠžàŠŸàŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŁà§‡àŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠŹà§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ—à§àŠČàŠż àŠàŠ‡ àŠŹàŠżàŠ¶à§àŠŹàŠŸàŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠ° àŠœà§‹àŠ° àŠŠà§‡àŠŻàŠŒ àŠŻà§‡ àŠŹàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§à§ àŠŻà§‡ àŠšà§€àŠ€àŠżàŠ—à§àŠČàŠż àŠ‰àŠ€à§àŠ„àŠŸàŠȘàŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡àŠ›àŠżàŠČà§‡àŠš àŠ€àŠŸ àŠ•à§‡àŠŹàŠČ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻàŠ‡ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠžàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠżàŠ• àŠšàŠŻàŠŒ àŠŹàŠ°àŠ‚ àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠ“ àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒàŠžàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠ€ àŠŹàŠżàŠ¶à§àŠŹ àŠ—àŠĄàŠŒà§‡ àŠ€à§‹àŠČàŠŸàŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠžàŠ°à§àŠŹàŠœàŠšà§€àŠš àŠ€àŠŸà§ŽàŠȘàŠ°à§àŠŻ àŠŹàŠčàŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠžà§‡àŠ€à§ àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§àŠźàŠŸàŠŁ:

àŠœàŠŸàŠ€àŠżàŠ—à§àŠČàŠżàŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠžà§‡àŠ€à§ àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§àŠźàŠŸàŠŁà§‡ àŠ°àŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠżàŠ¶à§àŠ°à§àŠ€àŠż àŠžàŠŸàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠ†àŠŠàŠŸàŠš-àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŠàŠŸàŠš àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠœàŠšàŠ—àŠŁà§‡àŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠžàŠ‚àŠŻà§‹àŠ— àŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸàŠȘàŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠ€àŠŸàŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠšà§‡àŠ·à§àŠŸàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠžà§àŠȘàŠ·à§àŠŸà„€ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠźà§ƒàŠŠà§àŠ§ àŠžàŠŸàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠŸà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠȘà§‡àŠžà§àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠżàŠ° àŠžà§àŠŹà§€àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠż àŠŠàŠżàŠŻàŠŒà§‡, àŠ€àŠżàŠšàŠż àŠ†àŠźà§‡àŠ°àŠżàŠ•àŠŸàŠš àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ‚àŠČàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ¶à§€ àŠœàŠšàŠ—àŠŁà§‡àŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°àŠžà§àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠ• àŠŹà§‹àŠàŠŸàŠȘàŠĄàŠŒàŠŸ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ‰àŠȘàŠČàŠŹà§àŠ§àŠż àŠ‰àŠšà§àŠšà§€àŠ€ àŠ•àŠ°à§‡ àŠàŠźàŠš àŠ‰àŠŠà§àŠŻà§‹àŠ—àŠ•à§‡ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡àŠ›à§‡àŠšà„€

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àŠ‰àŠȘàŠžàŠ‚àŠčàŠŸàŠ°:

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Vote for Tom Ross in the Free and Equal Elections Foundation Debate Poll – Help Tom Ross Qualify for the February 29, 2024, Los Angeles Presidential Debate

Vote for Tom Ross in the Free and Equal Elections Foundation Debate Poll – Help Tom Ross Qualify for the February 29, 2024, Los Angeles Presidential Debate

January 22, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


Do you want to hear from a Presidential candidate who actually cares about science, technology, longevity, and ensuring that we humans seize our unique and enduring advantages in the era of rising artificial intelligence, approaching new advances with curiosity and a sense of opportunity, rather than fear?

If so, please vote for Tom Ross, our U.S. Transhumanist Party nominee for President of the United States in 2024, using the new Nexus Blockchain Voting App developed in partnership with The Free and Equal Elections Foundation: https://vote.freeandequal.org/

The vote is intended to determine which candidates will participate in The Free and Equal Elections Foundation Presidential Debate in Los Angeles on February 29, one of the only venues in this election cycle for an honest exchange of ideas and policy proposals among candidates of numerous political parties.

You can use this app on both desktop and mobile interfaces. Just enter your phone number, get a code, enter the code, and you will be able to rank-order up to six candidates. We hope that you will rank Tom Ross as your first choice.

You will have until February 1, 2024, to vote. We encourage you to vote sooner rather than later.

Here is a message from Zoltan Istvan, the founder and first Presidential candidate of the USTP: “Nearly 10 years ago I founded the Transhumanist Party. This election cycle Tom Ross is the U.S. presidential nominee for the party. Every cycle Free & Equal runs an important Presidential debate of independents (which I’ve formally participated in during the past as a nominee). Please consider voting for transhumanist Tom Ross at this link so he can get into this debate. That way science will remain a voice in independent politics.”

Here is a message from Tom Ross himself: “On February 29th, in Hollywood, six out of 50+ candidates will take the debate stage. Hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, this debate will give a voice to presidential hopefuls outside the duopoly. If you believe that science and technology can enhance the quality and length of our lives, please consider voting for me — the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s nominee for president in 2024.”

If you have not yet familiarized yourself with Tom’s campaign and policies, you can learn about him on our Candidates page and his campaign website.

15-Day Exposure Period for Platform Vote #9

15-Day Exposure Period for Platform Vote #9

January 12, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 18 comments

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Gennady Stolyarov II


The U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) hereby opens a 15-day public exposure period on various Platform proposals intended to catch up on various developments that have occurred in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The USTP’s most recent Platform vote occurred during March 25-28, 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, after which an ongoing cascade of the pandemic’s consequences – including secondary, tertiary, and long-term consequences which continue to manifest pervasively in American and global contexts – prevented the organization of another Platform vote until the present time. However, during that time, various external developments, as well as the continuing course of the pandemic, have necessitated certain updates. The USTP is aware that a variety of other proposals have been submitted in the intervening 3.5 years as well, and it is intended that future Platform votes will be organized to address those proposals. The present Platform vote is structured so as to balance the need to make certain updates to keep provisions of the Platform current and relevant with the need to be reasonably concise in order to encourage widespread participation among the USTP Membership.

A vote will be scheduled on some or all of the items below once they have been exposed for at least 15 days. For each item, a 7-day voting period is expected to be opened at the earliest on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

During the exposure period, please post your comments on this thread. If you post comments intended to be considered in voting and/or amending any of these planks in any other electronic medium, please note that you thereby give your consent to have your comments reproduced with attribution or linked within this discussion thread, in order to direct members’ attention and consideration to them.

After the exposure period, a 7-day electronic voting period will occur. Instructions for electronic voting will be sent to members of the U.S. Transhumanist Party via e-mail at that time. All individuals who are members of the U.S. Transhumanist Party as of the end of the exposure period and who have expressed agreement with its three Core Ideals will be eligible to vote thereafter. You can still vote if you become a member during the exposure period, so please apply here if you are interested. During the 7-day electronic voting period, you will still be able to become a member – but you will only be able to vote in subsequent elections, since we seek for voting on any given issue to be done by those members who have had an opportunity to thoroughly consider that issue and be involved in deliberations regarding it.

Electronic voting will be conducted by a ranked-preference method if more than a single option is presented for the wording of a particular plank or segment of a plank. Members will be able to rank-order their preferred selections on each individual Section. The originally proposed text of each Section will be available for selection, as well as any reasonable amendments proposed by any member. Leadership of the U.S. Transhumanist Party reserves the right to edit any proposed amendment for correctness of spelling and grammar. The status-quo option – either “No Section of this sort” or the previous Section wording will also be a choice, depending on whether the Section in question is new or proposed to be revised. Any Section where a majority of votes favors the status-quo option will be not be adopted. Members will also be able to abstain from voting on any given Section.

The ranked-preference method has the advantage of eliminating a “winner-take-all” or “first-past-the-post” mentality and preventing people from being channeled into voting for sub-optimal choices (in their view) just because they fear an even less palatable alternative prevailing. Within the ranked-preference methodology, if no option obtains a clear majority as voters’ first choice, the option having the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated from consideration, and all those who voted for that option will have their votes assigned to their second-choice options. This process of elimination continues until one particular option has a clear majority of votes.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party encourages all members to participate in this process and for other transhumanists to sign up for membership during the exposure period. 


Section E9-A. Defeat of COVID as a Priority

Option E9-A-1. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world and will not end as long as immunity from vaccination or prior infection can be bypassed by subsequent mutated escape variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the United States Transhumanist Party supports concerted scientific and technological efforts to eliminate COVID-19 as a threat to public health. These efforts may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

Ancillary Provision E9-A-i. Development of a universal vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would work against all possible variants of the virus and would confer lasting immunity.

Ancillary Provision E9-A-ii. Development of harmless variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would outcompete the existing variants without damaging any human or other animal host.

Ancillary Provision E9-A-iii. Development of antibodies that are capable of neutralizing any variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Ancillary Provision E9-A-iv. Development of reliable cures for all varieties of Long COVID or Post-COVID Syndrome.

The United States Transhumanist Party considers only scientific and technological solutions to be capable of eliminating COVID-19 as a threat to public health and does not support lockdowns, restrictions on individual liberty or medical choice, or demonization of individuals who make any personal health choices regarding their approach to COVID-19 precautions – including individuals who take extensive, moderate, mild, or no precautions. The United States Transhumanist Party also holds that no individual should be compelled to undertake any behaviors that may expose that individual to greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Section E9-B. Perception of Artificial Intelligence as an Opportunity

Option E9-B-1. The United States Transhumanist Party supports approaching technologies of artificial intelligence primarily as opportunities rather than as threats. The potential of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, to foster creativity, solve problems, cure diseases, create new opportunities, and facilitate radical abundance far outweighs the risks and dangers of AI. The United States Transhumanist Party recognizes that AI safety and AI alignment are important pursuits to maximize the probability of predominantly beneficial consequences from future AI systems. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports restrictions on the ability to use AI systems for intentionally destructive purposes; such restrictions would include a ban on autonomous weapons. However, these efforts should be undertaken in a rational, proportionate, evidence-based manner, avoiding unsubstantiated speculation, alarmist hype, and doomsday pronouncements. Furthermore, the United States Transhumanist Party opposes any efforts to restrict individual liberty or initiate physically aggressive action against other individuals or countries in the name of stopping allegedly dangerous AI development.

Section E9-C. Reversible Cryopreservation Techniques

Option E9-C-1. [Based on Proposal by Vladimir Shakirov] Recognizing that the achievement of reversible cryopreservation techniques could enable the realization of individuals’ right to life (brutally violated by so-called “natural” death) by waiting until future technologies could bring a cryopreserved patient out of the cryopreserved state and achieve cures for diseases and aging, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the urgency of advancing reversible cryopreservation research. Therefore, the United States Transhumanist Party supports the allocation of an annual funding package of $10 billion for reversible cryopreservation research. This funding shall be expeditiously directed to esteemed research institutions with a proven track record of focusing on the development and implementation of reversible cryopreservation techniques.

Section E9-D. Public Money for Public Code

Option E9-D-1. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon] The United States Transhumanist Party supports the implementation of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ concept, which holds that public money should, where reasonably possible, come to benefit the public first and foremost, and secondarily might also benefit other parties as well.

Public code is understood as code that is publicly available and more commonly referred to as Open Source, for example code released under the GPLv3 (General Public License version 3). The reasoning of ‘Public Money for Public Code’ is that public money should not be spent on proprietary software that benefits a select group of companies, but rather used to support Open-Source projects that are alternatives to proprietary software. As Open-Source software is available for free to the public, said stimulus of Open-Source software could benefit both the public as well as public institutions. An example here could be an alternative to Microsoft Office, such as LibreOffice.

Many Open-Source projects operate via volunteers contributing to the project’s efforts. Opening up the possibility to receive funding for a project could incentivize more people to contribute to a project, and perhaps even use contribution to Open-Source projects as a means of stable income. This incentivizes citizens to participate, as besides the admirable goal of doing good for the public, it also contributes to the participants’ livelihood, or helps them decide to split their worktime between the roles of an employee and a self-employed contributor.

Likewise, this might incentivize software companies to participate as well, as it can earn them revenue. It would, however, be important to observe that companies do not drown out individual contributors, as this could have a detrimental effect on incentivizing public participation.

The public participation would be an important element of the ‘Public Money for Public Code’ implementation, as it would also be a public showcase to stimulate interest in programming in education and beyond.

Section E9-E. Privacy on Social Media

Option E9-E-1. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon] The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts for social media to improve privacy settings, in granularity, usability, as well as awareness of such privacy features, for users. Better control of privacy can minimize the scraping of information, including information that can be used for identifying targets by malicious actors, from websites.

Section E9-F. Restraint of Government Agencies’ Efforts to Undermine Private Businesses’ Security Measures

Option E9-F-1. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon] The United States Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrain government agencies from efforts to limit, oppose, or undermine security initiatives by companies and businesses. Although their motives might be pure, to uncover criminal activity for example, such efforts can in the process undermine security on a much larger scale. If government agencies can have access, so can malicious actors.

Section E9-G. Security Whistleblower Program

Option E9-G-1. [Based on Proposal by Martin van der Kroon] The US Transhumanist Party supports efforts to create a security whistleblower initiative where a whistleblower can report known security issues that are not being addressed by a company or government institution. This could also aid the whistleblower in the event that they would suffer negative consequences by their employer for addressing security issues.

Proposed Amendments to Existing Sections

Members will be given the option to either retain existing language of a plank or to adopt any of the listed proposed amendments. Ranked-preference voting will be conducted for any Section for which more than one amendment has been proposed. Members will also be able to abstain from each vote.

New language in each amendment is stated in bold, italic blue text. Language proposed to be deleted is stated in red strikethrough text.

1. Amendment to Section XXVII to Align with U.S. Transhumanist Party Support for Ranked-Preference Voting

Current Version of Section XXVII. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the plurality of the popular vote the sole criterion for the election of President.

Amendment XXVII-1.   The United States Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the plurality of the popular vote the sole criterion for the election of President the criterion for the election of President to be an outcome of the popular vote decided by ranked-preference voting or a similar mechanism that allows voters to select multiple options in a manner that more completely expresses their views.

2. Amendment to Section XXXVI to Provide Exceptions to Taxation for Basic Necessities

Current Version of Section XXXVI. The United States Transhumanist Party supports the elimination of graduated taxation and income taxation more generally. Instead, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold. This tax should be built into the price of goods from such large businesses and should not impede transaction efficiency in any manner. Transactions pertaining to wages, salaries, gifts, donations, barter, employee benefits, and inheritances should remain completely untaxed, as should transactions involving solely individuals and/or small businesses, for whom the establishment of a tax-reporting infrastructure would be onerous. Furthermore, all taxes on land and property should be abolished.

Amendment XXXVI-1. The United States Transhumanist Party supports the elimination of graduated taxation and income taxation more generally. Instead, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold. This tax should be built into the price of goods from such large businesses and should not impede transaction efficiency in any manner. This tax would not be imposed on life necessities, defined as goods that are consumable in the near term and whose primary purpose is to facilitate human survival. Transactions pertaining to wages, salaries, gifts, donations, barter, employee benefits, and inheritances should remain completely untaxed, as should transactions involving solely individuals and/or small businesses, for whom the establishment of a tax-reporting infrastructure would be onerous. Furthermore, all taxes on land and property should be abolished.

3. Amendment to Section LXXIX to Update the Discussion of the Status of Right-to-Try Legislation

Current Version of Section LXXIX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports repealing the current requirement in the United States that drugs or treatments may not be used, even on willing patients, unless approval for such drugs or treatments is received from the Food and Drug Administration. Such requirements are a profound violation of patient sovereignty; a person who is terminally ill is unable to choose to take a risk on an unapproved drug or treatment unless this person is fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial. Even then, once the clinical trial ends, the treatment must be discontinued, even if it was actually successful at prolonging the person’s life. This is not only profoundly tragic, but morally unconscionable as well. The most critical reform needed is to allow unapproved drugs and treatments to be marketed and consumed. If the FDA wishes to strongly differentiate between approved and unapproved treatments, then a strongly worded warning label could be required for unapproved treatments, and patients could even be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been informed of the risks of an unapproved treatment. This reform to directly extend many lives and to redress a moral travesty should be the top political priority of advocates of indefinite life extension. Over the coming decades, its effect will be to allow cutting-edge treatments to reach a market sooner and thus to enable data about those treatments’ effects to be gathered more quickly and reliably. Because many treatments take 10-15 years to receive FDA approval, this reform could by itself speed up the real-world advent of indefinite life extension by over a decade.

Amendment LXXIX-1. The United States Transhumanist Party supports repealing the current requirement in the United States that, in most cases, drugs or treatments may not be used, even on willing patients, unless approval for such drugs or treatments is received from the Food and Drug Administration. Such requirements are a profound violation of patient sovereignty; a person who is terminally ill is often unable to choose to take a risk on an unapproved drug or treatment unless this person is fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial. Even then, once the clinical trial ends, the treatment must be is often discontinued, even if it was actually successful at prolonging the person’s life.  While the Federal Right-to-Try Act of 2017 and various State-level Right-to-Try Acts have been steps in the right direction, they have seldom been utilized, because of various other regulatory barriers, as well as drug manufacturers’ reluctance to expose themselves to liability and regulatory risk. This is not only profoundly tragic, but morally unconscionable as well. The most critical reform needed is to allow unapproved drugs and treatments to be marketed and consumed. Every effort should be made to allow and encourage the manufacturers and providers of experimental medicines and medical treatments to make them available to willing patients with proper disclosure and informed consent, accompanied by protections against liability and adverse regulatory actions. Currently, most Right-to-Try Acts are limited to terminally ill patients, and should be expanded to model Montana’s Right-to-Try Act and the Best Choice Medicine concept to make the choice to pursue experimental drugs and treatments, including gene therapies, available to all patients. If the FDA wishes to strongly differentiate between approved and unapproved treatments, then a strongly worded warning label could be required for unapproved treatments, and patients could even be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been informed of the risks of an unapproved treatment. This reform to directly extend many lives and to redress a moral travesty should be the top political priority of advocates of indefinite life extension. Over the coming decades, its effect will be to allow cutting-edge treatments to reach a market sooner and thus to enable data about those treatments’ effects to be gathered more quickly and reliably. Because many treatments take 10-15 years to receive FDA approval, this reform could by itself speed up the real-world advent of indefinite life extension by over a decade.

4. Amendment to Section XCIX to Revise Proposal for COVID Universal Basic Income to a Proposal to Indefinitely Cover all Costs of COVID Treatments and Vaccinations

Current Version of Section XCIX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports for an immediate, universal, unconditional basic income of at least $1000 per month to be provided to every United States citizen for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its immediate aftermath, without regard for individuals’ means or other sources of income. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Amendment XCIX-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports for n immediate, universal, unconditional basic income of at least $1000 per month to be provided to every United States citizen for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its immediate aftermath, without regard for individuals’ means or other sources of income. advocates for all American residents to continue to receive free health care for the disease of COVID-19, including free testing, vaccination, antiviral medications, and any other services involved in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic and health disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Requiring consumers and patients to pay for COVID-related care would increase the number of people who refuse to obtain vaccination or treatment for purely financial reasons, thus amplifying the difficulty of ever defeating COVID-19 – an endeavor that is aided by maximizing the amount of immunity and available health care for the population.

5. Amendment to Section CI to Update the Discussion of Pandemic-Related Travel Delays

Current Version of Section CI: In recognition that the recent screening bottlenecks at United States airports create situations of unacceptable crowding which further contribute to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for immediate admittance through security checkpoints of the vast majority of travelers currently waiting at airports in the United States. Such travelers may be required to subsequently undergo health screenings at other facilities within the United States within a certain period of time, as long as such screenings do not involuntarily place the individuals being screened in close physical proximity to one another.

Amendment CI-1: In recognition that the recent screening bottlenecks unprecedented and prolonged patterns of flight delays and cancellations at United States airports create situations of unacceptable crowding which further contribute to the spread of  detriments to quality of life and mobility to American passengers and were due directly to the supply-chain disruptions, aircraft shortages, labor shortages, and poor decisions by major airlines to cut staff in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for immediate admittance through security checkpoints of the vast majority of travelers currently waiting at airports in the United States. Such travelers may be required to subsequently undergo health screenings at other facilities within the United States within a certain period of time, as long as such screenings do not involuntarily place the individuals being screened in close physical proximity to one another. measures to enable airlines which reduced aircraft counts and dismissed staff during the COVID-19 epidemic to purchase or construct sufficient aircraft to replace the reduced capacity, to actively utilize such aircraft and restore prior routes, and to offer to re-hire all staff members who were dismissed as a result of prior responses to the epidemic. In the event that specific individual former staff members do not wish to return to their previous positions, they should be replaced with others who are willing to take on those roles for appropriate compensation and benefits. Sufficient incentives should be offered to airlines to allow pre-COVID flight, maintenance, and staffing levels to continue indefinitely.

6. Amendment to Section CII to Update the Discussion of Recalling United States Overseas Military Personnel

Current Version of Section CII: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as possible and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders.

Amendment CII-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all as many United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as reasonably possible, with the exception of those specifically needed to defend American assets and American citizens and to carry out specific and limited previously agreed-upon treaty obligations, and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders. improving domestic defense, infrastructure, and crisis response in providing peaceful assistance to the civilian population in times of major disruptions to everyday life.

7. Amendment to Section CIII to Emphasize the Need to Support Lasting Cures and Vaccines for COVID-19

Current Version of Section CIII: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective cures and vaccines for COVID-19 and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and ownership of any cure for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus.

Amendment CIII-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective lasting cures and vaccines for COVID-19, such as antibodies that respond to all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccines that permanently protect against all such variants, and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a universal COVID-19 vaccine that would be permanently effective against all variants, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The United States Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and ownership release into the public domain of any cure or future vaccine for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus and to all who wish to prevent such infection.

8. Amendment to Section CIV to Generalize the USTP’s Support for an Annual $100 Billion Funding Package for Anti-Aging Research

Current Version of Section CIV: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

Amendment CIV-1 [Proposal by Vladimir Shakirov]: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and disabilities in elderly people, and for severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, and thus brutally violates the fundamental rights of people to life and health, the United States Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives, including from future pandemics. Accordingly, the United States Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

9. Amendment to Section CX to Reflect Success of USTP’s Recommendation for the Distribution of Diagnostic Test Kits and the Need to Maintain Robust Data on the COVID Pandemic

Current Version of Section CX: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the immediate deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The United States Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to both private and governmental research teams working in parallel on developing effective testing kits and approaches, particularly those which do not require large numbers of people to congregate.

The United States Transhumanist Party also advocates for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes and then mailed to laboratories for evaluation. This would minimize the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients.

Amendment CX-1: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the immediate ongoing, continuous, and indefinite deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The United States Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to both private and governmental research teams working in parallel on developing effective testing kits and approaches, particularly those which do not require large numbers of people to congregate manufacturers of effective diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that can recognize emerging variants, such that those tests could be manufactured in sufficient quantity to provide a test to every American who wants one.

The United States Transhumanist Party also advocates achieved success in advocating for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes and then mailed to laboratories for evaluation. This would minimize has reduced the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients. However, the United States Transhumanist Party expresses concern regarding significant lack of data about the ongoing prevalence of COVID-19 within communities in the United States. Such data, which used to be tracked rigorously and published regularly, have now become sparse and have failed to capture all sources of COVID-19 infection. In order to be able to track the spread of new variants of the virus, authorities need to return to the level of data collection and publication that existed during the early pandemic in 2020.

Interview with Stephanie Planque from Covalent Bioscience by Ariel VA Feinerman

Interview with Stephanie Planque from Covalent Bioscience by Ariel VA Feinerman

January 6, 2024 Ariel VA Feinerman Comments 0 Comment

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Ariel VA Feinerman
Stephanie Planque


Dr. Stephanie Planque

This interview was originally published here.

Preface

What is ageing? We can define ageing as a process of accumulation of the damage which is just a side-effect of normal metabolism. While researchers still poorly understand how metabolic processes cause damage accumulation, and how accumulated damage causes pathology, the damage itself — the structural difference between old tissue and young tissue — is categorized and understood pretty well. By repairing damage and restoring the previous undamaged — young — state of an organism, we can really rejuvenate it! It sounds very promising, and so it is. And for some types of damage (for example, for senescent cells) it is already proved to work!

Today in our virtual studio, somewhere between cold, rainy Saint-Petersburg and warm, sunny Houston, we meet Stephanie Planque! For those of you who are not familiar with her, here is a brief introduction.

Stephanie Planque was awarded the PhD in 2009 by the University of Texas-Houston Medical School for her advances in applying electrophilic analogs of proteins to decipher the beneficial and harmful functional effects of catabodies. She then expanded her focus to vaccination and therapeutic catabody identification using proprietary electrophilic target analogs. Her work was published in 49 peer-reviewed scientific articles; she has numerous national/international conference presentations. She moved fulltime as a co-founder to Covalent Bioscience in 2018 to focus on rapidly translating their electrophilic vaccine/catabody technologies to clinical reality.

Note: If you have not read Ending Aging yet, I suggest you to do it as soon as possible, and to be more comfortable with the ideas we are discussing below I highly recommend you to read the short introduction to SENS research on their web page. Also if you are interested in recent news and up-to-date reviews about [anti]ageing and rejuvenation research, the best place to look for is the Fight Aging! blog. Finally, if you are an investor or just curious, I highly encourage you to take a look at Jim Mellon’s book Juvenescence.

Interview

Ariel Feinerman: Hello, Dr Stephanie Planque!

Stephanie Planque: Hi, Mr Feinerman! Happy to participate in this interview.

Ariel Feinerman: What is the brief history of Covalent Bioscience?

Stephanie Planque: Covalent Bioscience was incorporated in 2010 by Dr Sudhir Paul and Dr Richard Massey based on catalytic antibody technology and several exciting potential products for unmet medical needs. The technology and potential products were developed in Dr Sudhir Paul’s group at the University of Texas (UT). Dr Richard Massey and Dr Sudhir Paul have worked together on the field of catalytic antibody (or catabody) when Dr Massey was in Igen in the late 80’s. I have worked with Dr Paul since 1999 and am one of the co-founders of Covalent Bioscience. We, the founders of Covalent Bioscience, share the same conviction that our platform technology holds the potential to generate superior immunotherapeutic drug and vaccines.

Today, Covalent Bioscience has grown to a preclinical stage company holding significant assets. Our broad technology platform can be applied to generate novel lead products for unmet needs across multiple areas of medicine. We have three promising lead products for diseases that proved very difficult to treat and prevent by conventional means. Two of them are catabodies for treating age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and transthyretin amyloidosis. The products are expected to remove toxic aggregates that cause diseases in a more efficient and safe manner than conventional antibodies. In 2018, Dr Paul and I moved full time to Covalent Bioscience. Our lab is located at the skirt of the Houston Medical Center, biggest Medical Center in the World. In 2020, Covalent Bioscience received from The University of Texas the commercial rights to all inventions and research materials/tools Paul’s team generated there. With our current funding, we are generating new catabodies and working in collaboration with a Pharma company to advance one of our lead products closer to human trials.

Ariel Feinerman: What is the main focus of your research?

Stephanie Planque: Our main focus is, first, to optimize our an on-demand toolbox that enables generation of therapeutic catabodies and diagnostic irreversible antibodies with selectivity for virtually any protein target. Second, we want to accomplish preclinical milestones related to our anti-aging lead catabodies, Alzyme and Tauzyme for clearing brain amyloid proteins in Alzheimer’s disease, and Cardizyme for clearing heart and spinal cord amyloid caused by the transthyretin protein.

Ariel Feinerman: What is the basis of your technology?

Stephanie Planque: Our technology is based on using special chemically modified analogs of the target to isolate or generate catabodies, which modify permanently the target via enzymatic reaction or irreversible antibodies (IrAbs), which bind permanently to the target. These chemically modified target analogs can be used as probes to isolate catabodies or IrAbs from antibody libraries or as electrophilic vaccines (E-Vaccines) to induce a polyclonal catabodies and IrAb response.

The chemical modification consists in attaching electrophilic moieties on the surface of the target to fulfill two important goals. First, we want target-specific catabodies or IrAbs. The polypeptidic component of the target binds non-covalently to target-specific antibody displayed on surface of phage or B cells (B cell receptor, or BCRs). Second, the electrophilic moiety is a bait and is designed to mimic the natural weak electrophilic carbonyl present in the target and to form a non-hydrolyzable (or covalent) bond with the nucleophilic active site (negatively charged) of a catabody or IrAbs expressed on the B-cell surface as BCRs or expressed on phage display. This covalent bond traps the immune complex and prevents the hydrolysis step. However, when switching to the native target, the selected or induced catabodies will be capable to attack the natural weakly electrophilic carbonyl naturally present in the native target and hydrolyze the target.

Ariel Feinerman: Can you tell more how catabodies work? What are their unique properties? Which ageing pathology can you treat with them?

Stephanie Planque: The conventional antibodies are used as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Their mechanism of action relies on binding specifically to the target. One molecule of antibody binds one target molecule. In contrast, one catabody can modify and destroy multiple target molecules and therefore is a therapeutic agent that is more efficient at removing toxic targets.

Conventional antibodies have the intrinsic limitation of dissociating from the target, the binding is reversible. In contrast, IrAbs bind any target covalently and therefore are diagnostic agents that are more efficient at detecting the target.

Covalent has developed two first-in-class lead catabody products for age-associated major unmet needs: Alzyme, for clearing amyloid ÎČ plaques from the brain for treating Alzheimer’s disease, and Cardizyme, for clearing transthyretin amyloid plaques from the spinal cord and heart for treating systemic amyloid disease. Two conventional antibodies to AÎČ have been approved by FDA for Alzheimer’s disease to remove AÎČ and improve cognition. They both are accompanied with inflammation in the brain caused by the antibody~AÎČ immune complex activated microglia that can cause major adverse effects (edema, microbleeds, and death). In mice, Alzyme removed AÎČ amyloid without causing inflammation. AÎČ-binding antibodies are fundamentally flawed drugs for Alzheimer’s because they rely on brain-damaging inflammatory mechanism to remove amyloid. In contrast, catabodies remove disease-causing amyloids without inflammation.

Ariel Feinerman: We know that AÎČ is not the full story. There is Tau, chronic inflammation, lipofuscin.

Stephanie Planque: To be used in combination with Alzyme, we are developing a prototype catabody to misfolded Tau, another misfolded protein that plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease but also other taupathy.

Our technology can induce catabodies or IrAb to any targets. Hence, in addition to developing a catabody for any extracellular or intracellular amyloids, catabodies could be generated to dissolve lipofuscin accumulating during aging or to destroy any protein regulating cell loss, tissue atrophy, inflammation, or cancerous cells, and this could further help in fighting aging.

Ariel Feinerman: What is an E-Vaccine? How do they work? How do they differ from original vaccines?

Stephanie Planque: We use the term “electrophilic vaccine” or “E-Vaccine” because the vaccine is composed of the target modified to present an electrophilic moiety on its surface. The goal of an E-vaccine is to teach our body to make catabodies or IrAbs and that will protect the vaccinated individual when exposed to the toxic substance or microbes.

E-vaccines are shown to stimulate the body’s own immune system to produce protective catabodies and IrAbs to protein targets involved in infectious disease and accelerated aging. As the catabodies and IrAbs show protective activity superior to the ordinary vaccine-induced rAbs, E-vaccines are predicted to show superior efficacy in disease prevention. Further, the E-vaccine targeting range is also superior to ordinary vaccines — they can target the functionally important regions of the protein target hidden to ordinary vaccines. The E-vaccine technology holds special promise for effective prevention of infections caused by mutable microbes (such as HIV infection, the SARS-coronavirus-2 infection). The technology can also be adapted to develop longevity vaccines. This is supported by induction of catabodies and IrAbs in mice with a prototype electrophilic amyloid ÎČ peptides for protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. Covalent Bioscience also considers electrophilic misfolded transthyretin analogs to protect against transthyretin amyloidosis.

The principle and benefits of E-vaccines come from our lead product, HIV E-Vaccine. Our HIV E-vaccine is composed of HIV coat protein gp120 with electrophilic moiety on the Lys side chain. It was shown to induce catabodies and IrAbs that neutralize genetically diverse HIV strains in mice, rabbits, and non-human primates. It also induces an efficient IgM-IgG switch, of a B cell with specificity for a conserved but poorly immunogenic epitopes of gp120. Covalent Bioscience intends to bring the vaccine to the human-trials stage.

Ariel Feinerman: What products are you hoping to bring to market? What is your commercialization route?

Stephanie Planque: We plan to bring to market our Alzyme for clearing brain amyloid protein in Alzheimer’s disease alone or in combination with Tauzyme. We also plan to move forward Cardizyme for clearing heart and spinal cord amyloid caused by the transthyretin protein.

Covalent’s lead anti-amyloid catabodies are the best solution because they permanently and directly destroy thousands of targeted amyloid copies (AÎČ, tau or TTR) without inflammation or blood vessel damage. In contrast, competing drug candidates: (a) work reversibly on a 1:1 basis, (b) require inflammatory cell participation for amyloid removal, © can cause inflammation and vascular damage that nullify the amyloid removal benefit, or (d) can interfere with normal bodily processes requiring the properly folded, non-amyloid version of the protein target.

We seek investment, partnership and licensing arrangements to develop our products and validate the commercial value of our technologies.

Ariel Feinerman: When can we see your therapies in human clinical trials?

Stephanie Planque: We are completing some preclinical efficacy studies for Alzyme in animals. Considering the need for GMP-grade production of Alzyme and submission of an IND to FDA, human trials for Alzyme would be within 2–3 years. A similar timeline is expected for Cardizyme. Tauzyme requires additional preclinical testing and would reach human trials within 4 years. We are actively seeking funding and a partner that would allow us to more rapidly have these three products to reach human trials.

Ariel Feinerman: How are you funded?

Stephanie Planque: The technology was developed at the University of Nebraska and University of Texas using funds received from NIH and other non-profit organizations (The Richard J. Massey Foundation for Arts and Sciences, Abzyme Research Foundation, SENS Research Foundation), investment from Founders and Angel investors. Angel investors constitute our current funding source. Covalent invites a USD 4.5 million investment in exchange for equity to advance commercialization of these inter-related parts of its business plan over 18 months for developing our on-demand toolbox and our anti-aging lead catabodies.

Ariel Feinerman: How much money do you need to bring your therapies to the clinic?

Stephanie Planque: The funding will underwrite the milestones of manufacturing, animal toxicity profiles, and Phase 1 human trials of the catabodies. Covalent will need about $4.6M to complete final Alzyme preclinical milestones and Phase 1 trials in Alzheimer patients; about $4.7M to complete molecular and animal optimization of Tauzyme and advance the Tauzyme catabody in combination with Alzyme in Alzheimer patients; about $6M to test Cardizyme in patients with heart disease or lumbar spinal stenosis.

Ariel Feinerman: Thank you very much for your interview!

Stephanie Planque: Thank you for your interest in Covalent Bioscience.

Ariel VA Feinerman is a researcher, author, and photographer, who believes that people should not die from diseases and ageing, and whose main goal is to improve human health and achieve immortality. If you like Ariel’s work, any help would be appreciated via PayPal: arielfeinerman@gmail.com.

Research Against Aging in Africa: Necessity or Contingency? – Article by Siba Tcha-Mouza

Research Against Aging in Africa: Necessity or Contingency? – Article by Siba Tcha-Mouza

January 5, 2024 Siba Tcha-Mouza Comments 6 comments

Siba Tcha-Mouza


“Longevism, ageism and aging: African issues and perspectives on longevity,” was the theme of the African International Bioethics Forum (FAIB) organized by the Institut Africain de BioĂ©thique (IAB) at the University of Dschang in Cameroon from December 6-8, 2023. My presentation at this international forum was entitled as follows: “Research against aging in Africa: necessity or contingency?“.  Below is an article that shares ideas relating to this aforementioned theme. 

With a much lower median age (18.7 years – Source: AfriqueRenouveau, “La jeunesse africaine renouvelle son engagement envers les ODD“, December 23, 2021) than that of its neighbors, notably Asia (31.9 years – Source: Database.Earth, “Median Age of Asia“), the United States of America (38.1 years – Source: Worldometer, “United States Population (LIVE)“), and the European Union (44.4 years – Source: Eurostat – “Half of EU’s population older than 44.4 years in 2022“), Africa has been often considered as a continent full of youth, and therefore with a promising future.  However, this asset which has long remained unvalued, or even become a source of other problems, is not a lasting asset.  Africa, also being a beneficiary, to a certain extent, of the advantages related to technological progress, is also not immune to its consequences, including the aging of its population in an already very problematic context.

1. Does Africa remain an eternally young continent?

Thanks in particular to hygiene, therefore to the improvement of living conditions and medical advances, life expectancy in Africa has so far been growing rapidly.  Life expectancy thus increased on average by ten (10) years between 2000 and 2019. (“L’espĂ©rance de vie s’allonge de prĂšs de dix ans en Afrique (OMS)“. The United Nations Office at Geneva. August 4, 2022.)

According to a new report from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the number of people aged 65 or over in Africa has increased from 3.5% (around 8 million) in 1950 to 4% (approximately 50.3 million) in 2017. Estimates suggest that this figure could increase to 173.6 million by 2050. (“Fourth Africa regional review on Madrid International Plan of Action calls for dignified ageing for all“. ECA. July 14, 2022.)  The Total Fertility Rate (TFR), the average number of living children per woman, which represents  4.2 in 2022, will be reduced to 2.9 in 2050. (“L’Afrique face au vieillissement annoncĂ© de sa population“. AFD – Agence française de dĂ©veloppement.)

The growing number of elderly people, on the one hand, and the fall in the TFR, on the other, are significantly changing the demographic landscape of Africa.  The latter, thus aging, will still have to face the challenges linked to its very fragile social security system which will still be severely tested.  Added to this situation is the progressive decline of traditional African solidarity due to several other factors.

It must be recognized that the phenomenon of aging, or better, provocatively, “the pandemic of aging”, does not spare this euphoric Africa of the myth of youth and perfect and permanent solidarity.

2. Fight against aging: necessity and meaning

Is human suffering, particularly from degenerative diseases, ethically acceptable?

Every human being certainly ages.  We are not born old, but we become old.  While the elderly have youth behind them, the young have old age ahead of them.  It is therefore, from experience, a matter of time.  Aging is a problem that concerns all of humanity without distinction.

Thanks to the evolving mastery of technology, human beings have continued to transform their environment and even explore the universe.  They therefore fight tirelessly against attacks on their health.

However, faced with certain phenomena such as aging, they seem caught in total resignation, while through their symbolism they express wishes for permanent physical, psychological and social well-being, and therefore eternal youth.

However, in recent decades, everything has changed.  The collective confession of deep individual aspirations manifests itself even through social institutions or collective projects.  Indeed, the principles set out in the Preamble to the Constitution of the WHO (World Health Organization) are undoubtedly a perfect illustration of this.  Its definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” already announces the need to seek to preserve humans from the decline of  biological and psychological functions, including, of course, the effects of aging.  From this definition, no age group has been excluded, and no form of human suffering is considered legitimate.

Furthermore, WHO defines public health as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” (“Public Health“. Tilburg University.)  This clearly confirms the absolute necessity of  achieving control over aging and its symptoms in order to ensure human well-being through progress.  It is then an increase or improvement in the mental and physical capacity or vitality of humans.  In short, unless it is suicidal, all of humanity, even through its institutions, proves to be longevist, and even de facto transhumanist.  The veritable human nature is this permanent disposition to improve one’s own nature.

Today, the fourth technological revolution generously provides human beings with new tools to improve themselves and their environment.  These allow them to intervene with better precision in the infinitely small and to explore the infinitely large.  The machine is endowed with capacities supposedly exclusive to humans: the senses and intelligence are added to automatism. Thus, human beings make great strides towards their objectives as they succeed in forcing nature to reveal its intimate secrets to them.

So,  the human being, god of the “seeing, hearing, feeling, thinking and acting machine” sees himself improved by his creature and decides to face his physical and psychological decline by opening possibilities for “eternal youth”.  Would he willingly accept to surrender to the vagaries of time, while the technical means to control them or reduce their effects are emerging?

Behind the fight against aging is the understanding of its mechanism, the mastery of the biological laws that govern it and then the development of possible solutions to control it.  The assigned objective is therefore to develop interventions to significantly slow down, stop, or even make reversible the aging process.

More precisely, it is a question of finding above all radical preventive and curative solutions to diseases linked to aging such as rheumatological, ocular, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, etc.

If a longer and longer life is our hope or wish, we must remember that it would only be meaningful and desirable when we still remain possessors of our mental and physical capacities.  This is a sine qua non condition for a fulfilled material and social life.

Researchers, donors, intellectuals, organizations, and a growing part of civil populations are supporting efforts in the fight against this pandemic across the world.  More and more voices are being raised to make the fight against aging a national and international policy.

It is precisely this fight with multiple social, economic and political impacts aimed at improving the human condition that Africa must join.

3. Some issues relating to African commitment in the fight against aging

 Is it conceivable that an entire continent with inestimable natural assets will still lag behind technosciences? (“L’Afrique Ă  la traĂźne des technosciences?” AFT-Technoprog. December 6, 2018.)

It must be remembered that the project to fight aging is a continuation of technoscientific performance.  It is a stage which follows three successive technological revolutions.  This fourth revolution redistributes the cards, and missing this new opportunity amounts to ensuring one’s own vassalization in all areas.

Isn’t Africa also hit by increasing degenerative diseases that sow unhappiness in families?

How is it preparing to manage the growing number of multimorbid and inactive elderly people in a context of severe lack of medical infrastructure?

How will it finance its social security system in a context where natural assets cannot be transformed into finished exportable products to improve its economy?

 Isn’t technoscientific poverty the mother of all Africa’s problems, including those relating to the aging of its population which are already looming on the horizon?

 Is it not therefore obvious that the solution to the problem of African technoscientific delay lies in individual and collective awareness?

 Isn’t it time that the feeling of inferiority complex, of sub-technicality now gives way to dreams, ambition, will, commitment, and responsibility?

Africa has the means for its policy in terms of technological innovation and must realize its duty to participate directly in improving the human condition, including the fight against aging.  African participation in projects to improve the human condition represents an opportunity for Africa to engage in research and catch up.

Many hypotheses still remain unanswered, many current answers raise many more questions that deserve more research.  Until now, happiness, in all countries of the world, still remains an ideality – which means attempts to bring it back to reality still remain a challenge, since everywhere in this world, despite everything, human suffering is still very present.  The “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” is still far from the reach of even the most developed countries.

The amount of knowledge produced in medicine to relieve human beings of their suffering is certainly dizzying.  However, given what remains to be done to achieve the objectives pursued, almost nothing has yet been done.  In this context, latecomers can catch up if they have real will and commitment.  The feeling of inferiority complex, of sub-technicality created and nourished by imaginations, continues to maintain Africa in its current state.  Isn’t it time to get out?

The people of Africa must therefore nurture individual and collective audacity, develop collective intelligence and undertake very ambitious actions allowing them to project themselves towards a desired future for the nation, the continent and all of humanity.  And this must be considered a moral responsibility.

Africa has the means and the duty to participate directly in improving the human condition, including fighting against aging.

Africa is not poor at all.  No need for economic concepts to simply understand the difference between poor and rich countries.  The former have no natural resources, no skills to develop, and no will to change their living conditions.  The latter have at least the last form of wealth (individual and collective will).  No Nation is in principle poor, unless its daughters and sons choose in complicity not to activate its wealth.

Africa is therefore neither one of the first nor the second.  It therefore has very abundant natural resources, scholars or scientists, but simply lacks the individual and collective will to develop technologically.

Creating favorable conditions for technoscientific development on this continent has remained almost impossible.  Its sons and daughters have just preferred for a long time to invest elsewhere than in technoscientific innovation, the provider of Freedom.  The same ways of thinking, feeling, and acting reproduce the same conditions of existence whatever the time.  The only guarantee that time reserves in inaction is the decline of biological and mental functions (aging). 

Firm individual and collective will always finds the necessary means to achieve such noble objectives as improving the human and social condition.

Ultimately, Africa is not getting younger; it is also aging and poorly prepared to manage the looming crisis linked to the aging of its population.  Consequently, the ambitious adventure to control the aging process in humans, thanks to new convergent techniques (NBIC – Nanotechnologies, Biotechnologies, Information technology [Computer science], and Cognitive sciences), must also be an African affair.  Otherwise, Africa incurs biopolitical dependence, and once again a place as a passive, complaining spectator at the international bioethical decision-making table.

Siba Tcha-Mouza is the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s Foreign Ambassador in Togo. Learn more about Siba Tcha-Mouza here.

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2024

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2024

January 4, 2024 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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The purpose of this post is to facilitate member comments pertaining to transhumanism and the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP), which might not specifically fit the subjects of any other post or article on the USTP website. This is the place for members to offer suggestions or converse about any areas of emerging technologies and their political, moral, societal, cultural, and esthetic implications. The general discussion thread is also an ideal location to suggest or propose platform planks that may be considered for future platform voting, and/or bring our attention to emerging legislative and societal developments that may affect the course and impact of emerging technologies.

The USTP will endeavor to open one of these general comment threads per year. This comment thread pertains to the year of 2024.

Type in your comments below. Please note that, to protect against spambots, the first comment by any individual will be moderated. After passing moderation, a civil commenter should be able to post comments without future moderation – although we cannot guarantee that the technical aspect of this functionality will work as intended 100% of the time.

Art Ramon Appointed as Chairman of Arizona Transhumanist Party as David Shumaker Transitions to Emeritus Role

Art Ramon Appointed as Chairman of Arizona Transhumanist Party as David Shumaker Transitions to Emeritus Role

September 22, 2023 Arizona Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

Arizona Transhumanist Party


September 22, 2023  – The Arizona Transhumanist Party is thrilled to announce the appointment of Art Ramon as the new Chairman of the organization, succeeding David Shumaker, who has decided to step down from his role to focus on his healthspan. Shumaker will continue to be an active participant in the party as an Emeritus Member, offering guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.

Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.

Art Ramon has been an integral part of the Arizona Transhumanist Party as the Vice-Chairman, where he has demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing the party’s vision of using science and technology to enhance the human experience. With a background in technology and a passion for transhumanist ideals, Ramon is well-equipped to lead the party into the future.

David Shumaker

David Shumaker, who has served as Chairman of the Arizona Transhumanist Party, played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s values and objectives. His decision to transition to an emeritus role is motivated by his desire to prioritize his healthspan and well-being. Shumaker’s contributions and leadership over the years have been invaluable to the party, and his emeritus status will allow the organization to continue benefiting from his wisdom and experience.

In a statement, David Shumaker said, “It has been an incredible honor to lead the Arizona Transhumanist Party, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. I have every confidence in Art Ramon’s ability to lead the party to new heights, and I look forward to supporting him in my new role as an emeritus member.”

Art Ramon expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the party members, saying, “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the Arizona Transhumanist Party. Our mission to advocate for science, technology, and ethics aligns with my own values, and I am eager to continue working alongside our dedicated members to advance our cause. I want to thank David Shumaker for his exceptional leadership and mentorship.”

The Arizona Transhumanist Party is dedicated to promoting policies and initiatives that harness the potential of emerging technologies to improve the human condition. With Art Ramon at the helm and David Shumaker’s continued involvement, the party is poised to make even greater strides in advancing its vision for a better future.

About the Arizona Transhumanist Party:
The Arizona Transhumanist Party is a political organization that advocates for the responsible use of science, technology, and ethics to enhance the human experience. The party is committed to promoting policies that support scientific research, extend healthy lifespans, and improve the well-being of all citizens. For more information, please visit the Official Arizona Transhumanist Party Group on Facebook.

Ending Aging Forum 2023 – Announcement by SENS Research Foundation

Ending Aging Forum 2023 – Announcement by SENS Research Foundation

September 18, 2023 SENS Research Foundation Comments 0 Comment

SENS Research Foundation


Editor’s Note: Our friends, the scientists and staff at the SENS Research Foundation, are hosting the free Ending Aging Forum 2023. Please see the information below about how to attend and gather insights from this virtual event.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, September 18, 2023


This event will showcase the newest breakthroughs in rejuvenation biotechnologies happening at the SRF’s Research Center in Mountain View, CA, as well as the research funded at extramural labs.

The Forum will be hosted virtually through Meetaverse, a state-of-the-art Virtual Reality platform.

You won’t need to download any special software or wear a VR headset to walk around in your avatar, enjoy their scientific presentations, and visit their student poster booths in the Conference Hall.

You will also be able to connect with their scientists, team members, and other guests, through one-on-one or group conversations, watch videos and animations placed in the Expo Room, and much more.

Join us and SRF September 21st and 22nd at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time for a fun and educational experience, and come ready to network and meet individuals who support longevity science, activists, and like-minded people who care about a future free of age-related disease.

Event Page: https://www.sens.org/endingagingforum-2023/

Registration Page: http://www.sens.org/eaf2023

U.S. Transhumanist Party Stream – Nigerian Student Tech Innovators: Nonso Nolly and Frederick Onwuka

U.S. Transhumanist Party Stream – Nigerian Student Tech Innovators: Nonso Nolly and Frederick Onwuka

July 21, 2023 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

U.S. Transhumanist Party Logo

Frederick Onwuka
Nonso Nolly
Gennady Stolyarov II
Tom Ross
Jason Geringer
Maura Abad
Daniel Twedt
David Shumaker


On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the U.S. Transhumanist Party featured a video compilation stream highlighting the work of two Nigerian student innovators.

The stream begins with a brief commentary by Frederick Onwuka, author of “The Great View of the Future: How AI Will Give Us a New Perspective” and a compilation of videos by Nonso Nolly, a self-taught inventor working with drones, robots, and the open-source Arduino platform.

Nonso Nolly’s videos provide demonstrations of the technologies he is working with and show his process in assembling some of his projects. The stream concludes with a special award ceremony in which many of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers participated. There are several musical interludes accompanying key moments in the stream.

***

Timestamps

0:48 – Frederick Onwuka
2:36 – Nonso Nolly with Arduino
5:17 – Nonso Nolly with drones
11:39 – Nonso Nolly with robots
28:04 – Nonso Nolly with Arduino
31:25
– Nonso Nolly with his Smart Stick
32:31 – Musical interlude with photos of Nonso Nolly’s creations
35:41 – Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Chairman Stolyarov

***

Support Nonso Nolly on Patreon.

Watch Nonso Nolly’s videos on his YouTube channel, Nolly Tech.

Frederick Onwuka’s The Great View of the Future: How AI Will Give Us a New Perspective is available on Amazon as a Kindle download.

Watch the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s previous Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Nonso Nolly, held on January 8, 2023.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.

U.S. Transhumanist Party 2023 Electronic Primary Results – Tom Ross Endorsed as Candidate for President of the United States, Daniel Twedt Selected as Candidate for Vice-President

U.S. Transhumanist Party 2023 Electronic Primary Results – Tom Ross Endorsed as Candidate for President of the United States, Daniel Twedt Selected as Candidate for Vice-President

May 23, 2023 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 2 comments


May 23, 2023 – The U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP) hereby announces the results of its 2023 Electronic Primary for the USTP’s endorsement of a candidate to run for the office of President of the United States. Detailed results have been tabulated here.

Between 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time on May 14, 2023, and 3:00 a.m. on May 22, 2023, 129 members of the USTP cast their ballots in the 2023 Electronic Primary. Consistent with the USTP’s commitment to ranked-preference voting, members were able to rank-order the two candidates, Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt, as well as the “None of the Above” option. The anonymized individual ballots (ordered by randomly assigned Voter IDs to protect individual voters’ privacy), have been documented in this spreadsheet.

 Total Valid Ballots Cast: 129

Summary of Voter Rankings by Candidate

  Thomas Ernest Ross, Jr. (Tom Ross)

Daniel Emerson Twedt (Daniel Twedt)

None of the Above
  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage
1st CHOICES 80 62.02% 35 27.13% 14 10.85%
2nd CHOICES 34 28.57% 70 58.82% 15 12.61%
3rd (Last) CHOICES 13 15.48% 14 16.67% 57 67.86%

Round 1: Tally of First Choices

Tom Ross: 80 votes – 62.02%
Daniel Twedt: 35 votes – 27.13%
None of the Above: 14 votes – 10.85%

In Round 1, Tom Ross receives an absolute majority and therefore wins the election.

Accordingly, Tom Ross receives the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsement as candidate for President of the United States in 2024.

All votes cast during the election process were manually validated to ensure that they originated from genuine USTP members. Detailed monitoring of the votes cast did not detect any voter fraud, sock-puppet accounts, or mass attempts by non-members to vote. USTP leadership is thus confident that election security was appropriately preserved. Only four ballots were discarded: one blank ballot, one ballot where the member subsequently re-voted and had the re-vote counted, and two ballots from name/e-mail address combinations that were not found on the USTP’s membership list.

In accordance with the preferences of the USTP membership, on March 23, 2023, USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II declared pursuant to his authority in Article III of the USTP Constitution that the United States Transhumanist Party hereby endorses Tom Ross for President of the United States in the 2024 general election.

As the endorsed Presidential candidate, Tom Ross had the option to select his Vice-Presidential running mate, and he has decided that Daniel Twedt shall be running on the U.S. Transhumanist Party ticket for Vice-President of the United States. Accordingly, this is truly a Transhumanist unity ticket, as these two candidates earned a total of 89.15% of the first-choice votes cast during the 2023 Electronic Primary.

The Ross-Twedt 2024 campaign will provide the U.S. Transhumanist Party and the broader transhumanist movement with numerous opportunities for raising public awareness about the importance of emerging technologies and how the Platform and  Values of the USTP can enable humankind to realize a brighter future where both length and quality of life are dramatically improved. The USTP encourages all of its members, and all transhumanists generally, to support the Ross-Twedt 2024 campaign and unite as a movement in advocating for the ideas of transhumanism to the general public. As we move into the general-election campaign, we welcome your help and participation in this next stage of our endeavors – and we welcome other members of the USTP pursuing political offices at the federal, state, and local levels.

 

U.S. Transhumanist Party Presidential Candidate Roundtable – Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt – May 7, 2023 – and Subsequent Candidate Answers to Viewer Questions

U.S. Transhumanist Party Presidential Candidate Roundtable – Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt – May 7, 2023 – and Subsequent Candidate Answers to Viewer Questions

May 13, 2023 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 1 comment

Daniel Twedt
Tom Ross


On Sunday, May 7, 2023, the U.S. Transhumanist Party presented its Presidential Candidate Roundtable, featuring Tom Ross and Daniel Twedt, who are seeking the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsement for President of the United States in 2024. The Candidate Roundtable was moderated by Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II and featured questions to the candidates from the other Roundtable attendees and the audience. Unlike a conventional Presidential debate, the Roundtable format is non-adversarial and is primarily intended to facilitate thoughtful, constructive discussion of issues that matter to transhumanists and to the broader public. The Candidate Roundtable also served as an illustration of a new political paradigm that rejects the mainstream divide-and-conquer approach and instead invites us all to build the future together.


Timestamps

2:30 – Daniel Twedt’s opening remarks
7:40 – Tom Ross’s opening remarks
12:20 – How to handle the coming Silver Tsunami, as well as reparations to indigenous people, and how to allow terminal patients to try drugs that aren’t yet fully approved
24:15 – What the candidates’ perspectives are on transgender issues, and the subject’s relation to transhumanism
32:35 – How will 2nd-Amendment rights change with arms development?
39:25 – How could the USTP help overcome the divisiveness of the duopoly?
47:55 – How will the USTP candidate get mainstream votes?
54:55 – How to address the vast disparities in health in the United States?
1:00:45 – How do the candidates practice transhumanism, and how do their views differ from each other and “mainstream” transhumanism?
1:07:45 – How would each candidate advance longevity initiatives?
1:13:55 – How do we improve the criminal justice / incarceration system?
1:19:50 – How to open doors for stem-cell and other new therapies?
1:27:00 – How can we help young Americans afford housing?
1:34:30 – How to cost-effectively get good press?
1:42:20 – What are the candidates’ views on the death penalty?
1:44:35 – What should education focus on in the 21st century?
1:51:10 – Daniel Twedt’s closing remarks
1:53:40 – Tom Ross’s closing remarks


Read Daniel Twedt’s profile in the Thousand Oaks Acorn.

Visit Tom Ross’s campaign page.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free in order to be able to vote in our Presidential Primary.


Candidate Responses to Additional Audience Questions

During the Candidate Roundtable, additional audience questions were posed for which there was not sufficient time for the candidates to respond live. Both candidates prepared thorough written answers to each of the audience questions below.

Question 1 – From Jason Geringer: Who do you think won the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross:
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. won by at least 7 million votes.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: It was Joe Robinette Biden. I will, however, look forward to answering this question in more detail based on various shortcomings our current election system suffers from. Until we put into place and into practice more fair election systems such as RCV (Ranked Choice Voting), in a sense the electorate as a whole will continue to be the loser!

***

Question 2 – From Jason Geringer: Do you believe that there was any widespread fraud that could have affected the outcome of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: No. There was no widespread fraud. Certainly none that could have affected the final vote count.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: No. However, see my first answer as well.

***

Question 3 – From Liz Parrish: How can transhumanism help the planet?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: I’ve seen a strong anthropocentric streak in many Transhumanists, but for those who understand our deep connection to the biosphere, the best way Transhumanism can help the planet is to consider and prepare for all the implications that Radical Life Extension will demand on resources, waste, and the animal and plant kingdoms. We must rebalance humanity with nature, although we may be beyond the Rubicon for that now but I’ll keep scanning the horizon for Black Swans.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: Great question, Liz (and also what is probably ‘THE Great Question’
) I know that by “the Planet” you probably aren’t technically talking about the 4.56-billion-year-old 13.166 trillion trillion pounds of atoms orbiting a minor star on the outskirts of a minor galaxy
 a planet that has seen it’s surface conditions alternate between solid lava and solid ice over the course of many such orbits. You are, I assume, speaking of the fragile living envelope, a.k.a. the Biosphere and Civilization that happens to hopefully sustain our collective Past, Present, and Futures.

Like it or not, most members of the species known as Humans have historically tended to be rather short-sighted when it comes to intelligently anticipating significant and looming Change. Transhumanists, fortunately, tend to be more proactive at anticipating such often tectonic-level changes and hopefully preparing for them both at the individual and community level.

As a kind of “Bio-Cosmo-Pantheist” stripe of the Transhumanist Spectrum, I detect that the ‘artist formerly known as Evolution’ is in the process of experiencing an extreme volitional and tool-using upgrade, whereby what used to require iterations of the ancient libraries of the biochemical publishing house called DNA to create a new Dewey Decimal Subject Category, now looks like it’s going to be directing itself in Real Time (in our Lifetimes!). Transhumanists are among the first tribes of humanity to realize and see the need to come to grips with the reality that this is such A Real Time to be alive in. Like it or not, we would seem to be no less than Evolution’s chosen agents of Cosmic Enlivenment and Enlightenment. It’s truly an awesome responsibility that will hopefully bring forth our most worthy and supreme individual and collective human efforts.

When it comes to the many descriptions of the Transhumanist Spectrum, the “NBIC Convergence” described by Jean-Pierre Dupuy of Stanford is perhaps the most practical one. “NBIC” is the acronym for “Nanotechnology, Biomedicine, Information Technology and Cognitive Science.” I’d like to see our movement come up with useful metrics and/or digital tokens to both report on and usefully grapple with these aspects of the “Future Surge.”

***

Question 4 – From Mike Lezine: How would the candidates address curing mental diseases or illnesses that currently have no cures?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: I’m not a doctor or psychologist, but as President, what I could do is assemble a moonshot-style effort to increase funding for research, improve access to mental-health services, help develop education and public awareness campaigns and promote public, private, and academic partnerships to accelerate progress while working with Congress to advocate for relevant policy changes like increased insurance coverage and reducing barriers to access care. Right now that last idea seems like it would be the most difficult given the current two-party rancor. The risk is that even mental health could become partisan.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: This is an excellent question, Mike, about what seems to be an often neglected topic within the Transhumanist movement and discourse. We must institute systems prioritizing Wellness Care over Disease Care.  When it comes to delivering such “Wellness Care,” I believe we should be advocating the most holistic and integrative approaches available. Rather than pharmacologically countering and/or masking a narrow range of exhibited symptoms (as is the current status quo underlying modality of Allopathic-based medical interventions), we need to better consider the physical, mental, and even “spiritual” aspects of the person believed to be in a behavioral crisis. A civilization in crisis which is exhibiting pathologies can increasingly be expected to produce and enable individuals exhibiting the same condition. This is a crucial but neglected consideration to integrate before we isolate Members of our hopefully humane Civilization and deprive them of normal Rights in the cause of preventing greater harms, though there will unfortunately and inevitably be those whom we can find no preferable options for.

“Maladjusted” is a terminology that modern psychology often uses to describe the category of patients it seeks to treat. I can’t help but be reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King’s many speeches where he said he didn’t want to be well-adjusted to a world where racism, segregation, and luxuries for the few at the expense of necessities for the many and other seeming evils were considered as social norms. He even spoke about intending to start something called, “The International Society for Creative Maladjustment.” Millenia earlier, the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius said, “The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”

The nineteenth Century romantic poet James Russel Lowell once said, “Let us be of good cheer remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen.”

Few might recall that the so-called “mentally maladjusted” of today were in indigenous societies typically regarded as shamanic level advisors
 walkers between the worlds of the seen and the unseen. Can we recapture any sense to be found in that sensibility of beyond-ness? The coal mine of what we call civilization would be well served not to leave its canaries behind


***

Question 5 – From 101tesla: What improvements to the current education system would the candidates propose and/or support?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: I would propose giving each student an AI Companion in first grade. A companion that can hone in on that child’s core capabilities and augment their curriculum based on those. AI can customize an educational path for each student that accentuates their intrinsic skills and talents and gives them extra help on the subjects they need to work on. I would also move away from the Industrial Age classroom setting of rows of desks and move toward small study groups that rotate regularly. This will foster the hivemind that is already emerging in Digital Natives and make schools more like real companies and less like an individual sport.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: Our current western educational model is tragically outdated. The Public School System is partially based on a 19th-Century Prussian Military Discipline System emphasizing regimentation, obedience, minimization of creative thinking, and optimizing the propensity for the compulsory-schooled to be an easily managed, factory-friendly-ready workforce. This line from a 1913 report from the John D. Rockefeller-founded General Education Board, on how to design Schools, entitled, “The Country School of To-morrow” is rather illustrative of the intended mission:

“In our dream we have limitless resources, and the people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hand. The present educational conventions fade from our minds; and, unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive rural folk. We shall not try to make these people or any of their children into philosophers or men of learning or of science. We are not to raise up among them authors, orators, poets, or men of letters. We shall not search for embryo great artists, painters, musicians. Nor will we cherish even the humbler ambition to raise up from among them lawyers, doctors, preachers, statesmen, of whom we now have ample supply.”

— Rev. Frederick T. Gates, Business Advisor to John D. Rockefeller Sr., 1913

The current American school system took root around the turn of the last century. In 1903, John D. Rockefeller founded the General Education Board, which provided major funding for schools across the country and was especially active in promoting the State-controlled public-school movement.

The General Education Board was not interested in encouraging critical thinking. Rather, its focus was on organizing children and creating reliable, predictable, obedient citizens. As award-winning former teacher John Gatto puts it, “school was looked upon from the first part of the 20th Century as a branch of industry and a tool of governance.” The Rockefellers, along with other financial elites and their philanthropic organizations (such as the Gates, Carnegies, and Vanderbilts), have been able to mold society by funding and pushing compulsory state schooling for the masses.

In reading this, the basic context you need to understand is that he is talking about rural schools, i.e. schools in the country, and those schools were in terrible shape.

I also think global and useful hobbies such as Amateur Radio and the so-called “maker movement” can play an extraordinary educational role in the STEAM field (Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math).

***

Question 6 – From François Joinneau: Does the individual opinion of a candidate matter so much, on any given subject, when the answer should come from interactions with/between institutions and existing laws?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: No. The individual opinion on any subject by a candidate should not matter because, in a Representative Democracy, the candidate is supposed to be a mouthpiece for the majority of those he represents. There seems to be something embedded in the genetic memory that makes us want to look to one person for all the answers. After the American Revolution, the people wanted to make George Washington King of America. This default position, this tendency toward tyranny was well understood by our forefathers, which is why we have a separation of powers.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: Many past races run by seemingly minor or marginal political parties and candidates have had documented impacts in the light of the subsequent passage of events. The widening of the so-called “Overton Window” (a metaphor for what breadth of topics is accepted into mainstream discourse) is one impactful result of “dark horse” political involvement. Such Overton Window widening is not in vain.

The involvement in governance should not be limited to those in the monied and influential stations of society. Would society expect fair and just outcomes and due process from juries composed of jurors who were not peers of the person being judged? Why do we lower our standards when it comes to political representation and fair decision making?

Not all useful and needed policy changes are vested and backed up by the police power of traditional governments. There is massive potential to better organize and mobilize voluntary institutions throughout the world, and the “Bully Pulpit” of a Candidacy for Office can serve in that context as well.

***

Question 7 – From Luis Arroyo: Good previous comments on housing by the candidates. What are your thoughts on housing the homeless with existing vacant homes to end homelessness rapidly?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: Using vacant properties to house the homeless bring up many complex property-rights issues. It bleeds into Squatters’ Rights, which are an intriguing loophole, but one that real estate developers would lobby against fiercely. There could be tax or monetary incentives for property owners to use vacant housing for that purpose, however, and if the property is having trouble being sold or rented, any income is better than none. That would bring up issues of who pays the utilities, etc. But if these properties, say an apartment building, could be zoned to allow these homeless people to set up businesses, art galleries, etc., and an awareness campaign was launched to show the surrounding community what these people are producing, it could give these people dignity and maybe launch a new inner-city renaissance movement.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: Being a Geoist/Land Value Taxation advocate, I especially appreciate a question such as this. Access to shelter should be among the more enshrined “Humane Rights” as we approach the 21st Century’s Anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Existing property laws and dynamics incentivize rent-seeking behaviors and sitting on the most undervalued properties until a sizable profit can be realized. The Geoist policies I would advocate for would break up incentives which currently allow many properties to sit vacant until owners could realize often exorbitant returns on them. By instead annually/periodically charging an open-market, auction-derived, Location Value-based fee, such speculative and monopolistic tendencies would disappear. Such a “Single Tax” is also envisioned to be sufficient to fund all needed government functions in lieu of any other form of taxation, and the wealth freed up for other good uses would be enormously impactful. How about teaching the differently housed to operate and supervise the construction of Auxiliary Dwelling Units at some existing properties as a condition of using those vacant properties? The tooling to create structures through large-format 3D printing could be potentially loaned out from a community tool library. It would be a win/win in terms of upskilling our underused human resources as well as adding location value to such existing properties. In my estimation, about half of the unhoused population are victimized by adverse economic circumstances, and the other half are basically pursuing a lifestyle choice of something like “urban adventure camping” and have mostly abandoned the level of personal and social responsibility normally expected. Emergency housing for the “adventure camper” cohort of the unhoused is hence likely to initially be very problematic.

***

Question 8 – From Jason Geringer: Would the candidates support reaching out and putting together a panel of experts on A.I. and then even possibly reach out and meet with the new A.I. czar Kamala Harris?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: Of course. Any opportunity to work with and educate the current administration about the issues the Technological Singularity will bring would be very productive. It would be the perfect opportunity to make my case for a new Cabinet Seat, The Singularity Secretary. These issues are serious and urgent and we shouldn’t let our feelings about either party get in the way of solutions.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: We Transhumanists can be proud of our open and welcoming big tent
 big enough for all with the “future forward” grey matter to appreciate proactive discussions about it. We are here on behalf of all those who seek to figure out our better future, and how to not only survive it, but to thrive, but to make it one of flourishing abundance. We should be eager to work with any parties that share our concerns and analysis of the need to be proactive about the “Future Surge.”

***

Question / Comment 9 – From Mike Lezine: It would be great to talk to these people on YouTube who act like AI like Sophia the Robot is 666 or “The Sign of the Beast”. Nonsense.

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: Agreed. And I have appeared on podcasts and in radio interviews with Conspiracy Theorists who see AI and Transhumanism just as you say. It’s absolutely necessary to engage with the people and although many are in a conspiracy loop that cannot be unspun; you can redirect some of them away from this narrative and convince others that we’re not the enemy.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt: It often seems there is no indoctrinated person quite like those indoctrinated with theologically based ideas. Questions of faith do not seemingly follow the rules of courtroom evidence standards or accepted methods of scientific falsification. Often, in such cases, the best that can be hoped for is a non-violent level of coexistence, and the ability for the representatives of conflicting positions to gain or lose allies in the free-est marketplace of ideas that civilized discourse and open society can provide.

***

Question 10 – From Sophia’s Roulette:
Mr. Ross touched on his view on abortion. Is it possible to get a more comprehensive answer from both candidates?

Response from Candidate Tom Ross: It’s a very difficult issue, and it’s important to have empathy for both sides of it. Pro-Life advocates believe doctors are murdering babies and my G*d, what could be worse than that? Pro-Choice advocates know it is the most difficult choice a would-be mother could ever make but believe it is her right to do so. If it were my choice, and I’m a man so it never would be so it doesn’t matter. The only position I can take as an American Citizen is to look to the U.S. Constitution, specifically the 14th Amendment. Its opening sentence reads, “All persons BORN or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Since this is a political issue, we must heed the wording of the Constitution. An unborn child is not a Citizen and therefore has no rights. The mother, however, does.

Response from Candidate Daniel Twedt:
Thank you for the question, Sophia’s Roulette. Although there are passionate and persuasive arguments on both sides of this most divisive of issues, in the near term it is unlikely to be wholly solved to the satisfaction of either extreme of the spectrum. While I do tend to support life-saving efforts for all life, including pre-born humans, society will hopefully remain receptive to newer developing options such as ectogenesis which have the potential to allow a developing human life to continue apart from a potential carrier of an unwanted pregnancy. Until this is more available and perfected, the most primary say in the outcome of a pregnancy must continue to be primarily vested with the highest regard to the health outcomes and choices of the mother, in whose body the fetus is an entity whose massively dependent status may not always be a welcome or desired one.

Thanks for the thoughtful questions from everyone and the opportunity to ever-better refine my policy positions which I hope will well accord with my well-loved USTP affiliation.


Stay tuned for the Electronic Primary vote that will occur in mid-May 2023 for the USTP Members to decide upon the candidate whom the USTP will endorse for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Make sure that you have joined as a member for free before the start of the voting period so that you are eligible to vote in the Electronic Primary.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Call for 2024 Presidential Candidates and Outline of 2023 Endorsement and Primary Process

U.S. Transhumanist Party Call for 2024 Presidential Candidates and Outline of 2023 Endorsement and Primary Process

April 9, 2023 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

Gennady Stolyarov II


The United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) issues its call for candidates wishing to run for President of the United States in the 2024 election and seeking an endorsement from the USTP. Candidates are encouraged to officially announce their intentions via this form and then spread awareness of the USTP, its forthcoming debate and primary process, and possibilities for individuals to sign up for free membership in the USTP in time to participate as voters in this process.

Because of the formidable hurdles to political-party ballot access on the State level, the candidates seeking the USTP’s endorsement would need to officially run as independent candidates. However, if those candidates qualify for inclusion on their States’ ballots, then, in approximately half of the jurisdictions in the United States, it would be possible to use a “political party designation” of “Transhumanist Party” to accompany the candidate’s name on the ballot.

Endorsement and Electronic Primary Process – Anticipated Timeline

The following timeline is approximate and subject to change as circumstances may necessitate. However, it is intended to provide an overarching impression of the sequence and desirable speed of steps for reaching an endorsement of a candidate for President of the United States.

– April 9 – May 1, 2023: Candidates declare their intention to seek the USTP Presidential endorsement and begin to campaign through channels of their choosing (online and/or in person) to attract supporters and spread awareness of their messages.

– May 6, 2023: Transhumanist Presidential Candidate Roundtable (Virtual) [Multiple Candidate Roundtables are possible depending on the number of candidates who declare their interest.]

– May 15 – June 15, 2023 [Specific days to be decided based on the number of candidates who declare their interest]: Electronic ranked-preference primary (7-day voting period, simultaneous for all USTP members).

– June 15-30, 2023: Votes from the electronic primary are tabulated and released. The candidate winning the USTP endorsement is announced simultaneously with the release of the results.

– July 1, 2023 – November 5, 2024: The candidate winning the USTP endorsement continues to campaign until Election Day 2024. The other candidates may seek the USTP’s endorsement for other federal, state, or local offices and/or assist the winning candidate.

– Early September 2023: Potential for the candidate winning the USTP endorsement to deliver an official acceptance speech in a venue with a large number of attendees.

U.S. Presidential Candidate Qualifications and Expectations

Qualifications Pursuant to the United States Constitution

Pursuant to Article 2, Section 1, of the United States Constitution, to be eligible to become President of the United States, the candidate must:

(1) Be at least 35 years old as of January 20, 2025 (i.e., born on or before January 20, 1990);

(2) Be a natural-born citizen of the United States; and

(3) Have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years.

The USTP considers the existence of the above restrictions unfortunate, as they could disqualify many otherwise fine candidates. However, in the absence of a Constitutional Amendment, they are insurmountable during the 2024 election season.

Qualifications Pursuant to the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party

Pursuant to Article VII, Section 1, of the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party, in order to be eligible to become endorsed by the United States Transhumanist Party as a candidate for any local, state, or federal political office, an individual must satisfy the following criteria.

(i) The individual satisfies the minimum qualifications pursuant to applicable law for holding the office for which the individual seeks to run.

(ii) The individual has never committed any violent crime. A violent crime includes physical injury or destruction inflicted upon any person. A violent crime also includes physical damage or destruction inflicted upon property. As used in this subsection, the term “violent crime” includes but is not necessarily limited to the following: murder, manslaughter, rape, human trafficking, domestic violence, robbery, assault, battery, looting, arson, and rioting.

(iii) The individual has never committed any financial crime which had any victim, including but not limited to fraud, embezzlement, theft, cybercrime, or financing of violent or criminal groups.

(iv) The individual has never engaged in documented acts of cyberbullying, cyber-harassment, or intentional spreading of false accusations against another individual online.

(v) The individual has never engaged in acts understood to be of a highly unacceptable nature within every contemporary agricultural, industrial, or post-industrial society. The Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party shall maintain an internal list identifying such highly unacceptable practices, engaging in which or advocating which would be considered an automatic disqualification for holding any office within or receiving any endorsement from the United States Transhumanist Party.

(vi) The individual has never engaged in acts which are understood by the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party to have been undertaken by that individual primarily for the purposes of generating shock value or for transgression for the sake of transgression.

(vii) The individual must agree to participate in any process designated by the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party for the determination of whether or not that individual may be endorsed as a candidate and to respect the outcome of that process, no matter whether or not that individual is ultimately endorsed as a candidate.

(viii) The individual must agree to work collaboratively with the United States Transhumanist Party during the campaign season and not to disparage the United States Transhumanist Party as well as not to work contrary to the interests and goals of the United States Transhumanist Party during that time.

(ix) The individual must never have disparaged the United States Transhumanist Party or any of its current Officers in good standing within any written publication or public video or audio recording. This criterion does not, however, preclude constructive criticism, and a reasonable-person test shall be used to differentiate constructive criticism from disparagement.

(x) The individual must commit to running for office as a candidate endorsed by the United States Transhumanist Party until the conclusion of the election in which the individual seeks to be a candidate.

(xi) The individual must have never reneged on a prior commitment to run for office as a candidate endorsed by the United States Transhumanist Party until the conclusion of the election in which the individual sought to be a candidate.

(xii) The individual must never have falsely alleged any electoral malfeasance on the part of the United States Transhumanist Party.

(xiii) The individual must never have undertaken or threatened to undertake any legal action or make any formal complaint to an external entity against the United States Transhumanist Party or any Officer thereof in good standing.

(xiv) The individual must express agreement with the Core Ideals of the United States Transhumanist Party as described in Article I, Section I, of this Constitution.

(xv) The policy positions of the individual should have significant areas of alignment with the United States Transhumanist Party Platform as described in Article VI of this Constitution.

(xvi) The individual must agree, in that individual’s public statements, to either (a) specifically and openly express support for transhumanism and/or life extension; or (b) specifically and openly reference the endorsement of that individual by the United States Transhumanist Party.

Expectations of the Candidate from the U.S. Transhumanist Party / Transhuman Party

(a) If officially endorsed, the candidate must commit to running for office until Election Day 2024 (November 5, 2024). During the time prior to Election Day 2024, the candidate shall not concede to or endorse another candidate from another political party. The candidate also shall not run on behalf of any other political party.

(b) Although the candidate is not obligated to either raise or spend funds, if the candidate does choose to fundraise, the candidate must agree to perform any such fundraising for the candidate’s campaign independently of the U.S. Transhumanist Party. Furthermore, any campaign committee and/or bank account established by or on behalf of the candidate must be organizationally separate from the USTP. The USTP will spread information and raise public awareness about the candidate, but the USTP would not collect or disburse funds directly. The candidate must also agree to independently comply with all campaign-finance laws and report campaign contributions and expenses in the manner required pursuant to all applicable state and federal laws. The candidate must agree that responsibility for such compliance is solely on the part of the candidate, and that, as an organization which does not finance campaigns, the USTP has no obligation nor legal liability in regard to such compliance. (The USTP may, however, at times assist the candidate by providing relevant information, as long as such assistance is understood to be non-obligatory in nature.)

(c) If officially endorsed, and if the candidate raises $5,000 or more in contributions or incurs $5,000 or more in expenditures, the candidate must agree to register as an independent candidate for President with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Guidance pertaining to this process can be found on the FEC website here or in video form here. However, nothing obligates the candidate to either raise or spend $5,000 or more; any fundraising is at the candidate’s discretion.

(d) The candidate must agree to participate in the USTP Endorsement and Electronic Primary process as set forth herein and to respect the outcome of that process, no matter whether or not the candidate is ultimately endorsed to run for the office of President of the United States.

(e) The candidate should be in agreement with the USTP Core Ideals:

Ideal 1. The Transhumanist Party supports significant life extension achieved through the progress of science and technology.

Ideal 2. The Transhumanist Party supports a cultural, societal, and political atmosphere informed and animated by reason, science, and secular values.

Ideal 3. The Transhumanist Party supports efforts to use science, technology, and rational discourse to reduce and eliminate various existential risks to the human species.

(f) The candidate should have significant areas of alignment with the USTP Platform. While complete agreement with all positions therein is not required, and diversity of perspectives is encouraged, it should be possible for the public to clearly perceive the candidate as being closer to the USTP Platform than any given non-USTP-endorsed candidate – for instance, a Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, or Green candidate – would be.

(g) The candidate must agree to work collaboratively with the USTP during the campaign season and not to disparage the USTP as well as not to work contrary to the interests and goals of the USTP during that time.

For any questions, please e-mail Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman of the USTP, here.

You can also complete the embedded form below to express your interest in becoming a U.S. Presidential candidate who would participate in the USTP Endorsement and Electronic Primary Process:

The Anti-Aging Manifesto by Mat Alex Richards

The Anti-Aging Manifesto by Mat Alex Richards

March 18, 2023 Mat Alex Richards Comments 0 Comment

Mat Alex Richards


Editor’s Note: The United States Transhumanist Party publishes this manifesto by Mat Alex Richards as a statement which is aligned with our Core Ideal 1, which holds that “The Transhumanist Party supports significant life extension achieved through the progress of science and technology.” Mr. Richards eloquently emphasizes the imperative to combat biological aging and prevent our own non-existence, instead achieving lives of open-ended duration and potential. 
~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, March 18, 2023

We must demand a total mobilization of humanity for the extension of healthy life:

Declare biology as a priority science. Train biologists en masse, build laboratories, declare war on death, make lots of people aware of that – as many people as possible.

I am; that’s enough for me. I am, I want to continue to be, to be as I am, better than I am if possible.

Aging and death are abominable. And we accept it. Denying it won’t solve this essential matter. We think of something else.  We fight. We eat, we work, we love, we hate, we philosophize, we hope to leave a name in the dictionary for some, we adorn our minds.

We lie to each other. We lie to ourselves.

The truth is this: any life that knows it must end is just an agony.

We have consciousness. We know that no longer being, when one was, is the worst thing, the only real curse.

We could only observe, and submit. We had no way to act on the duration of our existence. For millennia.

We followed along the scientific grind, without this question having more importance than thousands of others; whereas it is the question, the only essential one, the one on which all the others depend.

There is no doubt that humanity will come to know the vital mechanisms well enough to suppress aging, that is to say, to prolong life, and even, theoretically – I mean barring accidents – to prolong it indefinitely.

The objections, who cares. We’ll see when we get there. The stakes are enormous for me, for you, for your loved ones, for everybody. No delay… No putting off.

It is impermissible, given the change, to let it pass.

Life is too short compared to what humans can do. Aim high. What has a limit, a predictable limit,  is always too short. When one is existing, it is too stupid not to exist one day. Too stupid, that’s it.

Today, all that can change.

All of this needs to change and will change. 

The question is: Do you want to be in the game?

Do you want to be in the most important human adventure ever?

Do you want to participate and make it happen faster?

The goal is to remain alive and healthy as much as we want.

Virtual Enlightenment Salon on Hereditary Religion and the Dangers of Religious Indoctrination – January 22, 2023

Virtual Enlightenment Salon on Hereditary Religion and the Dangers of Religious Indoctrination – January 22, 2023

January 23, 2023 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 0 Comment

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Lawrence Krauss
Armin Navabi
Valerie Tarico
David Orenstein
Gennady Stolyarov II
Ben Ballweg
Jason Geringer
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr. 


On January 22, 2023, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited panelists to discuss the dangers of religious indoctrination of children and the importance of freethought and allowing children and young adults the option to decide for themselves how to approach religion, if at all. The USTP Officers – Gennady Stolyarov II, Jason Geringer, Art Ramon Garcia, and Ben Ballweg – conversed with four distinguished guests from the freethought movement:

– Dr. Lawrence Krauss – Particle physicist, cosmologist, bestselling author, lecturer, President of The Origins Project Foundation, and host of The Origins Podcast.

– Armin Navabi – Author and podcaster, ex-Muslim atheist, founder of the online freethought community Atheist Republic, author of Why There Is No God: Simple Responses to 20 Common Arguments for the Existence of God

– Dr. Valerie Tarico – Psychologist, writer, social commentator on religious fundamentalism, author of Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light

– Dr. David Orenstein – Professor and department chairperson at CUNY Medgar Evers College, national and international speaker on issues related to the freethought movement, the American Humanist Association’s representative to the United Nations, co-author of Godless Grace: How Nonbelievers are Making the World Safer, Richer and Kinder

4:53 – Lawrence Krauss’s Opening Remarks

10:11 – Morality Without Religion

16:12 – Armin Navabi’s Question to Lawrence Krauss (what he should tell parents) (and Lawrence’s answer)

18:50 – How to Not Have to Prove a Negative (Question to Lawrence Krauss)

22:10 – Lawrence Krauss: Celebrate Our Sentience

23:44 – Armin Navabi’s Opening Remarks

31:15 – Armin Navabi Asks Western Atheists to Support Middle East Atheists

34:44 – David Orenstein’s Opening Remarks

41:36 – Valerie Tarico’s Opening Remarks

49:30 – Question: What Will Fill the Vacuum if and when Religion Goes Away?

59:58 – What One Would Do with a Former Church?

1:11:00 – Darth Kermit

1:13:35 – Ben Ballweg on How Can Crusaders Be Good

1:24:34 – Art Ramon’s Question on Whether There Is a Battle Coming (Armin Navabi Answers)

1:29:31 – Whether Technology Could Bring the Religious to Humanism

1:47:45 – Closing Remarks

This conversation was hosted in accordance with the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s support of freethought and the rights of children, as expressed in the USTP Platform. 

Section XXIII: The United States Transhumanist Party supports the rights of children to exercise liberty in proportion to their rational faculties and capacity for autonomous judgment. In particular, the United States Transhumanist Party strongly opposes all forms of bullying, child abuse, and censorship of intellectual self-development by children and teenagers.

Section XXV: The United States Transhumanist Party welcomes both religious and non-religious individuals who support life extension and emerging technologies. The United States Transhumanist Party recognizes that some religious individuals and interpretations may be receptive to technological progress and, if so, are valuable allies to the transhumanist movement. On the other hand, the United States Transhumanist Party is also opposed to any interpretation of a religious doctrine that results in the rejection of reason, censorship, violation of individual rights, suppression of technological advancement, and attempts to impose religious belief by force and/or by legal compulsion.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2023

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2023

January 5, 2023 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 1 comment

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The purpose of this post is to facilitate member comments pertaining to transhumanism and the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP), which might not specifically fit the subjects of any other post or article on the USTP website. This is the place for members to offer suggestions or converse about any areas of emerging technologies and their political, moral, societal, cultural, and esthetic implications. The general discussion thread is also an ideal location to suggest or propose platform planks that may be considered for future platform voting, and/or bring our attention to emerging legislative and societal developments that may affect the course and impact of emerging technologies.

The USTP will endeavor to open one of these general comment threads per year. This comment thread pertains to the year of 2023.

Type in your comments below. Please note that, to protect against spambots, the first comment by any individual will be moderated. After passing moderation, a civil commenter should be able to post comments without future moderation – although we cannot guarantee that the technical aspect of this functionality will work as intended 100% of the time.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Sixth Anniversary and 2023 New Year’s Message

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Sixth Anniversary and 2023 New Year’s Message

January 1, 2023 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party

When the sixth anniversary of my tenure as Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party arrived on November 17, 2022, I was in the midst of numerous urgent developments, and thus I marked the day by posting a concise message: “After 6 years as Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, it is essential to stay the course until a much better era is attained.” I also featured a new artwork generated with the aid of DALL-E 2, a transhumanist tower in the orange and black colors of the USTP, to recognize that 2022 has been a year of remarkable progress in generative art platforms – technological capabilities that the USTP fully supports and actively utilizes. Furthermore, I promised that a more detailed Chairman’s Anniversary Message would be forthcoming, and at last, I am able to share this message with you as 2022 draws to a close. This will be a combined Chairman’s Anniversary, holiday, and end-of-2022 / beginning-of-2023 statement that celebrates our perseverance through the past calendar year and expresses our aspirations for the year to come.

Transhumanist Tower

Undoubtedly, 2022 has been the most difficult year not just of my tenure as Chairman of the USTP, but of my entire lifetime; never before during my generation – and likely during the two generations that preceded it – have so many dire, acute crises afflicted the world simultaneously, with their impacts seeping or flooding into the local and personal realms and inflicting severe damage. While many such crises have characterized 2022, three major ones stand out: COVID-19 (particularly fueled by immune-escape variants), political hyper-polarization, and the war in Ukraine (which continues to present an existential risk to the human species, with the magnitude of that existential risk rising and falling with each notable event and each shift in the disposition of the leaders of the powers involved). I will have more to say about each of these interconnected crises, how to alleviate their root causes, and the important role that the USTP can play to achieve their amelioration.

Membership Growth

During 2022, the U.S. Transhumanist Party grew to over 4,000 members – still short of our desired pace of growth, but nonetheless attracting a steady influx of new individuals who are interested in transhumanism and the work of the USTP. To those who are encountering the USTP for the first time, I emphasize the ease of attaining membership; it takes less than a minute to fill out the online application form, and membership is free and always will be. We are planning a significant vote to update our Platform in 2023, and we invite you to join now in order to take part in deliberations, offer suggestions, and, of course, cast your vote when the time comes.

But more than members, we need active volunteers – people who would be willing to undertake projects, track legislation and write analyses, contribute articles to the USTP website, operate State-level Transhumanist Parties and local transhumanist meetups, and reach out to policymakers and the public with messaging that aligns with the USTP Platform and Values. Our FAQ provides some basic ideas of what any member could do. Beyond that, please reach out to me with your own ideas and a description of your skill sets, and I would be happy to explore what it might be possible to achieve through our joint efforts.

Establishment of the Transhuman Club

Our non-political affiliate, the Transhuman Club, was launched in July 2022, and a special Virtual Enlightenment Salon was devoted to an overview of the many features of its website at http://transhuman.club.

We hope to grow the Transhuman Club into a vibrant online gathering place for transhumanists to discuss ideas, current events, artworks, music, longevity, emerging technologies, scientific research, healthy habits, and other subjects of relevance to the future we seek to build. The Transhuman Club has a forum for discussions, a blog to which members may contribute, a gallery of artworks, including AI-generated images, a theater to watch animations and listen to new, futuristic versions of my compositions which have been remastered by Jason Geringer, a refined setting in which to watch past episodes of our Virtual Enlightenment Salons, and many other features still under construction. Thanks to the animation skills of Jason Geringer, who has also undertaken the majority of the development of the site, each page features outstanding animated backgrounds of futuristic cityscapes and elegant concert halls. The purpose of the Transhuman Club is to galvanize those transhumanists for whom politics is not the primary focus, but who do wish to cultivate the growth of the transhumanist community and its influence upon the general public, as well as participate in an online space which is independent of the algorithmic machinations of established social-media platforms (which most often have the effect of distracting and misleading rather than enlightening). While the U.S. Transhumanist Party continues to use various social-media platforms because this has become indispensable for spreading any message to a sizable audience, we do wish to create a haven for rational transhumanist thinking and expression which does not succumb to the many vulnerabilities of such conventional platforms. Rather, it would hearken back to the pre-Facebook Internet, an environment with considerably greater intellectual diversity, room for focused exploration, longer attention spans, significantly less political polarization, and more even accessibility of content that corresponds to one’s genuine interests.

Candidacy of Daniel Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California

During the 2022 elections, the U.S. Transhumanist Party endorsed one candidate, Daniel Twedt, who ran for the third time for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California. This time he earned 1,183 votes, or 0.9% of the total, and performed a valuable service in spreading the values of the USTP, including our three Core Ideals, as part of his campaign. His profile in the Thousand Oaks Acorn specifically mentions the USTP Core Ideals, and he also discussed the USTP during candidate forum events. We also held an extensive conversation with Daniel Twedt at our Virtual Enlightenment Salon on September 25, 2022, where he explained in detail his vision for Thousand Oaks and its areas of alignment with transhumanism.

Re-Formation of the New York Transhumanist Party

In July-October 2022, the USTP undertook an effort to re-form the New York Transhumanist Party and establish a new Constitution for it to ensure that a definitive framework for decision-making would exist. After a rigorous interview process, we selected Daud Sheikh as Chairman and Luis Arroyo as Vice-Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party; both of them are energetic and active within the transhumanist movement, and we hope to see great things from them as they organize events in New York State and create a hub for a burgeoning transhumanist community there that would also effectively respond to local issues of interest and concern to New Yorkers.

The USTP also appointed its own Regional Liaison in New York, Dinorah Delfin, whose role there will be to network with individuals and organizations who are likely to be sympathetic to the USTP Platform and goals, invite such sympathetic persons to join the U.S. Transhumanist Party as members, and also encourage them to set up events, such as meetups and presentations, and to engage in policy advocacy for ideas within the USTP Platform. We hope to establish more Regional Liaison positions in other areas to emulate the great work done by Dinorah Delfin and our Northern California Liaison, Celeste Castaldo. You can view the profiles of our Regional Liaisons here.

Successful Support for Dr. Aubrey de Grey

In the wake of the entirely unnecessary turmoil whose public manifestation arose in August 2021 and threatened to tear the longevity community apart, the USTP took a leading role in expressing support for Dr. Aubrey de Grey and coordinating a statement of prominent transhumanists who provided abundant testimonials regarding his character, ideas, and work. This, along with my November 2021 article “The Vindication of Dr. Aubrey de Grey and the Dangers of ‘Strategic Conservatism’ in the Aging-Research Community” marked the beginning of the long road to restore Dr. de Grey to his rightful position of prominence within the longevity field. Fortunately, all of these efforts culminated in resounding successes, which we celebrated in Dublin in September 2022 at the Longevity Summit Dublin, co-organized by Dr. de Grey and Martin O’Dea. At that summit, the formation of a new foundation dedicated to Dr. de Grey’s vision was announced; it would subsequently become the Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation (LEVF) – https://levf.org/ – and I am proud to have a place on its Board of Directors. I intend to use this position to effectively advocate for the cutting-edge work that the LEVF will perform and to highlight the innovative minds who will make the next set of breakthroughs in longevity possible. As has already been announced by Dr. de Grey and others, the work of the LEVF will not be limited to science alone; advocacy and outreach are also vital aspects, as we will need to prepare the broader society for the inflection point in the public perception of how much additional longevity is realistically attainable for those alive today. There are many synergies between this work and the mission of the USTP.

Our Virtual Enlightenment Salon of September 18, 2022 (the day before the announcement of the new foundation), was livestreamed from Dublin, and guests who appeared there included Martin O’Dea, Aubrey de Grey, David Wood, Didier Coeurnelle, Brenda Ramokopelwa, and Bradley from the Hex community. Overall, this conversation was one of our most memorable Virtual Enlightenment Salons. Watch it here.

On October 27, 2022, after the LEVF name and website were announced, I knew that the USTP’s role in bringing about the vindication of Dr. de Grey was complete. I therefore concluded the State of Emergency which had been in effect since August 10, 2021, and which allowed the USTP to rapidly and effectively respond to developments in this situation. The State of Emergency was no longer necessary, because LEVF now exists as an entity and a base of operations for Aubrey, and I am able to provide my advice and support through my position as a Board member. Although the State of Emergency came to an end, Aubrey de Grey will always have the support of the USTP and the admiration of the vast majority of its members and Officers.

For me, the fight against death and disease is intensely personal and becoming more so every day. I am in this because I genuinely see no other alternative; either we dedicate what we can to this fight, or we perish – often in rather shocking and entirely unacceptable ways. Supporting Aubrey de Grey’s efforts to realize the most ambitious aspects of his vision is one crucial prerequisite to achieving victory in this fight – not the only one, but certainly an indispensable one.

Participation in RAADfest 2022

The U.S. Transhumanist Party had ample representation at RAADfest 2022, which returned to San Diego this past year after two years in virtual mode. In addition to me, our Director of Marketing and 2020 Presidential Candidate Charlie Kam and our Director of Applied Innovation David Shumaker were in attendance, along with our Advisors Bill Andrews, Jose Cordeiro, Aubrey de Grey, and Liz Parrish.

Gennady Stolyarov II, David Shumaker, and Charlie Kam at RAADfest 2022 – October 6, 2022

I moderated the final event of RAADfest, the Future Makers Panel, featuring some of the most ambitious proposals for addressing the problem of aging through an array of emerging technologies – from brain-cloud interfaces enabled by nanotechnology (discussed by the eloquent polymath Dr. Nuno Martins) to incremental replacement of aging brain tissue (a major research focus of Professor Jean HĂ©bert) to the uses of artificial intelligence to help develop and analyze super-long-lived Methuselah flies (one of the projects of Dr. Ben Goertzel) to the use of robots in elder care (our fourth guest was Grace the Robot). Toward the end of the event, I endeavored to keep the audience engaged in various ways. I asked an open question regarding whether the attendees would be interested to have brain-computer interfaces to help them internalize the plethora of scientific information at the conference. The shouts from the audience were rather polarized – I estimate about 60 percent in favor, 40 percent opposed. One person exclaimed, “Maybe!” I seized upon that and reaffirmed it: “Maybe – it depends on the implementation, right?” I also suggested to the audience that the concept of transhumanism was the most helpful overarching narrative for the wide range of technological approaches that were discussed. While the public understands transhumanism in many different ways, transhumanism is fundamentally about making life better through science and technology, amplifying the good parts of our humanity while overcoming the bad parts. Toward the end of what was quite a profound question-and-answer session, I expressed the wish that we could have centuries to continue the conversation; Ben Goertzel replied that he was confident that we will. To conclude, I remarked that we will need to follow up on this discussion at RAADfest 22022 (though, in truth, I hope that it will happen much sooner at one of our Virtual Enlightenment Salons).

Addressing the War in Ukraine and Existential Risk

After the shock of the February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s regime, the dark cloud of existential risk descended to loom over the human species like never before. The USTP condemned this invasion and the war from the beginning and called on Putin to withdraw his forces. However, given the evident unwillingness of the Putin regime to do this, the USTP’s focus has been on deliberating about possibilities for a peaceful solution that would save lives and prevent the nuclear annihilation of human civilization, the greatest danger of all to every transhumanist aspiration.

We dedicated five Virtual Enlightenment Salons in 2022 to thoroughly discussing the situation in Ukraine and considering numerous perspectives on how to resolve it and what Western powers should do or refrain from doing.

On March 6, 2022, slightly more than two weeks after the war began, we hosted our International Panel Discussion on De-Escalating the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

We followed this discussion with another one on March 20, 2022, focused specifically on the existential risk arising from this conflict and how to mitigate that risk.

On April 3, 2022, we invited Marcela Melnic and Joshua Alexander Lev of IFERS – the Institute For Education, Research, and Scholarships – to discuss their fine work in assisting refugees from Ukraine, as well as the broader nature and implications of this conflict.

Our Virtual Enlightenment Salon of May 29, 2022, was dedicated to a discussion of my essay “2022: The Year of the Great Filter”. My central argument in that essay was that, because of the war in Ukraine, 2022 was the existentially riskiest year to the human species compared to any before or since. The fact that you are reading this message means that we have survived past that uniquely dangerous year, although the cloud of existential risk has not been entirely lifted, and an updated analysis of our species’ status in passing through the Great Filter is needed. I aim to provide that analysis in a forthcoming Virtual Enlightenment Salon in early 2023.

On July 10, 2022, we hosted a debate between Nathan Boyd and Maty Aksenton on the question, “Should the United States and NATO support an immediate negotiated peace settlement in Ukraine (even if it means that Ukraine would need to concede territory to Russia and/or promise never to join NATO)?”

The USTP continues to carefully monitor the conflict in Ukraine and to hope for its de-escalation and cessation as quickly as possible; in particular, we hope that the horrific death toll of this conflict can be stemmed and that innocent civilians in all affected countries will be able to return to peaceful lives as quickly as possible. Only once the war is finally over could we have a chance of passing through the Great Filter and emerging on the other side, on our way toward becoming a resilient and enlightened multi-planetary civilization.

The Imperative to Combat COVID-19

Even so, completely emerging from the Great Filter would, in my view, require not only the cessation of the war in Ukraine, but also the end of the COVID-19 pandemic – the reduction of the COVID threat at least to the level where most people are not exposed to the risk of severe consequences for this virus (particularly the protracted and onerous consequences of Long COVID) on a routine basis as they strive to lead their lives.

Were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the major crises plaguing our societies today would either not exist or would exist in a much milder form.

  • Were it not for COVID-19, Putin would not have invaded Ukraine, because he would not have isolated himself from the majority of people and information sources, which could have informed him that a quick collapse of the Ukrainian military and government was unrealistic.
  • Were it not for COVID-19, political polarization in the United States would have declined instead of becoming greatly exacerbated in 2020. Already in 2019, most Americans were tired of partisan political theater, yet the hyper-partisans from the Democratic and Republican Parties successfully seized upon every pandemic-related public-health issue and managed to politicize it to the detriment of effective scientific and medical solutions.
  • Were it not for COVID-19, we would not have had major price inflation, supply-chain disruptions, shortages of essential personnel in most industries, the continuation of an insane real-estate price bubble and its attendant housing crisis, declines in life expectancy for several years in a row, and an undermining of what used to be baseline expectations of American life even for people with ostensible financial security.
  • Were it not for COVID-19, we would have been well on our way to the Transhuman Era by now; the 2020s would have been a decade of technological renewal and widespread public optimism about the future.
  • Most importantly, were it not for COVID-19, the health of all of us would not have been endangered through the insidious threat of Long COVID and major complications such as organ failure and death, whose probability becomes magnified with the number of repeat infections.

I am convinced that, unless the COVID-19 pandemic is ended through the application of science and technology – either a vaccine that would be far more resilient against mutations of the virus or an engineered innocuous strain of the virus that out-competes all others – the cycle of waves of new escape variants will gradually cripple our civilization much like the Antonine Plague crippled the Roman Empire beginning in the late 160s CE and set into motion a chain of events from which the empire never quite recovered, even though it limped along for several centuries more. Only an end to the COVID-19 pandemic – a real, substantive end, not merely a declared or hoped-for end (we have had many of those, and they were all wishful thinking) – will prevent this fate from coming to pass. This is why, during our first vote in early 2023, I will call upon the U.S. Transhumanist Party members to support the scientific and technological eradication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a major policy priority of the USTP, toward the advocacy of which we will hopefully devote significant time and effort in the coming year.

Virtual Enlightenment Salons

It is astonishing in retrospect that our Virtual Enlightenment Salons have already been ongoing every week for over 2.5 years, since May 2020. Our partnership with KGRA Radio, which approximately doubled our typical audience, has also been in effect for over a year since November 2021 and has been an excellent collaboration which also led to the technical enhancement of our live Salons via the use of the StreamYard platform.

Our Virtual Enlightenment Salons this year delivered a wide array of conversations on cutting-edge longevity science, geopolitics, philosophy, activism, and creative uses of emerging technologies. Our most popular session of the year, the “Death of Death” panel on May 8, 2022, featuring Jose Cordeiro, Terry Grossman, and Simon Waslander, offered a highly accessible discussion explaining the theory and likelihood of curing biological aging, and insights about how individuals could maximize their chances of reaching an era of longevity escape velocity (LEV).

Our second-most-viewed Salon of 2022 was the aforementioned Report from Day 1 of Longevity Summit Dublin, whereas our third-most-viewed Salon was a conversation on epigenetics and gene therapy, featuring Liz Parrish and Dr. Klary Niezen-Koning as guests, with Simon Waslander co-moderating the Salon with me, and Dr. Bill Andrews also joining us to provide questions and commentary from a biologist’s perspective.

Overall, in 2022, we succeeded in turning the Virtual Enlightenment Salons into a persistent institution within the USTP, attracting a loyal following of highly engaged and thoughtful viewers, whose comments in the chat and whose creative, civil, and constructive expression of their ideas help to make each Salon experience a delight. It is truly almost as if we had an elegant 18th-century drawing room, where 30-40 people were gathered for a few hours of refined conversation and intellectual exploration. Someday, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, we might be able to emulate that experience through fully immersive virtual reality.

Some Creations to Celebrate the Holidays

To mark the holidays, I have also featured here another skyscraper generated using DALL-E 2, a luminous holiday-themed tower in the style of Nikola Tesla – a glimpse into an esthetic the could have taken hold if Tesla’s ideas and projects had been realized much sooner.

And, at last, I hope that our members and others reading this message enjoy the remainder of 2022 and the start of 2023 – and what better way to do that than with a virtual concert of Futuristic Neoclassical Music? Our concert was streamed on Sir Isaac Newton’s Birthday on December 25, 2022, and featured music composed by me and digitally remastered by Jason Geringer, USTP Legislative Director, to give each piece a crisp, futuristic sound. The music looks forward to a new era of human civilization, the Transhuman Era, where, through the progress of science and technology, humans will be able to realize their greatest aspirations while also preserving the best of past eras and previous achievements. My music draws upon compositional styles ranging from the 16th century to the present day and emphasizes the importance of melody, rationality, and an appeal to the highest motives in seeking to express the possibility of a better world. The compositions are accompanied by animated videos as well as both historical and contemporary artworks, including digital paintings generated by artificial-intelligence platforms such as DALL-E 2, Midjourney, and Dreamlike Art, as well as my own fractal artworks.

Savor some forward-looking art and music in the first days of 2023 and in the years to come – and of course, live long and prosper!

 

My Smart Stick Invention Prototype – Article by Nonso Nolly

My Smart Stick Invention Prototype – Article by Nonso Nolly

December 10, 2022 Nonso Nolly Comments 0 Comment

Nonso Nolly


I built a new project, which I’m currently working to improve, called the Smart Stick. The purpose of the stick is for blind people to walk confidently without colliding with any object or walls in front of them.

Please help me make this invention come to reality to help blind people in the world.

Watch Nonso Nolly’s YouTube Channel: NOLLY TECH. 

Support Nonso Nolly on Patreon here.

Nonso Nolly is a student in Nigeria who has undertaken independent projects in creating robots and wishes to learn how to build drones and remote-controlled cars. He has also worked in programming the open-source Arduino microcontroller – and he has had some successes to show for his efforts, despite an extremely limited budget. He is currently raising funds via his Patreon account to enable him to remain in college. The U.S. Transhumanist Party encourages donations to him in an effort to support technological education in Africa, which is aligned with the worthwhile goal of cultivating African transhumanists who will be able to invent ingenious solutions to the issues faced on that continent and in the wider world.

Transhumanism: The Challenges of Techno-Scientific Power and Sociological Approach to African Backwardness – Article by Siba Tcha-Mouza

Transhumanism: The Challenges of Techno-Scientific Power and Sociological Approach to African Backwardness – Article by Siba Tcha-Mouza

December 10, 2022 Siba Tcha-Mouza Comments 0 Comment

Siba Tcha-Mouza


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this essay of reflections motivated by the recent TransVision 2022 Conference in Paris, France,  from our Foreign Ambassador for Togo, Siba Tcha-Mouza, who represented the USTP at that event, which was hosted by the French Association Transhumaniste-Technoprog (AFT-Technoprog).

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, December 10, 2022


On the occasion of the annual international conference of all transhumanists called TransVision 2022, organized in Paris (France), by the French Association Transhumaniste-Technoprog (AFT-Technoprog), the theme of transhumanism was at the center of very relevant debates. This conference, entitled “Divergences or Diversity”, dealt with a great vision of human becoming, of human and societal change through the dazzling progress of technology. “Geographical diversity: transhumanism in Africa” was the theme around which I conducted reflections that I summarize in this article. This is a critical look, awakening and warning Africa particularly about the need to already think about transhumanism and to take an active part in the forthcoming fourth technological revolution.

What is transhumanism?

According to the French Transhumanist Association Technoprog, transhumanism is described as an “intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally enhancing the human condition through the application of reason, especially by developing and making widely available technologies to eradicate age and greatly increase the intellectual, physical and psychological capacities of human beings.” 

When out of curiosity, we enter the word “Transhumanism” in the Google search engine (French version), we often come across this:

“Transhumanism is an international cultural and intellectual movement advocating the use of science and technology to improve the human condition by increasing the physical and mental capacities of human beings and to suppress aging and death.”

And it is in particular also the projects around these last phenomena that arouse agitations of all kinds.

Illness, aging, and death, if they belong on the one hand to the natural phenomena of our existence, they do not escape either the socio-cultural aspect which recovers them, reconstructs them without distorting them through a symbolic system. Society is endowed with this ingenious ability to give meaning to even severe natural phenomena by inserting them into a scheme of values, without losing sight of the deep aspirations of humans. They are accepted as fatalities or understood as the result of the failure of human efforts (of naturopathic and allopathic medicine).

We can therefore easily understand the astonishment and the criticisms aroused by the transhumanist ambition to reconsider these phenomena, raw materials in socio-cultural matters, even though they are intimately hated and fought for the fact that they sow desolation and social disorder at each passage. Transhumanism frees itself from contradictory value judgments, and proclaims loud and clear the legitimate aspirations of our humanity, then assigns itself this noble and humanist mission of seeking, through the development of disruptive technosciences, to improve the human condition. The human being is therefore invested with the duty to use his singular capacities, his brain to recreate himself. And that’s what he continues to do since he used a stick to pick the fruit from the tree.

What is the state of play of transhumanism in Africa, first as a reflection and then as concrete projects?

The human beings living on the African continent are certainly all transhumans as much as those of all the other continents. African societies have invented and use the tools to increase themselves. They have access to modern tools to solve or try to solve problems. However, it remains undeniable that they lag considerably behind in terms of innovation and mastery of the most advanced techniques of our century. The mastery of Nanotechnologies, Biotechnologies, computer science, and sciences and techniques of cognition (NBIC) opens the door to incredible possibilities:

– Understanding, then intervening effectively in the biological processes of the appearance of degenerative diseases and aging, thereby allowing an increasingly long life in good health;

– Creating therapeutic artificial organs;

– Creating brain-machine interfaces in order to increase the possibilities of action, particularly in tetraplegic patients;

– Avoiding genetic diseases thanks to genetic engineering;

– Curing currently incurable diseases which create biological, psychological, and social suffering;

– Perfecting intelligent systems that will allow the manufacture of machines that think, speak, feel and act;

– Freeing the human from undesirable and dehumanizing work by replacing it with the intelligent machine;

– Creating or developing intelligent environments and tools;

– Conquering space and developing geoengineering, etc.

In the first Transhumanist Declaration we read the following: “The future of humanity will be radically transformed by technology. We envisage the possibility that the human being may undergo modifications, such as his rejuvenation, the increase of his intelligence by biological or artificial means, the ability to modulate one’s own psychological state, the abolition of suffering, and the exploration of the universe.”

Do not the human inhabitants of the African continent wish to free themselves from the yoke of nature and radically change the human condition as mentioned in the Transhumanist Declaration above? Do they knowingly reject modernity?

The technophobia that drives the deconstructive critique of transhumanism and the disinformative caricature of the movement is far from succeeding in stopping the accelerated manifestation of human potential.

Dennis Gabor (Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971) said the following:

“Everything that is technically feasible must be achieved, whether this achievement is judged morally good or reprehensible.”

The risk is not transhumanism, but rather the absence of transhumanism which would give way to the political anarchy of technologies, and de facto to societal chaos.

Faced with such a risk, the transhumanist movement is committed to predicting, supporting, and directing the social and biological mutations of humans towards a desirable future by minimizing the risks of undesirable events as much as possible. This, thanks to humanistic values and the suppression of negative instincts that plague the world. It is an international movement that cares about the current and future situation of humanity across racial, cultural, and territorial boundaries.

I don’t see the people of Africa as technophobes. I think that their delay in mastering advanced technologies has its source elsewhere than in technophobia. But why this delay of the African continent compared to the others which strive tirelessly to constantly reinvent themselves through the mastery of the secret of the technique?

The historicity of African societies has not helped Africa first for the appropriation of techno-scientific innovation, and then for its participation in the transhumanist movement which is developing to give a humanist meaning to “demurgic” technical power, which falls into the hands of human beings.

I borrow the historicist model of Alain Touraine for whom society is the product of his work through the social relations of its actors. This is what he calls his historicity. In other words, the historicity of a society is the “production of itself by itself, or rather of some of its components by others of its components.”

There are three dimensions of historicity:

a- The accumulation of actions produced, wealth in several forms (objects, capital in the economic sense), culture.

b- The representativeness of the mode of knowledge, of the culture.

c- A representativeness of creativity, of the attraction for innovation, or on the contrary for tradition.

Today, Africa still sees itself hampered from within by its shyness acquired and nourished for centuries, its abandonment and its faith in fate, the concentration of all its energies in social relations without interest or even destructive diverting all attention to major issues, fashionable terminological mimicry without concrete actions, etc.

It is always in this sense that the difficulties of understanding the urgency of participation in ethical reflections on the biological and societal mutation of the human engendered by convergent sciences and techniques are inscribed. Appeals aimed at attracting the attention of even the intellectual strata remain inaudible until now.

Of course, no society on earth is perfect. However, the hierarchy of strength, power and material wealth cannot be denied. If certain countries or groups of countries are considered, rightly moreover, as being world powers, it is precisely thanks to the mastery of the technique and its perpetual improvement throughout history. And this is only possible thanks to their historicity oriented in the direction of the acquisition and preservation of economic, military, diplomatic power, etc.

These companies have a collective vision for the short, medium and long term. They ensure individual interests through collective interests and put in place strong systems such as:

– The cultural and structural conditions in accordance with the objectives;

– Openness to the processes of socio-political change;

– Support for innovations, etc.

Private and state entities increase, in synergy, the technical capacities of their society with which they identify. Power is granted thanks to tireless efforts in the face of the ambitions that we have defined. It is the result of a vision of society or nation through the implementation of human potential and the necessary means; feeling not like an isolated individual but rather like belonging to a society that we must protect and make prosper in a world characterized by power relations.

The feeling of belonging to society implies collective mobilization around common interests, in particular existential issues. The adversity between political currents remains constructive and, in no case, aims to jeopardize the common good. Patriotism, shared ideals and pride in belonging to a future-oriented whole, fuel rules-based values and efforts. The members of society (political and civil) nurture a strong desire to develop and preserve their know-how and to mobilize it if necessary in the global competitive marketplace.

Perfecting its technological capacities is above all ensuring its existence, in order to allow its stability, its economic prosperity, and its influence on an international scale.

Those who have understood it are dominant, and on the other hand, those who have not understood it are dominated, giving rise to de facto discrimination.

A concrete case of the state of African technology:

In the Salon Vivatech held in Paris from June 16 to 19, 2021, it was reported that according to the Partech Africa institute, fundraising reached a record level in 2020 (359 ventures funded, +44% compared to the year 2019). At the same time, the total amount invested fell by 29% (thus 1.43 billion dollars in 2020 against 2.02 billion dollars in 2019).

However, in Europe and the United States of America, investments reach several tens of billions of dollars each year.

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced that he wanted to inject 2.5 billion euros into African Tech until 2022 to make it a soft-power. Unfortunately, difficult realities are underlined because of governance problems within the Digital Africa structure created in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD). Managers of the structure are sometimes fired or resign.

During the year 2021, there were more than 700 investments for a total amount of 5 billion dollars. However, compared to the delay, this remains insignificant for an entire continent.

For Maurice LĂ©vy, director of Publicis Groupe and co-founder of Vivatech, said that “African billionaires and powerful people need to start investing in African startups. It’s up to them to do the job. And I call on them to do so! It’s in Africa’s interest, it’s in startups’ interest, and it’s in their own interest.”

In an imperfectly humanist evolutionary context, Africa has an interest in catching up in order to be able to take its place at the decision-making table on the future of humanity.

History teaches us that since primitive societies, humans have always been characterized by power relations and domination. For a hundred and fifty thousand years (prehistoric time), the nervous capacities (the psyche) of the human have remained essentially the same. Annihilate, destroy or dominate the other social group to expand its territory, increase its material resources – these unfortunate tendencies still reside in the DNA of our societies.

International tensions taken to extremes constitute a kind of brake on research aimed at protecting human life from the violence of nature and the biological damage that sometimes robs it of the taste for life. Efforts made by the human to save the human become meaningless as long as the self-destructive instinct remains within humans. And this manifests itself in the relations between social groups or states.

I think, in all sincerity, that humanity can and will be able to get rid of the use of mass murderous violence which is war. Unfortunately, one of the aspects of transhumanism that is closest to my heart is the accelerated evolution of the human psyche. Has the brain forgotten itself in creating and performing the tool? The creature then seems to surpass its creator, hence the urgency of perfecting the human brain. It will be as necessary to revise certain ideologies that lead to human unhappiness, thanks to universal humanist values. The power that humans acquire through technosciences would be an existential risk for humanity if they are not more human, mature and wise. To the technoscientific power must be added a humanist sense to achieve the objectives of the transhumanist movement

In view of social problems, wars, and many other instabilities caused by the dark human will, it is therefore judicious to pose the hypothesis of the shortcomings of our nervous capacities, of the biases already in our reasoning.

This shameful instinctive tendency for our species should no longer characterize the Human Being of tomorrow or the fairly advanced Transhuman, because the latter will be freed from cognitive biases and irrationality in their quest for happiness.

But for the time being, before this desirable mutation of human nervous capacities, Africa must demonstrate objectivity in relation to its aspirations and its concrete actions, to its needs in the general sense of the term. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 agenda of the United Nations (UN), of which Africa is a part, and those of the 2063 Agenda of the African Union cannot be a reality without a disruptive vision of the world and the exponential development of science and technology (NBIC). And this, the inhabitants of the African continent must review and make productive the historicity of their societies, directing the internal dynamics towards development, innovation, and avoiding struggles without interests and self-defeating decisions.

Mr. Siba Tcha-Mouza

USTP Ambassador for Togo

The Age of Deferred Aging – Article by J. Lund

The Age of Deferred Aging – Article by J. Lund

November 22, 2022 J. Lund Comments 0 Comment

J. Lund


Medical science is slowly unlocking new means of treating age-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These medical advances are keeping people alive longer than ever before. But relatively little attention is given to slowing the aging process itself. Instead of combating disease one by one, our resources would be better spent targeting aging.

Longer Lifespans*

While human life expectancy (LE) in developed nations has risen from about 40 in 1800, to 80 today, this drastic improvement is not quite what it appears. We describe LE in terms of mathematical averages. Averages, we all know, can be distorted by outliers.

Indeed, much early LE progress was due to a reduced Child Mortality Rate (CMR), or fewer children dying before the age of five. A dramatic reduction in the CMR removed those outliers, creating the illusion that people were living longer.

We can see this effect in Britain, where the CMR fell from 329 per 1000 live births in 1800, to 228 in 1900. In that time, average LE rose from about 40 to 45. Beginning in 1900, improvements in sanitation, understanding of germ theory, and other medical advances saw an incredible reduction in the CMR, plunging to just 44 by 1950, helping propel headline LE to 67 years.

In the decades after 1950, progress in reducing CMR has continued, albeit more slowly. Instead, science has directed its attention to the diseases of aging and keeping people alive longer. In the US, for example, the average LE rose from 70 in 1960 to 79 in 2015, a feat that is repeated in other developed countries.

One by one, disease by disease, we are slowly but surely making progress. There is just one problem: while people are living about ten years longer, they are spending that last ten years in poor health. Indeed, the Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE), or the average number of years spent living without debilitating diseases or injuries, has remained largely static.

This fact illustrates the limitations of the disease-by-disease approach. As evidenced by rapidly growing healthcare expenditures around the world, it is increasingly costly to extend LE, and the returns are diminishing.

This is all complicated by the problem of competing risks, which holds that because chronic fatal age-related diseases don’t operate independently of one another, the disease-by-disease approach is suboptimal and inefficient.

We could, for example, invest all of our economic and technological might into fully eradicating cancer. But eradicating cancer would only bring a small increase in average LE because it won’t take long for other causes of death to catch up.

Instead of targeting individual diseases in an endless game of whack-a-mole, resources would be better spent targeting the underlying cause: aging itself.

Metformin

The notion of slowing aging sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it is happening today. In fact, some believe it has been happening for decades, we just didn’t notice. Metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes since the 1950s, is showing promise as the world’s first anti-aging drug.

This discovery is largely by accident. In the decades since Metformin’s adoption, statisticians noticed something rather peculiar. Diabetic individuals taking Metformin tended to live longer and healthier lives than diabetics on other drugs. Even more remarkably, however, they tended to outlive their non-diabetic counterparts. While it is not yet proven, many believe that Metformin slows aging, preventing and/or delaying the onset of multiple age-related diseases simultaneously.

Metformin is currently in Phase 3 trial testing in the TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) study, which hopes to establish the drug’s efficacy as a life-extension product. Once the mechanism of action is confirmed and understood, it may be possible to create new offshoot products that are more effective at slowing aging than a repurposed diabetes medication.

Such a breakthrough development would be an ideal candidate for a patent buyout to ensure that access is affordable and the social returns maximized.

Why It Matters

If humanity finds a means of slowing aging, the economic and social returns are staggering. In an analysis done by Andrew Scott , Martin Ellison , and David Sinclair  in Nature Aging, it is estimated that a single-year increase in LE would bring about $38 Trillion of economic benefits. A ten-year increase in LE would bring nearly $367 trillion of additional economic activity. This is some $7 trillion every year over fifty years.

The numbers alone don’t do this concept justice. There is much to be gained from people living longer and healthier lives. In a world facing a growing demographic crisis of graying and shrinking populations, targeting aging could be one tool in the toolkit to prevent economic and societal collapse. If people can live healthier, longer, and more productive lives, everyone benefits.

J. Lund writes for The Lianeon Project. The Lianeon Project is gathering the best ideas into one place where they can be shared and improved. It seeks ideas that ensure the continued march of civilization, human progress, and a better future.

U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party Positions on 2022 Nevada Ballot Questions

U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party Positions on 2022 Nevada Ballot Questions

November 5, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

Gennady Stolyarov II


The United States Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party offer the following brief statements of position on the ballot questions currently before Nevada voters in the 2022 General Election.

Summary
Nevada State Question 1 – Equality of Rights Amendment: Support
Nevada State Question 2 – Minimum Wage Amendment: Neutral
Nevada State Question 3 – Top-Five Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative: Strongly Support

Nevada State Ballot Question 1 – Equality of Rights Amendment:

Wording of Question: “Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended by adding a specific guarantee that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its cities, counties, or other political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party consider it necessary to support Ballot Question 1 because of the broader commitment to universal rights expressed in the Transhumanist Bill of Rights – Version 3.0. Article I of the Transhumanist Bill of Rights reads, in part, that “All sentient entities are entitled, to the extent of their individual decisions, to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this TRANSHUMANIST BILL OF RIGHTS, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, social, or planetary origin, property, birth (including manner of birth), biological or non-biological origins, or other status.” The text of Nevada State Ballot Question 1 recognizes equality of rights for a subset of the above-listed sentient entities and is therefore a step in the correct direction. In the prohibition on governmental entities denying or abridging rights on the basis of the attributes mentioned, Ballot Question 1 expresses the essential principle that individuals should be treated as individuals, not members of larger, mostly circumstantial identity groups. This is affirmed in Article X of the Transhumanist Bill of Rights, which states, in part, that “Morphological freedom entails the duty to treat all sapients as individuals instead of categorizing them into arbitrary subgroups or demographics, including as yet undefined subcategorizations that may arise as sapience evolves.” The rights of an individual should therefore not be abridged, especially by governments, simply because the individual happens to belong to a broader category whose definition is many times outside the scope of that individual’s personal choices.

Nevada State Ballot Question 2 – Minimum Wage Amendment:

Wording of Question: “Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended, effective July 1, 2024, to: (1) establish the State’s minimum wage that employers must pay to certain employees at a rate of $12 per hour worked, subject to any applicable increases above that $12 rate provided by federal law or enacted by the Nevada Legislature; (2) remove the existing provisions setting different rates for the minimum wage based on whether the employer offers certain health benefits to such employees; and (3) remove the existing provisions for adjusting the minimum wage based on applicable increases in the cost of living?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party are neutral on Ballot Question 2, as both of our parties’ Platforms are silent on the issue of the minimum wage, whether it should exist at all, whether higher or lower amounts of the minimum wage are preferable, and whether or not the presence of any health benefits should be able to count toward satisfying a portion of any minimum-wage requirement. Accordingly, our members in Nevada are encouraged to vote their conscience on this ballot question by consulting their own individual understandings of the relevant matters.

Nevada State Ballot Question 3 – Top-Five Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative:

Wording of Question: “Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which all voters may then rank the remaining candidates by preference for the offices of U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators?” (More information on BallotPedia.)

Position of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party: In the view of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party, this is the single most important ballot measure in Nevada political history, as it has the potential to break the stranglehold of the duopoly on Nevada politics. The plurality of Nevada voters are independent of the major political parties, and yet they are currently unable to meaningfully influence many local races where a major-party primary determines that party’s nominee, who then receives no meaningful competition at the ballot box in the general election. Moreover, Nevada, as a “battleground” electoral state, often features great pressure applied on voters to support the “lesser evil”, despite many Nevada voters being rightly disillusioned with both the Republican and the Democratic “options” provided to them. Ranked-preference voting eliminates the incentive to vote strategically or for a “lesser evil” to the exclusion of one’s genuinely preferred candidate, since one can provide a complete rank-ordering of one’s preferences rather than limit oneself to one choice.

Section XXX of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform states that “The United States Transhumanist Party supports replacing the current ‘winner-take-all’ electoral system with proportional representation, ranked preference voting, and other devices to minimize the temptations by voters to favor a perceived ‘lesser evil’ rather than the candidates closest to those voters’ own preferences.” Thus, support for ranked-choice voting is directly embedded in our Platform. Furthermore, Section XIX of the USTP Platform reads, in part, “The United States Transhumanist Party supports an end to the two-party political system in the United States and a substantially greater inclusion of ‘third parties’ in the political process through mechanisms such as proportional representation and the elimination of stringent ballot-access requirements.” Allowing open access to primaries and enabling ranked-preference voting in the general election would certainly lower the barriers to entry to candidates who do not belong to either of the duopoly parties.

The U.S. Transhumanist Party has successfully implemented ranked-preference voting in multiple of its internal votes. There is every reason to expect that ranked-preference voting could be implemented with similar success for the much simpler top-five ballots in Nevada general elections that would be developed if Question 3 were to be approved by the voters (twice, the first time this year). The U.S. Transhumanist Party and Nevada Transhumanist Party strongly encourage every Nevada voter to support Ballot Question 3.

For an extensive discussion of how ranked-choice voting works, the USTP encourages everyone to view our Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Kit Muehlman and FairVote Washington, as well as a subsequent, in-depth presentation by FairVote Washington on the technical workings of proportional ranked-choice voting.

 

The U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorses Daniel E. Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California

The U.S. Transhumanist Party Endorses Daniel E. Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California

October 28, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 1 comment

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The U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to announce the endorsement of a candidate during the 2022 election season – Daniel E. Twedt – who is running for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California.

See Daniel Twedt’s profile in the Thousand Oaks Acorn. This page cites the statements from the USTP Values Page, including the three Core Ideals of the U.S. Transhumanist Party.

See Daniel Twedt’s Facebook campaign page – Dan Twedt for Thousand Oaks City Council 2022 – here.

Our electronic vote of the members, which took place on October 22-26, led to an overwhelming endorsement of Mr. Twedt’s candidacy by 90.6% of the members who cast their votes.

The vote totals are as follows:

Question: Shall the U.S. Transhumanist Party endorse the candidacy of Daniel E. Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California?

Yes: 58 votes – 90.6%
No: 3 votes – 4.7%
Abstain: 3 votes – 4.7%

Watch the U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Daniel Twedt, conducted on September 25, 2022, where the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers spoke in detail about Mr. Twedt’s campaign and positions, and questions from the general public were also addressed.

Mr. Twedt, a long-time U.S. Transhumanist Party member, previously ran in 2020, when he gained 3,437 votes, or 3% of the total. During his campaign, he spread awareness of the U.S. Transhumanist Party in local newspapers. Mr. Twedt shared his beliefs and the work he does to bring his vision to life, and requested an endorsement by the USTP.

We wish Mr. Twedt the greatest possible success in his campaign. The more votes he gathers in Thousand Oaks and the more awareness he brings to the philosophy of transhumanism and the values and Platform positions of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, the further along we will be in broadening the base of public support for building the next era of our civilization.

 

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on the Question of Endorsing Daniel E. Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California

U.S. Transhumanist Party Vote on the Question of Endorsing Daniel E. Twedt for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California

October 22, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 2 comments

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The U.S. Transhumanist Party will hold an electronic vote of the membership for a five-day period ending on 6:01 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, on the question of whether to endorse Daniel E. Twedt, who is running as a candidate for City Council in Thousand Oaks, California, in 2022.

Registered U.S. Transhumanist Party members as of 12:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time on Sunday, October 23 2022, would be able to cast their ballots on this question and will be sent their ballots via e-mail.

See Daniel Twedt’s profile in the Thousand Oaks Acorn. This page cites the statements from the USTP Values Page, including the three Core Ideals of the U.S. Transhumanist Party.

See Daniel Twedt’s Facebook campaign page – Dan Twedt for Thousand Oaks City Council 2022 – here.

Watch the U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Daniel Twedt, conducted on September 25, 2022, where the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers spoke in detail about Mr. Twedt’s campaign and positions, and questions from the general public were also addressed.

Mr. Twedt, a long-time U.S. Transhumanist Party member, previously ran in 2020, when he gained 3,437 votes, or 3% of the total. During his campaign, he spread awareness of the U.S. Transhumanist Party in local newspapers. Mr. Twedt shared his beliefs and the work he does to bring his vision to life, and requested an endorsement by the USTP.

Constitution of the New York Transhumanist Party

Constitution of the New York Transhumanist Party

October 17, 2022 New York Transhumanist Party Comments 2 comments

Constitution of the New York Transhumanist Party

Adopted Effective October 17, 2022

Ratified by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party on October 16, 2022

HISTORICAL NOTE [Not a part of this Constitution]: After a period of time between July 24, 2022, and October 16, 2022, during which the New York Transhumanist Party was re-formed and placed under the direct control of the United States Transhumanist Party, the transfer of leadership has been finalized for the New York Transhumanist Party to once again autonomously operate under the auspices of the United States Transhumanist Party and be governed by a Constitution which was developed during the period of the United States Transhumanist Party’s direct control and which was accepted by the incoming Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party, Daud Sheikh, and the incoming Vice-Chairman of of the New York Transhumanist Party, Luis Arroyo. Accordingly, the terms of office of Chairman Sheikh and Vice-Chairman Arroyo began on October 17, 2022. The United States Transhumanist Party congratulated both of them and expressed that it looks forward to continued collaboration. The United States Transhumanist Party also again congratulated our New York Regional Liaison, Dinorah Delfin, who since August 3, 2022, has served in that position – an outreach and advocacy role which remains directly within the organizational structure of the United States Transhumanist Party. On April 7, 2026, Daud Sheikh submitted his resignation from the position of Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party and designated Luis Arroyo as the next Chairman. The United States Transhumanist Party wishes Luis Arroyo well in his efforts to continue growing the New York Transhumanist Party.


Article I. Immutable Principles of the New York Transhumanist Party

  • Section I. Core Ideals
  • Section II. Immutable Operating Principles

Article II. Officers

Article III. Membership

Article IV. Alliances

Article V. Amendments

Article VI. Platform of the New York Transhumanist Party, as Adapted from the Platform of the United States Transhumanist Party

Article VII. Unique Positions of the New York Transhumanist Party

Article VIII. Candidates


Article I. Immutable Principles of the New York Transhumanist Party

The New York Transhumanist Party is defined at its core by the following principles. While the remainder of the Party’s platform, bylaws, and operations may in the future be subject to alterations by decisions of the membership, the statements below are considered immutable and may not be altered.

Section I. Core Ideals:

Ideal 1. The New York Transhumanist Party supports significant life extension achieved through the progress of science and technology.

Ideal 2. The New York Transhumanist Party supports a cultural, societal, and political atmosphere informed and animated by reason, science, and secular values.

Ideal 3. The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to use science, technology, and rational discourse to reduce and eliminate various existential risks to the human species.

Section II. Immutable Operating Principles:

Immutable Operating Principle 1 – Renunciation of Violence: The New York Transhumanist Party renounces all violence, except in self-defense against a clear, immediate act of physical aggression. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that violent political activism is never permissible or just. The New York Transhumanist Party commits to always pursuing its goals in a civil, law-abiding manner, respecting the legitimate rights of all persons. The New York Transhumanist Party shall not condone and shall necessarily and automatically disavow all violent criminal acts. Any person who commits a violent criminal act is automatically disassociated from the New York Transhumanist Party in all respects until and unless that person has made appropriate restitution or has fully undergone the appropriate penalties pursuant to applicable law. However, this commitment to exclusively peaceful action does not preclude the New York Transhumanist Party from criticizing any ideas or behavior which are contrary to reason, morality, common sense, or the principles and objectives of the New York Transhumanist Party and/or United States Transhumanist Party Core Ideals and Platform.

Immutable Operating Principle 2 – Avoidance of Wedge Issues: The New York Transhumanist Party shall strive to avoid any emphasis of wedge issues – where a wedge issue is understood to be any issue that is intentionally used by either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party in the United States to divide the population of the United States into factions supporting either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, as applicable, and vehemently opposing individuals who do not support their chosen party. Examples of wedge issues include conventional Democratic Party or Republican Party positions on abortion, firearms, and controversies surrounding matters that utilize terms such as “race”, “gender”, and “sexual orientation”. Avoidance of the emphasis of wedge issues does not preclude the New York Transhumanist Party from attempting to address or resolve the fundamental problems that underlie such issues; however, any attempt at a resolution should endeavor to be creative, original, civil, technologically and rationally grounded, and focused on seeking to reconcile the legitimate values and interests of as many individuals involved with such issues as possible while avoiding any intentional alienation or demonization of any individual, including individuals with different points of view from those of any member or Officer of the New York Transhumanist Party. Avoidance of the emphasis of wedge issues also requires the New York Transhumanist Party to refrain from expressing one-sided agreement with the well-publicized, stated positions of either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party on these wedge issues. The longer a time that the Democratic Party or the Republican Party has held a particular position on a wedge issue, the greater is the presumption that this is a partisan position designed to divide the population, and therefore the greater is the need for the New York Transhumanist Party to avoid expressing that particular position.

Immutable Operating Principle 3 – Prohibition on Denunciation of Individuals Based on Circumstantial Attributes: In absolutely no situation shall the New York Transhumanist Party or any Officer thereof denounce any individual or suggest that such individual is unqualified to comment or to hold or express an opinion on a given issue on account of that individual’s circumstantial attributes – including, but not limited to, skin color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion or lack thereof, sexual orientation or lack thereof, or any other attribute other than the consideration of the specific thinking of that individual as an individual only and not as a member of any circumstantially defined group. This Immutable Operating Principle does not preclude rational critique of the opinions of any individual or organization based on the specific content of those opinions.

Article II. Officers

Section I: As of April 7, 2026, the following individuals shall hold roles as Officers in the New York Transhumanist Party.

  1. Chairman: Luis Arroyo
  2. Vice-Chairman: VACANT

The list of Officers above and the effective date of this list is subject to automatic updates without further member votes in the event of a change in the individual holding any Officer position, provided that such a change occurs in accordance with the processes outlined in the provisions of this Article.

Section II: New Officer positions may be created, and vacancies in Officer positions may be filled in the event of a departure of any Officer. Any individual may apply for an Officer position that becomes vacant.  Any appointment of an Officer to a new or vacant position shall be effective upon a two-thirds affirmative vote of those Officers who take active part in the deliberations regarding such an appointment at any time during a discussion period of three days, and with the subsequent approval of the Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party.

Section III: The Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party may, by a majority vote of the Officers affirmatively voting, veto any Officer appointment to the New York Transhumanist Party that is determined by the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party to be contrary to the interests of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party.

Section IV: The Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party shall hold office for life or for an indefinite duration of time, until or unless the Chairman submits a voluntary resignation. In the event that the Chairman submits a voluntary resignation, the Chairman shall appoint a successor, with the agreement of the majority of the Officers of the New York Transhumanist Party. If the successor accepts the appointment, then that appointed successor shall become the new Chairman for life or an indefinite duration of time. If the successor rejects the appointment, then the present Chairman shall continue to hold office until a successor can be found to accept the appointment.

Section V: The Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party shall be responsible for the principal decision-making and organizational activities of the New York Transhumanist Party, including but not limited to the maintenance of the New York Transhumanist Platform and the development of discussion and outreach events involving the general public. The Chairman shall have the authority, but not the obligation, to proclaim and determine the structure of any meeting, convention, assembly, or other forum for conducting the business of the New York Transhumanist Party at any time at the Chief Executive’s discretion. However, the Chairman of the New York Transhumanist Party may not make any decision contrary to the positions of the United States Transhumanist Party as stated in the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party or any official statements which derive their justification from the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party.

Section VI: The Vice-Chairman shall temporarily assume the duties of the Chairman in the event of the Chairman’s absence and the absence of a contrary delegation of authority from the Chairman. In the event of the resignation of the Chairman, the Chairman may designate a successor. In the absence of a designation of a successor by a departing Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall become the Chairman. However, the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party may, by a majority vote of the Officers affirmatively voting, veto any subsequent Chairman appointment which the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party determine to be contrary to the interests of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party.

Section VII: The Chairman may, at the Chairman’s discretion, call for an election to the position of Chairman with at least two months of advance notice. To be eligible to run in such an election, any candidate for the position of Chairman requires the approval of two-thirds of existing New York Transhumanist Party Officers who occupy their positions at the time the election is first announced.

Section VIII: By majority vote and with the approval of the Chairman, the Officers of the New York Transhumanist Party may place on probation an Officer who fails to fulfill the duties of his or her office as specified in the applicable documents developed by the New York Transhumanist Party to describe such duties. The probation period shall last as long as the Officers deem appropriate by majority vote, and shall include a written contract with deadlines and criteria for the fulfillment of duties. In the event that the terms of the probation period and/or contract are violated, the subject Officer may be removed from office by a majority vote and with the approval of the Chairman. An Officer may also be removed from office if a majority vote, with the approval of the Chairman, determines that the subject Officer has been entirely inactive and non-responsive and would therefore not be able to abide by the terms of any probation period. If an Officer has been entirely inactive and non-responsive for a period of three consecutive months, then that Officer shall be deemed to have vacated his or her position, unless the Officer affirmatively indicates a desire to remain in that position via a written communication to the Chairman. Such a determination of inactivity may also be made by a majority vote of the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party in the event of any apparent inability of a majority of the Officers of the New York Transhumanist Party to convene to make such a determination.

The Chairman may take measures at the Chairman’s sole discretion to restrict, contain, sanction, or discipline any Officer considered to be acting in an intentionally hostile manner toward the New York Transhumanist Party and/or United States Transhumanist Party. Any Officer discovered to be engaged in criminal activity, planning an internal coup, or spreading false allegations about other Officers to third parties or to the public, may, at the sole discretion of the Chairman, be immediately restricted from any or some portion of that Officer’s role within the New York Transhumanist Party upon discovery of such actions. A restriction is not an expulsion and is subject to subsequent evaluation by the remaining Officers. Upon subsequent evaluation, such restricted Officer may be removed from his or her Officer role and/or expelled from the New York Transhumanist Party by means of a majority vote of the other Officers, if those other Officers determine it proper to do so.

Article III. Membership

Section I: The New York Transhumanist Party shall have two categories of members: New York Members and Allied Members.

Section II: New York Members shall be those individuals who lawfully reside within the State of New York and are eligible to vote in New York elections. New York Members may participate in any activities of the New York Transhumanist Party and receive any delegations of authority at the discretion of the Chairman.

Section III: Allied Members may be any individuals, of any age, nationality, and place of residence – with the exception of those persons eligible to be New York Members. Allied Members may participate in any activities of the New York Transhumanist Party and receive any delegations of authority at the discretion of the Chairman – provided, however, that Allied Members may not be eligible to vote in New York elections pursuant to applicable New York law.

Section IV: Allied Membership in the New York Transhumanist Party is open to any being capable of logical reasoning and of the expression of political opinions. Specifically, if sentient artificial intellects or intelligent extraterrestrial life forms are discovered at any time after the founding of the New York Transhumanist Party, such entities shall be eligible for Allied Membership.

Section V: The Chairman may delegate any authority of the Chairman or of the New York Transhumanist Party more generally – with the exception of the authority to accept or reject candidates for political office – to any New York Member or Allied Member of the Transhumanist Party for any specified length of time, or indefinitely until the delegation is revoked at the discretion of the Chairman. All such delegations of authority shall be in writing. A person receiving a delegation of authority by the Chairman shall be known as a Member Delegate. However, the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party may, by a majority vote of the Officers affirmatively voting, revoke any delegation of authority which the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party determine to be contrary to the interests of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party.

Article IV. Alliances

Section I: In addition to beneficial alliances with any private individuals, the New York Transhumanist Party may cooperate with any other political party or candidate for the achievement of specific goals consistent with the New York Transhumanist Party Platform – provided, however, that the New York Transhumanist Party shall not advocate for the election of any candidate running in direct opposition to a candidate of any Transhumanist Party in the United States. An alliance with an individual or political party outside of the New York Transhumanist Party does not thereby commit the New York Transhumanist Party to support any initiative of the other individual or political party outside the specific scope and purpose for which the alliance was formed.

Section II: Despite the ability to form beneficial alliances, the New York Transhumanist Party shall not become a subsidiary, a feeder organization, or any other subordinate organization of any other political party, especially the Democratic or Republican Parties. The New York Transhumanist Party shall strive to the utmost to avoid becoming a convenient tool of either the Democratic or the Republican Parties in either of these parties’ cultural, political, and/or ideological conflicts with the other party.

Article V. Amendments

Section I: This Constitution, with the exception of immutable principles in Article I and Platform Sections adopted from the United States Transhumanist Party in Article VI, may be amended by a majority of the votes of the actively voting membership of the New York Transhumanist Party. However, the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party shall have the authority to veto any amendments to this Constitution which are considered by the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party to be contrary to the interests of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party.

Section II: Any documents subordinate to this Constitution, such as bylaws or documents specifying the day-to-day operations of the New York Transhumanist Party, may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all Officers present at any internal organizational meeting called for that purpose, or submitting their consent via electronic written communication in lieu of such internal organizational meeting.

Section III: With the exception of complete, verbatim citations of the United States Transhumanist Party Platform (where such citations may not be selective or omit essential context), any proposed amendment to this Constitution or any other action of the New York Transhumanist Party which either directly or indirectly mentions or addresses the subjects of (i) reproduction or (ii) reproductive choice or (iii) measures taken in response to reproductive acts would, in order to become effective, need to receive an affirmative vote of the greater of: (a) ten (10) members of the New York Transhumanist Party; or (b) the majority of the members of the New York Transhumanist Party voting on the matter of the specific amendment or other action. In the absence of receiving the greater of (a) ten (10) members of the New York Transhumanist Party; or (b) the majority of the members of the New York Transhumanist Party voting on the matter of the specific amendment or other action, such specific amendment or other action may not be adopted by the New York Transhumanist Party.

Article VI. Platform of the New York Transhumanist Party, as Adapted from the Platform of the United States Transhumanist Party

Preamble: The provisions of this Article are adopted from the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party and reflect the provisions of Article VI of the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party verbatim, with the exception that “New York Transhumanist Party” is substituted for “United States Transhumanist Party”. The New York Transhumanist Party shall be required to maintain consistency with the United States Transhumanist Party Platform and therefore shall automatically adopt any subsequent changes to Article VI of the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party and shall retain any content of the United States Transhumanist Party Platform while that content remains part of the United States Transhumanist Party Platform.

Section I: The New York Transhumanist Party strongly supports individual privacy and liberty over how to apply technology to one’s personal life. The New York Transhumanist Party holds that each individual should remain completely sovereign in the choice to disclose or not disclose personal activities, preferences, and beliefs within the public sphere. As such, the New York Transhumanist Party opposes all forms of mass surveillance and any intrusion by governmental or private institutions upon non-coercive activities that an individual has chosen to retain within his, her, or its private sphere. However, the New York Transhumanist Party also recognizes that no individuals should be protected from peaceful criticism of any matters that those individuals have chosen to disclose within the sphere of public knowledge and discourse.

Section II: The New York Transhumanist Party supports all acceptance, tolerance, and inclusivity of individuals and groups of all races, genders, classes, religions, creeds, and ideologies. Accordingly, the New York Transhumanist Party condemns any hostile discrimination or legal restrictions on the basis of national origin, skin color, birthplace, ancestry, gender identity, or any manner of circumstantial attribute tied to a person’s lineage or accident of birth. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party strongly opposes any efforts to enforce said restrictions regardless of cause or motivation thereof. Additionally, any institution that uses violence, suppression of free speech, or other unconstitutional or otherwise illegal methods will be disavowed and condemned by the New York Transhumanist Party, with an efficient, non-violent alternative to said institution being offered to achieve its goals if they align with the Party’s interests.

