Eternal life?

Eternal life is a fairytale. It is not possible to live forever. Or at least, this is the case these days. But what if it really becomes possible to live forever? According to three scientists, Anders Sandberg, Aubrey de Grey and Nick Bostrom, an endless life isn’t far away.

A technique that is developed to better understand the architecture of the brain, is being used to upload contents of the human brain onto a computer.

“Anders Sandberg describe how to scan ultra-thin sections of brain. First, embed the brain in plastic, then use a camera combined with laser beam and diamond blade to capture images of the tissue as it is sliced.”

If this really becomes possible it means that people can die physically but still continue living on a computer. Isn’t this a bit weird?

Sandberg and his collegues are called transhumanists. This is an international intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of new sciences and technologies to enhance human mental and physical abilities and aptitudes, and ameliorate what it regards as undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as stupidity, suffering, disease, aging and involuntary death. Some people think these transhumanists are dangerous for the future of humanity. What if ‘the others’ take over?

This whole project raises a lot of questions. Where do digitized brains go to? Do ‘brains’ know they are digitized? What will happen if people can be uploaded to Second Life? Can digitized brains die?

An interview with the three transhumanists can be seen here
A really interesting article about Aubrey de Grey: