U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon with Miguel Conner – July 16, 2023
Miguel Conner
Gennady Stolyarov II
Tom Ross
Brent Ellman
Daniel E. Twedt
David Shumaker
Art Ramon Garcia, Jr.
On Sunday, July 16, 2023, the U.S. Transhumanist Party invited Miguel Conner to discuss transhumanism from a Gnostic perspective and speak with the USTP Officers to compare and contrast how transhumanism is perceived in parts of the Gnostic community with the reality of the transhumanist movement. In doing so, Miguel Conner engaged in dialogue with USTP 2024 U.S. Presidential candidate, Tom Ross, who also has a significant background in Gnostic thought.
Miguel Conner describes himself as “a garage philosopher, hedge theologian, and general madman across the waters.” His life quest is to take his audience from ancient connections to modern meaning. He is the host of Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio, author of four published books, and writer of hundreds of articles in various publications.
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Timestamps
2:13 – Tom Ross’s opening remarks: why interacting with Gnostics is beneficial for fleshing out transhumanism
4:23 – Miguel Conner’s opening remarks
9:32 – Gnosticism through history
12:45 – Lenses of Gnosticism
17:08 – Gnosticism’s inherent rejection of materialism
20:10 – Humanity’s inherent transhumanism through history (but how we might not yet be ready to merge with our machines)
30:16 – The power of the brain’s control over reality
35:20 – The power of technology to help humanity evolve
38:46 – AI tutors (to help humanity evolve)
42:48 – How the concentration of power has been a recurring theme in human history
45:30 – Tom Ross’s case for welcoming AI to society
48:13 – AI as tool, and mind as both seat of power and source of self-deception
56:39 – How those in power use words to stay in power
1:07:03 – Gnostics’ take on reality
1:12:19 – How humanity might turn the corner
1:27:27 – Transhumanist symbols
1:30:15 – The Trickster as benevolent disruptor
1:33:32 – Miguel Conner’s argument for how Gnosticism is an appropriate approach at this moment in humanity’s development
1:37:57 – Ways to improve transhumanism (“Make humans great again.”)
1:41:09 – What Gnostics believe dreams are (if they already think reality is a simulation)
1:46:56 – Minimum governmental necessities
1:49:09 – The power performers are given, and how they could best use it
1:53:16 – Miguel Conner’s closing remarks
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Find out more about Miguel Conner on his YouTube channel.
Visit Miguel Conner’s website.
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