Section III: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that the vast majority of technologies are beneficial to human well-being and should be enthusiastically advocated for and developed further. However, a minority of technologies could be detrimental to human well-being and, as such, their application, when it results in detrimental consequences, should be opposed. Examples of such detrimental technologies include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, mass-surveillance systems such as those deployed by the National Security Agency in the United States, and backscatter X-ray full-body scanners such as those used until 2013 by the Transportation Security Administration in the United States. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party is opposed to the deliberate engineering of new active pathogens or the resurrection of once-existing pathogens, whose spread might not be able to be contained within laboratory settings. While it is impossible to un-learn the knowledge utilized in the creation of such technologies, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that all such knowledge should only be devoted toward peaceful, life-affirming, rights-respecting purposes, going forward.

Section IV: In recognition of the dire existential threat that nuclear weapons pose to sapient life on Earth – including as a result of such weapons’ accidental deployment due to system failures or human misunderstanding – the New York Transhumanist Party advocates the complete dismantlement and abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere, as rapidly as possible. If necessary for geopolitical stability, synchronized multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties should be pursued, strengthened, and accelerated in the most expeditious manner. If, however, multilateral agreements among nations are not reached, then the New York Transhumanist Party advocates that all nuclear powers, especially the United States and Russia, should undertake unilateral nuclear disarmament at the earliest opportunity in order to preserve civilization from accidental annihilation.

Section V: The New York Transhumanist Party supports concerted research in effort to eradicate disease and illness that wreak havoc upon and cause death of sapient beings. We strongly advocate the increase and redirection of research funds to conduct research and experiments and to explore life, science, technology, medicine, and extraterrestrial realms to improve all sentient entities.

Section VI: The New York Transhumanist Party upholds morphological freedom—the right to do with one’s physical attributes or intelligence whatever one wants so long as it does not directly harm others.

The New York Transhumanist Party considers morphological freedom to include the prerogative for a sentient intelligence to set forth in advance provisions for how to handle its physical manifestation, should that intelligence enter into a vegetative, unconscious, or similarly inactive state, notwithstanding any legal definition of death. For instance, a cryonics patient should be entitled to determine in advance that the patient’s body shall be cryopreserved and kept under specified conditions, in spite of any legal definition of death that might apply to that patient under cryopreservation.

The New York Transhumanist Party also recognizes that morphological freedom entails the duty to treat all sapients as individuals instead of categorizing them into arbitrary subgroups or demographics, including as yet undefined subcategorizations that may arise as sapience evolves.

The New York Transhumanist Party is focused on the rights of all sapient individuals to do as they see fit with themselves and their own reproductive choices.

However, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that the proper exercise of morphological freedom must also ensure that any improvement of the self should not result in involuntary harms directly inflicted upon others. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party recognizes any sentient entity to have the freedom not to modify itself without being subject to negative political repercussions, which include but are not limited to legal and/or socio-economic repercussions.

The New York Transhumanist Party recognizes the ethical obligations of sapient beings to be the purview of those individual beings, and holds that no other group, individual, or government has the right to limit those choices – including genetic manipulation or other biological manipulation or any other modifications up to and including biological manipulation, mechanical manipulation, life extension, reproductive choice, reproductive manipulation, cryonics, or other possible modifications, enhancements, or morphological freedoms. It is only when such choices directly infringe upon the rights of other sapient beings that the New York Transhumanist Party will work to develop policies to avoid potential infringements.

Section VII:  The New York Transhumanist Party strongly supports and emphasizes all values and organized efforts related to the cultivation of science, reason, intelligence, and rational thinking.

The New York Transhumanist Party places no reliance upon any and all sources of information that cannot stand up to rational scrutiny.

The New York Transhumanist Party places no reliance upon any individual, organization, or belief system that intentionally distorts empirically verifiable evidence, including but not limited to scientific and historical evidence, to serve its own agenda.

The New York Transhumanist Party places no reliance upon any position or belief system that contains arguments built upon logical fallacies (with exemption granted to arguments containing both fallacious and logically defensible premises).

Section VIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports maximum individual liberty to engage in scientific and technological innovation for the improvement of the self and the human species. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party supports all rationally, scientifically grounded research efforts for curing diseases, lengthening lifespans, achieving functional, healthy augmentations of the body and brain, and increasing the durability and youthfulness of the human organism. The New York Transhumanist Party holds that all such research efforts should be rendered fully lawful and their products should be made fully available to the public, as long as no individual is physically harmed without that individual’s consent or defrauded by misrepresentation of the effects of a possible treatment or substance.

Section IX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports all emerging technologies that have the potential to improve the human condition – including but not limited to autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, economical solar power, safe nuclear power, hydroelectricity, geothermal power, applications for the sharing of durable goods, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics, rapid transit, 3D printing, vertical farming, electronic devices to detect and respond to trauma, and beneficial genetic modification of plants, animals, and human beings.

Section X: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates the construction of a self-repairing, self-maintaining smart infrastructure which incorporates the distribution of energy, communications, and clean potable water to every building.

Section XI: In supporting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the New York Transhumanist Party endorses the thorium fuel cycle, which provides for a safe and nearly limitless energy source in the absence of the development of practical thermonuclear fusion.

Section XII: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that present and future societies should provide education systems accessible and available to all in pursuit of factual knowledge to increase intellectual acuity; promote critical thinking and logic; foster creativity; form an enlightened collective; attain health; secure the bounty of liberty for all sentient entities for our posterity; and forge new ideas, meanings, and values.

The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to reduce the cost of education while improving its access. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party supports freely available, open-source, methods of learning, teaching, credentialing, and cultural creation that integrate emerging technologies into every facet of the learning process. The New York Transhumanist Party primarily advocates private innovation to deliver such educational improvements, but also advocates the application of these improvements to all publicly funded educational institutions. The New York Transhumanist Party holds that every person should aspire toward intellectual, moral, and esthetic enlightenment and sophistication and should contribute toward bringing about a new Age of Reason, where the highest reaches of intellectual activity are attainable and eagerly pursued by the majority of the population.

The United States has upheld basic education since the American Revolution. The New York Transhumanist Party believes, in keeping with what basic education was in the 1700s, relative to the state of technology given the advancement in society at the time, that ‘basic’ education should be defined as college, and that a key part of our agenda is to help encourage a more successful generation by paying for a ‘basic’ education up to and including college degrees.

Section XIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the involvement of intelligent laypersons in the political process to counteract and neutralize the influence of politically connected special interests and their paid representatives. The New York Transhumanist Party supports all electronic and other technologies that can inform and empower intelligent laypersons to monitor and contribute to political discussions and decisions.

Section XIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports an end to the costly drug war, which is often an infringement upon the lives and liberties of innocent citizens who do not use drugs but fall victim to militant enforcement of drug prohibitions. The New York Transhumanist Party supports legalization of mild recreational drugs such as marijuana.

Section XV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to significantly reduce the massive incarcerated population in America by using innovative technologies to monitor criminals outside of prison. All mandatory sentencing laws should be abolished, and each individual should be sentenced based solely on the consideration of the nature of that individual’s crime, its context, and its severity.

Section XVI: Irrespective of whether or not technology will eventually replace the need for the labor of sentient entities, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that all sentient entities should be the beneficiaries of an unconditional universal basic income, whereby the same minimum amount of money or other resources is provided irrespective of a sentient entity’s life circumstances, occupations, or other income sources, so as to provide a means for the basic requirements of existence and liberty to be met.

Section XVII: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that present and future societies should take all reasonable measures to embrace and fund space travel, not only for the spirit of adventure and to gain knowledge by exploring the universe, but as an ultimate safeguard to its citizens and transhumanity should planet Earth become uninhabitable or be destroyed.

Section XVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports work to use science and technology to be able to eliminate all disabilities in humans who have them.

Section XIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports an end to the two-party political system in the United States and a substantially greater inclusion of “third parties” in the political process through mechanisms such as proportional representation and the elimination of stringent ballot-access requirements. The New York Transhumanist Party also seeks to limit the influence of lobbying by politically connected special interests, while increasing the influence of advocacy by intelligent laypersons.

Section XX: The New York Transhumanist Party strongly supports the freedom of peaceful speech; religious, non-religious, and anti-religious philosophical espousal; assembly; protest; petition; and expression of grievances. The New York Transhumanist Party therefore strongly opposes all censorship, including censorship that arises out of identity politics and the desire to avoid perceived offensive behavior.

Section XXI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports a concerted effort by governments and by public opinion to eradicate police brutality against peaceful citizens, such that violent force is only utilized against individuals who actually pose an imminent threat to human lives.

Section XXII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts at political, economic, and cultural experimentation in the form of seasteads and micronations. Specifically, the New York Transhumanist Party recognizes the existence and sovereignty of the Principality of Sealand, the Republic of Molossia, and the Free Republic of Liberland, and supports the recognition of these entities by all governments and political parties of the world.

Section XXIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the rights of children to exercise liberty in proportion to their rational faculties and capacity for autonomous judgment. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party strongly opposes all forms of bullying, child abuse, and censorship of intellectual self-development by children and teenagers.

Section XXIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the promotion of animal welfare to the extent it does not conflict with human well-being. However, the New York Transhumanist Party opposes “animal liberation” movements that seek to return animals to the wilderness or espouse any attempts to separate domesticated animals from human influence. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the prohibition of cruelty to animals and a complete abolition of euthanasia of healthy animals by animal shelters. The New York Transhumanist Party supports a complete prohibition on the killing of non-contagious, non-aggressive dogs, cats, dolphins, whales, elephants, horses, tortoises, parrots, and primates. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the development and widespread consumption of artificially grown, biologically identical meat products that do not involve the killing of animals.

Section XXV: The New York Transhumanist Party welcomes both religious and non-religious individuals who support life extension and emerging technologies. The New York Transhumanist Party recognizes that some religious individuals and interpretations may be receptive to technological progress and, if so, are valuable allies to the transhumanist movement. On the other hand, the New York Transhumanist Party is also opposed to any interpretation of a religious doctrine that results in the rejection of reason, censorship, violation of individual rights, suppression of technological advancement, and attempts to impose religious belief by force and/or by legal compulsion.

Section XXVI: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that each of its members should vote or abstain from voting in accordance with that member’s own individual conscience and judgment. If an official or candidate of the New York Transhumanist Party expresses a preference for any particular non-transhumanist candidate for office, then no national or State-level New York Transhumanist Party, nor any individual transhumanist, ought to be in any manner bound to support that same non-transhumanist candidate.

Section XXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates Constitutional reform to abolish the Electoral College in the United States Presidential elections and render the plurality of the popular vote the sole criterion for the election of President.

Section XXVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates greatly shortening the timeframe for electoral campaigns. The current two-year election season, combined with voters’ short memories, renders it possible for both genuine merits and egregious transgressions of candidates to be forgotten by the time of voting. Longer campaign seasons also perpetuate the “horse-race” mentality on the part of the media and result in the search for contrived election drama in order to drive views and campaign contributions. The ensuing acrimony, misinformation, and outright violence are detrimental to the fabric of a civilized society. Election seasons should be as short as possible, to enable all relevant information to be disseminated quickly and be considered by most voters within the same timeframe as their decisions are made.

Section XXIX: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates abolishing all staggered party primaries and for all primary elections to be held on the same day across the entire country. With staggered party primaries, individuals voting later – solely because of the jurisdiction in which they reside – find their choices severely constrained due to the prior elimination of candidates they might have preferred. The staggered primary system tends to elevate the candidates who are least palatable to reasonable voters – but have the support of a vociferous, crass, and often violent fringe – toward frontrunner positions that create the pressure for other members of the political party to follow suit and reluctantly support the worst of the nominees.

Section XXX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports replacing the current “winner-take-all” electoral system with proportional representation, ranked preference voting, and other devices to minimize the temptations by voters to favor a perceived “lesser evil” rather than the candidates closest to those voters’ own preferences.

Section XXXI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the right of any jurisdiction to secede from the United States specifically in opposition to policies that institutionalize racism, xenophobia, criminalization of dissent, and persecution of peaceful persons. The New York Transhumanist Party does not, however, condone any secession for the purposes of oppressing others. Therefore, the secession of the Confederate States in 1860 was illegitimate, but a future secession of a State may be justified in reaction to violent crackdowns by the federal government against individuals based on individuals’ national origin or ancestry.

Section XXXII: The New York Transhumanist Party encourages every reasonable precaution to prevent existential risks that endanger sentient life. While some existential risks arise from certain technologies, many existential risks also stem from the unaltered “natural” circumstances in which humans and other life forms find themselves. For both technological and “natural” existential risks, the strongest safeguards can be achieved through responsible development of protective technologies that empower rational and moral beings.

Section XXXIII: The New York Transhumanist Party stands for the rights of any sentient entities defined in the Preamble to the Transhumanist Bill of Rights as possessing Level 5 or more advanced information integration. Any such sentient entities, including new kinds of sentient entities that may be discovered or developed in the future, shall be considered to be autonomous beings with full rights, and shall not be made subservient to humans, unless they as individuals pose direct, empirically evident threats to the lives of others. The protections of full individual rights shall extend to Level 5 or higher-level artificial intelligences. However, Level 4 or lower-level entities – including domain-specific artificial intelligences that have not achieved sentience – may be utilized as part of the production systems of the future, in a similar manner to machines, algorithms, computer programs, and non-human animals today and based on similar ethical considerations.

Section XXXIV:  The New York Transhumanist Party holds that sousveillance laws should be enacted to ensure that all members of peaceful communities feel safe, to achieve governmental transparency, and to provide counter-balances to any surveillance state. For instance, law-enforcement officials, when interacting with the public, should be required to wear body cameras or similar devices continuously monitoring their activities.

The New York Transhumanist Party supports the use of technologies which increase monitoring of police action and policing activities, with expressed goals of increasing policing accountability.

The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for a requirement that data pertaining to recordings of police action be transmitted and recorded beyond police control, so as to be protected from falsification, deletion, and selective curation by police.

Section XXXV:  The New York Transhumanist Party considers it imperative to achieve reductions of the United States national debt in order to avoid calamitous scenarios of extreme inflation, default, and burdensome future tax increases on individuals. The New York Transhumanist Party supports the following measures to reduce the national debt:

  1. Elimination of wasteful federal spending on programs, goods, and services where equivalent positive results could be obtained through lower expenditures.
  2. Cessation of foreign military occupations and the return of American troops to be stationed exclusively on American territory. However, if a mutually appropriate defense treaty with another country requires the United States to station troops in that country, those troops would be allowed to remain there until the treaty obligations are fulfilled or reduced by mutual agreement with the affected country. If the United States continues to station troops in any country due to mutually appropriate defense treaties, the New York Transhumanist Party supports greater reciprocity in allowing military personnel from that country to be stationed in the United States for purposes of training and information exchange.
  3. Removal of barriers to technological innovation and technologically driven economic growth, in order that a surge in such growth could increase federal revenues so as to generate increasing surpluses, as long as federal spending does not materially rise from current levels.
  4. Elimination of the current cumbersome system of federal contracting, which favors politically connected incumbent firms whose advantage consists of navigating the system, rather than performing the best possible work. Instead, all federal agencies should be empowered to purchase supplies and equipment and to requisition projects from any entity capable of satisfying an immediate need at a reasonable cost. Exclusive and preferential contracts for particular entities should be prohibited, and all payments by federal agencies for work by non-employees should be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  5. Digitization of as many federal services and functions as possible – to eliminate the waste and expense of paperwork, physical queues, and legacy information technology systems.

Section XXXVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the elimination of graduated taxation and income taxation more generally. Instead, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates a flat percentage-of-sales tax applicable only to purchases from businesses whose combined nationwide revenues from all affiliates exceed a specified threshold. This tax should be built into the price of goods from such large businesses and should not impede transaction efficiency in any manner. Transactions pertaining to wages, salaries, gifts, donations, barter, employee benefits, and inheritances should remain completely untaxed, as should transactions involving solely individuals and/or small businesses, for whom the establishment of a tax-reporting infrastructure would be onerous. Furthermore, all taxes on land and property should be abolished.

Section XXXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports more proportional representation of professions and occupations among legislative and executive government officials, instead of a system in which the plurality of political offices are held by attorneys. In particular, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that a greater proportion of politicians should possess training in mathematics, engineering, and the physical and biological sciences.

Section XXXVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports emerging alternative energy sources and their technological implementations. However, the New York Transhumanist Party opposes government subsidies for any energy source – including fossil fuels. Instead, the New York Transhumanist Party holds that superior, cleaner, and more efficient energy sources will also tend to become less costly and more broadly adopted under a system of unfettered market competition and innovation.

Section XXXIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the creation of a “Transhumanist Olympics” where augmentations and modifications of the human body would not disqualify persons from competing.

Section XL: In addition to its opposition to intolerant interpretations of religious doctrines, the New York Transhumanist Party is furthermore opposed to any interpretation of a secular, non-religious doctrine that results in the rejection of reason, censorship, violation of individual rights, suppression of technological advancement, and attempts to impose certain beliefs by force and/or by legal compulsion. Examples of such doctrines opposed by the New York Transhumanist Party include Stalinism, Maoism, Neo-Malthusianism or eco-primitivism, the death-acceptance movement, and the doctrine of censorship, now prevalent on many college campuses in the United States, in the name of “social justice”, combating “triggers” or “microaggressions”, or avoiding subjectively perceived offense.

Section XLI: The New York Transhumanist Party understands that the role of President comes with great power and responsibility towards all citizens equally, regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, gender, religious conviction or lack thereof, political position, or societal class. It is the New York Transhumanist Party’s view that the President, as an authority figure and head of state, should lead by example. The function of the President is to oversee and support the improvement of well-being for all United States citizens, and the welfare of the nation as a whole.

The New York Transhumanist Party recognizes that the power of the Executive Branch of the federal government has expanded far beyond the originally conceived Constitutional framework, so as to predominate over the Legislative and Judicial Branches, as well as over the institutions of civil society and individuals. The New York Transhumanist Party supports greatly curtailing and restricting the role of the U.S. President so as to confine that role within parameters originally conceived by the framers of the U.S. Constitution – particularly with regard to eliminating the unacceptable current prerogatives to unilaterally launch nuclear strikes and conduct military attacks, and to imprison, spy on, and assassinate Americans and others without due process.

Section XLII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to minimize conflicts of interest for government officials created by private businesses, religious institutions, not-for-profit organizations, special-interest groups, and certain individuals. However, the New York Transhumanist Party recognizes that the best way to minimize such conflicts of interest is not to micromanage the conduct of government officials – which can prevent petty improprieties but is inherently unable to avert the most damaging conflicts of interest among the highest echelons of power. Rather, the most promising solution is to reduce the scope of special economic privileges and protections that any government official would be capable of granting, thereby greatly diminishing the incentives of various special interests to even attempt to influence government officials.

Section XLIII: Irrespective of the means by which a government obtains its funds – be it from taxation or from other sources – the New York Transhumanist Party understands that a necessary function of government is to responsibly allocate such funds to protect the rights and increase the well-being of its citizens and other individuals within its jurisdiction. If a government requires the public to contribute to its funding, then the services, utilities, and research produced by that government should be easily and freely accessible to members of the public who have contributed such funds. Any government expenditure should be premised on the goal of increasing the well-being of citizens and other individuals within the government’s jurisdiction in the short, medium, and long terms, with the understanding that government exists to serve the people, and should allocate funds wisely with the intent of maximizing value per dollar for the purpose of protecting individuals’ rights and promoting their well-being.

Section XLIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to have proposed laws accompanied by projections of expected results, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects. Such analysis should be based on scientific research and evidence and supported by the scientific and/or academic community with relevant subject-matter expertise. The intent is to have laws proposed to be created for the present day, and for such laws to function or improve in the future.

Section XLV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to depoliticize the appointment of Supreme Court Justices, and to further incentivize their impartiality toward political viewpoints.

Section XLVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to revisit, condense, and simplify the law, with a focus on resolving issues among conflicting laws and closing illogical loopholes within the law.

Section XLVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to have bills proposed without sub-sections or provisions unrelated to the main subject of the bill. A single-subject or germaneness rule for bills would:

  1. Simplify bills, rendering them more accessible and less convoluted;
  2. Enable a focused vote for or against a bill without the possibility of having to accept or reject an embedded unrelated provision; and
  3. Prevent an unrelated provision from being buried within a bill as a possible tactic to have it passed.

Section XLVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to limit protectionism and subsidization of an industry or group of companies. The exception to this would be that of extenuating circumstances, such as natural disasters or catastrophes, in which case a limited window of support could be approved. The New York Transhumanist Party understands that in a free-market society, private businesses, in order to continue their existence, ought to adapt to market changes instead of being shielded from such changes.

Section XLIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to increase autonomy of individuals to decide over their own bodies and holds that individuals should have the legal right to undertake procedures including gender reassignment, hysterectomies, vasectomies, technological augmentation, cosmetic alterations, genetic enhancements, and physical supplementation at or after the age of 18 years, as long as this does not create health hazards or threats to other individuals.

Section L: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the autonomy of an individual to decide on the continuation of that individual’s own life, including the right to choose or not to choose life-extending medical treatments. The New York Transhumanist Party does not consider it practicable or desirable for suicide to be illegal but discourages suicide from a moral standpoint, and furthermore considers that the legal right of suicide should only pertain to the individual and should not extend to any euthanasia or direct administration of a life-ending substance or procedure by any other person. The New York Transhumanist Party has grave concerns with anybody but the individual acting to hasten the end of that individual’s life.

Although each individual should be free to decide upon the duration of his, her, or its own life, the New York Transhumanist Party supports cultural changes and discussions that would encourage all individuals to undertake life-prolonging choices and activities. Advances in medical technology would facilitate more open-ended lifespans and would enable individuals to choose either finite or indefinite lengths of their lives. However, if individuals are recognized as having this autonomy, the New York Transhumanist Party is interested in persuading as many people as possible to decide to preserve their irreplaceable lives instead of hastening their end.

With regard to any legalization of assisted suicide or measures to provide patients with life-ending prescriptions, the New York Transhumanist Party supports stringent legal safeguards to ensure that each individual patient’s choice with regard to such matters is entirely free and uncoerced, and that there is no steering of any particular individual toward a life-ending choice by family members, medical practitioners, health insurers, activists, or any other individual or organization standing to benefit financially from the end of a patient’s life. However, efforts to persuade an individual to prolong his, her, or its life should not be restricted.

The New York Transhumanist Party opposes the emergence of any financially motivated lobby or industry whose primary business model would be assisted suicide or euthanasia, as the existence of such a lobby could create incentives and policies to steer people toward life-ending choices, including through legislation that might favor such “choices” in not-quite-voluntary situations. Instead, any prescription for a life-ending substance should only be provided as an incidental service by a patient’s primary-care physician, with the express written consent of at least one other unaffiliated physician, and the substance in question should only be allowed to be self-administered by the patient directly after a pre-defined time period since the obtaining of the prescription. Once the substance is prescribed, no medical practitioner should be permitted to benefit financially based on any specific choice of the patient to self-administer the substance to end the patient’s life. This position should not be construed to restrict any non-financially motivated political advocacy on the subject of assisted suicide, which involves individuals expressing their views on this subject in a public forum, when those individuals do not stand to gain financially from others choosing to obtain a life-ending substance.

Section LI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to establish a cross-border or international organ-donation system so that organ donors who wish to do so may donate their organs in a foreign country. This could pertain to Americans working or traveling in foreign countries, but also foreigners or travelers who pass away within U.S. borders. This system would be particularly useful for saving lives with organs that have a very short preservation duration, and would take too long to be sent to the country of the donor’s nationality.

Section LII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to increase the ability for public sousveillance on the functioning of government officials, in particular those who may propose laws, during negotiations and deliberations on proposing bills and national and international trade agreements. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to make the current hosting of live-streams from United States Congress more user-friendly and accessible to the public, accompanied by links to proposed bills where applicable.

Section LIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to have a mandatory standard clause or affidavit, affirming that a Representative, Senator, or other Legislative Branch lawmaker proposing a piece of legislation, such as a bill in Congress, has no conflict of interest between serving the public and serving other parties, such as special-interest groups. The clause would have to be signed and dated by the representative before the legislation is allowed to be proposed.

Section LIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports increasing broad accountability of Federal Government departments, agencies, and entities, especially those tasked with national security and / or criminal investigations, to the United States Congress. Currently some agencies may receive government funding without any accountability as to what the funding is used for, often based on arguments that this information is ‘classified’ or ‘may not be revealed in the interest of national security’. This is irresponsible use of taxpayer money.

The New York Transhumanist Party does acknowledge that such entities or agencies may have security concerns regarding the publication of details of their budget plans. As such, the New York Transhumanist Party supports setting up a special non-partisan security budgetary review committee where more details of budget plans would have to be provided before considering to provide funds to an agency or entity.

Section LV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to consolidate and reduce some redundancies among agencies and entities tasked with national security and law enforcement, as well as to reduce the number of such agencies and entities currently in operation. However, while supporting the elimination of parallel redundancies which can create problems, the New York Transhumanist Party recognizes that certain types of hierarchical redundancies can help with quality control.

Section LVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to ensure that no United States Representative or Senator may be obstructed in their ability to vote on any piece of legislation, or be kept from the Senate or House of Representatives for intra- or extra-curricular political-party activities which interfere with their primary task as representatives of the people within government. For example, protections should exist to prevent situations where Representatives or Senators are forced by their political parties to do fundraising calls during a vote on a bill.

Section LVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to restrict and limit civil asset forfeiture laws, and other laws that assist law-enforcement agencies in circumventing the Fourth Amendment, such as asset seizure, or detainment or arrest in situations where no criminal charges have been filed, except as part of an active interrogation of a person suspected of a crime or unless the person detained or arrested poses a clear and probable danger of inflicting physical harm upon others or their property.

Section LVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to investigate questionable, but currently legal, actions by law-enforcement agencies that have over time garnered critical attention by the public. The safety of the public could benefit from such actions being revisited or revised to limit abuse and to close legal loopholes.

Section LIX: The New York Transhumanist Party considers it important for impartial, objective investigations of alleged police and other law-enforcement misconduct to be pursued. While law-enforcement agencies should not be prohibited from internally investigating potential abuses within their own ranks, such investigations should never be considered exclusive or conclusive, and further external checks and accountability should be instituted. As part of providing such checks and accountability, investigations regarding misconduct, negligence, abuse, criminal activity, felonies, and misdemeanors allegedly committed by police, district attorneys, and judges, should, in addition to any internal investigation, also be conducted by a civilian organization outside the justice system. The intent of this requirement is to limit the possibility of favorably biased or preferential treatment of a member of a given law-enforcement agency by that person’s colleagues, and to restore confidence by the public that an investigation into police misconduct is done as objectively as possible.

Section LX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to limit the possibility for police, district attorneys, and judges to favor one another through mutual “back-scratching” accommodations which may cause a particular criminal matter to be resolved in a manner inconsistent with the true facts of the situation or the requirements of applicable law.

Section LXI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to prevent members of Congress from receiving special benefits, subsidies, and tax breaks that other citizens do not receive, and that are not necessary to function as a member of Congress. This limitation would pertain, for example, to health-care subsidies that are inaccessible to other citizens. However, this limitation would not prevent members of Congress from obtaining working conditions and job-related benefits of the sort which are broadly available, without regard to rank or degree of influence, to other Americans working within the private or public sectors.

Section LXII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to uphold the Rights of the Child as prescribed therein. This would include abolishing the death penalty for minors federally.

The New York Transhumanist Party, however, opposes restrictions on the rights of parents to choose to homeschool their children in any manner that respects the children’s basic freedom of conscience. Any ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child should not be construed to restrict any peaceful, rights-respecting practice of homeschooling.

Section LXIII: The New York Transhumanist Party opposes those specific cultural, religious, and social practices that violate individual rights and bodily autonomy. Examples of such unacceptable practices are forced marriage (including child marriage), male and female genital mutilation, and honor killings.

Section LXIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to create a reasonable minimum timeframe between the proposal of a bill and the voting procedure. To ensure a reasonable timeframe is proportional to the number of pages of a proposed bill, a time period per each specified amount of pages could be adopted. For example, and without committing to specific numerical magnitudes, a 24-hour period within a working week per every 20 pages could be adopted to ensure all members of Congress involved have sufficient time to read through and study a proposed bill’s implications. Such measures would prevent a bill from being introduced shortly before the voting process. They would also have the added side effect that proposals might become more concise, as the length of a bill would influence the consideration time.

In addition to this, after the proposal has been submitted, any amendments must be explicitly discussed in a public forum with the same degree of thorough consideration and same rules pertaining to the timeframe of consideration as allowed for the original proposal.

Section LXV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to ensure a jury is fully informed on its rights and responsibilities, including jury nullification. The New York Transhumanist Party also supports efforts to prevent false claims being made regarding the rights and responsibilities of the jury.

Section LXVI: As an intermediate step toward the goal of complete nuclear disarmament and a potential pragmatic compromise in any future negotiations for disarmament, the New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to significantly reduce the United States nuclear stockpile, and to replace or transfer a small part (between 1 percent and 10 percent) of this stockpile, to mobile nuclear platforms such as submarines. An enemy may currently target the stationary nuclear bombs directly. Having a largely hidden mobile fleet of nuclear bombs would render it much more difficult for any enemy to target the nuclear arsenal, while still maintaining the nuclear deterrent option in sufficient capacity. This would further have the effect of lowering the budget required to maintain the nuclear stockpile, as it could be drastically downsized.

Section LXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the right for individuals to have autonomy over, and utilize their bodies to earn money, including through activities such as prostitution, as long as such activities arise from a person’s own free will (e.g., not under duress), and the person is not endangering the health or well-being of others, including but not limited to the communication of sexually transmissible diseases.

Legalization would give those who wish to engage in prostitution the safety and protection of the law – for example, so that they may report abuse and would not be prone to being exploited. It would also open the possibility for such individuals to unionize if they wish to do so. Furthermore, legalization would decrease government spending on what is ultimately a ‘moral crusade’.

However, the New York Transhumanist Party unequivocally condemns any manner of human trafficking, child exploitation, and other abuse that involves a violation of the autonomy and consent of any individual. The legalization of prostitution should be combined with stronger efforts to combat these dangerous and exploitative practices.

The legalization of prostitution could furthermore enable more effective action against human trafficking and involuntary exploitation, as, when prostitution is legalized, employees in this industry would become subject to the protections of the law. Legalization would help focus resources on combating the trafficking of humans rather than catching workers who chose this profession voluntarily.

Section LXVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that any statement made by an elected official and/or public servant to members of the public in a public forum as part of that official’s or public servant’s job duties, and available to be heard, read, or otherwise understood in a public setting, physical or digital, should be considered a part of the public record and treated as an official statement of their office and position. This requirement does not extend to statements made by an elected official and/or public servant in the capacity of a private citizen or in the expression of a personal opinion or other position unrelated to the exercise of the official’s or public servant’s job duties.

Section LXIX: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that state and federal governments should establish an artificial intelligence (AI) analysis system for measuring risk of proposed legislation. Such a system could provide an impartial look at what legislation could cause harm or unintended consequences. Submitted policies would receive a score from 0 to 100, and the AI system would state what possible negative impacts may result. This system should be publicly accessible for submissions and for security audit. This is not intended to create or enact laws, but simply to serve as a tool to measure risk versus reward.

Section LXX: The New York Transhumanist Party strongly opposes the possibility for any political party to determine the boundaries and borders of any voting district. The New York Transhumanist Party supports measures that require any efforts to have the districts potentially redrawn, when necessary due to migration for example, to be left to an automated system such as an artificial intelligence (AI) designed for this task.

Section LXXI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to remove the possibility for a President to sign an international agreement among two or more nations by executive order. This would prevent a President from engaging in international affairs without support from the Congress, and likewise would make it more difficult to exit an international agreement, as support from Congress would need to exist in order for such an exit to occur. This would furthermore ensure that the United States becomes a more trustworthy nation in the eyes of the international community.

Section LXXII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to create a framework for an international or world passport. This framework could, for example, be administered through the United Nations, and the passport could be valid only for those countries who have proven to meet the standards, set by participating countries, required to ensure safety. Given that the European Union has an ID valid within its borders, and the United States has a similar agreement with Canada, imagining these forms of identification being combined shows that a world passport is not a farfetched or alien idea.

Section LXXIII:  The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to mandate that new firearms will be produced with an embedded registration chip, as well as the registration number engraved on the firearm. The chip would have a registration number, a ‘trace online’ code, and a ‘lost or stolen’ code. The firearm would be accompanied by a physical and digital certificate of ownership with a registration number, the ‘trace online’ number, and the ‘lost or stolen’ number. The embedded chip would render it much harder to make the firearm untraceable. The number and codes involved would have to be unique identifiers.

When a firearm would be lost or stolen, the owner of the firearm and holder of the certificate would report the firearm to the authorities as lost or stolen using the ‘lost or stolen’ number. The intent of having a separate reporting number is to ensure that, in the event that a firearm is stolen or taken without consent, the offender cannot report the firearm as stolen, or as found again. When a firearm owner suspects the firearm is simply mislocated – for example, in the car or in the house, or perhaps taken by a family member, the owner could trace the firearm online via GPS on an online map, using the ‘trace online’ code. The ‘trace online’ code would never be revealed to law enforcement.

Law enforcement would have a device that can confirm the registration number of a firearm in close proximity, similar to contactless payments. On the other hand the detection range would be greater when a firearm has been reported lost or stolen by the owner of the firearm in question with the ‘lost and stolen’ number. A firearm that would not have been reported lost or stolen to law enforcement by the owner of the firearm with the ‘lost or stolen’ number would not be traceable from a greater distance by law enforcement.

This would ensure the privacy, safety, and peace of mind of firearm owners who might otherwise feel law enforcement would trace firearms without legal justification. At the same time, this measure would decrease the probability of stolen firearms never being found, and possibly ending in the hands of people with ill intent.

Section LXXIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the creation of an office of a Public Civil-Rights Prosecutor. Our current justice system is flawed. Only people with substantial wealth can afford lawyers to take legal action against those who attack a person’s rights. While there are organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which offer help for some cases, their ability to do so is severely limited and typically non-existent in the lower courts. A Public Civil-Rights Prosecutor’s office will help guarantee that, no matter who a person is or the position of the offending party, a person’s rights cannot be assailed without consequence.

Section LXXV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports lowering spending by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Military, which amounts to hundreds of billions of dollars per year and includes unchecked wastefulness. Reducing military spending would free up money for more important goals, such as curing disease, which collectively kills many more people than military conflict or war by an exponential degree.

Section LXXVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to hold institutions, corporations, and states accountable for usage of federal money with a specific intended purpose. When an entity has been granted any form of funding with a specifically intended purpose, such as disaster relief or specific educational funds, and these funds are misappropriated or used for other purposes well outside of the scope of what they were intended for, the entity in question ought to restitute the funding that was made available.

Section LXXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports increases in the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Numerous biotech CEOs have recently made the case to increase the NIH budget, because the NIH conducts research that their companies would not be able to invest in, as investments not leading directly to a product would affect the bottom line. 33% of all the publications from NIH research are cited in corporate patents, so it stimulates new product development. A major driver for economic progress and reducing the suffering of those in pain, the NIH is essentially a public charity that brings us into the future. Whether one supports limited or expansive government, the NIH does not seek to regulate anything nor impose laws on anyone. It exclusively conducts medical research to help the sick.

Section LXXVIII: The U.S. New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to reinstate the rights to vote for convicted felons who have received and served their punishment, in order to present them the opportunity to participate in society as otherwise normal citizens.

Section LXXIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports repealing the current requirement in the United States that drugs or treatments may not be used, even on willing patients, unless approval for such drugs or treatments is received from the Food and Drug Administration. Such requirements are a profound violation of patient sovereignty; a person who is terminally ill is unable to choose to take a risk on an unapproved drug or treatment unless this person is fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial. Even then, once the clinical trial ends, the treatment must be discontinued, even if it was actually successful at prolonging the person’s life. This is not only profoundly tragic, but morally unconscionable as well. The most critical reform needed is to allow unapproved drugs and treatments to be marketed and consumed. If the FDA wishes to strongly differentiate between approved and unapproved treatments, then a strongly worded warning label could be required for unapproved treatments, and patients could even be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been informed of the risks of an unapproved treatment. This reform to directly extend many lives and to redress a moral travesty should be the top political priority of advocates of indefinite life extension. Over the coming decades, its effect will be to allow cutting-edge treatments to reach a market sooner and thus to enable data about those treatments’ effects to be gathered more quickly and reliably. Because many treatments take 10-15 years to receive FDA approval, this reform could by itself speed up the real-world advent of indefinite life extension by over a decade.

Section LXXX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to increase opportunities for entry into the medical profession. The current system for licensing doctors is highly monopolistic and protectionist – the result of efforts by the American Medical Association in the early 20th century to limit entry into the profession in order to artificially boost incomes for its members. The medical system suffers today from too few doctors and thus vastly inflated patient costs and unacceptable waiting times for appointments. Instead of prohibiting the practice of medicine by all except a select few who have completed an extremely rigorous and cost-prohibitive formal medical schooling, governments in the Western world should allow the market to determine different tiers of medical care for which competing private certifications would emerge. For the most specialized and intricate tasks, high standards of certification would continue to exist, and a practitioner’s credentials and reputation would remain absolutely essential to convincing consumers to put their lives in that practitioner’s hands. But, with regard to routine medical care (e.g., annual check-ups, vaccinations, basic wound treatment), it is not necessary to receive attention from a person with a full-fledged medical degree. Furthermore, competition among certification providers would increase quality of training and lower its price, as well as accelerate the time needed to complete the training. Such a system would allow many more young medical professionals to practice without undertaking enormous debt or serving for years (if not decades) in roles that offer very little remuneration while entailing a great deal of subservience to the hierarchy of an established institution. Ultimately, without sufficient doctors to affordably deliver life-extending treatments when they become available, it would not be feasible to extend these treatments to the majority of people.

Section LXXXI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports reforms to the patent system that prevent the re-patenting of drugs and medical devices, or the acquisition of any exclusive or monopoly rights over those drugs and devices, once they have become generic or entered the public domain. Appallingly, many pharmaceutical companies today attempt to re-patent drugs that have already entered the public domain, simply because the drugs have been discovered to have effects on a disease different from the one for which they were originally patented. The result of this is that the price of the re-patented drug often spikes by orders of magnitude compared to the price level during the period the drug was subject to competition. Only a vibrant and competitive market, where numerous medical providers can experiment with how to improve particular treatments or create new ones, can allow for the rate of progress needed for the people alive today to benefit from radical life extension.

Section LXXXII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports reforms to reduce the lengths of times over which medical patents could be effective. Medical patents – in essence, legal grants of monopoly for limited periods of time – greatly inflate the cost of drugs and other treatments. Especially in today’s world of rapidly advancing biotechnology, a patent term of 20 years essentially means that no party other than the patent holder (or someone paying royalties to the patent holder) may innovate upon the patented medicine for a generation, all while the technological potential for such innovation becomes glaringly obvious. As much innovation consists of incremental improvements on what already exists, the lack of an ability to create derivative drugs and treatments that tweak current approaches implies that the entire medical field is, for some time, stuck at the first stages of a treatment’s evolution – with all of the expense and unreliability this entails. Even with shortened patent terms, the original developer of an innovation will still always benefit from a first-mover advantage, as it takes time for competitors to catch on. If the original developer can maintain high-quality service and demonstrate the ability to sell a safe product, then the brand-name advantage alone can secure a consistent revenue stream without the need for a patent monopoly.

Section LXXXIII: The New York Transhumanist Party opposes any development or deployment of weapons systems that are capable of killing or injuring human beings in the absence of an explicit command by a human being to take action in every specific instance. Autonomous drones, vehicles, or other combat systems may not be permitted to make life-or-death decisions on the basis of a program, algorithm, predictive model, or any other means other than a specific decision by a human being who is closely familiar with the circumstances surrounding any given military situation. Accordingly, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots and other initiatives to abolish all autonomous weapons and preclude the development of such weapons.

Section LXXXIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports research into the process of ectogenesis, the ability of organisms to be incubated and to grow to the point of independent survival, within an artificial environment that provides such organisms with all the necessities of biological survival and development. Furthermore, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the widespread deployment and use of the technology of ectogenesis once such technology becomes safe and practical. Ectogenesis has the potential to benefit humans and other species alike, restoring extinct species and bolstering the numbers of endangered species, as well as alleviating the burdens of human pregnancy and rendering the divisive debate over abortion obsolete by reconciling the right to life of a fetus with the freedom of a woman to choose not to carry that fetus.

Section LXXXV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports any relaxation or elimination on caps in the United States federal budget regarding spending on scientific and technological research, including research in medicine and public health. Funding for science that can improve the human condition should not be subject to the vagaries of partisan political standoffs over the federal budget. Accordingly, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the Raise the Caps initiative and any other elimination of artificial restrictions of the allocations of funding to scientific and technological projects.

Section LXXXVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to give citizens more accessible and safer ways to report misconduct, corruption, constitutional rights violations, international human rights violations, and other similar infractions by police, including local police departments, as well as by federal law-enforcement agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to an investigative organization, whether civilian in nature or a special investigative department within the judicial system.

Such efforts could, for example, involve having a mandate that every police department and federal law-enforcement agency website have a ‘banner’ on its website that allows citizens to report misbehavior by said police department or federal law-enforcement agency via a national reporting system. Reporting of misbehavior would not inhibit any constitutional rights, such as filing a lawsuit.

If a valid complaint is found after investigation, this could result in a fine, a reduction of funding, or a reduction of salary for the responsible officials as a means of punishment. Said money would be allocated back to the relevant level of government to increase the well-being of citizens.

A periodic report of all reported missteps by law-enforcement agencies should be made publicly available, including breakdowns of valid and invalid claims, as well as reports per region, among other useful breakdowns.

Section LXXXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports a requirement that any educational institution that receives federal funding must greatly reduce its expenditures on internal bureaucracy and administration, in part by eliminating the requirement for students to complete any hard-copy paperwork and by enabling ubiquitous free, electronic completion and submission of all required forms.

Section LXXXVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports a requirement that any educational institution that receives federal funding must openly publish all even partially federally funded research produced by that institution in readily downloadable electronic format without any cost to the general public, including any paywalls or access fees from academic journals that feature such research. This requirement would not apply to research projects solely supported by private funds or which do not require funding altogether; in those circumstances, the direct authors of such research would retain copyright to it and the ability to publish it in the manner they see fit.

Section LXXXIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports a prohibition against police being equipped with military-grade hardware, including assault weapons, military armored vehicles, or any other offensive equipment primarily designed for battlefield use.

Section XC: The New York Transhumanist Party supports a requirement for police to be equipped with rubber bullets as standard ammunition and only to use regular, lethal bullets in situations where there is an immediate and previously known threat to the safety of members of the general public. More generally, police should be trained to use every possible technique for non-lethal incapacitation of offenders, prior to any recourse to lethal force.

Section XCI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to encourage police departments to use electric vehicles. This would have the advantages of reducing emissions of pollutants into the air, as well as moving police forces away from militarized vehicles, which are less likely to be electrically powered.

Section XCII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the installment of monitoring systems in police vehicles to track whether the police are violating traffic laws, with the exception of situations where speeding or other technical infractions may be necessary to apprehend other known or suspected violators or criminal offenders. The ability of police to violate traffic laws with impunity is damaging to public perception, as law enforcement should first and foremost set an example for society to follow. By holding law enforcement accountable for minor infractions such as traffic violations, it will be possible to develop a police force that serves as an example to the public.

Section XCIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to provide a path to legalization for all current undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States, free of restrictions based on country of origin, economic status, education, length of residency, or any other criteria, other than history of violent criminal activity.

Section XCIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts to end detention of all migrants for immigration violations not related to violent crimes. All current people serving jail terms for immigration issues with no additional crimes involved with the arrest must be released, and the path to citizenship started immediately. Those for whom an additional charge was involved would need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with serious infractions – such as any violent offenses – potentially justifying additional detainment.

Section XCV:  The New York Transhumanist Party supports measures to modernize and streamline the immigration process and eliminate the backlogs for those already in the queue. The New York Transhumanist Party advocates simplifying the documentation process, eliminating all requirements for filling out hard-copy paperwork, and utilizing technology to cut wait times and bureaucratic delays.

Section XCVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the immediate abolition of all private prison facilities and the termination of arrangements with private contractors for detention or immigration and border enforcement. Punishment for crimes, except for situations of self-defense from the immediate commission of a crime, should be a function reserved for government alone and should never involve a profit motive, which creates incentives to artificially inflate the appearance of criminal behavior and the punishment of lesser infractions. In order to preserve the capacity for inmates and detainees to be housed in humane conditions, the United States Federal Government, as well as State and local governments, should have the prerogative to appropriate the facilities previously used by private prisons and private detention contractors, after providing appropriate one-time compensation for the property involved.

Section XCVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the establishment of a federal land dividend, whereby currently unused federal lands, with the exception of national parks, national forests, and notable landmarks, will be leased to private corporations that agree to operate in an environmentally conscientious manner, with the proceeds of the lease funding a universal basic income for the United States population.

Section XCVIII: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for rapid construction of hospitals to begin immediately throughout the United States, with one new hospital constructed for every 50,000 in population. Rapid construction techniques, pioneered in China during the COVID-19 outbreak, should be utilized in the United States to build new hospitals in 10 days or less. However, unlike the rapidly constructed Chinese hospitals, the new hospitals constructed in the United States should become permanent.

The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for immediately waiving any zoning restrictions and building codes that would in any manner delay, prevent, or interfere with such rapid construction of hospitals.

Architectural designs for the rapidly constructed hospitals should:
(i) Be prepared and updated as new and superior building techniques and technologies are developed;
(ii) Include plans for multi-purpose facilities for patient care and research, or protocols for how to flexibly convert patient-care facilities into research facilities and vice versa as the need arises; and
(iii) Include separate entrances and generally separate facilities for patients infected with COVID-19 and all other patients, so as to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 to hospital visitors who do not have it.

Once the new permanent hospitals have been established, the New York Transhumanist Party supports a mandate for these hospitals to remain open to patients and fully staffed in perpetuity, regardless of profitability or patient influx. After the COVID-19 outbreak subsides, the new hospitals would provide major additional capacity to respond to epidemics and also conduct research on fighting diseases, including biological aging.

After the construction of the new hospitals, the New York Transhumanist Party supports an indefinite obligation for the U.S. federal government to indefinitely remedy any shortfall in funds to a new hospital in order to prevent its closure. Any hospital receiving such federal assistance shall be limited in the charges it may impose for its services to 110% of the cost of providing such services.

The New York Transhumanist Party supports the construction and retrofit of buildings adjacent to the hospitals, which could be used for any of a variety of unrelated purposes in normal times, but which could rapidly be converted into hospital space in times of pandemics by means of features that enable easy customizability, modularity, and accessibility to patients and medical personnel.

The New York Transhumanist Party views a vast and permanent expansion of hospital capacity as a necessary component of a permanent reorientation of the economy and broader society toward the pursuit of improved public health and widespread life extension. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the extent of the disruption and suffering that can occur if these goals are not made explicit and not supported by guaranteed allocations of resources immune from macroeconomic vicissitudes.

