Inspiration
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
Reading and Learning
Central to this debate [the debate of what defines us as human] is the question of what composes human identity. Does our identity change when parts of our bodies become artificial? What about if we augment our brains with expanded memory or computational powers and learn to communicate wordlessly to other people through direct brain-to-machine interfaces? While philosophers have argued throughout the ages on how to define human identity, CTs [converging technologies] add an extra sense of urgency to the issue. Is human identity a fixed value that cannot change, or is it an evolving phenomenon for each of us as individuals as well as for the whole human race? Ideally we would have settled this question before we tread farther into the territory of enhancing our bodies and brains. However, as has always been the case, technology leapfrogs over philosophical questions at an ever-increasing speed. It's entirely likely that it is technological enhancement that will over time reveal to us who we are at our center, rather than being some quality that is predetermined by us in advance. Ironically, we may be able to define ourselves only after we have artificially enhanced our bodies and brains to a higher level of functioning.
pgs 15-16
Central to this debate [the debate of what defines us as human] is the question of what composes human identity. Does our identity change when parts of our bodies become artificial? What about if we augment our brains with expanded memory or computational powers and learn to communicate wordlessly to other people through direct brain-to-machine interfaces? While philosophers have argued throughout the ages on how to define human identity, CTs [converging technologies] add an extra sense of urgency to the issue. Is human identity a fixed value that cannot change, or is it an evolving phenomenon for each of us as individuals as well as for the whole human race? Ideally we would have settled this question before we tread farther into the territory of enhancing our bodies and brains. However, as has always been the case, technology leapfrogs over philosophical questions at an ever-increasing speed. It's entirely likely that it is technological enhancement that will over time reveal to us who we are at our center, rather than being some quality that is predetermined by us in advance. Ironically, we may be able to define ourselves only after we have artificially enhanced our bodies and brains to a higher level of functioning.
pgs 15-16
Today was a rather slow in preschool land. Two of my preschoolers stayed home today and the third one came late. So we didn't do our usual morning learning time. But at story time this afternoon we did have fun looking for this week's sight words in the story.
Outdoor Fun
Puppy love!
He is still so fascinated by the chickens and some days spends so much time just hanging out watching them. They seem to like him too, coming up to look at him curiously and
My van got a bath today. It looks much better - in spots.
On My Mind
I've been thinking today about the verse I posted in the Inspiration section of this post and about the book, Beyond Human, that I've been reading. The book is full of fascinating information about new advances combining medicine, science and technology that have the potential to greatly extend the human life span. There are so many possible mechanical parts in the works to put inside the body that one could nearly become a cyborg! Then there is the possibility of nanotechnology that could move around through the blood stream and make repairs in the body as the blood flows. It's like science fiction except it's not fiction! But along with these "advances" come so many ethical and philosophical questions, as noted above. And why do we feel the need to go to such lengths to continue life here on earth so far beyond the natural limits? Do we really think we are going to stay here forever? Do we even want too?
In The Book of Mysteries, Jonathan Cahn talks about how the Israelites, on their way to the promised land, traveled lightly and lived in tents. Even though it took 40 years and there were times when they stayed in one spot for an extended period of time, they continued to live in tents, ready to pick up at a moments notice and move on when the signal was given. In the same way, we are called to travel through this life with the knowledge that we are here temporarily. This life is not the final stopping point. Each situation, each season of life is simply a camping site that we will move on from. We're just camping, traveling lightly, as we move toward that final destination - the Promised Land!
I've been thinking today about the verse I posted in the Inspiration section of this post and about the book, Beyond Human, that I've been reading. The book is full of fascinating information about new advances combining medicine, science and technology that have the potential to greatly extend the human life span. There are so many possible mechanical parts in the works to put inside the body that one could nearly become a cyborg! Then there is the possibility of nanotechnology that could move around through the blood stream and make repairs in the body as the blood flows. It's like science fiction except it's not fiction! But along with these "advances" come so many ethical and philosophical questions, as noted above. And why do we feel the need to go to such lengths to continue life here on earth so far beyond the natural limits? Do we really think we are going to stay here forever? Do we even want too?
In The Book of Mysteries, Jonathan Cahn talks about how the Israelites, on their way to the promised land, traveled lightly and lived in tents. Even though it took 40 years and there were times when they stayed in one spot for an extended period of time, they continued to live in tents, ready to pick up at a moments notice and move on when the signal was given. In the same way, we are called to travel through this life with the knowledge that we are here temporarily. This life is not the final stopping point. Each situation, each season of life is simply a camping site that we will move on from. We're just camping, traveling lightly, as we move toward that final destination - the Promised Land!
Quote of the Day
What we don't need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human.
~ Brene Brown
What we don't need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human.
~ Brene Brown
Comments
Post a Comment