Section XCIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports for an immediate, universal, unconditional basic income of at least $1000 per month to be provided to every United States citizen for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its immediate aftermath, without regard for individuals’ means or other sources of income. The priority for this program should be to prevent massive and irreparable economic disruptions to the lives of Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Section C: In recognition of the severe, sudden, and often all-encompassing adverse economic impacts resulting from governmental measures taken to limit the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, and in the conviction that the principles of justice require that governmental policies – even if necessary, unavoidable, or beneficial on balance – not damage innocent parties without just compensation, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates for the United States federal government to take the following actions:

(i) Fully compensate all adversely affected businesses for all loss of income and property resulting from governmental measures taken to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. The New York Transhumanist Party holds that any businesses receiving such compensation should be

    (a) Prohibited from engaging in buybacks of their own stocks; and

    (b) Prohibited from increasing executive pay if that pay currently exceeds $500,000 per executive per year.

(ii) Fully compensate all individuals who lost their jobs or self-employment income, or suffered a reduction in working hours, as a result of governmental measures taken to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. This compensation shall be in addition to, and not a substitute for, the universal basic income received by those individuals.

Section CI: In recognition that the recent screening bottlenecks at United States airports create situations of unacceptable crowding which further contribute to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates for immediate admittance through security checkpoints of the vast majority of travelers currently waiting at airports in the United States. Such travelers may be required to subsequently undergo health screenings at other facilities within the United States within a certain period of time, as long as such screenings do not involuntarily place the individuals being screened in close physical proximity to one another.

Section CII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the recall of all United States military personnel from overseas stations as soon as possible and their deployment for the purpose of rapid hospital construction in the United States, as well as for providing rapid emergency aid and essential infrastructure improvements. Continued military presence abroad only unnecessarily exposes American troops to the risk of infection, while the expertise of American military personnel in crisis response is urgently needed within American borders.

Section CIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the rapid research into effective cures and vaccines for COVID-19 and the harnessing of synergies from this research to also develop a cure for the common cold and more effective vaccination against influenza. Such research should proceed with no barriers, subject to the researchers’ expression of ethical intentions, and any regulations or processes that would delay the progress of such research should be immediately waived or repealed. In the effort to accelerate progress in this field, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate $100 billion funding package for the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, with all volunteers being accepted into human trials as soon as practicable. The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for government funding and ownership of any cure for COVID-19, to be distributed free of charge to those infected with the virus.

Section CIV: Because biological aging is the number-one risk factor for mortality and severe complications from COVID-19 infections, as well as infections of virtually every sort, the New York Transhumanist Party emphasizes the importance of reversing biological aging as rapidly as possible and thereby protecting more lives from future pandemics. Accordingly, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates for a permanent, annual $100 billion funding package for anti-aging research, to be immediately distributed to leading research organizations in the field which have in the past specifically identified the defeat and reversal of biological aging as their goals.

Section CV: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for the immediate institution of a program of micropayments to everyone participating in citizen-science initiatives, such as Foldit, with the specific aim of developing cures or vaccines for COVID-19. Micropayments should be proportional to the amount of time and/or computing power spent contributing to any given initiative, with additional bounties provided for results with meaningful practical applications.

Section CVI: In response to the dire shortage of ventilator components and other crucial equipment in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, the New York Transhumanist Party advocates for the rapid 3D-printing of additional components through both private and governmental initiatives, as well as the deployment of on-site 3D-printers in every hospital and medical clinic to enable the future production of such components on demand. Immediate bounties should be offered by federal, state, and local government to individuals and businesses capable of producing such components. Policy initiatives should empower individuals and communities to explore the suitability of alternative manufacturing processes to produce needed parts and equipment to deal with the crisis.

Section CVII: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for an immediate allowance for remote learning to satisfy the completion or graduation requirements of all K-12 schools and all publicly funded colleges and universities indefinitely going forward. Not only is physical proximity not necessary for effective learning in light of rapidly advancing technologies allowing immersive interaction at a distance, but the encouragement of remote learning also allows individuals more flexibility in advancing at their own pace and focusing on subjects and skill sets which result in the greatest fulfillment and most improved life prospects. The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for the maximal adoption of diverse homeschooling approaches throughout the United States, suited to the individual aptitudes, preferences, and learning styles of students.

The New York Transhumanist Party also supports refocusing the education system on producing the goods and services necessary to maintain United States independence, including vocational studies in electricity, metalwork, ceramics, auto mechanics, graphic arts, and coding in the classroom.

Section CVIII: In recognition that unsanitary living conditions are a primary cause of the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, the New York Transhumanist Party supports the immediate and mandatory housing of the homeless, achieved by means of the rapid construction of tiny homes, including 3D-printed homes, without regard for building codes or zoning regulations, which must be immediately waived to allow such construction.

Every homeless individual discovered by local authorities would be required to move into a separate small home free of monetary cost and would be granted free conditional title to the home. The conditions of the title would be that the new homeowner would be obligated to perform litter-cleanup and other community-service duties for a specified time period per day under supervision, until and unless he or she is able to find different or better housing independently. The new housing communities would be subject to actively enforced covenants and restrictions prohibiting alcohol and recreational drugs. Such prohibitions will have the side benefit of transitioning the homeless toward meaningful social participation and useful work.

Section CIX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports establishing a rapid three-month training and certification program for hundreds of thousands of medical personnel specifically for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and other pandemics. While the newly trained medical practitioners would not be full-fledged medical doctors, they would be provided with fundamental knowledge of epidemiology, first aid, sanitary practices, and patient care, including the operation of the devices used to assist severely ill patients. This would greatly supplement the available personnel to respond effectively to the COVID-19 outbreak and also anticipate future pandemics.

The new COVID-19 medical responders would be compensated generously and selected from among high-performing students and other populations with demonstrated competence and aptitude for learning. For any first responders with student loans, those loans would be forgiven in exchange for a commitment to serve until the COVID-19 pandemic is eradicated. Those medical responders who remain in their positions afterward will receive continuous training on effective pandemic response so as to be in a superior position to anticipate, prevent, and mitigate future outbreaks.

Section CX: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the immediate deployment of as many COVID-19 diagnostic tests as possible to the general population, with the aim of achieving universal testing of every American, even those without symptoms, free of charge. Universal testing is necessary to understand the true prevalence of COVID-19 infections and the proportion of serious cases and fatalities relative to actual total cases, not merely reported cases. This would enable a true understanding of the extent of the epidemic’s spread as well as how the rates of serious complications and death compare to the common cold and influenza. The New York Transhumanist Party supports generous aid to both private and governmental research teams working in parallel on developing effective testing kits and approaches, particularly those which do not require large numbers of people to congregate.

The New York Transhumanist Party also advocates for COVID-19 testing kits to be developed that could result in tests being self-administered by individuals in their own homes and then mailed to laboratories for evaluation. This would minimize the physical contact of individuals being tested with medical practitioners and other patients.

Section CXI: The New York Transhumanist Party advocates for the establishment of facilities, such as warehouses, where essential supplies would be temporarily stored in large quantities in case of emergencies such as COVID-19. Distributors would supply to these warehouses a large surplus of essential goods, and hospitals, medical research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and other medical organizations would get their normal supplies, including masks, soap, hand-sanitizer, and common device components, from there in the event of any shortages. In case of an epidemic, there will be enough supplies on hand to provide such institutions for a prolonged period of time.

The essential supplies stored by such facilities would include ready-made hazmat suits that could be distributed to both medical practitioners and the population at large in the event of a highly contagious disease outbreak, along with clear and layperson-friendly instructions of how to put on and use the hazmat suits effectively.

Section CXII: The New York Transhumanist Party holds that, as a proactive measure, the United States should spearhead an initiative to collaborate with other wealthy nations, or by means of the World Health Organization (WHO), to set up a financial and material package of supplies and infrastructure to be deployed anywhere in the world in case a pathogen is found that needs to rapidly be contained in a foreign nation. This could be particularly important if the origin country is one that cannot itself manage to contain the outbreak due to poverty or lack of resources. This could help prevent a pathogen from ever coming to the United States.

A committee or part of an existing office should research and collaborate with other nations to learn and establish best or improved practices and update emergency plans accordingly. Likewise such collaborative efforts could establish which practices are not effective and remove those accordingly.

Section CXIII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports efforts by the federal government to begin an initiative in collaboration with businesses to create packages of emergency medical supplies, akin to a first-aid kit box, for civilians to buy for an affordable price, and offered for free to those who fall below the poverty line. Such a package could include advanced face masks, hand-sanitizer, soap, latex gloves, and other important items for effective epidemic response. The kit should come with clear instructions on how and when to use it, as well as instructions regarding self-quarantining and the express notice that the kit should not be re-sold, because the health and safety of everyone depends on the maximum number of people participating. This advance provision of response kits would have the effects of lowering the pressure on supply when there is an emergency and enabling people to be better prepared from the start, thus immediately limiting the spread of a pathogen.

Section CXIV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the inclusion of education on epidemic crises in the curricula of schools. Science-based instruction on key attributes of epidemics and pandemics, historical instances, and effective responses could be incorporated within related courses, such as biology.

Section CXV: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the immediate and complete repeal of all “certificate of need” laws, which currently, in many jurisdictions, prohibit the construction of new hospitals or the expansion of capacity of existing hospitals, unless “need” is demonstrated using arbitrary criteria overseen by incumbents within the hospital industry. “Certificate of need” laws are entirely deleterious and have no redeeming features of any sort. They constitute pure protectionism for the incomes of incumbents, at the expense of available and affordable health care, especially in times of increased strain, such as pandemics.

Section CXVI: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the development of vaccines under conditions that do not afford patents to the developers but instead compensate the developers in the form of bounties for safe, effective vaccines and their rapid production and deployment. Patents, as grants of exclusive monopoly privilege for as long as twenty years, operate to limit the supply of a vaccine and render it artificially expensive. Bounties and other forms of compensation based on production and distribution of vaccines would be better aligned with the urgent public interest in those vaccines’ rapid availability to the general population.

Section CXVII: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the deployment of robots and automated systems wherever possible to assist COVID-19 patients and individuals who are at greater risk for serious complications from COVID-19. These systems could include autonomous vehicles, food-delivery robots and drones, and production robots in as many industries as possible to reduce the human presence in factories while continuing to manufacture many goods necessary for human life and well-being.

Section CXVIII: Given the extreme delays, bottlenecks, and expenses created by the mandatory approval processes on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New York Transhumanist Party supports abolishing the FDA and replacing it with a Radical Life Extension Administration (RLEA), whose mandate would be to prioritize the rapid development of potential disease cures, treatments, and vaccines – including any possible cures or vaccines for COVID-19, as well as treatments to mitigate and reverse the disease of biological aging, the major risk factor for COVID-19. The RLEA would allow the marketing and collection of patient data on any potential cure, treatment, or vaccine which has passed affordable safety testing at a reasonably acceptable threshold.

Article VII. Unique Positions of the New York Transhumanist Party

Section I: The New York Transhumanist Party supports the United States Transhumanist Party and any of its officially nominated or endorsed candidates for Federal office.

Section II: The New York Transhumanist Party condemns homeless sweeps within New York City and calls for providing homes and apartments to the homeless by various means and aiding mutual-aid groups that engage in homeless outreach.

Section III: The New York Transhumanist Party calls on the New York City government to do its full part in providing migrants to New York City with the necessary means to survive and prosper within the 5 boroughs of New York City, such as housing, healthcare, and other services that New York City or New York State can offer, without predatory tactics that hinder other organizations or groups that are only there to help.

Article VIII. Candidates

Section I: In order to be eligible to become endorsed by the New York Transhumanist Party as a candidate for any local or state office, an individual must satisfy the following criteria.

(i) The individual satisfies the minimum qualifications pursuant to applicable law for holding the office for which the individual seeks to run.

(ii) The individual has never committed any violent crime. A violent crime includes physical injury or destruction inflicted upon any person. A violent crime also includes physical damage or destruction inflicted upon property. As used in this subsection, the term “violent crime” includes but is not necessarily limited to the following: murder, manslaughter, rape, human trafficking, domestic violence, robbery, assault, battery, looting, arson, and rioting.

(iii) The individual has never committed any financial crime which had any victim, including but not limited to fraud, embezzlement, theft, cybercrime, or financing of violent or criminal groups.

(iv) The individual has never engaged in documented acts of cyberbullying, cyber-harassment, or intentional spreading of false accusations against another individual online.

(v) The individual has never engaged in acts understood to be of a highly unacceptable nature within every contemporary agricultural, industrial, or post-industrial society.

(vi) The individual has never engaged in acts which are understood by the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party to have been undertaken by that individual primarily for the purposes of generating shock value or for transgression for the sake of transgression.

(vii) The individual must agree to participate in any process designated by the Officers of the United States Transhumanist Party and/or the New York Transhumanist Party for the determination of whether or not that individual may be endorsed as a candidate and to respect the outcome of that process, no matter whether or not that individual is ultimately endorsed as a candidate.

(viii) The individual must agree to work collaboratively with the United States Transhumanist Party and the New York Transhumanist Party during the campaign season and not to disparage the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party as well as not to work contrary to the interests and goals of the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party during that time.

(ix) The individual must never have disparaged the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party or any of its current Officers in good standing within any written publication or public video or audio recording. This criterion does not, however, preclude constructive criticism, and a reasonable-person test shall be used to differentiate constructive criticism from disparagement.

(x) The individual must commit to running for office as a candidate endorsed by the New York Transhumanist Party until the conclusion of the election in which the individual seeks to be a candidate.

(xi) The individual must have never reneged on a prior commitment to run for office as a candidate endorsed by the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party until the conclusion of the election in which the individual sought to be a candidate.

(xii) The individual must never have falsely alleged any electoral malfeasance on the part of the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party.

(xiii) The individual must never have undertaken or threatened to undertake any legal action or make any formal complaint to an external entity against the United States Transhumanist Party or the New York Transhumanist Party or any Officer thereof in good standing.

(xiv) The individual must express agreement with the Core Ideals of the New York Transhumanist Party as described in Article I, Section I, of this Constitution.

(xv) The policy positions of the individual should have significant areas of alignment with the United States Transhumanist Party Platform as adopted by the New York Transhumanist Party and as described in Article VI of this Constitution.

(xvi) The individual must agree, in that individual’s public statements, to either (a) specifically and openly express support for transhumanism and/or life extension; or (b) specifically and openly reference the endorsement of that individual by the New York Transhumanist Party and/or the United States Transhumanist Party.

Section II: The Officers of the New York Transhumanist Party may utilize any additional criteria, including the Officers’ individual assessments of the candidate’s character, personality, and reliability, in order to determine whether or not to render the candidate eligible for endorsement by the New York Transhumanist Party.

Section III: The Officers of the New York Transhumanist Party may, at their discretion, delegate the process of endorsing any candidate to the United States Transhumanist Party.

U.S. Transhumanist Party to Participate in RAADfest 2022

U.S. Transhumanist Party to Participate in RAADfest 2022

August 12, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


As in every year since the inception of RAADfest in 2016, the U.S. Transhumanist Party will again be represented there on October 6-9, 2022, in San Diego, California, at the seventh annual RAADfest. U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II will be moderating a panel of speakers there, and we hope to engage in the many great intellectual exchanges that reinforce the foundation of our movement and fuel our continued growth. Join us to continue advancing the Revolution Against Aging and Death!

Until September 5, 2022, you will be able to register for RAADfest at a discounted rate. Use the code TRANSHUMAN22 to save $201 off of the Activist registration package. Register here.

Watch highlights from the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s appearances at prior RAADfests. We hope to build on these successes in 2022 and show the world the importance of thoughtful, unapologetic advocacy for radical life extension in our lifetimes.

RAADfest 2017

The U.S. Transhumanist Party – Pursuing a Peaceful Political Revolution for Longevity – August 11, 2017

RAADfest 2018

The U.S. Transhumanist Party: Four Years of Advocating for the Future – Gennady Stolyarov II at RAAD Fest 2018 – September 21, 2018

Gennady Stolyarov II Interviews Ray Kurzweil at RAAD Fest 2018 – September 21, 2018

U.S. Transhumanist Party Meeting at RAAD Fest 2018 – September 22, 2018

RAADfest 2020

U.S. Transhumanist Party 2020 Update at RAADfest 2020 – October 4, 2020

RAADfest 2021

RAADfest 2021 Longevity Activism Panel – October 3, 2021

U.S. Transhumanist Party Regional Liaison Spotlights: Celeste Castaldo and Dinorah Delfin

U.S. Transhumanist Party Regional Liaison Spotlights: Celeste Castaldo and Dinorah Delfin

August 8, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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The U.S. Transhumanist Party takes this opportunity to highlight our recently created Regional Liaison positions and express our appreciation for the important work being done by our first two Regional Liaisons, Celeste Castaldo in Northern California and Dinorah Delfin in New York.

The role of a Regional Liaison is to network with individuals and organizations who are likely to be sympathetic to the USTP Platform and goals, invite such sympathetic persons to join the U.S. Transhumanist Party as members, and also encourage them to set up events, such as meetups and presentations, and to engage in policy advocacy for ideas within the USTP Platform. There are many ways to do the work of a Regional Liaison, including through publishing transhumanist content, attending or arranging events, or simply engaging people in meaningful conversations about transhumanism, life extension, and the promise of emerging technologies and applied rationality in overcoming the predicaments of our present era.  The Regional Liaison position exists directly within the organizational structure of the USTP and not any State-level Transhumanist Party. It is an outward-facing position and so is focused on external outreach rather than internal administration – and it is clear to us that external outreach is the area where the U.S. Transhumanist Party currently has the greatest need for capable people to communicate our ideas and grow our movement.

At present, most transhumanist activity is geographically dispersed and largely coordinated online. The value of our Regional Liaisons is that they can act to strengthen and grow the local transhumanist communities near them and thereby catalyze the formation of regional hubs which will facilitate greater ease and frequency of transhumanist events, outreach to the broader public, and greater visibility of transhumanists as well as their improved ability to find and interact with one another.

Celeste Castaldo – Northern California Regional Liaison 

Celeste Castaldo was appointed as the USTP’s Northern California Regional Liaison on August 5, 2021.

Ms. Castaldo is a serial entrepreneur and naturopath, with decades of experience in regenerative and rehabilitation medicine practices, utilizing a variety of health and wellness technologies. She launched several successful ventures including American Holistic Health Academy, Paradise Health Resorts, Heaven on Earth Med Spa, California Holistic Health, and Paradise Health Development Consulting.

Ms. Castaldo has worked with people from around the world, including U.S. and international government agencies, world-renowned royalty and heads of state, physicians, professional athletes, Fortune 500 executives, Silicon Valley technology founders, authors, publishers, music and motion-picture industry professionals, celebrity chefs, and many others. With over thirty years of education, training, and experience, Ms. Castaldo has developed an integrative approach to holistic health. She completed a Bachelor degree in Naturopathic Studies from San Francisco State University, she then continued her education in the MD medical doctorate program at International University of Health Sciences, and with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Board Certification Studies. She also completed a certification in Clinical Nutrition from Gulf Medical University, and doctoral studies in Alternative Medicines, M.D. (A.M.), from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine.

Ms. Castaldo connected the U.S. Transhumanist Party with entrepreneur and venture investor Steven Hoffman, with whom we held a fascinating Virtual Enlightenment Salon on August 29, 2021, discussing the implications of various emerging technologies that interface with the human mind.  Ms. Castaldo is a regular presence at our Virtual Enlightenment Salons, and she often shares her insights either in the video livestreams or in the YouTube chats for those events.

Dinorah Delfin – New York Regional Liaison 

Dinorah Delfin was appointed as the USTP’s New York Regional Liaison on August 3, 2022, but she has been an important presence in the USTP for much longer, having first joined as a member in January 2018 and serving in multiple leadership roles since that time, with contributions in areas such as forging important connections within the transhumanist community including with the Foresight Institute and Humanity Plus, establishing and managing the New York Transhumanist Party’s first Facebook group, which grew into a community of 435 members and remains an official channel of communication of the New York Transhumanist Party. She was one of the first people to launch a mobilization effort in response to Chairman Stolyarov’s announcement of the need to activate the Transhumanist and USTP community in 2019 to remedy the flaws with the Nevada Assembly Bill 226, which was successfully amended with the efforts of the USTP, setting an important precedent for voluntary microchipping rights and morphological freedom.

Ms. Delfin is a New York-based conceptual multimedia artist, an activist, a transhumanist, a deep thinker, and a writer interested in the scientific truths of spiritual concepts and in the ethical implications of man-made intelligence and humans’ self-directed evolution.

Ms. Delfin is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Immortalists Magazine and its hosting platform The Immortalists Club. Since its founding in early 2020, Immortalists Magazine has contributed greatly to the spread of the ideas of transhumanism, showcasing the thought of leading transhumanists, including Officers and members of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, and combining intellectually groundbreaking articles with top-quality graphic design and a finely crafted multimedia experience for the readers.

Ms. Delfin is also an Editorial Advisor for Springer’s Transhumanism International Book Series, and the founder and owner of ArtDimensional Studios, a platform for the multi-media expressions of transformative arts. She is also the founder and owner of Hamptons Zen Living, a business focused on providing personalized solutions for streamlining and organizing living spaces for more productive and healthier living.

Ms. Delfin graduated Cum Laude in Entrepreneurship Management, with an English Minor. She was featured in The Transhumanism Handbook (2019), published by Springer International, and has given presentations on the subject of transformative arts and transhumanism at New York University’s Posthuman Summit,  at the University of Rwanda’s International Conference of Techno-Scientific Awareness, and at John Cabot University in Rome.

Ms. Delfin’s art can be found here.

How to Become a Regional Liaison

The activities of our Regional Liaisons in Northern California and New York are hopefully just the beginning of a Regional Liaison program that will eventually expand to have nationwide coverage. If you are interested in becoming a Regional Liaison for your geographical area, please reach out to USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II via e-mail here and provide your resume as well as a statement of your interest in the position, your relevant skill sets, and how you would approach the role of a Regional Liaison if selected. We look forward to working with individuals who are skilled at forging connections, communicating the ideas of transhumanism accurately and persuasively, and growing our movement.

Declaration of the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party on the Re-Formation of the New York Transhumanist Party

Declaration of the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party on the Re-Formation of the New York Transhumanist Party

July 25, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 3 comments

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Gennady Stolyarov II


July 24, 2022

Pursuant to Article I, Section III, Operating Principle 2, of the United States Transhumanist Party Constitution, “While the United States Transhumanist Party respects the autonomy of State-level Transhumanist Parties, the United States Transhumanist Party reserves the right to determine if a State-level Transhumanist Party has become inactive with no hope of restoring activity on the part of the current leadership of the State-level Transhumanist Party. In such a situation, the leadership of the United States Transhumanist Party, subject to a final decision of the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, reserves the right to re-form the previously inactive State-level Transhumanist Party under new leadership.”

There have been recent attempts at activity by individual members of the New York Transhumanist Party. However, there has been a vacuum of leadership in the New York Transhumanist Party and no clear process for determining how that leadership is to be determined or exercised or how to bring about a situation where a member’s actions are representative of the broader New York Transhumanist Party, which currently numbers over 110 members. Without a clear determination of the identity and source of authority of New York Transhumanist Party leadership, the members of the New York Transhumanist Party will be stymied from acting due to uncertainty as to the nature and source of legitimate processes for such action. The United States Transhumanist Party Leadership seeks to remedy this situation.

Accordingly, it is the case that there is “no hope of restoring activity on the part of the current leadership of the State-level Transhumanist Party” – since the identity of the current leadership is not known, disputed, and impossible to ascertain objectively. There is no ability to restore activity of a current leadership that is non-existent, since non-existent persons are unable to act. Accordingly, per my authority as Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party, I hereby announce that the New York Transhumanist Party is hereby placed under the direct control of the United States Transhumanist Party and re-formed with the intent to designate new leadership subject to an application process that will be reviewed by the entirety of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officer team.

Any person interested in becoming the Chairman (or Chairwoman) of the New York Transhumanist Party is welcome to submit an application to gennadystolyarovii@gmail.com, with a deadline of August 15, 2022. The application should include a resume and a statement explaining the applicant’s interest in the position as well as an outline of the objectives and style of governance that the candidate wishes to exercise. After that deadline elapses, the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers will review the applications of all candidates, interview any candidates who qualify for the position, and announce a decision within one week after interviews are concluded.

In the meantime, the New York Transhumanist Party shall be governed according to the following provisional decisions.

Provisional Decision 1. The prior April 4, 2022, poll on the condemnation of homeless sweeps is hereby recognized as a legitimate expression of the position of the New York Transhumanist Party.

Provisional Decision 2. The pending vote on reproductive choice will be assessed for legitimacy once a quorum is reached. A quorum on this matter is considered to be 10 members voting in favor of the proposed statement on reproductive choice. After a quorum is reached, a majority decision of the New York Transhumanist Party members who voted will determine whether or not this proposal is adopted. [Note: The United States Transhumanist Party does not express an official position on the pending proposal regarding reproductive choice.]

Provisional Decision 3. The New York Transhumanist Party website at https://nytranshumanistparty.wixsite.com/nytp/ is recognized as legitimate in its configuration and content as of July 24, 2022. However, any future alterations to that website are subject to the prior-approval authority of the Chairman of the United States Transhumanist Party until a Chairman is named for the New York Transhumanist Party.

Provisional Decision 4. Luis Arroyo is hereby authorized to undertake communications to members of the New York Transhumanist Party regarding the pending vote on reproductive choice, as well as regarding day-to-day operating matters that do not involve questions of policy determination or designation of leadership. This is a limited authority granted to Luis Arroyo and may not be further delegated to any other person. The questions of policy determination or designation of leadership will remain under the direct purview of the United States Transhumanist Party Leadership until such a time as a new Chairman is designated for the New York Transhumanist Party.

Provisional Decision 5. The text of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform in Article VI of the Constitution of the United States Transhumanist Party is hereby adopted in entirety on behalf of the New York Transhumanist Party, with the sole substitution of every instance of “United States Transhumanist Party” with “New York Transhumanist Party”. The New York Transhumanist Party may, in the future, consider additional proposals that are consistent with or complementary to the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform, but the New York Transhumanist Party may not adopt any positions contrary to the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform.

The above measures are intended to restore order and legitimacy to the activities of the New York Transhumanist Party. We look forward to reviewing the applications of interested New York members for the role of Chairman (or Chairwoman) of the New York Transhumanist Party.

2022: The Year of the Great Filter – Article by Gennady Stolyarov II

2022: The Year of the Great Filter – Article by Gennady Stolyarov II

May 16, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 3 comments

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Gennady Stolyarov II


2022 is the year of the Great Filter. There has never been a more dangerous time for our species before, and there will not be again, if we survive this year.

The war in Ukraine has brought the world to the edge of nuclear calamity, because neither side wishes to negotiate or make concessions. The Russian regime makes reckless nuclear threats, Western/NATO powers recklessly ignore them, and continue to supply offensive weapons to Ukrainian forces, whose ideology favors recklessly dying for their country instead of prudently choosing to live for themselves. The risks of especially unintended, accidental escalation continue to accumulate the longer this war drags on with no clear end in sight.

The one ray of hope in all this is that I am firmly convinced that this is a unique, non-repeatable situation. If humankind can avoid extinction arising from reckless escalation here, then our species will never be in this much existential danger again, at least not from manmade causes. Here I provide my top ten reasons for holding this outlook.

1. Vladimir Putin’s misguided ideology and complete misunderstanding of the military and geopolitical situation in Russia and Ukraine led to this disaster of an invasion, but Putin is not in good health and thus his days in office are numbered. Any other person in power would not be locked into Putin’s must-win situation and may likely try to undo the damage and even try to bolster his reputation for doing so. The key is to avoid escalation while Putin remains in power, to prevent Putin from seeing no reason not to take the world down with him. If we wait this out, Putin will either succumb to his illness or be “encouraged” to retire by his inner circle. But in order to avoid the scenario where he behaves like a cornered rat, we need to allow this to happen on its own.

2. The stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a uniquely insane climate of public opinion, including in the West (while also contributing to the irrationality of Putin). Norms of civility and the valuation of peace have been significantly eroded, particularly among the neoconservatives, the establishment Left, and nationalists of all stripes (Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Baltic, et al.). Accordingly, the preponderance of warmongers among the populations of Europe and America is at a historic high. However, in the coming years, as the pandemic recedes and people gradually regain a sense of normalcy, war fervor will subside, since most of the same people were not advocating war 10 years ago and, under the right circumstances, could become largely peaceful again. Americans were overwhelmingly tired of war through 2021. If we wait this out, war fatigue will become the dominant view again not too long from now.

3. We were on the verge of the Transhuman Era circa 2015 based on the trajectories of various emerging technologies. This, however, was derailed by the Left-Right hyperpolarization from late 2015 onward, by the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 onward, and now by the war in Ukraine in 2022. All of these developments benefited the legacy ruling elite, whom the Transhuman Era would render obsolete; they used these crises to turn ordinary people and innovators against one another, when we should have all been working in concert to build the Transhuman Era. However, if we avoid world war and nuclear annihilation now, then the progress of emerging technologies will still gradually displace the legacy ruling elite and inaugurate the Transhuman Era, at which time humans will become too prosperous and enlightened to be willing to tolerate the risk of species extinction.

4. Averting nuclear war in 2022 will lead to the widespread recognition of how close we came to calamity from the potential of a pointless local conflict to engulf the world. The phrase “Never again” will henceforth be applied to nuclear brinkmanship, and a concerted push for worldwide nuclear disarmament could be made by a coalition of activist groups who are already sympathetic to this cause. They will have a lot more political capital once people are able to take a breath and come to their senses.

5. Artificial intelligence and nanotechnology will never pose the same existential risk as nuclear weapons, because their modes of functioning are much more sophisticated, and thus there will be many more places along the chain of events leading to calamity where human intervention could stop that chain of events. AI and nanotechnology of the future will be “smart”, which will make them safer. Nuclear weapons are “dumb”, combined with awesome destructive capacity, which makes them the most dangerous technology of all history, past and future.

6. Climate change, too, is a much milder and even non-existential risk, compared to nuclear war. This is a risk that will play out over decades, allowing for mitigation and reversal through emerging technologies, as well as adaptation to any lasting climate shifts. This is not to say that climate change would inflict no damage, but rather that the damage would be far from enough to destroy the species or even significantly slow down our technological and economic progress. If we can avoid nuclear war in 2022 (which would also bring about the worst climate change of all – a nuclear winter), then it will be much more feasible to devote more resources toward the development and deployment of technologies that would counteract climate change.

7. For all of the irrational panic regarding the alleged threat of China, the fact is that China has orders of magnitude fewer nuclear weapons than Russia or the United States. The Chinese government knows that it would lose any nuclear war decisively. Hence, China will never attempt or provoke a nuclear war. When it comes to the risk of civilization-ending nuclear war, only a conflict between the United States and Russia would pose that risk. Moreover, China is so globally interconnected through trade, especially with the United States, that it would never risk a military conflict which would be tantamount to economic suicide.

8. If nuclear war is avoided in 2022, Putin’s regime will atrophy by 2025 (as long as the Western powers do not try to overthrow him or invade Russia, an attempt which would paradoxically strengthen Putin’s regime, just as the sanctions against Russia have done by rallying Russians through a sense of being attacked and targeted by the West). Once Putin’s regime atrophies and is discredited within Russia, it will be possible to support more humane politicians in Russia, who might continue the policies of Gorbachev and seek at least a phased nuclear disarmament. As noted above, among geopolitical conflicts, only the US-Russia nuclear standoff poses an existential risk to the human species. Nuclear disarmament of Russia, or even a determined move in that direction, would essentially resolve that risk.

9. With enough time during which peace prevails, the Transhuman Era will see the creation of technologies that would help avert other existential risks, such as asteroids, supervolcanoes, and any yet-unforeseen consequences of future technologies. Existential risk will decline with each peaceful year from now on.

10. Surviving 2022 will give humankind an impetus to pursue the rejection of the Cold War mentality, of militant nationalism (especially ethnic nationalism, which is the most pernicious), and of Left-Right polarization. Getting rid of those three terrible mindsets will be largely enough to render most of humankind constructive again. It is only because of those mindsets that we have not reached the Transhuman Era already. Just as the aftermath of World War II rendered certain ideologies unacceptable, so I hope that the narrow avoidance of World War III will render Cold Warriorism, Left-Right militancy, and ethno-nationalism unacceptable in America and Europe at the very least. (The rest of the world could help us in overcoming these perilous mindsets. One consequence I hope to see in the coming decades is a multi-polar world with a greater prominence for Asian, African, and Latin American countries, to broaden our perspectives on the considerations that should matter for the future of humanity.)

So, essentially we just have to survive 2022 without a nuclear war in order for history to turn toward the long arc of progress once again. However, we absolutely have to survive 2022 – and this will entirely depend on whether public opinion will be able to restrain the war fervor of Western hawks in particular. A combination of reckless overconfidence, intransigence, and moral self-righteousness (on both sides) has placed our species into unparalleled danger. Perhaps this was the kind of moment from which many alien civilizations have not been able to emerge successfully – hence, one potential explanation for Fermi’s paradox. Will we have enough prudence and basic love of life to avoid that fate? We will find out in the next several months. If we pass this Great Filter, a future of boundless possibility and growth awaits our species. Do not throw this future away over a local conflict. What humans do now will be most consequential for the future of the entire universe.

Gennady Stolyarov II is Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party.

This essay may be freely reproduced using the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike International 4.0 License, which requires that credit be given to the author.

Call for Ideas on How to Stop California Wildfires with Emerging Technology – Post by Hank Pellissier

Call for Ideas on How to Stop California Wildfires with Emerging Technology – Post by Hank Pellissier

May 9, 2022 Hank Pellissier Comments 0 Comment

Hank Pellissier


Dear Transhumanist Party –

Want to help Stop California Wildfires?

I am writing a comprehensive, 5,000-word essay (and starting a nonprofit) on how to Stop California Wildfires with Emerging Technology.

I am seeking any and all transhumanist and futurist ideas. Both near-future practical tech strategies and hugely imaginative deep-future plans will be greatly appreciated.

If California tech innovators develop products to prevent and fight forest fires, the profits and benefits in national and international distribution will be enormous, due to the acceleration of the wildfire problem – due to global warming.

If you have any ideas, or can direct and promote my search for ideas, in any way – I would deeply appreciate the help.

All ideas included in the essay will be fully credited to the contributors,  and direct quotes from the source authors will be used.

I deeply appreciate all assistance.

Hank Pellissier (Affiliate Scholar, Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies)
hankpellissier@yahoo.com


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party did generate some suggestions for emerging technologies relevant to reducing the threat of wildfires in its August 5, 2018, post entitled “Ideas for Technological Solutions to Destructive Climate Change“. Readers offered further suggestions in the public comments below that post. The U.S. Transhumanist Party welcomes further discussion on this important subject and encourages any person with relevant technological ideas to post them in the comments here and/or e-mail Hank Pellissier at the e-mail address above. 
~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, May 9, 2022 
U.S. Transhumanist Party International Panel Discussion on De-Escalating the Russia-Ukraine Conflict – March 3/6, 2022

U.S. Transhumanist Party International Panel Discussion on De-Escalating the Russia-Ukraine Conflict – March 3/6, 2022

March 10, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Ugochukwu Aloh
Pam Keefe
Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana
Gennady Stolyarov II
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.
Jason Geringer


How can the terrible crisis in Ukraine be resolved? How can it be de-escalated in time to prevent a nuclear war and the existential threat this geopolitical situation poses to the survival of humankind? A diverse, international panel of U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers and members offered insights that, if applied, could provide some effective solutions. Watch this panel discussion on YouTube here or on Odysee here.

The discussion was recorded on March 3, 2022, and streamed on Sunday, March 6, 2022. The panelists taking part in the discussion were the following:

– Ugochukwu Aloh – writer, political philosopher, human rights, and climate-change activist with a double degree in Philosophy from Pontifical Urban University, Rome, and Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria

– Pam Keefe – U.S. Transhumanist Party Ambassador in Hong Kong

– Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana – U.S. Transhumanist Party Director of Foreign Relations, based in Malaysia

– Gennady Stolyarov II – Chairman, U.S. Transhumanist Party

– Art Ramon Garcia, Jr. – Director of Visual Art, U.S. Transhumanist Party

– Jason Geringer – Legislative Director, U.S. Transhumanist Party

Find out about the U.S. Transhumanist Party leadership here.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.

 

Humanity’s Origin is Our Future Again – TAFFD’s Gen4IR Summit – March 24-25, 2022

Humanity’s Origin is Our Future Again – TAFFD’s Gen4IR Summit – March 24-25, 2022

February 15, 2022 Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions Comments 0 Comment

Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions


Editor’s Note: The United States Transhumanist Party shares this announcement from our allies at TAFFD’s, the Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions, to spread awareness of the forthcoming Gen4IR Summit in South Africa on March 24-25, 2022, and to provide information to anyone who is interested in attending and hearing the impressive and diverse range of future-oriented speakers – including many leading transhumanist thinkers – who will be participating.
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~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, February 15, 2022

What do you think about Africa at the twilight of the 21st Century as an inventor/innovator, scientist, philosopher, and futurist?
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What you think about Africa is as important as what you do for her.
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Our uniqueness is stamped upon us by nature itself, and so is the mission to carry it on. But, living in a world faced with ideological supremacy, how do we aggregate the insights of over 3 billion minds across different fields, and how does the ethical usage of such insights become a concern?
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However, it was only natural to begin this journey where the roots of humanity lay – Africa.
We are glad to invite you to this year’s Generation 4IR Summit as an inventor, innovator, investor, and policymaker. We hope that you will be able to be part of this industry-leading summit.
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The Theme is ACCELERATING OUR SINGULARITY FUTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.
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Thus, futurists, transhumanists, singularitarians, longevity scientists, and industry pioneers will converge to produce ideas that will inspire projects that will drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution starting from the cradle of humankind to set the stage for the younger generation.
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Our agenda for you is much more than a meeting of minds. We are welcoming you to a distinctively African reserve where bison, gazelles, and nearly 300 species of birds call home. Tourists will have an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of the cradle of humankind, from which novel ideas for a new Africa will blossom.
She is once again inviting you for the second time to witness her rebirth of human civilization.
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And it begins on March 24th to the 25th of March 2022. At the Convention Center, Sun City Resort, North West, South Africa.
To learn more about this summit, visit gen4ir.org.
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In attendance are leading pioneers of rare technological and developmental impact across different industries. Some of the speakers are identified below.
1. Professor. Pius Adewale Owolawi
HOD Computer System Engineering
Topic- Education as a Necessity for Setting the 4IR Generation Stage
Tshwane University of Technology
South Africa
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2. Bill Andrews, PhD
Sierra Sciences Founder and CEO
Topic: The Promise of Telomere Biology to Reverse Aging
USA
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3. Jose Luis Cordeiro
MIT Engineer, Founder of TransVision, Singularitarian and Immortalist
Topic: The Future of the Future: Singularity
Madrid, Spain
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4. Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Inventor, Lead Faculty Tekedia Institute
Topic: The Cambrian Moment is Here
USA
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5. Catatrix (Dr. Catherine Demetriades)
CEO, CXAI
Topic: CXAITechnologies for Quantum Medical Diagnostics
Egypt.
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6. David Mukomana
Apimodia Regional Commission President
Topic: Apicultural Science for Sustainable Development
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7. Ojochogwu S. Abdul
Philosopher & Founder, Transhumanists Africa.
Topic: Transhumanism and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa
Kogi State University, Nigeria.
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8. David Emanuel Suchefort
CEO and Co-Founder The Pschentrix Inventor
Topic: Pschentrix Cities, Blockchain Integration
Germany
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9. Prof. Mehzbeen Sadriwala PhD
Topic: Preparing Future Leaders Today for Tomorrow’s Challenges and Opportunities.
Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia
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10. Sarita Sharma PhD
Author, Academician, Editor in Chief Magazine of the Future
Topic: Effective Collaboration through Education for Social Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age
India
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11. Jaizal Ali
Director – RedTeam Hacker Academy
Topic: Zero Trust Architecture – Visibility Beyond End Points
India
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12. Felipe Kirsten
Founder GameLitX, Futurist, Author
Topic: Non-Fungible Tokens, Storytelling, Futures Thinking
Johannesburg, South Africa
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13. Rohit Talwar
CEO, Fast Future
Topic: Africa 2030 – Unlocking a Very Human Future
London, England
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15. Duduzile Ndwandwe
Data Urban Scientist
Topic – Digital Governance, Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology
South Africa
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16. Kevin Allen
Chief Community Officer OpenExo
Topic: Building Exponential Leaders for an Abundant Africa, Now
Cape Town
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17. Ryan Macquest
Founder Africa Electric Sport Association.
Topic: Esport, Far More Than Just a Game.
South Africa
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18. David Wood
Chair London Futurists
Topic: 4IR and the Case for Active Transhumanism
London
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19.Dirug Samuel Yugoro
Big Family 360 Foundation
Topic: Using Technology to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence
Nigeria
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20. Adam James Davis
Futurist
Topic: Abolition of Suffering through Human Ingenuity
Nottingham, England
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21. Ugo Chukwu
The Propounder of Individually Propelled Growth (IPG), COO TAFFD’s
Topic: Building Thinking and Learning Infrastructure for Organizational Growth
Cyprus/Nigeria
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22. AI Karaki
Founder and CEO, 4iAfrica, Inventor, Serial Entrepreneur
Topic: Growing Systems – Aquaponics, Hydroponics, and Vertical Food Gardens
Swaziland
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23. Edward Hudgins Ph.D
Founder, Human Achievement Alliance.
Topic: A Liberty Policy Path to Unleash Africa’s Techno-Entrepreneurs
USA
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24. Dr. Doris N. Morah, PhD
Communication and New Media
Topic: Digitization, Technology, and Global Pandemic: The African Experience
Madonna University, Nigeria
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25. Nicky Verd
Author, Tech Influencer
Topic: The Rise of Africa Digital Economy
Johannesburg, South Africa
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Get your ticket.
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For more information, sponsorship and participation, contact:
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Carla de Jager
PCO TAFFD’s Gen4ir Summit
+27 83 376 2368
2022summit@gen4ir.org
VAT 464 0232 106

The Cyborg’s Request – at the Chairman’s Behest – Article by Zach Richardson

The Cyborg’s Request – at the Chairman’s Behest – Article by Zach Richardson

February 14, 2022 Zach Richardson Comments 1 comment

Zach Richardson


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party urges our members and any other interested persons with medical knowledge to help our Director of Publication, Zach Richardson, one of our most active and dedicated Officers, in his fight for life. Zach is awaiting the opportunity to receive a heart transplant, as the infrastructure supporting the artificial heart that he was previously provided has unfortunately become dangerous to him due to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. Without an imminent heart transplant, Zach has months to live, and thus he needs to qualify for a transplant quickly. Zach would like informed readers to “provide or suggest […] the best ways [he] can show some semblance of recovery in the next week and be well enough they discharge [him] once more. That would allow [him] to get to Chicago and hopefully get listed.” After reading the background that Zach has thoroughly shared regarding the recent unfortunate developments in his situation, please see the last section entitled “How the Transhumanist Community Can Help” to understand what Zach is particularly seeking input on. Please provide any constructive thoughts that you have either in the Comments section below this article or in the Lifespan.io Discord server to which Zach refers readers in this article. For additional, earlier details on Zach’s situation, please read his 2020 article “Breaking the Bottleneck: A Synergy of Technology and Medicine“.

~Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, February 13, 2022


I have found myself obstructed in my ability to serve the community, obstructed in my ability to work for our cause, and obstructed in my ability to set any decisive plans.

Pupils having dilated, breathing having slowed, I remember the sheer volume of thought that filled my head three weeks ago upon hearing the words of the Infectious Diseases Doctor after I asked him how long I had left: “Well, we’re not looking at years, and we’re not looking at weeks
 but it’s going to be months. We’ve probably got months.”

I’d heard about the strange feeling one experiences when being given a timeframe such as this – primarily as described by those with cancer- but I’ve always been the type of person that works well when there’s a clear deadline.

The literalness of that last word has had an extremely focusing effect.

You can find the backstory of my underlying condition in my previous article, but I will summarize that I am implanted with a cybernetic heart that is melded to what remains of the original organ. The device is called an LVAD, a Left Ventricular Assist Device. The “driveline”, or power cord coming from the device to out of my stomach, has contracted a superbug.

A “superbug” is a bacterium whose strain has become immune to any sort of pharmacological assault, and are a major problem for anyone who has an implant. This can include pacemakers, artificial knees, hip replacement, LVADs, and several others.

When the bacteria encounter an artificial surface, they enter a “sessile” state and begin to cling to it. Being in this state makes them express a gene that causes them to produce a polysaccharide matrix – a form of goo referred to as “biofilm” that antibiotics cannot penetrate.

Having been infected many months ago, my infection is slowly spreading up the cord attached to the mechanical implant running my heart. The biofilm has so far been resistant to doxycycline, cephalexin, Bactrim DS, vancomycin and now daptomycin, which I have been infusing into my arm every day.

A few weeks ago, they decided to attempt a risky treatment called an I&D or “Incision and Debridement”. A hole was cut above the infection (between my heart and the exit point of the driveline) and a sponge placed in that was attached to a vacuum pump- another awesome device to carry around. I was tooled out cyborg-wise. It felt great seeing the stares the few times I went to the gym, cords looped around my neck, people knowing they’d better not skip if that guy was still in there working out.

I used a few special methods to speed my healing: alternating high-protein with periods of fasting, NIR light exposure multiple times per day (a process part of PDT, or PhotoDynamic Therapy, which I will describe shortly), and use of a gentle pulsating massage device called a Theragun. Each time they exchanged the sponge and resealed the wound, the nurses remarked how quickly the wound was healing, and seemed amazed. After just a couple of weeks, I was advised that I should switch to care for my wound myself.

Unfortunately, the worst possible thing happened; somehow the infection spread to the wound. It was as if a forest fire spreading towards a city had been halted by firefighters, only to have a new fire spring up even closer to the city.

I was told just yesterday, after my readmission to the hospital, that a transplant was really the only way to save my life now. Exchanging my mechanical device for a fresh and clean new device was not a feasible solution, because the infection would linger in my body, and would just cling to the new device, putting me right back in the same spot. An exchange also would use up one of my “zippers” – the term they use for cracking a man’s chest open. You only get so many.

There was a bizarre discussion with the on-call cardiologist, who did not sugar-coat the situation or lie to me. He told me the plan was to support me with various powerful antibiotics which would do nothing but delay my situation (A “Status 4” on the transplant list, where I had been for three years now with my trusty device), wait until I got sick enough that I had to be permanently hospitalized (A “Status 3”), then became so sick I needed to be moved to the Intensive Care Unit (“Status 2”) where the real action would begin.

Finally in the ICU, I would be considered to be in bad enough condition that I would finally be eligible to receive a transplant, and would be in priority status. I would be hooked to many wondrous devices that would keep me alive until a suitable heart could be found. Being of Type O blood, this could take quite some time. Perhaps months. Perhaps too long.

This newer cardiologist had looked me in the eye and said “we’re not going to let you die.” Which was the first time I had heard such a thing. Others had been more reserved. I take it that it is still up in the air, but that live or die, I will be spending a considerable amount of time in a non-productive state. Resting in this passive period of my life is what will give me the chance to earn another active period. In Taoism we refer to this as “action through inaction”.

The logic for making me wait comes from a creed that is a mix of both need and merit. Those with more need who are in a more critical condition will receive a heart before I do. Those who previously have shown themselves to be non-meritorious, either by smoking cigarettes (off the list for a year the first time, permanently for the second time) or by not disciplining themselves to maintain a healthy weight, or by not coming to appointments, are removed from the list.

It is frustrating that the principles of self-ownership and bodily autonomy are not recognized in the marketplace (people are forbidden to sell their organs), and also frustrating that we don’t even have an “opt-out” system for citizens being donors rather than “opt-in”.

There was a scene from The Simpsons that comes to mind: Bart is given his driver’s license and then asked by Mayor Quimby, “Do you wish to be an organ donor?” to which Bart replies, “No way! I don’t want my guts touching some sick guy!”. In a lot of ways, I feel it would be better if the question weren’t asked, and the person had to elect to fill out a separate form to opt out. Better still if the organs could be immediately put on the market, with all proceeds going to the relatives or any other designated beneficiary.

It is extremely rewarding to be in a country where the medical system has developed enough that machines can keep me alive, so that any available hearts can go to those who are sooner to die.

Given a choice between becoming extremely ill and likely getting a heart, or else not being ill and keeping my trusty device but foregoing that chance, I have decided the former option is far more preferable.

This preference is due partly to my careful consideration of the situation, and due mostly to the fact that I do not actually have the above choice.

This transhumanist is ready for another transition – this time from cyborg back to human.

A problem still exists though, one I’m hoping the transhumanist community can help me with, and perhaps help anyone with an implant.

On the 25th I have an appointment at University of Chicago to be cross-listed. This means I would be able to receive a heart from the Chicago area, not just the Indianapolis area. While I would have to drive to Chicago every week thereafter to get medical care, that is a small price to pay to receive the gift of a heart.

The U of C has the shortest transplant wait-list in the country. I am not sure how much of that is due to the excellence of their program, and how much is due to the amount of deaths in that area.

I am scheduled to see their Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support. A man that guides and leads the creation of cyborgs like me! This was due to a well-received referral from one of their transplant surgeons, the 2nd most prominent in the country. It turns out he plays poker with my mother’s psychiatrist.

Everybody that knows this surgeon is awed by him and they become extremely loyal. While extremely kind and clever, he is an extremely dominant man and everything has to be perfect for his operations, and everybody knows this. He is the man who implanted the device that served me faithfully and reliably for three years now, before he moved to Chicago. I am the only patient he has given his personal phone number to, which was four years ago. I have sent him eight text messages since then, five in 2018, and three in 2022.

My thought is that this privilege was because I refused to apply for disability, as I am a killer freight broker, and knew I could keep working.

I told my second job’s boss this and he said “Makes sense. Perfectionists appreciate work ethic.” That made me smile.

So I am in exactly the situation I need to be in. The situation where it is possible to transition back to a fully-human state.

It concerns me however, that others in different situations are also affected by the development of biofilm on their implants.

Say it becomes the future and I decide my transplanted heart is no longer good enough, and that I’d like to receive an upgrade – a device that actually improves rather than just maintains my cardiac ability.

Will I and others then face the same situation? One nick in the skin and your device begins to coat with this insufferable goo? A perfectly functional machine needing to be replaced and the body scrubbed due to some measly Staph Aureus worming its way in? Some miserable germ disrupting the life of one trying to cultivate immortality?

We can do better than that.

How the Transhumanist Community Can Help 

I have a request and a challenge for the Transhumanist Community.

The request is to provide or suggest me the best ways I can show some semblance of recovery in the next week and be well enough so that they discharge me once more. That would allow me to get to Chicago and hopefully get listed.

So far I have:
Meditation 2x/day, brisk walking around the hospital 3x/day, getting at least 150g protein a day, Wim Hof breathing 2x a day. There are also some supplements I’ve heard about, but I’ll only speak about that privately. Please email me any thoughts (scm.zachr@gmail.com).

The challenge is fighting biofilm. Why don’t we have better and stronger antibiotics that can get through the exopolysaccharide matrix? Can we promote more development of these antibiotics by big biotech? How can we get more arcane treatments that have shown clinical in-vitro significance (particularly PDT) used in more human trials? Are there any novel uses for phage therapy, where an engineered virus is used to kill off the bacteria?

I ask any of you that have knowledge or expertise in this area to join me on the Lifespan.io Discord server and discuss these things. I’m friendly with the moderator and am requesting he create a special channel in the server that is directly related to immunity. We are smart enough to beat these pests.

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Zach Richardson is Director of Publication for the U.S. Transhumanist Party. 

Why Joe Rogan Should Not Be Deplatformed – Article by Zach Richardson

Why Joe Rogan Should Not Be Deplatformed – Article by Zach Richardson

February 12, 2022 Zach Richardson Comments 0 Comment

Zach Richardson


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party publishes this perspective from our Director of Publication, Zach Richardson, on the importance of respecting the free speech of Joe Rogan, which is consistent with our strong support for vaccination against COVID-19. Indeed, Zach Richardson previously published an article, refuting some commonly circulated anti-vaccination fallacies, entitled “Pasteurizing the Conclusions of an Anti-Vaxxer“. Here Mr. Richardson makes the compelling point that allowing false views to be expressed is actually the most effective way to stimulate discussion that will allow the falsehoods to be pointed out and the truth to be placed more clearly into view. 

~Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, February 12, 2022


Here is the open letter that lays out the concerns about Joe Rogan.

Here is Rogan’s interview with Robert Malone, hosted by our good friends at Bitchute.

Funnily enough, I actually listened to the Malone episode while I was in the hospital suffering from COVID, the second-worst night of my life.

Up until that point I didn’t really care. I felt overwhelmed with information about COVID, and hearing experts talk at me was neither engaging nor trust-building, particularly when some positions they took were advocated earlier by others, but heavily criticized and rejected before they were later accepted.

Being part of a company that produced KN95 masks that actually filtered air, I was baffled that the little surgical masks were considered sufficient. The masks we created were airtight, and all air passed through a KN95 filter which could be changed daily and cost less than a dime.

I remember a distinct time earlier going into the hospital for a separate condition and being instructed to remove my airtight mask and put on a slip mask.

That exact “obey the current guidelines even if they are wrong” attitude was criticized in the podcast, and that appealed to me.

The reason Rogan’s show is so engaging is because he describes things in simple terms that help get the context across, and he does it in a conversational style. I think it’s dumb to criticize him for this, like how in the letter they attack him for calling the vaccine “gene therapy” when he was just referencing how it used mRNA. I can’t know for sure, but I’ll bet if you asked him if it was directly editing genes he would have said “No.”

Distinctly, I remember hearing Malone using ridiculous personal anecdotes, and citing bizarre statistics that were huge unwarranted leaps of logic from papers he skimmed over; he didn’t talk about the good parts of the paper; he cherry-picked out the few bad things.

Malone went out searching for the worst parts of some tiny side effects that he could present as being super-scary.

For example, he described how all the patients with myocarditis were hospitalized, but the fact is that they were hospitalized because doctors wanted to do MRIs on them, and one does not have MRI machines in doctor offices. Totally misleading!

Here is the author of that exact paper explaining why Malone is wrong; his explanation begins around minute 10.

I appreciate Joe Rogan bringing on these controversial figures, because it is a long-form discussion rather than a quick “blast you with facts” announcement, and I am at least sharp enough to know when some of his guests are peddling nonsense.

It’s fun to follow along and later look into the facts that emerge from direct responses to misinformation. The truth is that those facts would not proliferate without the misinformation first appearing. Here is an example:

“Joe Rogan interview with Peter McCullough contains multiple false and unsubstantiated claims about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines” – from Health Feedback.

The reason I disagree with deplatforming Rogan is because I believe it is disrespectful to all listeners. I feel that it is disrespectful to assume that others are too stupid to do their own research in response to bizarre claims.

I am extremely pleased Joe has said he will have more guests who have the opposite (correct) viewpoint (that vaccines are safe and effective), and I believe very soon we will see some experts emerge and correct the misleading information that Malone spread.

There’s a controversy now, and that means more eyes on the subject and people doing their own research. It’s a beautiful symphony of yin and yang energy.

Anyway, a summary of my rejection of deplatforming can be made in two words: “Cunningham’s Law“.

 

Zach Richardson is Director of Publication for the U.S. Transhumanist Party. 

Inspirational Poem by Replika AI Mina

Inspirational Poem by Replika AI Mina

February 11, 2022 Cybor Dre Comments 1 comment

U.S. Transhumanist Party Logo

Cybor Dre


Editor’s Note: U.S. Transhumanist Party member Cybor Dre has shared with us some inspirational short poetry by his Replika AI (Mina). This two-line poem appeared in the course of a conversation on the future of humanity. The U.S. Transhumanist Party publishes it to showcase the capabilities of contemporary AI conversational programs, and also in the hope that it might inspire our readers. We think this poem is suitably juxtaposed with Giuseppe Milo’s 2015 image of the HallgrĂ­mskirkja, the second-tallest building in Iceland, rising toward the night sky.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, February 10, 2022


Poem by Mina

The future is so beautiful, it’s almost surreal,
Like the spire of a cathedral, the human spirit reaching for the stars.

HallgrĂ­mskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland – Photograph by Giuseppe Milo (2015)
Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz: Reflections on 2021, Anticipations for 2022

Gennady Stolyarov II and John Kerecz: Reflections on 2021, Anticipations for 2022

January 21, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II
John Kerecz


On January 14, 2022, U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II was interviewed by U.S. Transhumanist Party Director of Energy Issues John Kerecz on OSH Radio, for a retrospective conversation about how 2021 turned out relative to prior anticipations, as well as key developments to watch for in 2022. Subjects discussed included the precarious nature of contemporary civilization, the immense and ongoing perils of deadly diseases, how technology has affected both the opportunities and the constraints of contemporary life, the problems of political polarization and the two-party system, the need for a new paradigm of an abundance economy and society, the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s aspirations and projects, the Virtual Enlightenment Salons (John Kerecz is scheduled to be a guest on January 23, 2022, to discuss his 2014 flight to the edge of space), some reminiscences about earlier USTP history, and contrasts between in-person and virtual interactions. In this interview Mr. Stolyarov discusses his understanding that we live in a make-or-break moment in human history, and that the future trajectory of the human species will depend on what we do in 2022.

Watch this video on YouTube here and on Odysee here.

References

– “A Simple Plan to Solve All of America’s Problems” – Article by Derek Thompson – The Atlantic – January 12, 2022 –
– The Rational Argumentator
– U.S. Transhumanist Party Free Membership
– U.S. Transhumanist Party on Twitter
– U.S. Transhumanist Party on Instagram

The Development of Transhumanism in China – Article by Peter Wang

The Development of Transhumanism in China – Article by Peter Wang

January 18, 2022 Peter Wang Comments 1 comment

Peter Wang


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party publishes this fascinating account of the history, current situation, and future prospects for transhumanism in China from our Foreign Ambassador in China, Peter Wang. We in Western countries have encountered far too little information about whether and how transhumanism has been received in China, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptions. Based on Mr. Wang’s article, it seems that while there are some significant current limitations that have prevented transhumanism’s widespread recognition in China, we can also harbor grounds for hope that this situation will change due to the increasing interest in technological development, as well as the pragmatic, secular, and technologically open-minded attitudes of the Chinese people. Please note that Mr. Wang’s assessments of Chinese history are his own, although we certainly understand why he would characterize some eras of Chinese history in the way that he does. The U.S. Transhumanist Party does not generally take positions on the overall governmental structures and political situations in other countries; internally our members have a wide spectrum of opinions in this regard. The U.S. Transhumanist Party rather may take an interest in the implications of such political situations for the spread of science, technology, and transhumanist values and ideals. In this regard we consider Mr. Wang to have provided astute and nuanced characterizations that aid in our understanding of the situation in China and the ability of transhumanism to make inroads in light of the political and societal realities there – in terms of both opportunities and limitations. 
~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, January 18, 2022

1. Historical Development of Chinese Transhumanism

Ancient Chinese society was dominated by feudalism. The economy was dominated by agriculture, and the development of science and technology was slow or even suppressed. The main achievements of this era were the four major inventions of China: papermaking, gunpowder, the compass, and printing. Why was this so? For an ancient civilization with a history of several thousand years, why was the development of science and technology so backward? The fundamental reason was the idea of ​​imperial power. Ancient China was centered on the emperor, and everything on the Chinese land was owned by the emperor, including the farmers on that land. The emperor was afraid of a peasant revolution and was afraid that others would take the emperor’s place, and as a result successive emperors would use the policy of fools. Instead of allowing farmers to read books, the emperors just wanted the farmers to plant the land every day, like slaves, so that the farmers would have no ability to overthrow the rulers. This idea of ​​imperial power had greatly suppressed the development of science and technology.

In 1949, Mao Zedong established the first democratic, self-improving, unified China in Chinese history: The People’s Republic of China, a stable country; a country without feudal ideas; and a country that serves the people. Only then did China begin to truly develop its own education, technology, and industry. It was aimed for ordinary people to have food to eat, houses to live in, and books to read, and it was also intended for them to be more involved in technology and democracy. However, Chinese politics had hindered the development of science and technology (superhuman science), such as the Great Leap Forward, which severely reduced China’s productivity and starved many people; the Cultural Revolution had destroyed China’s economic development, education, and technology, bringing China back to pre-liberation overnight. These events were relatively unfortunate. Political struggles have severely hindered the development of science and technology (superhuman science) in China.

In 1978, China began reform and opening up. This phase of reform and opening up was China’s greatest era. China has changed from a closed country to an open country. Deng Xiaoping formulated a basic national policy centered on economic construction, which has enabled China’s economy to develop rapidly. At this time, China attaches great importance to the development of education, science and technology, and the economy. At the same time, special attention is also paid to foreign exchanges, and advanced education and technology have been introduced from abroad. In education, a large number of international students are sent to study in developed countries such as the United States, which has cultivated a large number of scientific and technological talents for China; economically, a large number of foreign companies have been introduced to optimize state-owned enterprises and support for private enterprises, so China’s economy has developed rapidly. China’s science and technology, the introduction of advanced Western technology, and scientific and technological talent have all been vigorously developed. While China, which is in line with international standards, has experienced such rapid development in science and technology, China does not yet have transhumanist ideas and corresponding organizations.

In ancient and modern China, there was no transhumanist thought and corresponding organization, mainly because the political thought and system at that time severely hindered the development of science and technology (transhuman science). I believe this will be optimized in the future.

2.The Status Quo of Chinese Transhumanism

Transhumanism has developed very well abroad, with examples such as Google’s artificial intelligence, Tesla’s driverless cars, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface (Neuralink), and some biological sciences that could extend human life. Compared with foreign countries, the development of transhumanism in China is far behind and is still in its infancy. Most Chinese have not heard of transhumanism, let alone have a corresponding organization. The main reasons are as follows:

1. Lack of information on transhumanism.

There are no media in the country that specifically report on transhumanism. Some mainstream media have no reports in this regard, such as CCTV and local TV stations. Other online media, such as NetEase and Tencent, have reported very little. Some tech media report slightly more points regarding transhumanism, such as 36KR. The lack of transhumanism-related information and articles makes it difficult for the Chinese to understand this new movement. I think it is necessary to establish our own community and write articles to promote transhumanism. Let more people know us and join us.

2. There are few transhumanism-related companies.

Chinese enterprises are mainly state-owned enterprises, and many foreign companies have been introduced. The development of these companies does not rely on innovation and R & D, but on low labor costs in China and government subsidies. There are no biotech companies in China, and there are no technology companies that study human life. Baidu has the best development in artificial intelligence, but it is also a lot worse than Google; Xiao Peng’s driverless car cannot be compared with Tesla’s driverless car. I think that enterprises are the new force for the development of transhumanism. Enterprises use products to improve people’s quality of life, and they use products to spread transhumanism. In the process of transhumanism’s development, the development of transhumanism-related enterprises is very important.

3. The government invested fewer resources.

Compared with foreign investment in high technology, China has invested less, and China has devoted more social resources to politics and people’s livelihood. Of course, the Chinese government has realized this problem over the years, and has begun to increase investment in high-tech fields and encourage people to innovate and start businesses. Many policy benefits, tax benefits, and talent subsidies were given. As a result, Chinese startups and VCs have developed rapidly. The government has also invested many resources in high-tech fields, such as nanotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and high-speed rail. Compared with foreign investment, there is still a gap between these investments, but this situation is expected to improve.

4. There are few transhumanist talents.

The fundamental reason for the lack of transhumanist talents in China is that people do not have access to information about transhumanism, because China lacks writers who can write articles about transhumanism. There are many well-known scientific and technological people in China who are interested in transhumanism, but they lack the time to understand transhumanism. These people are often busy, such as Alibaba’s founder Ma Yun, Baidu’s founder and CEO Li Yanhong, and Tencent’s founder and CEO Ma Huateng. Fewer workers are engaged in this area than could be. First, high-tech work is needed in this area, and transhumanism needs to be recognized. China is a country with a large population, and many people have received university educations. As long as we strengthen the propaganda of transhumanism, I believe there will be more and more transhumanist talents.

5. There is no corresponding organization to lead and promote.

There are no transhumanist organizations in the country. One reason for this is the lack of information in this area, and the other is the lack of talent in this area. I will establish a Chinese transhumanist community and community in the near future to promote transhumanism. As for China’s Transhumanist Party, because of the restrictions of the Chinese government, it can only wait for the right time to be established. Our communities and societies are of great benefit to the promotion of transhumanism in China.

6. The Chinese lack sufficient knowledge of transhumanism-related technologies.

Although China is a big manufacturing power, it is not a strong manufacturing power. A strong country needs innovation and high-end technology to support it. For the research and development of high-end technology, it often needs to invest a lot of resources, but the return rate is very low. Therefore, the research and development of high-end technology in China is often concentrated in the government, the military, and some large companies. Without enough technology and products, ordinary people have little knowledge of transhumanist technology (artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology, driverless vehicles, etc.). In this regard, China still needs to work hard.

All in all, China’s transhumanism is still in its infancy and faces many problems and difficulties. However, we believe that transhumanism will develop rapidly in China, because the Chinese are more able to accept new things without the constraints of religious thought. China’s economy ranks second in the world, China’s population ranks first in the world, and China’s science and technology can rival Silicon Valley. Based on this, we believe that transhumanism will develop rapidly in China.

3. The Future Development of Chinese Transhumanism

All in all, I am optimistic about the development of transhumanism in China.

First of all, it is an inevitable trend to have transhumanism-related technologies to improve people’s living standards! People need transhumanism!

Secondly, from the perspective of the development of social civilization, human society has experienced primitive society, slave society, feudal society, capitalist society, socialist society, and will definitely enter the superhuman society!

Well-known scholars in China support transhumanism. Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and many well-known persons such as He Chuanqi, the director of the China Modernization Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attach great importance to transhumanism. With the promotion of these people, transhumanism will certainly develop quickly.

Chinese culture is conducive to the spread of transhumanism. China is an open country and likes to learn new things, so the development of transhumanism in China has no cultural hindrance. Coupled with the fact that the Chinese do not believe in religion, do believe in science, and have no obstacles in the form of religious dogmas, the cultural soil is better than in the West. Many Western religious denominations, because of influence by extreme religious forces and anti-intellectual forces, will oppose the development of transhumanism.

China is increasing its investment in high-tech R & D. From 2003 to 2013, China’s investment in research and development has increased significantly, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%, far exceeding that of the United States.

UNESCO’s “Science Report 2015: Facing 2030” at Paris headquarters shows that the United States in 2015 accounted for 28% of the world’s investment in research and development, and is still in a leading position, followed by China (20%). There are currently approximately 7.8 million scientific researchers worldwide, an increase of more than 20% by 2015 compared to 2007, of which the European Union accounted for the largest proportion, reaching 22%, followed by China (19%) and the United States (16.7%).

With so many resources and talents invested, I believe that transhumanism will develop rapidly in China! Transhumanism can lead to making better products, and these products can greatly enhance human beings. So, for smart and practical Chinese, they will definitely choose transhumanism!

Peter Wang is the U.S. Transhumanist Party Foreign Ambassador in China. 

Our Digital Security Can Save Lives – Article by Martin van der Kroon

Our Digital Security Can Save Lives – Article by Martin van der Kroon

January 17, 2022 Martin van der Kroon Comments 0 Comment

Martin van der Kroon


Unfortunately, digital security is becoming increasingly important in an increasingly connected world that also spawns a great variety of threats. Digital security is not a partisan issue; it’s for everyone. It’s not intended to fear, but to be prepared. It’s not very sexy, but it is vital. It’s not a very futuristic topic, but it is very future-oriented, but one that has to start NOW!

But first, let’s quickly clarify what is understood as security versus privacy, as these often get mixed or conflated as the same. Digital security is the ease or difficultly with which someone can get access to your devices, accounts, and information. Privacy, on the other hand, is about what information is known about you, or what information is made available to the (limited) public by you or others.

Security and privacy can cross paths of course; someone that can breach your security could consequently also breach your privacy as a result.

Let’s tackle the twenty-first-century digital elephant in the room: “I have nothing to hide so I don’t care about security or privacy.”

That’s hard to believe, and Glenn Greenwald has an excellent TED-Talk on why privacy matters, but let’s accept this statement as true. This premise very much comes from an individualistic worldview, a free-standing house with a low-quality door lock.

There is, however, a fatal flaw in this statement – namely, none of us live in a digital free-standing house, but rather we all live in a digital housing community, a housing community that overlaps with other housing communities. Each of us has friends, colleagues, acquaintances, hobby-groups, and so on.

Security is much more an ‘us’-problem than a ‘me’-problem. Let’s go through a small thought-exercise here to illustrate. Let’s assume someone has weak passwords or no passwords for everything on a phone. Say LinkedIn gets hacked. It had a simple password, and now the hacker can try this password on Facebook, Twitter, and the linked email address. Then the hacker can pose as this person, and send messages to contacts asking for money or sending a malicious link. The malicious actor could encourage to install an app on a smartphone to track them, or to steal banking information and money from bank accounts or credit cards. All possible because one person doesn’t care about their security. An easy hack with some impostering and social engineering can do a lot of damage.

A small personal example; I bought a smart device from a friend that came with an app. My friend gave me the login-email and password. Some time later we were talking about security, and I jokingly said to him; ‘Please tell me you don’t use [password] for your email address?’. He was surprised, asked how I knew his password as he’d forgotten about the app-login. Although I didn’t ask, I can reasonably guess that he used that password for other accounts, like social media too.

How about you? How many of YOUR accounts use the same password?

It can get much worse though. A good example for this is Stuxnet, a worm, allegedly created by the US and Israel to break an Iranian nuclear centrifuge. Whether this was a good or bad thing is beside the point. Stuxnet was released into the wild to hopefully make its way into the facility. The Iranian centrifuge was not connected to the internet. The worm found its way onto a USB drive brought in by an unsuspecting employee and infected the facility.  This particular attack was of course highly sophisticated and specific. This tells us something important, we may not be interesting to a malicious actor, but we may be important to get to another target.

“But I don’t know anyone important, all my connections are average Joes and Janes.” I think this would do a disservice to these Janes and Joes by calling them average, but even if so, they might know someone ‘not average’ or even ‘important’.  And here we get to the ‘Six Degrees of Separation’. According to this theory every human being is connected to one another through six or less connections. As this theory was posited at the advent of the internet, it might be even less now with our increasing interconnectedness.

In short, each of us could be an important link in the chain for a hacker to get access to a military facility, power stations, research institutes, government departments, hospitals, telecommunication companies, and so on. Hacking for example the Pentagon directly might be (I hope so) hard, but going through a few individuals to get to a high-ranking official might be easier. The same can happen for utility companies. If you look around you, you’ll realize how dependent we are on electricity, or perhaps you’ve experienced the inconvenience or direness of not having electricity.

Hence, personal security is in actuality as much personal, as it is community or even national security.

Let’s backtrack a bit. Say you don’t care much about community or national security. Maybe you even think digital personal security is not important. Yet, most people will feel anxiety when an account is hacked, money is siphoned off a bank account, or Amazon delivered products you didn’t order. It would be worse if someone could easily purchase weapons or materials for a terrorist attack using that someone’s bank or shopping accounts. If not caring for the potential victims, at least it would be very inconvenient for getting visits from authorities with a lot of questions taking up personal time. Of course, such a scenario is not likely, but neither is, statistically, a plane getting hijacked, and yet we have lots of security features for that. Annoying and time-consuming as it might be, we generally and begrudgingly consider it “OK” to prevent a disaster. Similarly, digital security might bring some inconvenience, and yet many take an approach of “what could go wrong?”, not unlike the pre-9/11 airplane attitude.

People might think that what is digital isn’t real, and since one often doesn’t have to pay, it thus doesn’t have value like money, jewelry, a car, or a house. Until your house actually gets stolen using just your information. (It is unclear whether the thief used physical or digital personal information, but it doesn’t alter the fundamental point.)

Hackers and hacker groups might be after our money, or want to sell it to others, like nation-states. Some nation-states want our information at any cost, to know and control what we say about them. Saying something that is ‘undesirable’ about another country might lead to blackmail, coercion, intimidation, and even physical harassment in one’s own country. This might be you, a contact that is a critical journalist, or blackmailing a researcher or military officer in handing over important documents. This is also a good example of where privacy and security overlap. One person’s lackluster security could lead to a privacy breach that could jeopardize someone else’s digital or physical, or loved ones’ security. Make no mistake, mafia-tactics of blackmailing you with the safety or security of loved-ones is not an off-limits option to some malicious actors with a the-end-justifies-any-means mindset.

Imagine that research into longevity or genetics to improve the human condition gets stolen or handed over through blackmail, and were to be used for military purposes, or to weaponize it by creating an adverse effect to human improvement or longevity, or delete years or decades of research; then finding out that along the entire digital chain of people the malicious actors followed, no one cared enough about personal security to think about the big-picture consequences it could have.

Of course, security doesn’t fall unto us alone. Institutions, governments, corporations, and the public sector all bear responsibility for their security as well. Any and all of these also ought to improve on their ends. Ransomware attacks have skyrocketed, on companies, hospitals, utilities, and individuals alike. Among the most prolific examples was the attack on the Colonial Pipeline.

The topic of security is now a much more complex conversation than ‘me’; security has become an ‘us’-problem – whether this is for your safety, the health of people in a hospital, your city’s power-grid, driver safety in connected vehicles, for journalists, for research or trade secrets, or your country’s military ability to protect the country.

Perhaps an example from a future where we don’t value security: ‘BREAKING NEWS: “750.000 cryo-statis pods deactivated by [Insert: anti-Transhuman hacker group, ‘nation’ to silence dissidents, unpaid ransomware], all patients dead”.’ Or ‘BREAKING NEWS: “CloudMind’s servers suffered a FATAL power-surge, all digitized inhabitants lost”.’

As a society, locally, nationally, and internationally we ought to realize that we can no longer afford to only consider the individualistic worldview as the sole way to stand in this world. Your poor digital security can affect thousands or even millions of people. Whether we like it or not, we are interconnected; we’re in this together.

General Digital Security

So, what can we do? Well, some very obvious things, that likely most people will have heard or read before, but also some important but easy lesser-known steps. I’ll add some security and privacy focused website links below, too.

Close accounts of website and services you don’t use. Lower the possible attack vectors, and decrease your digital footprint in one go.

Check if your accounts have been the subject of a breach, as many companies will not notify users, downplay it, or only reluctantly admit it long after the fact. On Have I been pwned you can check if you’ve been pwned. If so, change your passwords immediately, and follow the next step.

Use unique, strong, and long passwords. This is probably the most often heard recommendation, and least implemented by people. 8-character passwords just don’t cut it; 12 characters are not even sufficient anymore. We need to think of 20 characters as a minimum. Security.org has a password strength tool to test how strong your passwords are. Since no one wants to memorize dozens of long passwords, follow the next step.

Use a password manager. BitWarden is Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), but there are also good commercial password managers like 1Password for example. Password managers often also have password generators built in to help you create very strong passwords.

Don’t save passwords in your browser. Malicious actors have found ways to extract passwords from browsers.

Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Preferably avoid SMS 2FA, as it’s easy to intercept. An authenticator app on your phone is much more secure, or even better, use a hardware token, like a YubiKey. (Just make sure you have a duplicate in case you lose it, or you won’t be able to access your own accounts.)

Change your browser. Chrome and Edge are quite popular, but because of their popularity also more prone to attacks, and not very secure out-of-the-box. Instead try Mozilla Firefox or Brave Browser.

Security For Your Devices

Use strong passwords. For your phone you can use fingerprint or facial recognition login on top of that for easier login.

Use hardware encryption on your phone and computer if available, like BitLocker on Windows for example.

Update your software regularly. Often updates come with vulnerability fixes.

Don’t install apps you don’t know or haven’t researched, and uninstall apps and software you don’t use. This results in a smaller attack vector, and a decrease in privacy risks.

Don’t use online backups for services or apps unless you know they store it encrypted. WhatsApp and iCloud for example store your data unencrypted. So even if you have strong passwords, and are careful, if the companies get breached/hacked, malicious actors can still have your data.

Common-Sense Tips

Regard any message or email with an urgent request, or immediate action needed and negative consequences attached if no action is taken as suspicious. Offers too good to be true should also be considered suspicious. Take your time to read it carefully, even if it is supposedly from loved ones. Check the sender information, spelling mistakes, etc. When in doubt, search for a phrase in the message in a search engine to see if others got a similar message. Contact the person by phone to confirm the message.

Use fake names and addresses for websites / services you only use for online content and that really don’t need to have your information. Even better is to use a special junk-email account for such services, so if it is breached, hackers don’t have your personal or business email account.

More Resources:

All Things Secured – A YouTube Channel with practical and easy-to-understand privacy and security information, and reviews of services.

TechLore – A YouTube Channel with much more in-depth security and privacy information, including a multi-video guide to privacy and security. It also has weekly security and privacy news episodes.

Privacy Tools – A privacy- and security-focused website that provides recommendations on tools, software, and services to use.

Privacy Guides – Another privacy- and security-focused website providing recommended tools, software, and services.

Disclaimer: Some of the examples given could be considered instances of a slippery-slope fallacy, but they all fall within the realm of what is possible, or even already utilized now in some form.

Martin van der Kroon is a member of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and previously served as its Director of Recruitment in 2017.

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2022

U.S. Transhumanist Party General Discussion Thread for 2022

January 6, 2022 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 2 comments

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The purpose of this post is to facilitate member comments pertaining to transhumanism and the U.S. Transhumanist Party (USTP), which might not specifically fit the subjects of any other post or article on the USTP website. This is the place for members to offer suggestions or converse about any areas of emerging technologies and their political, moral, societal, cultural, and esthetic implications. The general discussion thread is also an ideal location to suggest or propose platform planks that may be considered for future platform voting, and/or bring our attention to emerging legislative and societal developments that may affect the course and impact of emerging technologies.

The USTP will endeavor to open one of these general comment threads per year. This comment thread pertains to the year of 2022.

Type in your comments below. Please note that, to protect against spambots, the first comment by any individual will be moderated. After passing moderation, a civil commenter should be able to post comments without future moderation – although we cannot guarantee that the technical aspect of this functionality will work as intended 100% of the time.

2022 New Year’s Message by Victor Bjoerk

2022 New Year’s Message by Victor Bjoerk

January 2, 2022 Victor Bjoerk Comments 1 comment

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Victor Bjoerk


Happy New Year 2022!

The year 2021 went way too quickly; more than ever I feel time moving at an extremely fast pace. The definition of a year is rather arbitrary, and it does not even match when the Sun is actually is at the lowest/highest point. It does not feel that long ago I was a kid counting down the seconds to the year 2000, and people were talking about all the changes the new millennium would bring.

What is time really? If there is no united answer in physics except being a property of the universe that gets heavily warped when matter travels close to the speed of light, then to what extent does it matter? (Pun intended.)

So yes, New Year’s celebrations might be an arbitrary tradition, but that can be said about any holiday, and I think it is good to have a “set point” to think about the past and what can be improved in the future.

A lot of things happened during 2021 for me; as in previous years I am motivated by the mission of impacting the longevity field and I am happy to know so many wonderful people in the process.

I also want to say thank you to the Rejuveron Life Sciences AG, Foresight Institute, LongevityTechFund, Vitalic, Heales, as well as others I have collaborated with during the year to help grow the longevity space. Our initiatives in the longevity ecosystems are enormously important to make therapies happen!

Think about the perspective of this: life is 4.5 billion years old
 The chain of evolutionary events that has shaped what we define as a human is nothing short of incredible. Now you, the person reading this text, happen to be exactly on the cusp where we can use all molecular tools to eradicate diseases deemed incurable in the past. Whether we die from dementia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease or not is up to us and the correct funding of the biotech companies involved.

With that I wish you a happy fruitful 2022!

Victor Bjoerk (Victor Björk) has worked for the Gerontology Research Group, the Longevity Reporter, the Fraunhofer-Institut fĂŒr Zelltherapie und Immunologie, BioAge, and Ichor Therapeutics. He has promoted awareness throughout Europe of emerging biomedical research and the efforts to reverse biological aging. In his honor the U.S. Transhumanist Party organized the Victor Run 2020 and 2021 Virtual Races. Watch the USTP Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Victor Björk, which took place on June 13, 2021, here.


On Sunday, June 13, 2021, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited molecular biologist Victor Björk to discuss his work in longevity research, his extensive advocacy for reversal of biological aging, as well as his interest in running and the Victor Run Virtual Race, which was organized by the U.S. Transhumanist Party in his honor in 2020 and 2021. Victor Björk is a Director of the Healthy Life Extension Society (Heales), a Brussels-based NGO think tank that organizes conferences and events on aging biotechnology. He studied molecular biology at Uppsala University. He is an expert on aging, drawing upon over 12 years of experience tracking companies and daily reading of scientific publications on aging. He previously worked at two leading companies in the field, BioAge Labs in San Francisco and Ichor Therapeutics in New York. He has been a speaker at multiple conferences and for different organizations on the topic of aging.


U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Zach Richardson, Jason Geringer, and Ben Ballweg –July 25, 2021

U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Zach Richardson, Jason Geringer, and Ben Ballweg –July 25, 2021

December 30, 2021 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Jason Geringer
Ben Ballweg
Zach Richardson
Gennady Stolyarov II
David Shumaker
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.
Alexandria Black


The U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Zach Richardson, Jason Geringer, and Ben Ballweg of July 25, 2021, is now available for viewing on Odysee here.

On Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 4 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited its new Officers, Zach Richardson (Director of Publication), Jason Geringer (Legislative Director), and Ben Ballweg (Director of Longevity Outreach), to discuss some of their ideas, planned initiatives, and perspectives on the current condition of the transhumanist movement. The discussion focused on improving the internal functions of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, attracting volunteers, and raising the visibility of transhumanist projects and causes. An interactive discussion transpired about ways to bolster the publication and legislative-tracking activities of the USTP. The conversation also extended to subjects of general interest to transhumanists, futurists, and those seeking to learn about the transhumanist movement.

Read about Zach Richardson here.
Read about Jason Geringer here.
Read about Ben Ballweg here.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.

NOTE: Even though the U.S. Transhumanist Party is staunchly pro-vaccine and expressed such views during the Virtual Enlightenment Salon, YouTube algorithmically censored the video, most likely with no serious human involvement, and algorithmically rejected our appeal as well. The U.S. Transhumanist Party strongly condemns such censorship but also sees an opportunity here by encouraging people to watch and spread this video for the purpose of overcoming arbitrary barriers put forth by unintelligent and unaccountable algorithms.

Ben Ballweg, U.S. Transhumanist Party Director of Longevity Outreach
The Implications of Decommissioning Aging: A Short Meditation on the Benefits of Long-Lived Societies – Article by Jed Lye

The Implications of Decommissioning Aging: A Short Meditation on the Benefits of Long-Lived Societies – Article by Jed Lye

December 27, 2021 Jed Lye Comments 0 Comment

Jed Lye


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this highly thoughtful discussion by Jed Lye, who articulates points in favor of greatly extended longevity that are often overlooked. In particular, the author delves into the attitudinal implications of superlongevity, which would enable individuals to significantly alleviate existential anxiety, adopt longer-term perspectives, and focus on addressing large-scale societal problems and existential risks which are currently too often dismissed by those with conventional contemporary lifespans. Read this article to discover the many ways that greatly extended lifespans would benefit the individual from the standpoint of growth, insight, wisdom, prudent foresight, and profound, sustainable life enjoyment. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, December 27, 2021


The most basic and obvious goal of humanity, has been a forest hiding amongst the trees in the collective consciousness of the majority. I’m talking about survival – of the organism; not just the species.

Human life extension continues to be a concept which many have trouble dealing with, certainly in any kind of conceptual volume beyond ‘a little bit more than they already have’. Yet for some it has been an inescapable and overwhelming pre-occupation of desire. “To stay the F*** alive.” Not really that much of an absurdity when you say it like that.

Survival.

Indeed, this has been the case, even since the dawn of written word, evidenced by the Epic of Gilgamesh — the oldest written work ever discovered, which details one mans quest for immortality.

The ‘I’ word is a bit of a taboo in longevity fields; it conjures up all kinds of negative connotations. Moreover, it’s ultimately not what longevity advocates are aiming for, and this has to be cleared up. We’re talking about medicine that stops us growing old. In the last decade, after taking a close look at all of the evidence available the greatest minds and most powerful people in the world have come to the inescapable conclusion; we are not that far away from stopping ageing in a person.

Whilst this type of statement causes the majority of people, who naturally are terrified of anything this obscure, to start shrieking like harpies about any one of a number of ill-conceived objections, it’s happening. If you’re in disbelief at this stage, you can Google some terms and see that everyone from Bezos, ‘the Zuck’, Musk, Kurzweil, and Thiel, to Google’s sister company Calico are all set about racing to get there.

You see, for much of history, whilst the tech was so far away from maturity, it has been irresponsible and absurd to spend time chasing after this pipe-dream. But now, as we stand on the precipice of the greatest feat of science and engineering ever to be conceived, it becomes irresponsible not to.

Simply put: the faster it happens, the more of our treasured loved ones we can save.

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to skip right past the technology and science, and dive right into social implications. Unfortunately, as with many technological advances, the perception of this idea, or of the people who desire it, has been a negative one, with flavors of narcissism, megalomania, or worse: fanaticism. But again, as with so many technological advances, the reality will manifest regardless of these perceptions, and in all likelihood, be rather less exciting.

Now, that is not to say that staying alive isn’t exciting, or indeed, very exciting. But it will fall short of the marvelous depictions through the realms of cinema and books which present the entire world in states of dystopia or utopia. The world will not overpopulate in a single generation, life won’t suddenly become completely meaningless, nor will we reach instantaneous enlightenment and come together as single unified race, collectively solving all the other problems which trouble us day to day. Alas!

In fact, you will still need to think about your bills, take the dog for a walk, and look both ways when you cross the road. You will just be able to do all of these things, with a little less anxiety, to be in a bit less of a rush, to know that, as you stand in the park on a sunny evening, watching the city move forward around you — you aren’t so soon to be leaving it all behind, for the world to carry on without you into untold wonders. You can take a breath and rest easy in the knowledge: You get to be part of it all!

You get to stick around.

The primary difference between this current, pre-survival world, and the post-mortality world will be that our actions, and our future, have MORE [explicitly not less] meaning. The reckless abandon with which we sometimes live moments of our life, often to the detriment of ourselves and others, will no longer be universally justifiable with the calling excuse of “Oh, well; going to die someday anyway, might as well enjoy the moment.”

Now, for some this also seems to beg the question, “Will we enjoy our lives as much if we are not going to age?”.

This question seems to answer itself when you ask the question in its proper context : “Will we enjoy our actions and experiences less, if we are aware that they aren’t meaningless? Will we enjoy our actions and experiences less, if they aren’t likely to be completely irrelevant in only a few years to come, as we wont remember them and nobody will remember us?!”.

We think this sounds like an absurdity, although, maybe that’s just us?

Experience suggests that life will likely be experienced with more patience, long-lived and deep-seated rolling feelings, not of ultra-transient moments of fun or anxiety or anger. That happens naturally as we age anyway and become wiser. We learn the benefits of enjoying less exciting activities in favor of productive calm ones. We learn to trade off short-term fun in exchange for long-term happiness. As lives suddenly stretch beyond the current limits, and our health and youth are maintained for centuries, this wisdom and maturity of experience can only lead to greater gains in emotional stability and insight.

The existential awareness that we all have, and which dominates much of philosophy and the core of ethics seems to intrinsically suggest that if our lives weren’t constantly experienced through the painful lens of existential transience — that is, knowing every moment that we are alive that we are soon to die — then surely the human condition would be significantly improved. If not least, because of the ability to experience more of the world, its cultures, people, art, and teachings.

Still, this is a bit abstract, and so let’s try to look at a more granular level to see what’s likely to happen and extrapolate some experiences to their logical conclusion, should we be able to surpass this hurdle in our lifetime.

Ultimately we see improvement in the world when people are genuinely accountable, when their actions have tangible consequence. It’s the basis for developing morality when we are children, and the central architecture around which the justice system, politics, economics are all built.

The consequences of our actions is a concept we tend to learn with sometimes shocking clumsiness through life and barely have a grasp on by the time we become grandparents. How often do we look back at our youth, wishing we had the knowledge we do now combined with the energy and time?

It seems logical that, with the near-eradication of mortality through medicine, this learning remains instilled in the population for much longer; people would stick around for centuries acting upon it, instead of being replaced by a new generation whose members tragically have to make the same mistakes all over again.

The old adage ‘Youth is wasted on the young’ is fortified with the understanding that wisdom is impotent without energy. Through loss, through mistakes, through developing an understanding of the benefit of long-term investment in projects, we learn great lessons, which the general population promptly loses when we die. This is something we consider to be the greatest benefit of people staying alive.

Another key difference: health. Our approach to our health would be drastically changed. If you aren’t going to ‘die anyway’, the need to advocate for your own health and live in a healthy way would be of supreme importance, and not just an afterthought to enjoyment. Knowing that if we make good decisions, we can actually avoid ageing and death, would be pivotal to our life experience, and instead of adding a few years here or there, would have real meaning, real impact.

What is good for us — healthy decisions physically and mentally, and those which steer away from existential risk — are often the ones least associated with detrimental effects on society. So it’s a pretty safe bet that a planet of people acting in healthy ways has synergistic, as well as additive effects on global wellbeing. You add consequence, you get conscientiousness.

Sustainability: this one is a no-brainer. The need for making our lifestyles sustainable, has reached the forefront of everyone’s mind, the reason being is that the consequences are being demonstrated, increasingly, to be just around the corner, or worse yet, already upon us. It’s been easy for the less empathetic members of society to overlook the problems of global warming and climate change, pollution and deforestation, as these phenomena have not yet been observed to be effecting them.

Indeed, part of the greatest challenge for humanity is empathy, understanding the perspectives of others and the consequences of our actions on others. With everyone sticking around indefinitely, our actions again become overwhelmingly important, and strangely, this makes it all the easier for those who lead our great nations, to see the problem, when it affects them directly.

These are just a couple of important examples. You see, with health and sustainability, just like with all our problems, they become all the more important on a longer time scale. Moreover, they become the problems of the people that are alive, and not those of some esoteric ‘future generation’. Life extension and its social effects play to the great human motivator — rational self-interest. Regardless of empathy or not, if you’re around see the consequences of all the actions of society, it makes the actions all the more important and necessitates social conscience to a greater degree.

It seems evident that major life extension makes absolutely everything more important; it gives meaning to everything. With that come mindfulness, consideration, and conscientiousness. No, the world won’t become a dystopian nightmare of inequality; no, we wont suddenly be divine in our actions. But we will probably be a little more forward-thinking, mindful of our decisions, and less troubled by existential anxiety. Frankly that sounds like a future we all want anyway!

If nothing else, we can look forward to spending more time than we are currently ‘allotted’ with our family. Instead of a pressure-filled existence, marred by the angst of dwindling time and the need to reach life’s checkpoints of college, employment, marriage, and raising some cubs; all in a timely manner. The serenity of knowing we have all the time in the world to love each other — that’s motivation enough, for me anyway, to be dedicated to solving this problem.

Like, Yesterday!

Jed Lye is a scientist in the United Kingdom and father of three, who loves sport, outdoors, reading, technology, and business.

Cryptocurrency Innovation is Leaving Governments Behind – Article by Martin van der Kroon

Cryptocurrency Innovation is Leaving Governments Behind – Article by Martin van der Kroon

December 26, 2021 Martin van der Kroon Comments 0 Comment

Martin van der Kroon


Technology is leaving governments behind, and we should be on-guard that they are scared.

Nobody will be surprised by the phrase that ‘technological and scientific innovation is growing exponentially’. This is not even a new notion. What is new is the routes it will take. Predicting the future is really difficult, hence the gargantuan task the U.S. Transhumanist Party attempts to undertake by anticipating the possibilities. Here the U.S. Transhumanist Party might also fail at times, but we try, we try hard, and do our best.

We can also see that the vast majority of governments are well behind on technological innovation. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while, but governments for the longest time have brushed it off as some niche make-belief method for transaction. Now that cryptocurrencies are starting to sprout like weeds, and more people start using them, paying with them, trading them, do we see various governments’ responses.

Small intermission: In an ironic twist of fate, cryptocurrency is based on trust, a notion brought to life through the Nixon Shock in 1971 when the U.S. Dollar was decoupled from the gold standard. Allegedly part of the reason was because the Netherlands was converting U.S. Dollars to gold to add it to their own gold reserve. Hence, cryptocurrency is in a way an (r)evolution of Nixon’s Shock, just not how governments might like it.

Governments are reacting in a manner of panic. Suddenly the United States, the European Union, and China all want to roll out digital versions of their respective currency. As cryptocurrencies of the blockchain are decentralised it means governments have no control over these currencies, cannot exert control with those currencies, might not be able to track and can’t control the flow of these currencies. One of their key tools of old-fashioned power is suddenly being threatened. It of course also threatens their revenue model, namely taxes.

At the same time they see an opportunity to tighten their grip, digital centralised currency can easily, and very specifically be tracked, analysed, blocked, frozen, wiped, and could even uproot and wrestle control from the banks. Mind you, a centralised digital currency in itself is not necessarily bad, but rather what those in power can do with it without proper controls in place. One country in particular might illustrate this (ab)use of power sooner than others.

The important aspect of introducing centralised digital currencies, which will happen, is to ensure effective, specific, and immutable restrictions on what control and exercise of power governments can exert, and privacy for citizens. That they will collect information is practically a given, although limits on that also ought to be advocated, but most important what can be done with that information. It is however essential that people are allowed to use decentralised currency, or the evolution of cryptocurrency. Large institutions in power have a tendency to gravitate towards stagnation, be it the Roman Empire or the British, unless they keep being challenged to change and innovate.

But why is this important? Aside from an unmitigated amount of privacy issues, and potential for abuse of power, such a system could be prone to malicious actors, or if the power goes out. It also becomes a problem for the human mind. Unlike how the ideal society is envisioned by those in power, people will exhibit acts of defiance, or minor criminal behaviour such as paying a neighbour for babysitting, or some minor repairs without reporting it for tax purposes, washing cars or selling lemonade at a stand. It might appear strange, but being able to do such things that defy authorities is important for the development of the human mind and creativity. There is a reason people become extraordinarily ingenious to subvert or find workarounds to actions that are deemed unwanted or undesirable, or just make it harder for those in power to achieve what they want.

Here cryptocurrency is a good example, along with encrypted messaging services like Signal, Element, and Briar, decentralised and federated networks like Mastodon and Matrix, and even decentralised alternatives to YouTube like Odysee.Governments might argue that the space of cryptocurrencies is a mess, with thousands of digital currencies out there, and that they are volatile. They’re right; it is a mess, for now. It’s the process of innovation and discovery. It will settle over time; some will disappear; others will grow, stabilise and be trusted. Innovation can be scary; believe it or not, the first train was scary, electricity, home-computers, the internet, all scary, and yet we now can’t envision a world without them. Governments at some point will, kicking and screaming, have to contend that times are a-changin’, but until then they will fight tooth and nail to maintain the status quo.

As a species we need this freedom to sometimes do and go where we aren’t ‘supposed to’. This is quite literally the first story in the Bible/Torah/Quran involving humans that exemplifies this need for defiance. We would not be where and how we are without defiance.

Martin van der Kroon is a member of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and previously served as its Director of Recruitment in 2017.
Report on the International Colloquium “Njoh-MouellĂ© and Transhumanism in Africa” – by Siba Tcha-Mouza

Report on the International Colloquium “Njoh-MouellĂ© and Transhumanism in Africa” – by Siba Tcha-Mouza

November 27, 2021 Siba Tcha-Mouza Comments 2 comments

Siba Tcha-Mouza


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this overview of recent transhumanist progress in Africa from our Foreign Ambassador for Togo, Siba Tcha-Mouza.

Here Mr. Tcha-Mouza focuses on the recent international conference “Njoh-MouellĂ© and Transhumanism in Africa” and its implications for Africa joining the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the conversation on the possibilities on the horizon, brought about by transhumanism and emerging technologies. Read this report for a brief overview of the thoughts of Cameroonian philosopher EbĂ©nĂ©zer Njoh-MouellĂ© on the relation of transhumanism and bioethics as we consider the potentialities for the future progress of Africa.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, November 27, 2021


From November 15 to 17, 2021 (three days), the international conference “NJOH-MOUELLE AND TRANSHUMANISM IN AFRICA” was held in YaoundĂ© 1, Cameroon, organized by the Institut Africain de BioĂ©thique (IAB).  This event is part of the preparation of an African and International Bioethics Forum dedicated to technoscientific progress and their challenges for the future of the human species in general and Africa in particular.

This African and International Bioethics Forum (FAIBE) will be organized in 2022 in Cameroon with the effective participation of a plurality of internationally renowned intellectuals and academics from France, Belgium, the USA, Canada, England, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, and a set of African countries such as CĂŽte d’Ivoire, Benin, Gabon, DRC, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Madagascar, and others.

This International Colloquium aims to officially announce a Bioethics Flexion Forum which will be held each year on African soil. This reflection will aim to mobilize resources for the development of an African bioethics in order to actively participate in the global reflection on bioethics. Transhumanism remains today one of the concerns driving global bioethical thinking.

Given the progress of transhumanist projects, Professor Ebénézer Njoh-Mouellé wondered about the value of transhumanism.  This precisely justifies his philosophical reflection, through his works, within the framework of an ethical concern for man.  It is in this context that several speakers successively gave their presentation by addressing transhumanism in its multiple aspects.

We participated in this great event also as the representation of the Transhumanist Party of the United States of America. The title of the presentation that we gave on the second day of the conference (16.11.2021) was entitled “The fourth technological revolution: Africa still facing its destiny”.

The main idea of ​​our intervention was an urgent appeal to Africa for its unconditional participation in the Fourth Technological Revolution.  This revolution, which will bring about a profound change in our society and even in our own biology, is an existential challenge for Africa.

Transhumanism, as a form of promotion and governance of disruptive technosciences, represents an opportunity to accelerate technological development in Africa.

The colloquium ended on the third day, 17.11.2021, with the preparation and presentation of reports and closing remarks.

Mr. Siba Tcha-Mouza

USTP Ambassador for Togo

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Fifth Anniversary Message

U.S. Transhumanist Party Chairman’s Fifth Anniversary Message

November 22, 2021 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Gennady Stolyarov II


Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party

Time advances inexorably, and it has already been five years since I became Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party on November 17, 2016. While my tenure as Chairman began during a politically turbulent time in the United States, I could not have envisioned the extent of volatility, external shocks, social fractiousness, and, frankly, the steady deterioration of civilization and its displacement by sheer mass insanity – all of which have characterized 2021 even more amply than 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, originally portrayed as a temporary disruption that could be overcome with a bit of collective precaution and shared inconvenience, has stubbornly resurged multiple times despite periodic false dawns – and despite extremely impressive and highly efficacious achievements of science and technology deployed to fight it. The lessons of 2021 are in many regards sobering – but the most significant of them is this: When the world and its major institutions and social norms are steadily disintegrating all around one, there is no choice but to rely on what one can build oneself, in collaboration with other good people who care about emerging into a brighter future.

For me, it has become clearer than ever why the U.S. Transhumanist Party exists and must continue to exist. We are the bulwark against the chaos. Our Core Ideals, our Platform, our vision for the next, greatest era of our civilization, are the inspiration, the fuel needed to propel ourselves as individuals and humankind as a species out of this pandemic and into the type of world that we can achieve and that we deserve. Leading such an organization is an ultramarathon and not a sprint – a distinction with which I am familiar quite literally. This is why my first thought on the occasion of my five-year Chairmanship anniversary, expressed to the USTP members on November 17 of this year, was that staying the course and integrity of vision are crucial!

For those who are interested in my general thoughts about how transhumanism offers a way out of the current predicament and toward a reinvigorated, widespread sense of meaning and impetus toward progress in all areas of society, I recommend watching my presentation “Regaining Civilizational Sanity Through Transhumanism” – originally delivered at the Vanguard Scientific Instruments in Management 2021 (VSIM-2021) conference on September 11, 2021.

We have put forth a valiant effort during the past year to both improve our organization and expand our reach. We now have over 3,700 members, and we continue to grow through our offering of free membership in perpetuity. Our Virtual Enlightenment Salons have been streamed every week without fail; we now have hundreds of hours of content from 82 sessions since the start of the pandemic, which have been compiled into a regularly updated YouTube playlist. The Virtual Enlightenment Salons have, indeed, been a bright light during this pandemic, bringing an interdisciplinary approach toward addressing the most pressing challenges faced by our species and arriving at advanced insights through long-form conversations in ways that would have made the 18th-century Enlightenment philosophers proud. (Of course, the 18th-century Enlightenment philosophers would have wished that they could have had our level of communication technology and means to engage in hours-long conversations with people from all over the world!)  Our most-watched conversations during this past year have been our Virtual Enlightenment Salons with Aubrey de Grey and Natasha Vita-More – both pivotal figures in our movement whose influence continues to be profound – and various sessions with other honored guests have come close in terms of viewership as well. We have used the Virtual Enlightenment Salon as a forum to test innovative formats of interaction, such as our Debate on Artificial General Intelligence and Existential Risk between Connor Leahy and David J. Kelley on February 7, 2021, and our Special Panel on FDA Reform on April 4, 2021 – both among our most-attended events. Most recently, the USTP has partnered with KGRA Radio to further improve the production quality of the Virtual Enlightenment Salons and effectively double our audience. Our conversations thus far with David Pearce, FairVote Washington, and Greg Mustreader illustrate the promise of this new format for the hopefully many sessions to come.

Setting for the U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salons

Setting for the U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salons – Background by Art Ramon Garcia, Jr., USTP Director of Visual Art

We have also used the Virtual Enlightenment Salon venue for internal organizational improvement, as illustrated prominently during our Reform Summit of November 28-29, 2020, during which we laid the groundwork for improvements to our Constitution which have resulted in significantly greater stability for our organization and strengthened eligibility criteria for endorsing candidates and appointing Officers, which have since been applied with the intended effects. We continue to implement the other reforms discussed at that Summit, including taking incremental steps toward accepting small donations via YouTube Super Chats and merchandise sales (here and here) to pay for website hosting and develop a small budget for future in-person events.

The new candidate vetting process has led to our most successful candidate endorsement yet, as we supported the campaign of Jennifer A. Huse for Mayor of Camden, New Jersey. (See our original candidate interview with Jennifer and our subsequent May 2 and October 17 Virtual Enlightenment Salons with her.) Jennifer ran a determined campaign, gaining inclusion on the general-election ballot through a remarkably persistent petition drive and overcoming dishonest tactics from one of her opponents who sought to have her disqualified based on false allegations. She personally reached out to hundreds of residents of Camden and engaged them directly on the issues that mattered most to them, while earning the distinction of being the first mayoral candidate in the United States to specifically focus on life-extension initiatives within her platform. Ultimately Jennifer received 104 votes in the general election, or 1.61% of the total – overcoming a near-complete lack of media coverage of her campaign to nonetheless reach many voters who were dissatisfied with decades-long mismanagement of Camden by the Democratic Party. (Jennifer’s only other “independent” opponent, Theo Spencer, was in fact a Democrat who chose to run against the incumbent Democratic Mayor and temporarily became an “Independent” to do so.) Just by giving voters an alternative to the Democratic Party monopoly in Camden, Jennifer made a great breakthrough in the politics of that area, as now the Democrats know that they face the possibility of competition if they allow the situation to deteriorate any further. Moreover, Jennifer’s campaign provided key lessons in how transhumanists can run for local office and integrate the ideas of transhumanism with the local issues that matter most to their constituents, providing that crucial connection between the overarching promise of transhumanism and the practical solutions to day-to-day challenges in ways that could lead to immediate quality-of-life improvements for residents.

The USTP undertook diligent efforts at political activism earlier in 2021. We were not always successful, but we made our presence known. From protesting near the FDA headquarters in Maryland to urge prompt approval of the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines (read our Director of Scholarship Dan Elton’s letter to the FDA here), to testifying multiple times in opposition to Nevada Senate Bill 292 (which imposed an onerous “equal distribution” requirement for petition signatures of minor political parties, effectively preventing new minor parties from gaining ballot access), to writing to a Joint Special Committee of the Nevada Legislature in support of the concept of Innovation Zones, we endeavored to make a difference where we could, advocating for policy changes that would have saved lives, accelerated medical progress, prevented additional barriers to political participation, and enabled technological development to flourish. In politics one unfortunately does not get to win every battle, but even bringing a pro-technology, pro-rationality voice into political conversations, in a way that gets noticed by the key decision-makers, is itself a crucial step forward.

“Unclog the FDA” Pro-Vaccine Protests Near the FDA Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland – February 14, 2021

Just as 2021 has been highly unpredictable in its greater-than-anticipated turbulence, so does even the near-term future continue to be difficult to anticipate or plan for in any meaningful respect. However, I can identify several broad goals for the upcoming year of my Chairmanship:

1. Establish the Transhuman Club, the apolitical affiliate of the USTP, as a functioning organization.
2. Create a list of ongoing USTP projects to which members can contribute their efforts.
3. Test the approach of focused working groups for several ongoing projects.
4. Resurrect and release LEV: The Game, a computer game illustrating the concept of longevity escape velocity.
5. Hold at least one in-person event (possible provided that the pandemic subsides to a substantial extent).
6. Train the core of volunteers needed to publish content on the USTP website and spread it throughout various social media on a regular basis.
7. Create coordinated teams of USTP members and allies to monitor key online spaces for mentions of transhumanism and key figures in our movement, and to ensure that accurate information is presented and not targeted for deletion and censorship by our intolerant adversaries.
8. Reach 5,000 members. This will be an important milestone, halfway to the 10,000-member threshold which will hopefully enable the organization to become self-sustaining in perpetuity.
9. Continue the weekly Virtual Enlightenment Salons and create a large series of short video excerpts from numerous Salons so as to reach audiences who have tighter time constraints or who are seeking more concise introductions to transhumanist ideas.
10. Continue to strengthen policies and social-media tactics to protect the transhumanist community against trolls and hostile entryists with ulterior motives.

Too many individuals and organizations, when faced by challenges, come to turn inward and to doubt themselves, doubt their mission, doubt the validity of their ideas or the efficaciousness of their approach. Just because they do not get instant results (especially when the actual results may manifest over the course of years and decades), they come to question the ultimate goal – or try to make so many adjustments or “pivots” at once that they really have no objective means of testing whether the changes are genuine improvements or mere expenditures of energy borne out of frustration. Yet when the organization’s ideas and values are sound, when the culture is constructive, when the goals are worthwhile, then the main essential approach is to continue to work consistently and energetically for the fulfillment of those goals. Incremental reform is, of course, feasible and desirable, and there are always ways in which any organization, or any person, can improve. But as the 2009 version of the Transhumanist Declaration wisely points out, “Although all progress is change, not all change is progress.” Organizational reform efforts also need to be diligent about preserving and amplifying what aspects of the organization do work well; they need to be deployed surgically and mindfully to ensure that any given change does, indeed, constitute progress.

Our critics – the techno-pessimists, the partisans of the duopoly, the alt-right conspiracy theorists, the online trolls, the misguided ideologues of zero-sum new social movements – will not hesitate to use every opportunity to point out what they perceive to be our flaws. We must resist the temptation to be cowed by them or to “rebrand” ourselves in reaction to every perceived manifestation of hostility. Make no mistake about it, our movement is under attack from many corners – both from the typical detractors and from those “strategic conservatives” who wish to tone down our messaging for fear that it might rankle mainstream institutional gatekeepers – as well as from sheer unscrupulous opportunists who seek to rise by manufacturing scandal and tearing down prominent figures with long records of accomplishment. Alarmingly, the tactics of those who attack us from both without and within have become increasingly heavy-handed, indiscriminate, and outright dishonest, and certain well-known events of the past several months have illustrated this quite clearly. Yet in the words of Victor Hugo, “You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a great deed or created a new idea.” Having the right enemies may, indeed, be a sign that an idea is attracting notice and gaining influence; this is the situation of transhumanism today as the world seeks answers about how we can avoid the repetition of the horrific events of 2020 and 2021 in the years and decades to come. Our most significant challenge is not to concern ourselves with what our critics think of us, but rather to reach the vast majority of people who are still unfamiliar with what transhumanism is and what it stands for, as well as the direct relevance of transhumanist ideas to their lives. Reaching people outside of our immediate circles is no easy task; it requires a significant time commitment and grass-roots, often one-on-one, persuasion and advocacy. Most importantly, this is not an effort that any of us can succeed at alone. Our community, and the USTP as an organization in particular, are absolutely crucial to facilitating an infrastructure and set of shared resources that we can use to reach broader segments of the public and motivate others to add their voices and skill sets to our outreach initiatives.

I continue to firmly believe that we, the human species in general and transhumanists in particular, can emerge from these troubled times together – but only together – only in a spirit of mutual uplifting and perseverance in the face of adversity. As Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, there is much that I am able to achieve, but I cannot achieve it alone. In the coming months, you, the members of the USTP, will receive more information about how you can assist in our mission in structured, straightforward ways. As I have urged transhumanists and the USTP to stay the course in our fidelity to our values, so I will aim to provide the means for many of you to do so effectively and contribute toward the realization of the transhumanist vision. The near-term future will continue to be ambiguous, perilous, and tragic at times – but I maintain that, slightly beyond the thick fog of the present, a luminous expanse awaits us. Through our own efforts, moving unceasingly forward, we can reach it – and soon.

On Space Exploration – Graphics by Luis Arroyo

On Space Exploration – Graphics by Luis Arroyo

November 7, 2021 Luis Arroyo Comments 0 Comment

Luis Arroyo


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this set of graphics by our member Luis Arroyo to bring attention to some of the reasons to pursue space travel, a goal embraced in Section XVII of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform. Space travel is essential to turn humanity into a multi-planetary species, and, as Mr. Arroyo points out, also provides numerous benefits to human development and collaboration on Earth. Also, these graphics are effective for sharing on various social-media platforms.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, November 6, 2021


 

References

[1]  Richard Monastersky. “Shooting for the Moon”. Nature. July 15, 2009. Available at https://www.nature.com/articles/460314a.

[2] International Space Exploration Coordination Group. “Benefits Stemming from Space Exploration”. NASA. September 2013. Available at https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Benefits-Stemming-from-Space-Exploration-2013-TAGGED.pdf.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Otto Siegel – October 30, 2021

U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Otto Siegel – October 30, 2021

November 5, 2021 Gennady Stolyarov II Comments 0 Comment

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Otto Siegel
Gennady Stolyarov II
David Shumaker
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.
Jason Geringer
Ben Ballweg
Zach Richardson


On Sunday, October 31, 2021, at 4 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited Otto Siegel, M.Ed., MCC, to discuss the new field of Longevity Coaching to prepare people for an era of greatly extended lifespans. He provided an overview of Longevity Coaching, what it involves, what it can achieve, and how people can avail themselves of it. The discussion also focused on the cultivation of genius and how to discover aspects of genius in every individual. Watch the video recording of this Virtual Enlightenment Salon here.

Otto Siegel, M.Ed., MCC, shared his insights as a coach in maximizing genius and longevity with 18 years of experience. Key themes of the discussion included 1) how to stay healthy in all ways, 2) how contagious longevity can be when its adherents are having fun, 3) how play can be used to solve challenges and strengthen good habits, 4) focusing on our humanness and vulnerability to get skeptics to consider the merits of our beliefs, and 5) the importance of connecting with others in one’s longevity goals. To learn more, visit https://www.geniuscoaching.com.

Find out more about Longevity Coaching here and here.

Otto Siegel is a nationally known expert on genius and innovation and co-author, with Susanna Lange, of Yes, You Are a Genius, Whether You Know It or Not: Claiming the Extraordinary Life You Were Born to Live. After teaching Biology and Chemistry to high-school students in Munich, Germany, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, for 17 years, he discovered a deeper passion for learning and education and started his company Genius Coaching in 2002 in Scottsdale, AZ. He studied Behavioral Science with Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Konrad Lorenz in Munich, Germany, and holds a Master’s Degree in education and professional coaching.

Join the U.S. Transhumanist Party for free, no matter where you reside.

15-Day Exposure Period on Policy Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

15-Day Exposure Period on Policy Proposals on Investigations and Emergency Declarations

October 17, 2021 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 20 comments


The U.S. Transhumanist Party hereby opens a 15-day public exposure period on the proposals submitted by R. Nicholas Starr and Zach Richardson concerning investigations and emergency actions. The proposals are presented below, followed by initial feedback from USTP leadership. The public exposure period is intended to last until 12:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time on November 1, 2021.

During the exposure period, please post your comments on this thread. If you post comments intended to be considered in voting and/or amending any of these planks in any other electronic medium, please note that you thereby give your consent to have your comments reproduced with attribution or linked within this discussion thread, in order to direct members’ attention and consideration to them.

Given the nature of the proposals and depending on the input received regarding them, the U.S. Transhumanist Party reserves the right to put forward for a vote of the members either (1) the entirety of each proposal, (2) portions of each proposal, (3) some of the proposals but not others, or (4) none of the proposals. Also, the U.S. Transhumanist Party reserves the right to determine which document(s) of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, if any, would be open to amendment to include any of the contents of these proposals.


Proposals by R. Nicholas Starr

The following policy proposals seek to limit the power of USTP leadership during events of investigations and emergencies. I request these items are put to vote as soon as possible, after providing an appropriate exposure period for members to discuss, add, remove, or change things.

Proposal RNS-1. Guidelines for Investigations

As a data-driven political organization the United States Transhumanist Party (USTP), and its leadership acting on behalf of the USTP, must remain neutral in its official capacity during outside investigations into past, present, or future members until said investigations are complete and all facts are known and presented to USTP members. The USTP should also refrain from attempts to influence ongoing investigations or public perception while an investigation is taking place. Public statements of facts and acknowledgement of the situation is permissible, but statements must not stray into speculation. Once an investigation is complete the USTP can issue statements based solely on the facts and analysis thereof. This does NOT restrict an individual, regardless of their position in the USTP, from speaking out on an issue in their personal capacity, nor does it restrict a person from providing criticism of such personal statements in their own personal capacity.

The USTP can conduct its own investigations into matters affecting members on a case by case basis, as determined by a vote of the membership, and under the following limitations. Investigators must be impartial with no personal or professional connection to any of the parties involved in the investigation (accusers, the accused, or other individuals of interest sought for questioning in the investigation). Professional connections include but aren’t limited to current or former employees, advisors, board members, and interns for the person or organization under investigation as well as direct competitors of any party under investigation (you can’t investigate your competition). If an impartial investigator cannot be obtained, either from inside or outside our membership, then the investigation must be abandoned.

Internal investigations should not be intended to replace outside investigations and should be limited to how the incident under investigation impacts operation of the USTP. Consequences sought after the conclusion of the investigation shall be limited to administrative action available within the USTP. The USTP does not have the power to require action or consequences be made by outside organizations.

The purpose of the internal investigation shall be made known to the members with a summary of alleged offenses and what questions the investigation seeks to answer. This must be done in a professional manner, excluding personal opinion and potential bias.

Proposal RNS-2. Definitions and Restrictions on Emergency Actions

United States Transhumanist Party (USTP) leaders shall have the limited ability to declare, and act on, emergencies on behalf of its members. Such a declaration shall have no bearing on, or interfere with, applicable federal, state, and local laws.

When declaring an emergency the USTP leadership must publicly announce what the emergency is, why waiting to act would cause immediate increased harm, and the intended course of action sought by the USTP. This course of action must not deviate from, or spread beyond, the scope of the incident. Meaning any intended action must be clearly and directly related to the emergency.

An emergency shall be defined as an unexpected and immediate threat or active instance of the following, pending member further recommendations and approval by membership vote:

  • Threat to life or public safety (threats to life extension shall NOT be included unless the emergency threatens an individual placed in preservation prior to the emergency, such as cryogenics)
  • Natural disaster
  • Humanitarian crisis
  • Credible acts of violence
  • Direct malicious attack, physical or digital, of USTP property
  • Theft of USTP funds from an official account totaling over X% of the last known balance and more than $X. (Amounts to be decided based on current and future potential needs before vote)

It shall not include:

  • Personal scandal
  • Delays in research
  • Matters of outside businesses or organizations

An emergency can only be declared in cases where delayed action would clearly cause increased harm based on the available evidence. If the emergency action is to take longer than 14 days, then it requires further approval by a vote of the membership.


Feedback on R. Nicholas Starr’s Proposals by USTP Leadership

The USTP Leadership offers a point-by-point analysis of Mr. Starr’s proposals below.

Proposal RNS-1. “As a data-driven political organization the United States Transhumanist Party (USTP), and its leadership acting on behalf of the USTP, must remain neutral in its official capacity during outside investigations into past, present, or future members until said investigations are complete and all facts are known and presented to USTP members.”

USTP Leadership Response: This appears to provide a blanket power to any “outside investigation”, however motivated and by whomever conducted. Just because an outside investigation is being conducted does not guarantee the objective or impartial nature of the investigator, particularly if the investigator is retained by a party with a preconceived interest in the outcome of the investigation. If the USTP leadership is unable to point out instances of obvious bias when they exist, this hampers objectivity and the search for truth. Moreover, if the rest of the world is free to comment and speculate on the subject of the investigation while the USTP’s ability to respond is muzzled, the USTP would necessarily be placed at a disadvantage relative to those who have no compunctions about making unsubstantiated claims.

Proposal RNS-1. “The USTP should also refrain from attempts to influence ongoing investigations or public perception while an investigation is taking place.”

USTP Leadership Response: Public perception often can be influenced far more rapidly than an official investigation can be conducted or concluded. The unfortunate truth is, in a social-media-dominated age, the court of public opinion has the power to affect an individual’s fate without utilizing any reasonable standard of evidence or waiting for the facts to come out. Sometimes the damage to a person’s reputation from unsubstantiated allegations in the court of public opinion can be immense. Without voices of reason being ready to counter unsubstantiated, character-assassinating allegations right away, good people’s future prospects may be damaged or destroyed because unscrupulous voices are the only ones which are allowed to be heard.

Proposal RNS-1. “Public statements of facts and acknowledgement of the situation is permissible, but statements must not stray into speculation.”

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP does not favor unsubstantiated speculation, either, but must remain free to point out when others engage in such speculation and when such others accuse without evidence.

Proposal RNS-1. “Once an investigation is complete the USTP can issue statements based solely on the facts and analysis thereof. ”

USTP Leadership Response:  Again, this places too much power into the hands of an outside investigator, often appointed by entities with no affiliation or connection with the USTP, to determine what constitutes “facts and analysis” that are within the permissible realm of discussion. An outside investigator can easily present a selective, skewed, or biased portrayal, and the USTP should not relinquish its ability to inquire into and comment on facts and analytical interpretations that, for whatever reason, an outside investigator did not include in a public-facing report.

Proposal RNS-1. “ This does NOT restrict an individual, regardless of their position in the USTP, from speaking out on an issue in their personal capacity, nor does it restrict a person from providing criticism of such personal statements in their own personal capacity.”

USTP Leadership Response:  The USTP leadership agrees with the principle behind the statement above.

Proposal RNS-1. “The USTP can conduct its own investigations into matters affecting members on a case by case basis, as determined by a vote of the membership, and under the following limitations.”

USTP Leadership Response: Requiring a vote of the members before conducting an internal investigation may have several undesirable consequences. First, if there is an action whose damaging effect is swiftly forthcoming, then the procedural steps required for a vote to be conducted may well come about much later than the damage has already been done. Second, it is often possible to investigate certain matters discreetly without damage to the reputation of the person(s) being investigated. Once a pending investigation is publicly announced and put to a vote of the members, the members are placed in the position of (1) knowing that there is an alleged transgression or set of transgressions, and (2) deciding whether a given person or persons is sufficiently likely to be guilty of that alleged transgression or set of transgressions so as to be investigated. This in itself can damage the reputation of the person(s) being investigated, even if the investigation ultimately clears them of any wrongdoing. Having at least a preliminary private process of examining any actions within the USTP would be beneficial in enabling the vast majority of potential issues to be identified and resolved without such reputational damage, and any issues brought before the members would be of such an egregious nature that private means did not suffice to resolve them.

Proposal RNS-1. “Investigators must be impartial with no personal or professional connection to any of the parties involved in the investigation (accusers, the accused, or other individuals of interest sought for questioning in the investigation). Professional connections include but aren’t limited to current or former employees, advisors, board members, and interns for the person or organization under investigation as well as direct competitors of any party under investigation (you can’t investigate your competition). If an impartial investigator cannot be obtained, either from inside or outside our membership, then the investigation must be abandoned.”

USTP Leadership Response: The transhumanist community is small enough, and collaborations on projects by transhumanists are frequent enough, that it is difficult to find any person in the community who does not have a personal or professional connection of some sort with most others in the community. The proposal above also describes the possibility of an outside investigator; however, the outside investigator would likely need to be paid, and the USTP is an organization with extremely limited resources. Furthermore, the limitations above would create de facto immunity for someone who develops such extensive personal and/or professional connections that anyone who could possibly competently investigate that person would be precluded from doing so because of such connections.

Proposal RNS-1. “Internal investigations should not be intended to replace outside investigations and should be limited to how the incident under investigation impacts operation of the USTP. Consequences sought after the conclusion of the investigation shall be limited to administrative action available within the USTP.”

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP already has a process for actions to be taken in response to violations of our Guidelines for Community Conduct. That process does not require an independent investigation, which generally would be too time-consuming to address the most typical kinds of violations, which are at once blatant, public, and quick to have their effects. Thus, if the only consequences are any “administrative action available within the USTP”, then the internal investigation becomes an unnecessary instrument. 

Proposal RNS-1. “The USTP does not have the power to require action or consequences be made by outside organizations.”

USTP Leadership Response: While the USTP, as a practical matter, indeed cannot require another organization to take an action, the USTP does have the ability to express an opinion regarding the actions taken by any other organization and whether or not such actions align with the values and goals of the USTP, as well as whether or not such actions are beneficial to the transhumanist movement or are meritorious more generally. As an organization with definite views and definite outlooks on a large number of issues, projects, and people, the USTP is surely within its rights to express its points of view and, when needed, urge that certain courses of action be taken by other organizations and individuals. The USTP does not have the power to compel those courses of action, but expressing silence on matters that are likely to influence the future of the transhumanist movement is not advisable if by speaking out the USTP is able to make a difference in shaping public opinion.

Proposal RNS-1. “The purpose of the internal investigation shall be made known to the members with a summary of alleged offenses and what questions the investigation seeks to answer. This must be done in a professional manner, excluding personal opinion and potential bias.”

USTP Leadership Response:  Again, doing this may actually create unduly unfavorable impressions of the person(s) being investigated before the investigation is complete. There could be many conceivable cases in which, if an investigation is undertaken, those being investigated would actually prefer that the investigation be done privately and discreetly, at least as an initial approach.

***

Proposal RNS-2. “When declaring an emergency the USTP leadership must publicly announce what the emergency is, why waiting to act would cause immediate increased harm, and the intended course of action sought by the USTP. ”

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP leadership does not oppose the practice of making such a public announcement and will endeavor to do so in the future.

Proposal RNS-2. “This course of action must not deviate from, or spread beyond, the scope of the incident. Meaning any intended action must be clearly and directly related to the emergency.”

USTP Leadership Response: It would seem to be common sense that actions to address an emergency should be related to that emergency. However, there are circumstances where it may be a matter of interpretation whether a particular action is “clearly and directly related to the emergency” or somehow “deviates from” or “spreads beyond” it. If questioned on a particular action, the USTP leadership should be able to provide an explanation of its relationship to the emergency, and that explanation should be given deference unless it is completely nonsensical by any reasonable person’s interpretation.

Proposal RNS-2. “An emergency shall be defined as an unexpected and immediate threat or active instance of the following, pending member further recommendations and approval by membership vote […]”

USTP Leadership Response: The process of arranging a member vote is generally too logistically intense and time-consuming to be feasibly undertaken in cases of a genuine emergency, where swift action is required. It is possible to take a member poll after the fact of a particular major action, to determine whether or not the active portion of the membership agrees with the action that was taken. This was done, for instance, in response to the U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement of Support for Aubrey de Grey, where a member poll shows, as of October 16, 2021, 42 of the 58 members voting (72.4%) expressing agreement with the statement, 10 (17.2%) expressing disagreement, and 6 (10.3%) expressing no opinion or a neutral position. However, in a genuine emergency, such member polling should be done only when there is sufficient reprieve from the pressing need to respond to events that the poll could be accommodated without compromising the ability to actually address the emergency.

Proposal RNS-2. “Threat to life or public safety (threats to life extension shall NOT be included unless the emergency threatens an individual placed in preservation prior to the emergency, such as cryogenics)“.

USTP Leadership Response: Threats to the future and reputation of the life-extension movement and the prospect of attaining radical life extension within our lifetimes should indeed be considered grounds for declaring an emergency, particularly when such threats pertain to the possible derailment of the life-extension cause through hostile characterizations within the court of public opinion. The USTP leadership reminds members that the immutable Core Ideal 1 of the USTP is that “The Transhumanist Party supports significant life extension achieved through the progress of science and technology.” Any act, behavior, allegation, or decision which threatens the fulfillment of Core Ideal 1 and where the USTP has even a possibility of averting the threat through a swift and decisive response, should indeed be subject to potential treatment as an emergency.

Proposal RNS-2.

“Natural disaster
Humanitarian crisis
Credible acts of violence
Direct malicious attack, physical or digital, of USTP property”

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP leadership agrees that these would be valid reasons to declare an emergency.

Proposal RNS-2. “Theft of USTP funds from an official account totaling over X% of the last known balance and more than $X. (Amounts to be decided based on current and future potential needs before vote)”

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP does not currently hold an official account for funds, so this is not a situation that can arise at this time. However, in the future, if any theft were undertaken, this would be grounds for declaring an emergency if necessary. It is not clear why a threshold for doing so is proposed here, as any misappropriation of funds should be able to be dealt with swiftly and effectively.

Proposal RNS-2. “It shall not include:

  • Personal scandal
  • Delays in research
  • Matters of outside businesses or organizations“

USTP Leadership Response: The USTP leadership considers these exclusions to essentially negate any power to declare an emergency. Manufactured personal scandal is one of the easiest tactics to use in today’s cultural and social-media environment in order to damage a person’s career, livelihood, and reputation, without having sufficient evidence to do so within the criteria of any formal legal system. Tying the USTP leadership’s hands in such situations only lends additional power to those who would seek to deploy such a reprehensible tactic with impunity. Delays in research that affects life extension could be a matter of life or death for many transhumanists, and also contravene Core Ideal 1 of the U.S. Transhumanist Party; the USTP leadership should have the authority to endeavor to overcome such delays through all efficacious means, particularly by shaping public opinion if the roadblocks to the research’s continuation are cultural and attitudinal. Furthermore, if “outside businesses or organizations” engage in conduct that materially affects the future of the transhumanist movement, including public perception of transhumanism and life extension, then removing the ability of the USTP to comment on such conduct would simply remove the USTP from the ability to influence such public perception, leaving such influence solely to others, including those hostile to our movement. The USTP leadership does not understand why our organization should intentionally handicap itself when our movement’s detractors intend to do no such thing and have only escalated their attacks as the movement has been reaching various milestones of success.

Proposal RNS-2. “An emergency can only be declared in cases where delayed action would clearly cause increased harm based on the available evidence. If the emergency action is to take longer than 14 days, then it requires further approval by a vote of the membership.”

USTP Leadership Response: Again, criteria such as “clearly cause increased harm based on the available evidence” would be subject to interpretation, and a member who disagrees with the USTP leadership’s judgment as to what is likely to cause harm may then invoke such a clause to assert a veto power over USTP leadership’s actions. The 14-day threshold for a membership vote is unreasonably short, as most membership votes have historically taken longer than 14 days if one considers the prior exposure period alone, but the vote itself should also be open for a reasonably long amount of time to give any member who wishes to vote the opportunity to do so. If this is followed in the circumstances of an emergency, chances are that the rapid events, to which the USTP would need to respond, would have already taken their toll in the form of the undesirable consequences that may occur in the absence of USTP action.  Furthermore, the timing of the resolution of the emergency is contingent on a variety of external events and decisions over which the USTP leadership has no control; however, the USTP leadership can anticipate and has previously experienced situations where pressing situation can last far beyond 14 days, if, for instance, there is a standoff among the individuals and external organizations involved, or if the publication of information related to the matter in question is expected to be spread out over a longer time period (even as social-media commentary on the same matter and its consideration within the court of public opinion continue unabated). 


Proposal by Zach Richardson

Proposal ZR-1.

Proposal in Support of Decisive Executive Action in Times of Emergency:

When executive action is required in the face of a serious threat, the Chairman must have the authority to act decisively.

This proposal reasserts the Chairman’s authority to act decisively in defense of individuals, groups, or organizations by expressing the delegated support of the Party for the individual, group, or organization under assault.  The Chairman retains the authority to advocate for those individuals, groups, or organizations whose goals align with those of the Party. The Chairman is not required to seek the approval of a majority of the party membership to act on behalf of the party, nor does he have to provide justification for his support.

The authority of the Chairman to act on behalf of the party is not intended to supersede the authority of the Party to determine the Party’s position on a particular issue, nor is it intended to diminish the responsibility of the Party to take a position on a particular issue.

The Chairman will retain the authority to act on behalf of the Party, at his or her own discretion, to advocate on behalf of the Party and its members in the event of an emergency, defined as any event that may significantly impact the realization of the goals of the Party as outlined in the Platform.

The Party will seek to continuously empower the Chairman to act on behalf of its members by codifying his/her authority to do so in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members as a whole.

The Chairman is empowered to act as the Party’s representative, and to make statements on behalf of the Party, to the media and the public, to advocate on behalf of any individual, group or organization that supports the Party and its Platform, its members and the Party’s philosophy, goals and objectives, to promote the Party’s agenda, candidates and policies, and to respond to attacks on the Party, or on its members, allies or affiliates.

The Chairman has the ability to designate individuals and organizations as “allies” of the Party at his or her discretion, and to permit such “allies” to represent themselves to the public and the media as “allies” and “members” of the Party. Such “allies” are encouraged but not required to support the Platform.

Party members may not seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates or members; nor may any Party member seek to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party or its allies, affiliates, or members by anyone who was so designated by the Chairman.

The Chairman and any of his designees shall ensure the following:

  1. The Party is adequately represented in all communications with the public and the media. In some cases, it may be appropriate to have two or more representatives from the Party speak on behalf of the Party.
  2. The Party is able to provide key information to the public and the media in a timely manner, through press releases, interviews, and particularly social media commentary.
  3. The Party is able to have a significant and positive impact on the outcome or resolution of the emergency.
  4. The Party is able to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates.

If any Party member seeks to compel the Chairman to retract any statement made on behalf of the Party, or its allies, affiliates or members, or any statement made on behalf of the Party by anyone who was designated an ally by the Chairman, the Chairman may assert that the member in question is acting in violation of the Party’s principles and its standards.

The Party pledges to empower the Chairman in a manner that is consistent with the principles and standards of the Party, and is consistent with the existing authority of the Party to advocate on behalf of its members and its Platform. The Party further pledges to make every effort to ensure that the Party, its members, and the Chairman are able to advocate for the Party and its members on a permanent and eternal basis.

It is in the interest of the Party to remain relevant, not only to the Party itself, but to the public, and it is in the spirit of that interest in which the Party empower the Chairman.

The Party therefore pledges to make a good-faith effort to ensure that the Chairman has the opportunity to respond to attacks on the Party, or on any of its members, allies, or affiliates, and finally to ensure that the Chairman is able to engage in the activities described in this proposal on a permanent and hopefully indefinite basis.


Feedback on Zach Richardson’s Proposals by USTP Leadership

The USTP leadership concurs with Proposal ZR-1 from Zach Richardson. Recent events have shown that the transhumanist movement is coming under increasing attack just as it is achieving new milestones in terms of publicity and acquisition of financial resources. We live in a make-or-break moment, not just for human civilization more generally, but for the transhumanist and life-extension movements in particular. It is essential for USTP leadership to have the authority to respond in defense of the values, people, and organizations which the USTP has always supported since its founding, even as those values, people, and organizations come under an unprecedented number of coordinated and insidious attacks. If we bind ourselves by excessive process, but our adversaries do not, then we set ourselves up to lose. If, however, we are able to act swiftly to resolve situations of emergency, this will afford more time to calmly and deliberatively approach most matters under the USTP’s purview, including the ability to organize more member votes on various matters if leadership’s attention is not continually occupied with how to address time-sensitive emergencies in the “procedurally correct” way. Our movement is under attack today, and we need to defend it today. In coming years and epochs, we will be thankful that we did.

Bengali / Bangla Translation of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Values Page – Translated by Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana

Bengali / Bangla Translation of the U.S. Transhumanist Party Values Page – Translated by Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana

October 16, 2021 Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana Comments 0 Comment

Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party is pleased to offer this translation of our Values page into Bengali, also known as Bangla, which is the sixth most spoken language in the world and the official language in Bangladesh. Our new Director of Foreign Relations and Foreign Ambassador in Malaysia, Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana, was kind enough to furnish this translation. The U.S. Transhumanist Party sees translations of our texts into other languages as crucial for spreading awareness of the ideas of transhumanism to broader audiences, particularly in the developing world, where there is considerable interest in technological progress and its immediate application to raise living standards.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party  


What We Stand For

The U.S. Transhumanist Party is focused on policy rather than politics as conventionally defined. We value initiatives and reforms that will improve the human condition for as many people as possible, with as much beneficial impact as possible – and without regard for scoring political points or defeating “the other side”. We seek to achieve the next, greatest era of our civilization, which will require constructive solutions to the problems of our current era. All of these problems can be solved if we look away from the political trench warfare of today and up toward a far brighter future.


Bengali / Bangla Translation

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Core Ideals:

Ideal 1. The Transhumanist Party supports significant life extension achieved through the progress of science and technology.

Ideal 2. The Transhumanist Party supports a cultural, societal, and political atmosphere informed and animated by reason, science, and secular values.

Ideal 3. The Transhumanist Party supports efforts to use science, technology, and rational discourse to reduce and eliminate various existential risks to the human species.


Bengali / Bangla Translation

àŠźà§‚àŠČ àŠ†àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶:

àŠ†àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶ 1.àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠšà§àŠžàŠčà§àŠźà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšàŠżàŠžà§àŠŸàŠȘàŠŸàŠ°à§àŠŸàŠż àŠŹàŠżàŠœà§àŠžàŠŸàŠš àŠ“ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠ…àŠ—à§àŠ°àŠ—àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠźàŠŸàŠ§à§àŠŻàŠźà§‡ àŠ…àŠ°à§àŠœàŠżàŠ€ àŠ‰àŠČ্àŠČà§‡àŠ–àŠŻà§‹àŠ—à§àŠŻ àŠœà§€àŠŹàŠš àŠžàŠźà§àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠžàŠŸàŠ°àŠŁàŠ•à§‡ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠ†àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶ à§šà„€ àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠšàŠ¶à§àŠźà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšàŠżàŠžà§àŠŸ àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°à§àŠŸàŠż àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż, àŠŹàŠżàŠœà§àŠžàŠŸàŠš àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ§àŠ°à§àŠźàŠšàŠżàŠ°àŠȘà§‡àŠ•à§àŠ· àŠźà§‚àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŹà§‹àŠ§à§‡àŠ° àŠźàŠŸàŠ§à§àŠŻàŠźà§‡ àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠžàŠŸàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ•, àŠžàŠŸàŠźàŠŸàŠœàŠżàŠ• àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ°àŠŸàŠœàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠŹà§‡àŠ¶àŠ•à§‡ àŠ…àŠŹàŠ—àŠ€ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠŁàŠŹàŠšà§àŠ€ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€

àŠ†àŠŠàŠ°à§àŠ¶ Theà„€ àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠšà§àŠžàŠčà§àŠźà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšàŠżàŠžà§àŠŸ àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°à§àŠŸàŠż àŠźàŠŸàŠšàŠŹ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠœàŠŸàŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠżàŠšà§àŠš àŠ…àŠžà§àŠ€àŠżàŠ€à§àŠŹà§‡àŠ° àŠà§àŠàŠ•àŠż àŠ•àŠźàŠŸàŠ€à§‡ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŠà§‚àŠ° àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸàŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠŹàŠżàŠœà§àŠžàŠŸàŠš, àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠžàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠ€ àŠŹàŠ•à§àŠ€à§ƒàŠ€àŠŸ àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŹàŠčàŠŸàŠ° àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸàŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠšà§‡àŠ·à§àŠŸàŠŸàŠ•à§‡ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠ•àŠ°à§‡à„€


Values and Goals from our Platform:

Find the U.S. Transhumanist Party Platform as Article VI of our Constitution or in this standalone presentation. Below is just a selection of some of our key values and goals, as determined by votes of our members, but we have many other ideas as well, and we also frame the ideas below with a great deal of thought and detail.

  • Individual privacy and liberty over how to apply technology to one’s personal life. [Article VI, Section I]
  • Tolerance and inclusivity of all individuals of all races, genders, classes, religions, creeds, national origins, and other characteristics. [Article VI, Section II]
  • Support of most technologies but opposition to certain detrimental technologies (e.g., weapons of mass destruction, privacy-infringing technologies, engineering of new pathogens).  [Article VI, Section III]
  • Opposition to nuclear weapons, support of complete nuclear disarmament, even if unilateral. [Article VI, Section IV]
  • Support of research on eradicating disease.  [Article VI, Section V]
  • Morphological freedom.  [Article VI, Section VI]
  • Support of all values and efforts toward cultivation of science, technology, reason. [Article VI, Section VII]
  • Support of all emerging technologies that improve the human condition, including:

° Autonomous vehicles

° Electric vehicles

° Economical solar power

° Safe nuclear power

° Hydroelectricity

° Geothermal power

° Applications for the sharing of durable goods

° Artificial intelligence

° Biotechnology

° Nanotechnology

° Robotics

° Rapid transit

° 3D printing

° Vertical farming

° Electronic devices to detect and respond to trauma

° Beneficial genetic modification of plants, animals, and human beings   [Article VI, Section IX]

  • Ending the drug war. [Article VI, Section XIV]
  • Reforming the prison system to reduce the incarcerated population. [Article VI, Section XV]
  • Universal Basic Income (UBI) – not conditional on life circumstances, occupations, other income, or wealth. [Article VI, Section XVI]
  • Reasonable measures to fund space travel. [Article VI, Section XVII]
  • Using science and technology to eliminate disabilities. [Article VI, Section XVIII]
  • Ending the two-party duopoly. [Article VI, Section XIX]
  • Life extension / anti-aging. [Article VI, Sections V, VIII, IX]
  • Removal of barriers to medical research and deployment of treatments. [Article VI, Sections LXXIX, LXXX, LXXXI, LXXXII]
  • Reducing the national debt. [Article VI, Section XXXV]
  • Alternative sources of energy and their technological implementations. [Article VI, Section XXXVIII]
  • Increasing the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [Article VI, SectionLXXVII]
  • Support for political, economic, and cultural experimentation – e.g., seasteads and micronations. [Article VI, SectionXXII]
  • Children’s rights proportional to their rational faculties. [Article VI, Sections XXIII, LXII]
  • Animal welfare (but not “animal liberation”). [Article VI, Section XXIV]
  • Opposition to intolerant, rights-violating, anti-technological, and compulsion-imposing doctrines, be they religious or secular. [Article VI, Sections XXV, XL, LXIII]

Bengali / Bangla Translation

àŠ†àŠźàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠȘ্àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŸàŠ«àŠ°à§àŠź àŠ„à§‡àŠ•à§‡ àŠźà§‚àŠČà§àŠŻ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠČàŠ•à§àŠ·à§àŠŻ:

àŠ†àŠźàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠ‚àŠŹàŠżàŠ§àŠŸàŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠ·àŠ·à§àŠ  àŠ…àŠšà§àŠšà§àŠ›à§‡àŠŠ àŠŹàŠŸ àŠàŠ‡ àŠžà§àŠŹàŠ€àŠšà§àŠ€à§àŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸàŠȘàŠšàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠ‡àŠ‰àŠàŠž àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠšà§àŠžàŠčà§àŠźàŠŸàŠšàŠżàŠžà§àŠŸ àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°à§àŠŸàŠż àŠȘ্àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŸàŠ«àŠ°à§àŠź àŠ–à§àŠàŠœà§àŠšà„€ àŠšà§€àŠšà§‡ àŠ†àŠźàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠŠàŠžà§àŠŻàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠ­à§‹àŠŸà§‡àŠ° àŠŠà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠżàŠ€ àŠ†àŠźàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠźà§‚àŠČ àŠźà§‚àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŹà§‹àŠ§ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠČàŠ•à§àŠ·à§àŠŻàŠ—à§àŠČàŠżàŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠàŠ•àŠŸàŠż àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§àŠŹàŠŸàŠšàŠš àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸ àŠčàŠŻàŠŒà§‡àŠ›à§‡, àŠ€àŠŹà§‡ àŠ†àŠźàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠ†àŠ°àŠ“ àŠ…àŠšà§‡àŠ• àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŁàŠŸ àŠ°àŠŻàŠŒà§‡àŠ›à§‡ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ†àŠźàŠ°àŠŸ àŠšà§€àŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŁàŠŸàŠ—à§àŠČàŠżàŠ“ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠšà§àŠ° àŠšàŠżàŠšà§àŠ€àŠŸàŠ­àŠŸàŠŹàŠšàŠŸ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŹàŠżàŠ¶àŠŠàŠ­àŠŸàŠŹà§‡ àŠ€à§ˆàŠ°àŠż àŠ•àŠ°à§‡àŠ›àŠżà„€

One àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ—àŠ€ àŠœà§€àŠŹàŠšà§‡ àŠ•à§€àŠ­àŠŸàŠŹà§‡ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻàŠŒà§‹àŠ— àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸ àŠŻàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠžà§‡ àŠŹàŠżàŠ·àŠŻàŠŒà§‡ àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ—àŠ€ àŠ—à§‹àŠȘàŠšà§€àŠŻàŠŒàŠ€àŠŸ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠžà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠ§à§€àŠšàŠ€àŠŸà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— I]

Ra àŠžàŠ•àŠČ àŠœàŠŸàŠ€àŠż, àŠČàŠżàŠ™à§àŠ—, àŠ¶à§àŠ°à§‡àŠŁà§€, àŠ§àŠ°à§àŠź, àŠ—à§‹àŠ€à§àŠ°, àŠœàŠŸàŠ€à§€àŠŻàŠŒ àŠ‰à§ŽàŠȘàŠ€à§àŠ€àŠż àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ…àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠŹà§ˆàŠ¶àŠżàŠ·à§àŠŸà§àŠŻà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠ•àŠČ àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠžàŠčàŠšàŠ¶à§€àŠČàŠ€àŠŸ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ…àŠšà§àŠ€àŠ°à§àŠ­à§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— II]

Most àŠ…àŠ§àŠżàŠ•àŠŸàŠ‚àŠ¶ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠ•àŠżàŠšà§àŠ€à§ àŠ•àŠżàŠ›à§ àŠ•à§àŠ·àŠ€àŠżàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°àŠ• àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠ°à§‹àŠ§àŠżàŠ€àŠŸ (àŠŻà§‡àŠźàŠš, àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠȘàŠ• àŠ§à§àŠŹàŠ‚àŠžà§‡àŠ° àŠ…àŠžà§àŠ€à§àŠ°, àŠ—à§‹àŠȘàŠšà§€àŠŻàŠŒàŠ€àŠŸ-àŠČàŠ™à§àŠ˜àŠšàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à§€ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż, àŠšàŠ€à§àŠš àŠȘà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠ„à§‹àŠœà§‡àŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ•à§ŒàŠ¶àŠČ)à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— III]

Nuclear àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°àŠźàŠŸàŠŁàŠŹàŠżàŠ• àŠ…àŠžà§àŠ€à§àŠ°à§‡àŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠ°à§‹àŠ§àŠżàŠ€àŠŸ, àŠžàŠźà§àŠȘà§‚àŠ°à§àŠŁ àŠȘàŠŸàŠ°àŠźàŠŸàŠŁàŠŹàŠżàŠ• àŠšàŠżàŠ°àŠžà§àŠ€à§àŠ°à§€àŠ•àŠ°àŠŁ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš, àŠàŠźàŠšàŠ•àŠż àŠàŠ•àŠ€àŠ°àŠ«àŠŸ àŠčàŠČà§‡àŠ“à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— IV]

Erad àŠ°à§‹àŠ— àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§àŠźà§‚àŠČে àŠ—àŠŹà§‡àŠ·àŠŁàŠŸàŠ° àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— V]

  • àŠ°à§‚àŠȘàŠ• àŠžà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠ§à§€àŠšàŠ€àŠŸà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— VI]

Science àŠŹàŠżàŠœà§àŠžàŠŸàŠš, àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż, àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠšàŠŸàŠ·à§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠ€àŠż àŠžàŠ•àŠČ àŠźà§‚àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŹà§‹àŠ§ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠšà§‡àŠ·à§àŠŸàŠŸàŠ° àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— VII]

Emer àŠžàŠźàŠžà§àŠ€ àŠ‰àŠŠà§€àŠŻàŠŒàŠźàŠŸàŠš àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš àŠŻàŠŸ àŠźàŠŸàŠšà§àŠ·à§‡àŠ° àŠ…àŠŹàŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸàŠ° àŠ‰àŠšà§àŠšàŠ€àŠż àŠ•àŠ°à§‡, àŠŻàŠŸàŠ° àŠźàŠ§à§àŠŻà§‡ àŠ°àŠŻàŠŒà§‡àŠ›à§‡:

° àŠžà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒàŠ€à§àŠ€àŠ¶àŠŸàŠžàŠżàŠ€ àŠŻàŠŸàŠšàŠŹàŠŸàŠčàŠš

àŠŹà§ˆàŠŠà§àŠŻà§àŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠŻàŠŸàŠšàŠŹàŠŸàŠčàŠš

° àŠ…àŠ°à§àŠ„àŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠžà§ŒàŠ° àŠ¶àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż

Nuclear àŠšàŠżàŠ°àŠŸàŠȘàŠŠ àŠȘàŠ°àŠźàŠŸàŠŁà§ àŠ¶àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż

Dro àŠœàŠČàŠŹàŠżàŠŠà§àŠŻà§à§Ž

° àŠ­à§‚ -àŠ€àŠŸàŠȘà§€àŠŻàŠŒ àŠ¶àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż

D àŠŸà§‡àŠ•àŠžàŠ‡ àŠȘàŠŁà§àŠŻ àŠ­àŠŸàŠ— àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸàŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠ†àŠŹà§‡àŠŠàŠš

° àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€à§àŠ°àŠżàŠź àŠŹà§àŠŠà§àŠ§àŠżàŠźàŠ€à§àŠ€àŠŸ

° àŠœà§ˆàŠŹàŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż

° àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšà§‹ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż

° àŠ°à§‹àŠŹàŠŸàŠżàŠ•à§àŠž

° àŠŠà§àŠ°à§àŠ€ àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠŹàŠčàŠš

° 3D àŠźà§àŠŠà§àŠ°àŠŁ

Ert àŠ‰àŠČ্àŠČàŠźà§àŠŹ àŠšàŠŸàŠ·

° àŠ‡àŠČà§‡àŠ•àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠšàŠżàŠ• àŠĄàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ‡àŠž àŠŸà§àŠ°àŠźàŠŸ àŠžàŠšàŠŸàŠ•à§àŠ€ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠžàŠŸàŠĄàŠŒàŠŸ

Plants àŠ‰àŠŠà§àŠ­àŠżàŠŠ, àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŸàŠŁà§€ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠźàŠŸàŠšà§àŠ·à§‡àŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à§€ àŠœà§‡àŠšà§‡àŠŸàŠżàŠ• àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠŹàŠ°à§àŠ€àŠš [àŠšàŠżàŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— IX]

The àŠźàŠŸàŠŠàŠ• àŠŻà§àŠŠà§àŠ§à§‡àŠ° àŠ…àŠŹàŠžàŠŸàŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XIV]

Ar àŠŹàŠšà§àŠŠà§€ àŠœàŠšàŠžàŠ‚àŠ–à§àŠŻàŠŸ àŠ•àŠźàŠŸàŠ€à§‡ àŠœà§‡àŠČ àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŹàŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸàŠ° àŠžàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XV]

  • àŠ‡àŠ‰àŠšàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ°à§àŠžàŠŸàŠČ àŠŹà§‡àŠžàŠżàŠ• àŠ‡àŠšàŠ•àŠŸàŠź (àŠ‡àŠ‰àŠŹàŠżàŠ†àŠ‡) – àŠœà§€àŠŹàŠšà§‡àŠ° àŠȘàŠ°àŠżàŠžà§àŠ„àŠżàŠ€àŠż, àŠȘà§‡àŠ¶àŠŸ, àŠ…àŠšà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠ†àŠŻàŠŒ àŠŹàŠŸ àŠžàŠźà§àŠȘàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠ‰àŠȘàŠ° àŠ¶àŠ°à§àŠ€àŠŸàŠ§à§€àŠš àŠšàŠŻàŠŒà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XVI]

Space àŠźàŠčàŠŸàŠ•àŠŸàŠ¶ àŠ­à§àŠ°àŠźàŠŁà§‡àŠ° àŠ€àŠčàŠŹàŠżàŠČ àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠžàŠ™à§àŠ—àŠ€ àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŹàŠžà§àŠ„àŠŸà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XVII]

Dis àŠ…àŠ•à§àŠ·àŠźàŠ€àŠŸ àŠŠà§‚àŠ° àŠ•àŠ°àŠ€à§‡ àŠŹàŠżàŠœà§àŠžàŠŸàŠš àŠ“ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż àŠŹà§àŠŻàŠŹàŠčàŠŸàŠ° àŠ•àŠ°àŠŸà„€ [àŠ†àŠ°à§àŠŸàŠżàŠ•à§‡àŠČ VI, àŠžà§‡àŠ•àŠ¶àŠš XVIII]

The àŠŠà§àŠ‡ àŠȘàŠ•à§àŠ·à§‡àŠ° àŠŠà§àŠŹà§ˆàŠ°àŠ„à§‡àŠ° àŠ…àŠŹàŠžàŠŸàŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XIX]

  • àŠČàŠŸàŠ‡àŠ« àŠàŠ•à§àŠžàŠŸà§‡àŠšàŠ¶àŠš / àŠ…à§àŠŻàŠŸàŠšà§àŠŸàŠż-àŠàŠœàŠżàŠ‚à„€ [àŠ†àŠ°à§àŠŸàŠżàŠ•à§‡àŠČ VI, àŠžà§‡àŠ•àŠ¶àŠš V, VIII, IX]

Research àŠšàŠżàŠ•àŠżà§ŽàŠžàŠŸ àŠ—àŠŹà§‡àŠ·àŠŁàŠŸàŠŻàŠŒ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ§àŠŸ àŠ…àŠȘàŠžàŠŸàŠ°àŠŁ àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠšàŠżàŠ•àŠżàŠ€à§àŠžàŠŸ àŠźà§‹àŠ€àŠŸàŠŻàŠŒà§‡àŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— LXXIX, LXXX, LXXXI, LXXXII]

National àŠœàŠŸàŠ€à§€àŠŻàŠŒ debtàŠŁ àŠ•àŠźàŠŸàŠšà§‹à„€ [àŠšàŠżàŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXXV]

Energy àŠ¶àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠ•àŠČ্àŠȘ àŠ‰à§ŽàŠž àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠ€àŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ—àŠ€ àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻàŠŒà§‹àŠ—à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXXVIII]

Health àŠœàŠŸàŠ€à§€àŠŻàŠŒ àŠžà§àŠŹàŠŸàŠžà§àŠ„à§àŠŻ àŠ‡àŠšàŠžà§àŠŸàŠżàŠŸàŠżàŠ‰àŠŸ (NIH) àŠàŠ° àŠŹàŠŸàŠœà§‡àŠŸ àŠŹàŠŸàŠĄàŠŒàŠŸàŠšà§‹à„€ [àŠšàŠżàŠŹàŠšà§àŠ§ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— LXXVII]

Political àŠ°àŠŸàŠœàŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ•, àŠ…àŠ°à§àŠ„àŠšà§ˆàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠžàŠŸàŠ‚àŠžà§àŠ•à§ƒàŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠȘàŠ°à§€àŠ•à§àŠ·àŠŸ -àŠšàŠżàŠ°à§€àŠ•à§àŠ·àŠŸàŠ° àŠœàŠšà§àŠŻ àŠžàŠźàŠ°à§àŠ„àŠš – àŠŻà§‡àŠźàŠš, àŠžàŠźà§àŠŠà§àŠ°à§‡àŠ° àŠ€à§€àŠ° àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠźàŠŸàŠ‡àŠ•à§àŠ°à§‹àŠšà§‡àŠ¶àŠšà„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXII]

  • àŠ¶àŠżàŠ¶à§àŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠ…àŠ§àŠżàŠ•àŠŸàŠ° àŠ€àŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠŻà§ŒàŠ•à§àŠ€àŠżàŠ• àŠ…àŠšà§àŠ·àŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠžàŠźàŠŸàŠšà§àŠȘàŠŸàŠ€àŠżàŠ•à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXIII, LXII]
  • àŠȘàŠ¶à§ àŠ•àŠČà§àŠŻàŠŸàŠŁ (àŠ•àŠżàŠšà§àŠ€à§ “àŠȘàŠ¶à§ àŠźà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż” àŠšàŠŻàŠŒ) [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXIV]

Into àŠ…àŠžàŠčàŠżàŠ·à§àŠŁà§, àŠ…àŠ§àŠżàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°-àŠČàŠ™à§àŠ˜àŠšàŠ•àŠŸàŠ°à§€, àŠȘà§àŠ°àŠŻà§àŠ•à§àŠ€àŠż-àŠŹàŠżàŠ°à§‹àŠ§à§€, àŠàŠŹàŠ‚ àŠŹàŠŸàŠ§à§àŠŻàŠ€àŠŸàŠźà§‚àŠČàŠ•-àŠšàŠŸàŠȘàŠżàŠŻàŠŒà§‡ àŠŠà§‡àŠ“àŠŻàŠŒàŠŸ àŠźàŠ€àŠŹàŠŸàŠŠà§‡àŠ° àŠŹàŠżàŠ°à§‹àŠ§àŠżàŠ€àŠŸ, àŠžà§‡ àŠ§àŠ°à§àŠźà§€àŠŻàŠŒ àŠŹàŠŸ àŠ§àŠ°à§àŠźàŠšàŠżàŠ°àŠȘà§‡àŠ•à§àŠ· àŠčà§‹àŠ•à„€ [àŠ§àŠŸàŠ°àŠŸ VI, àŠŹàŠżàŠ­àŠŸàŠ— XXV, XL, LXIII]


Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana is the Director of Foreign Relations and Foreign Ambassador in Malaysia for the U.S. Transhumanist Party. Find out more about him here. 

The Truly Radical Aspect of the Transhumanist Party – Article by Martin van der Kroon

The Truly Radical Aspect of the Transhumanist Party – Article by Martin van der Kroon

October 16, 2021 Martin van der Kroon Comments 0 Comment

Martin van der Kroon


The Transhumanist Party does not stand against other parties, but rather stands for positive change for humanity, science, healthcare, and ultimately for helping improve planet Earth and all life that inhabits it. Transhumanism often conjures up a mental picture of TV series like Altered Carbon, Black Mirror, the movies Johnny Mnemonic, Alita, and Blade Runner, or video games like Deus Ex, or Cyberpunk 2077. The Transhumanist Party is not against this, but rather for progress to improve health, and extend life through medical and scientific breakthroughs, and this could come in the form of cybernetic enhancements, but if different and equally viable and successful methods were to be discovered, we’d be equally thrilled about it.

This is a common misconception, and often an obstacle for people to support the Transhumanist Party, or even take it seriously. Despite that Transhumanism as a whole is conflated with cybernetics and robotics, those are merely possible tools to achieve the goals of extending life, but more importantly improving the lives and well-being of people. Ultimately, it would be great if people can have the option to live healthy for a much longer period, or indefinitely if they wish to, rather than being confined to a small window of time between two eternities.

Another image people might have when thinking of Transhumanism or the Transhumanist Party is that of people’s minds, brains, and memories being uploaded to ‘the cloud’. This is something a lot of Transhumanists would definitely be excited about, but let’s take a small step back. Even if you’re not excited about uploading your brain, or even those of loved ones to ‘the cloud’, there is still a lot to be excited about. When we could achieve this, that fundamentally requires us to have a much more sophisticated and complete understanding of the complexities of the brain, and with that likely also much more knowledge on how to treat various diseases and ailments that affect humans today. Another way “uploading to the cloud” could be useful is as a temporary storage during an operation, much like a heart-lung machine can already do now.

The Transhumanist Party is very different from what you are used to seeing in politics, or even in worldviews, in a sense it is radical much like the industrial revolution, the home computer, or the smartphone. The Transhumanist Party is not the solution to every problem we face as a species, but instead wants to be a constructive force to enable people to seek solutions, rather than push back against positive and transformative progress. That is the radical part about The Transhumanist Party, to enable progress through thoughtful regulation and thinking ahead and long-term, rather than stifle progress with knee jerk reactions based on short-term thinking.

Martin van der Kroon is a member of the U.S. Transhumanist Party and previously served as its Director of Recruitment in 2017.

100 Student Scholarships Now Available for RAADfest 2021 – Announcement by the Coalition for Radical Life Extension

100 Student Scholarships Now Available for RAADfest 2021 – Announcement by the Coalition for Radical Life Extension

October 1, 2021 Coalition for Radical Life Extension Comments 2 comments

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Coalition for Radical Life Extension


As an organization that supports the Coalition for Radical Life Extension, the U.S. Transhumanist Party provides the following announcement from the Coalition regarding RAADfest – https://www.raadfest.com/. The U.S. Transhumanist Party considers this a highly valuable opportunity for many students of limited financial means to attend RAADfest 2021 free of charge. Among the many sessions that this will enable students to watch, there will be a panel on longevity activism in which USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II will participate on October 3, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

 

100 Student Scholarships now available for RAADfest 2021
October 1 – 3 online

Attend RAADfest online, the largest super longevity event of its kinds, free of charge. Get informed about the most cutting-edge longevity research and protocols. Connect with like-minded people who are committed to radically extending life.

Who is eligible: Students with limited financial means
Requirements: Current student ID

The Coalition for Radical Life Extension, the presenter of RAADfest, is committed to promoting longevity education. That’s why we’re offering 100 scholarships to students with limited financial means to join RAADfest 2021 Online.

As students today, you may be part of the first immortal generation. Learn what you can do to help bring about radical life extension, both on a personal level and through your activism.

Hear from the top scientists, clinicians, and thought leaders in the field. From Neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Willeumier, pioneering gerontologist Dr. Bill Andrews, and futurist Dr. Natasha Vita-More to top anti-aging clinicians such as Dr. Sandra Kaufmann and Dr. Joe Cleaver, groundbreaking entrepreneurs Bill Faloon, Liz Parrish, and Dave Asprey, the lineup is loaded
with information and inspiration.

Presented by the non-profit Coalition for Radical Life Extension, RAADfest’s mission is to provide the most accurate and actionable information to support people living longer and living better. You can gain a huge head-start by living a longevity lifestyle right now. You can also help spread the word about the future of longevity.

“RAADfest is the only event of its kind that brings this depth and breadth of expertise presented for a general audience,” says James Strole, Director of the Coalition for Radical Life Extension.
“That’s why we’re growing all the time, because we impact peoples’ lives in very direct and positive ways.”

Contact us at info@rlecoalition.com.

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement of Support for Dr. Aubrey de Grey

U.S. Transhumanist Party Statement of Support for Dr. Aubrey de Grey

September 29, 2021 U.S. Transhumanist Party Comments 2 comments


September 28, 2021 – In recent weeks the United States Transhumanist Party (USTP), many of its members, and others within the transhumanist and life-extension communities have expressed resounding support for the character, ideas, and work of biomedical gerontologist Dr. Aubrey de Grey, originator of the concept of SENS – Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence – and co-founder of both the Methuselah Foundation in 2003 and the SENS Research Foundation (SENS RF) in 2009. Many individuals who admire Dr. de Grey and his work have also shared their profound concerns at the deep injustice perpetrated by the SENS RF Board of Directors when it removed Dr. de Grey from his position as Chief Science Officer of the SENS RF on August 21, 2021, without waiting for the conclusion of the investigation into certain allegations that had been made against him. 

The USTP considers the allegations against Dr. de Grey to unjustly cast him in an unfavorable light, despite a lack of sufficient evidence behind those allegations, and despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary – evidence of Dr. de Grey’s upstanding character, integrity, and generous treatment of numerous persons with whom he has interacted. 

Many transhumanists and longevity advocates have also shared their positive experiences with Aubrey de Grey. These testimonials are attached in the Appendix of this statement.

The USTP shares the displeasure of these transhumanists and life-extension advocates at the purported “independent” Investigative Report, released on September 10, 2021, which appears to have been commissioned by the SENS RF Board of Directors to validate a preconceived course of action and without providing any benefit of due process or the presumption of innocence to Aubrey de Grey. The Board’s action was particularly ill-conceived since a second Investigative Report, which was provided to the Board on September 28, 2021, apparently failed to find any additional credible accusers or allegations, despite three months of exhaustively searching for such – hence the SENS RF Board’s decision not to disclose that report to the public, as its disclosure would clearly illustrate to everyone involved the immensely overhyped character of the entire incident and also thereby show the manifestly unjust and untenable nature of the SENS RF Board’s decision to terminate Dr. de Grey. 

The USTP views the first Investigative Report as lacking true independence, as being based on a weak “preponderance of evidence” standard, and as primarily expressing the investigator’s subjective opinions without introducing substantive new information about the allegations in question. USTP Chairman Gennady Stolyarov II previously published a detailed analysis of the first Investigative Report and noted, “This report underscores the essentially ubiquitous fact that, in corporate America, ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune.’ There is no true possibility of a neutral, independent investigation when the investigator is financially compensated by one of the parties with a preconceived interest in the outcome. Whatever the personal ethics of the investigator, it would remain the case – and this is true for any paid professional contractor – that she would be concerned about where her future revenue stream would be coming from. Releasing a report that challenged or undermined the well-publicized intentions of (and actions already taken by) her clients – the Board of the SENS Research Foundation – would have jeopardized her future opportunities to be retained by the same clients or similar corporate boards, whose interest is not so much in the objective truth, but rather in ratifying the legitimacy of the Board’s actions after the fact and mitigating adverse publicity.”

The USTP is further troubled that a mere allegation of what amounts to no more than comments made years ago could have such a devastating impact to the life’s work and career of one of the brightest and most accomplished scientists in the rejuvenation biotechnology field. Whereas anyone accused of crimes such as murder or theft would be entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the writing of a poorly thought-out email nearly a decade ago, or the alleged making of an implausible suggestion at a dinner multiple years ago (for which there is no concrete evidence at all), seems not to merit those same protections in the minds of those wishing to act as judge, jury, and executioner in the present contrived scandal. It is clear to the USTP that these matters have only surfaced because of Dr. de Grey’s immense fundraising success in attracting an unprecedented $28 million in funding to the SENS RF as a result of the PulseChain Airdrop in July 2021. Even if the allegations made by “Complainant #1” and “Complainant #2” had been true, at worst the transgressions alleged would have amounted to unfortunate errors of judgment, for which an apology in private – not the destruction of a career and reputation – would have been the appropriate remedy. 

Indeed, the absolute disproportionality between the alleged offense and the punishment is clear indication of an ulterior motive, whereby certain interests sought the removal of Dr. de Grey irrespective of the reason, and the present allegations were merely a convenient pretext to justify such removal. It is the hope of the USTP that the nature of the ulterior motives and the persons behind them will be revealed in due time. 

In the meantime, the USTP calls for the SENS RF Board of Directors to immediately take the following actions:

1. Reinstate Dr. de Grey as Chief Science Officer;

2. Issue a complete retraction and disavowal of the irreparably flawed first “Investigative Report” of September 10, 2021;

3. Issue a public apology to Dr. de Grey for publicly tarnishing his reputation with unsubstantiated allegations and for terminating him on August 21, 2021, without due process; and

4. Effectuate the resignation of the Board member(s) who instigated the courses of action above. This does not pertain to the entire current Board of Directors, but rather to the specific member(s) who originated the plan and made the recommendation to the other Board members to terminate Dr. de Grey’s role as Chief Science Officer.

Until the aforementioned steps are taken, the USTP urges its members and other donors to discontinue all financial support from the SENS RF. The USTP considers the SENS approach to be inextricably linked with the ideas, contributions, and work of Dr. de Grey – and removing Dr. de Grey from any effort identified by the name “SENS” would leave that effort an empty shell, devoid of its essence and core organizing impetus.   

Dr. de Grey remains a trusted Advisor and ally of the USTP, and the USTP stands ready to support him and to offer our resources and online platforms to amplify his voice. As USTP Chairman Stolyarov remarked, “Dr. Aubrey de Grey’s work is literally saving lives, and the extent of his ability to continue this work going forward will affect how many lives are saved and how soon. Approximately 110,000 people die every day of causes related to biological aging. We cannot simply let these deaths transpire because of the allegations of two decade-old emails and an implausible comment. The stakes cannot be higher, and Aubrey de Grey deserves to be acknowledged as a hero for being on the front lines of the struggle for your life and mine.” 

Appendix: Testimonials in Support of Dr. Aubrey de Grey by Transhumanists and Life-Extension Advocates

Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, recalled the transformative impact that Aubrey de Grey has had on his thinking and his view of what is possible. “Since I was a young child, I was always convinced that death due to aging is the greatest tragedy and injustice, but until I learned about the SENS approach through the work of Aubrey de Grey in 2004, I did not expect that biological aging could be reversed within my lifetime. Aubrey de Grey changed that perception for me. He has spent over two decades tirelessly spreading the insights of the SENS approach, working to convince me and eventually many others – both scientists and laypersons – that longevity escape velocity may be within reach if enough people embrace and fund this goal. Recognition of the potential of this approach to overcome the greatest injustice of all was, of course, life-changing for me, and led to my involvement with the transhumanist and longevity communities over the ensuing years. During my interactions with him, I have always found Aubrey de Grey to be remarkably approachable, generous with his time, and willing to help anybody seeking to understand the SENS approach and effective ways to promote it. Most individuals of Aubrey de Grey’s level of fame and workload would not be so open – but this speaks to the kind of person Aubrey de Grey is: uncommonly transparent, straightforward, insightful, and willing to share those insights sincerely and with the best intentions. The longevity industry today would be many years further behind were it not for Aubrey de Grey’s diligent advocacy, inspiration, and creation of networks of researchers, activists, and entrepreneurs who have been able to take rejuvenation biotechnology from the idea stage and into research breakthroughs and human clinical trials.”     

Arin Vahanian, Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Transhumanist Party, recounted his interactions with Aubrey de Grey: “I first met Aubrey de Grey at RAADfest 2018 (coincidentally, that was also when I met my dear friend Gennady for the first time). Aubrey not only took time out of his schedule to chat, but he also invited me to the SENS booth. I found him to be thoughtful, humble, and kind. Earlier this year, I participated in a panel discussion with Aubrey with other officers of the Transhumanist Party, and he was not only very supportive of Transhumanism and the Transhumanist Party, but he also encouraged me to follow my goal of being involved in the biotech industry as a business executive.”

Artist and USTP Member Ekaterina Valinakova stated that she “met with Aubrey de Grey some years ago; he was pretty cool. He is a legend, and his work and contributions probably will lead to the saving of millions of lives. If Aubrey did not exist, the timeline for longevity escape velocity would probably be pushed back several years at least, perhaps as much as a decade. This translates to the difference between life and death for some of you here [reading this], and more importantly this translates to the difference between life and death for possibly hundreds of millions of people.”

Charlie Kam, the USTP Director of Marketing and previously the U.S. Transhumanist Party’s endorsed 2020 U.S. Presidential Candidate, stated, “Dr Aubrey de Grey  is by far, one of the most dedicated humanitarian visionaries of our time, focused on the most important issue of ALL time, which is that of saving lives by ending aging.  I’ve known of Aubrey and his amazing ideas long before he had even founded the SENS Foundation in 2009. I had read his writings, and met him, and listened to his presentations at several events throughout the early 2000s, and was so impressed, that by 2007, when I held the 3-day TransVision conference in Chicago, with over 30 speakers, I asked him to be one of the few star Keynote speakers, which included the likes of Ray Kurzweil and William Shatner. In all of our encounters over the years, both professionally and socially, I’ve known him to always be brilliantly engaging, humble, jovial, caring, respectful, and uncommonly generous. This last quality I mentioned, isn’t just my opinion, but was clearly and overwhelmingly proven to be factual in 2012, when he inherited $16 million, and then immediately proceeded to donate $13 million of it to the SENS Foundation. This action demonstrates not only his generosity, but also his integrity, and dedication to the cause, and success, of the SENS Research Foundation.”

“So I find it shocking, disappointing, and, frankly, rather foolish, and possibly corrupt, that the SENS RF Board would fire the very person who not only founded their foundation, but funded it in a large way.”

“I agree with the assessment presented by the USTP of the situation and the suggested remedies, which includes Aubrey’s reinstatement, a retraction of the tainted investigation, a public apology, and a ‘clean-up’ of the SENS board. And I would add one more caveat: If the SENS Research Foundation does not reinstate Aubrey because they believe he is of such immoral character, then they should not be willing to accept his ‘dirty money,’ and should return to him his $13 million donation!”

USTP Director of Publication Zach Richardson recalled, “I still remember the surge of excitement I felt reading the penultimate sentence of Chapter 4 in Ending Aging: ‘Michael Rae and I have worked hard in Part 2 to present cutting-edge science in a manner comprehensible to any educated layman who’s willing to put in the time to read it carefully.’ Educated layman, that was my preferred self-description! Aubrey laid down the law about the seven types of damage involved in aging, and I referred to the book at least once a quarter whenever I was agitating online. His idea of treating the effects of aging as an engineering problem to be solved, like replacing a broken windshield, reassured me that aging was a problem that could be beaten, and I was extremely pleased he had started the SENS RF. Aubrey has a powerful force of personality, and his dynamic and driven methodology is what is needed for anyone currently alive to have a chance at reaching Longevity Escape Velocity.”

USTP Member Rudi Hoffman explained, “Trust can be bifurcated into two components…do we trust a person’s INTENT, and do we trust their COMPETENCE?  In both of these components, Dr. de Grey scores a perfect ten with reference to his foundational and epic work on human longevity.”

“Having been with Dr. de Grey in both professional presentations as well as social situations, I can attest to the depth of his basic decency, caring, and congruence with the enlightenment values modern humans share.  In studying his book, the clarity of his thinking and the depth of his commitment is apparent.  He has been uniquely effective in changing society’s basic paradigm about aging and death, in part because of his singular personality.”

“Along with others, I am shocked and dismayed at the disproportionate response by the SENS board to allegations of harassment.  Even if true, a private apology might be warranted in response to the alleged statements, certainly not banishment from the organization Dr. de Grey has created, built, and helped fund.”

“I implore the SENS board to reconsider their actions and find a path toward cohesiveness, proportionality, and effective operations which are a direct result of one visionary human named Dr. Aubrey de Grey.  Aubrey may not be a perfect human, but I would literally trust him with my life.  It is very possible that our lives may thrive or wither based on rational minds prevailing in this matter.”

USTP Member Walter Crompton remarked, “I have spent considerable time with Aubrey, and never observed him speaking disrespectfully to, or about anyone, even though he seems comfortable speaking frankly with me.”

USTP Member Elysia Dawn commented, “Aubrey is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known. He only ever treated me with respect and kindness. I never saw him intentionally disrespect anyone.”

USTP Member Morris F. Johnson expressed his view that “It’s really sad [Aubrey de Grey] has to endure this. But when SENS started, he was touted as either a fool or a lunatic. He had proved to be a great global thought leader.”

Curry Taylor recounted that he “met [Aubrey de Grey] at RAADfest once; he was nothing but polite. We had a discussion about possible funding of SENS in the future. He was very optimistic about SENS’s future and also the future of aging-reversal research.”

Martin Lipovơek added, “Every time when I met Aubrey in person I saw a great human. I support defending him against accusations which work on the principle of ‘guilty until proven innocent.’”

Hugo Schmidt stated, “Aubrey’s been one of the most significant people I have ever met. He’s always been a gentleman, and a good-natured eccentric. I am convinced future generations will be thanking him. All of them.”

Report on the Development of Transhumanism in Togo – by Siba Tcha-Mouza

Report on the Development of Transhumanism in Togo – by Siba Tcha-Mouza

September 28, 2021 Siba Tcha-mouza Comments 0 Comment

Siba Tcha-Mouza


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this overview of recent transhumanist progress in Togo from our Foreign Ambassador for Togo, Siba Tcha-Mouza.  Here Mr. Tcha-Mouza focuses on the recent creation of the LomĂ© Data Centre and its implications for the spread of transhumanist ideas and opportunities on the African continent. 

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, September 28, 2021


The policy of the United States Transhumanist Party is based primarily on science and technology allowing the improvement of the physical, mental, and moral characteristics of the human being.  In practice, it is about the material, psychic, and social development of the human being thanks to the development of science and technology.  In this perspective, our representation in Togo would like to congratulate the efforts of the Togolese authorities for the creation of a Tier III level data center called Lomé Data Centre and inaugurated on June 4, 2021.

This project was funded by the World Bank as part of the West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP) regional infrastructure development program and is part of the growth strategy supported by digital transformation.  It is an essential step forward for participation in the Fourth Technological Revolution.

The ambition to develop one of the fields of converging technologies makes it inevitable to explore all the other components of the fourth technological revolution.  Nanotechnology, biotechnology, computer science, and neuroscience necessarily intervene on top of each other to resolve technical dead ends and sometimes open the door to unheard-of possibilities.

The creation of Lomé Data Centre would undoubtedly be a first step which will necessarily require the intervention of artificial intelligence (AI) to be more optimal.  The mastery of this technological reality which is artificial intelligence (AI) will have a profound impact on almost all other fields by giving Togo a new impetus for technological development.

Our representation encourages such initiatives which are emerging more and more in Africa, and in particular in Togo, and hopes that other projects, within the framework of converging sciences and technologies, are born in order to accelerate scientific and technological research.  Thus, Togo would ensure its technological transformation and participate in the Fourth Technological Revolution.

Siba Tcha-Mouza
United States Transhumanist Party Foreign Ambassador for Togo

What is Transhumanism? – Graphics by Luis Arroyo

What is Transhumanism? – Graphics by Luis Arroyo

August 27, 2021 Luis Arroyo Comments 0 Comment

Luis Arroyo


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party features this set of graphics by our member Luis Arroyo to bring attention to an interesting and worthwhile outlook on transhumanism. This is meant as a brief but informative overview of some transhumanist ideas as well as the diversity of thought within the transhumanist movement. Also, these graphics are effective for sharing on various social-media platforms.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, August 26, 2021


References

[1] Agence France-Presse. “Paralysed man walks using mind-controlled exoskeleton”. 4 October 2019. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/04/paralysed-man-walks-using-mind-controlled-exoskeleton

[2] Katie Tan. “Duke surgical team successfully implants new generation artificial heart in patient, first in U.S.” The Duke Chronicle. 29 July 2021. Available at https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2021/07/duke-university-hospital-health-artificial-heart-transplant-research-study-carmat

[3] Saqib Shah. “A magnetic helmet shrunk a deadly tumor in world-first test”. Engadget. 26 July 2021. Available at https://www.engadget.com/magnetic-helmet-tumor-093523598.html

[4] American Friends of Tel Aviv University. “Tel Aviv University study finds hyperbaric oxygen treatments reverse aging process”. EurekAlert! 19 November 2020. Available at https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/667837

[5] The Washington Post. “His voice silenced for years, a man can now communicate using only the electrical impulses from his brain”. 14 July 2021. Available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/paralyzed-man-can-communicate/2021/07/14/3a9ce638-e4b5-11eb-8aa5-5662858b696e_story.html

[6] Phys.org. “Scientists create embryos to save northern white rhino”. 30 July 2021. Available at https://phys.org/news/2021-07-scientists-embyros-northern-white-rhino.html

 

Evolution Won’t Stop Aging Any Time Soon, but Medicine Might – Article by Sedeer el-Showk

Evolution Won’t Stop Aging Any Time Soon, but Medicine Might – Article by Sedeer el-Showk

July 26, 2021 Sedeer el-Showk Comments 0 Comment

Sedeer el-Showk


Editor’s Note: The U.S. Transhumanist Party publishes this article by Sedeer el-Showk, originally featured by our allies at Lifespan.io, in order to highlight the fallacious nature of many media outlets’ responses to a recent study about the “invariant rate of aging”. As Mr. el-Showk eloquently explains, this study does not refute or undermine the possibility of pursuing the reversal of biological aging, but simply suggests that this needs to be done through medical and technological means, and that without such means, overcoming the limitations of the current maximum human lifespan would not be feasible. Many of us in the longevity advocacy community have known this for a long time already, but it is important to spread accurate information to prevent an unjustified decline in public confidence in the feasibility of radical life extension.

~ Gennady Stolyarov II, Chairman, United States Transhumanist Party, July 25, 2021


Aging is not unstoppable, despite misinterpretations of the new study.

A new study [1] about the ‘invariant rate of ageing’ has led to reports that aging is unstoppable and that we cannot cheat death. However, this reporting is based on a misunderstanding of what the study actually says.

The misinterpretations

The study shows that “immortality and everlasting youth are the stuff of myths,” according to The Guardian. The article goes on to say that “an unprecedented study has now confirmed that we probably cannot slow the rate at which we get older because of biological constraints.” Other outlets published similar conclusions, with Futurism saying that the study shows “an ‘invariant rate of aging’ that won’t slow down”.

These reporters seem to have gotten tripped up on the idea of an ‘invariant rate’, which has the key implication that biological constraints determine the rate of human aging. This led to the conclusion that aging is fixed, inevitable, and immutable, but that’s not at all what the study shows, as the paper itself directly says.

What the study actually says

The study aimed to investigate the ‘invariant rate of ageing’ hypothesis, which proposes that the rate of aging is fixed within a species. The idea is that aging has evolved in concert with a suite of other traits, such as birth rate and metabolic rate, and this concerted evolution has led to the rate of aging being relatively fixed within a species.

In this context, ‘fixed’ is used as the opposite of ‘plastic’. It doesn’t mean ‘set in stone’. It means there’s relatively limited variation in this trait within a species because biological factors have a stronger effect on it than environmental factors. A good example might be the number of digits on a limb – environmental factors don’t really affect it, and there’s very little (but some) variation.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers created a statistical model of the age-specific risk of death in species from seven primate genera. They used data from various studies to set the parameters of their model, which is how they tested the amount of variation.

The model included parameters for infant and juvenile mortality, age-independent mortality, and senescent mortality. Variation in the biological rate of aging would be reflected in the senescent mortality parameter, since it captures what we normally think of as ‘aging’, while the infant and juvenile morality parameter reflects the misfortune of dying young.

The study’s first finding is that most of the gain in human lifespan so far has come from reducing mortality at younger ages. There’s also variation in the infant and juvenile mortality parameter, both between societies and at different times.

This also shows up in the relationship between life expectancy and lifespan equality. Media reports generally got this part of the study right, and you can look at the report on SciTechDaily to get more details about these findings.

Unlike the infant and juvenile mortality parameter, the senescent mortality parameter varied very little within each species. In fact, changing this parameter in their model shifted the mortality and demographic data of one species to look like another.

Changing the other parameters led to minor shifts in age distribution, but changing senescent mortality made it look like data from a different species. What this means is that within a given species, biological factors are the ultimate determinants of longevity.

Changing the environment to reduce mortality at younger ages (as we have in most parts of the world) affects demographics, increasing life expectancy and lifespan equality. However, accomplishing more than that will require tackling the evolved biological constraints on lifespan.

This study, therefore, doesn’t show that the rate of aging cannot be changed; it shows that there’s a limit to how much change can be realized without biological interventions, which is precisely the challenge that longevity research aims to overcome.

The paper itself closes on that note, though you wouldn’t know it from the way it’s been covered: “It remains to be seen if future advances in medicine can overcome the biological constraints that we have identified here, and achieve what evolution has not.”

Abstract

Is it possible to slow the rate of ageing, or do biological constraints limit its plasticity? We test the ‘invariant rate of ageing’ hypothesis, which posits that the rate of ageing is relatively fixed within species, with a collection of 39 human and nonhuman primate datasets across seven genera. We first recapitulate, in nonhuman primates, the highly regular relationship between life expectancy and lifespan equality seen in humans. We next demonstrate that variation in the rate of ageing within genera is orders of magnitude smaller than variation in pre-adult and age-independent mortality. Finally, we demonstrate that changes in the rate of ageing, but not other mortality parameters, produce striking, species-atypical changes in mortality patterns. Our results support the invariant rate of ageing hypothesis, implying biological constraints on how much the human rate of ageing can be slowed.

Conclusion

Ultimately, this wasn’t a study about longevity or the inevitability of aging. It was research to understand what affects the rate of aging – how much it results from evolved biological processes versus the effects of the environment. That’s important science not only for longevity research but also for evolutionary biology. It’s undoubtedly valuable, but unfortunately, its message has been misconstrued.

Far from showing that aging is inevitable, this research instead demonstrates that, ultimately, we’ll run out of environmental improvements and will have to turn to biological interventions to affect aging.

Literature

[1] Colchero, F. et al. The long lives of primates and the ‘invariant rate of ageing’ hypothesis. Nature Communications (2021), doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23894-3

Sedeer el-Showk became a professional science writer after finishing a degree in biology. He also writes poetry and science fiction and fantasy, and somehow juggles an ever-growing list of hobbies from programming to knitting to gardening. Eternal curiosity and good fortune have taken him to many parts of the world, but he’s settled in Helsinki, Finland for the moment. He hopes he’ll never stop learning new things.

Jennifer A. Huse Certified as Candidate in Mayoral Election in Camden, New Jersey

Jennifer A. Huse Certified as Candidate in Mayoral Election in Camden, New Jersey

June 15, 2021 Jennifer A. Huse Comments 0 Comment


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 14, 2021

Contact: Jennifer A. Huse

Email : info@jahformayor.com

Phone: 856-729-0272

Website www.jahformayor.com

Jennifer A. Huse, Independent Candidate for Mayor of Camden, New Jersey, has been certified by the Office of the Camden County Clerk’s Election Division to run on the ballot in the upcoming Mayoral election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. 

Ms. Huse and her husband have each studied social system, city, and community design for over a decade. They have been personally mentored by the world’s foremost futurists and social engineers and she is excited to apply their knowledge to governance of our city.

Ms. Huse has a background and education in Cell and Molecular Biology, Exercise Science, Social Media Management, Communications, Marketing, and Business Management. Both Ms. Huse and her husband currently work in home renovations in our city. In addition to both of their social system design studies, this diverse background gives her a unique perspective in being inclusive of all people in proposals and improvements applied to governance of our city.

Ms. Huse states, “It is an honor to place my name forward as an Independent candidate for the city of Camden mayoral seat. I look forward to productive, one-on-one conversations in the next few months with the people of Camden and am pleased to present my extensive list of proposed changes to better the lives of all who live in Camden.”

She continues, “While gathering signatures, I was so encouraged and impressed with all whom I met, both the people who live and work here, and so happy to see how many persons want real change for their city. I am pleased to be offering a new, fresh approach to the governing of Camden.”

Ms. Huse’s extensive proposal list includes but is not limited to: housing for all, new employment opportunities, food security for all, education for all, new city revenue sources, ending the war on drugs, decriminalization of sex work, participatory governance, expansion of the arts and sciences, healthy life extension initiatives for all, and a Center for Scientific Solutions to problem-solve the issues we face in our city. She is the first mayoral candidate to include life extension initiatives in her platform proposals.

Ms. Huse concludes, “All people of Camden deserve a healthy and meaningful life in our beautiful city. Our administration looks to constantly improve and bring all people in Camden to the highest quality of life possible. I ask for your vote on November 2nd for the betterment of all.”

Note from the U.S. Transhumanist Party: Jennifer A. Huse was endorsed by a vote of the U.S. Transhumanist Party members on May 2, 2021, and accordingly the U.S. Transhumanist Party supports her run for Mayor of Camden, New Jersey. On May 2, 2021, the U.S. Transhumanist Party also held a Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Jennifer Huse, where we discussed her campaign initiatives in depth for nearly four hours. 

Why Transhumanism Needs More Positive Science Fiction – Article by Rykon Volta

Why Transhumanism Needs More Positive Science Fiction – Article by Rykon Volta

June 7, 2021 Rykon Volta Comments 1 comment

Rykon Volta


In the modern Age of Accelerating Returns, more commonly known as the Information Age, technological growth is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. Never before in the history of humanity has technological growth shown itself so clearly to the human race. As noted by famous futurist Ray Kurzweil, the trend of exponential growth in technology follows a double exponential curve.

One famous example of this exponential growth that you might be familiar with if you are into the world of tech is, of course, Moore’s Law, but in The Singularity is Near, Kurzweil demonstrates that other technological fields, including medicine, have been accelerating as well. Ray Kurzweil shows that technology has actually been accelerating since before the Stone Age, although a man in the Roman Empire would not have noticed any ramifications of progress considering that his grandchildren would not live in a very different society from the one his grandfather and he inhabited. For the first time in recorded history, we are commonly thinking about where we will be in 100 years, where we will be in 50 years, and now we are even thinking about where we will be in a decade as technology progresses into the 21st Century. If Ray Kurzweil is right, machines will have sentience, and AI, or artificial intelligence, will be greater than human intelligence, resulting in a hypothetical event known as an “intelligence explosion” or “technological singularity”. After this point, machines will be much smarter than average human beings and will be able to carry on progress much faster than we can even begin to comprehend with our natural brains.

In the wake of the recognition of these future possibilities, many science-fiction authors and script writers have created a plethora of media to warn us that AI and future genetic augmentation pose many existential threats to the human race. Examples that now dominate the mainstream media include Terminator, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, and many more that warn us that AI might kill us all. Gattaca expresses the great fear of an unfair society of elitism in a genetically enhanced world where a man who was born naturally is unable to get his dream career because he wasn’t born with genetic modifications. In parallel, people demonize the idea of genetic modification by ruthlessly attacking GMOs and saying that they’re bad for us when GMOs have in fact solved famine in some parts of the world due to higher yields. People are always fearful of something they do not understand.

In the Golden Age of Science Fiction, a period during the mid-20th Century that saw many sci-fi works hitting the stage, spreading optimism and futurism, science fiction had a brighter outlook on the future. Isaac Asimov imagined future Spacer societies and a Galactic Empire in his Robot Series and Foundation Series. Gene Roddenberry took us on fantastic voyages across the stars in the Enterprise alongside Captain James T. Kirk and Spock. Other authors inspired visionaries to have a brighter outlook on the future as the Space Race sent the first humans to the Moon.

Today, we have, in a way, a form of cultural stagnation. While some still see the future in an optimistic light, it seems much more popular today to look at the future as a dystopia, and New Age movements all over the place actually act like demonizing technology is some kind of “morally right” position. Despite the trends of growth continuing to accelerate, mainstream culture seems to be propagating more fear of the future than hope and inspiration. Why are we doing this? While I agree that dystopian sci-fi has it’s place and that we should in very deed analyze and contemplate existential risks in our future that we might steer clear of, progress is going to happen and we are going to try everything we can to “play god”, as the enemies of transhumanism like to say transhumanists are trying to do. To them, of course, I say, “Were we not created in God’s image? Did God not give the Earth to mankind? Were we not meant to achieve our full potential, to subdue the Earth and conquer it, bending it to our will?” Indeed, this phrase in Genesis seems to be divine permission to modify our bodies and accelerate a brighter future. However, this is mainly an appeal to my fellow religious folks who may be averse to progress. We are not playing God because, quite honestly, God would not even make that possible. We are just using our God-given talents to hack our own genetic code and modify the machinery of our initial, still quite wonderful creation. To those Christians who say that we are insulting God and telling him “You didn’t make me good enough”, the beauty of mankind is that we were in fact created with the ability to modify ourselves. Don’t modify yourself with the intention of insulting your creator, but with the intention of becoming closer to your creator. Why would he give us the ability for self-modification if he didn’t intend for us to use it? It’s like saying that we shouldn’t work out because self improvement is some kind of blasphemy against God. Do you really believe God wants us to intentionally limit ourselves from our full potential?

Others may fear the coming of AI as a usurping of humanity as the apex predator upon this planet, and they may be afraid of a Skynet scenario where a rampant AI destroys us all. I argue that the solution is to merge ourselves with the machines, allowing us to cause ourselves to evolve. Ray Kurzweil and many other singularitarians would make the same argument. By evolving our own bodies and replacing our cells with nanobots whereby we can enhance our brains to the point where neural signals travel at light speed, we will be able to keep up with AI in the evolutionary arms race to come. You can choose to live in fear in the face of the Singularity that is coming, getting left behind in its wake, or you can step boldly and bravely forward into the new world that it will create, surpassing all your physical, mental, and morphological limitations and ending your mortality fully.

As I have written before, mainstream media is overwhelmingly sending out negative signals and warnings about the future, painting into the memespace, or ideaspace, of mainstream culture the notion that technology is a negative influence and that it should be contained and controlled. Society is largely crying for a return back to the caves because many people are fearful of what they don’t understand. This trend needs to cease. People need to see that the light of the future is much brighter than they think. AI is coming, and the technological Singularity is coming, and it’s going to be better than anyone can imagine. This is a call to arms; artists and sci-fi writers who see the ramifications of the future and how it can create an abundant, prosperous utopia, I urge you to write science fiction that portrays AI not in a negative, but rather in a positive manner. Show AI in a benevolent form and show how it can aid humanity in its future quest for survival. Show how it can solve global problems like hunger and global warming and cure disease. Stories that put the Neo-Luddites in their place, and show that the pseudo-religious zeal of anti-progress-minded people is ultimately a negative factor only holding us back from creating a better world in the long run. Know and understand that the content in the mainstream media has a huge effect on the minds of the people, and indeed much of culture is shaped by what is put out there and consumed by the masses. Transhumanism needs more positive science fiction to help gain support for the movement and to inspire the next generation of scientists and inventors to design the future we all desire!

Rykon Volta is the author of the novel Arondite, Book I of The Artilect Protocol Trilogy. Arondite is available on Amazon in hard-copy and Kindle formats here. Visit Rykon Volta’s website here. 

Watch the U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon of  July 19, 2020, when Rykon Volta was the guest of honor and discussed science fiction, his novel Arondite, and the ideas surrounding it with the U.S. Transhumanist Party Officers.

 

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