On the Destiny of the Species What Would Darwin Think 150 Years After ‘The Origin of the Species’ Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D. TransVision07 Chicago, IL 2007-07-25 2300 GMT

Variation (Diversity) Is Key to Survival “ Natural selection acts exclusively by the preservation and accumulation of variations, which are beneficial under the organic and inorganic conditions to which each creature is exposed at all periods of life. The ultimate result is that each creature tends to become more and more improved in relation to its conditions. This improvement inevitably leads to the gradual advancement of the organization of the greater number of living beings throughout the world.” -Charles Darwin

“ Natural selection acts exclusively by the preservation and accumulation of variations, which are beneficial under the organic and inorganic conditions to which each creature is exposed at all periods of life. The ultimate result is that each creature tends to become more and more improved in relation to its conditions. This improvement inevitably leads to the gradual advancement of the organization of the greater number of living beings throughout the world.” -Charles Darwin

Darwin Was a Transpeciest He saw nothing essential to any specific species He believed all species emanated from, and evolved into, other species He believed, expanding your species brought prosperity He would most likely recognize the possibility of artificial life forms as a predictable part of natural selection. http://www.paleoweb.net/pal-ges/bilder/evolution-poster.jpg

He saw nothing essential to any specific species

He believed all species emanated from, and evolved into, other species

He believed, expanding your species brought prosperity

He would most likely recognize the possibility of artificial life forms as a predictable part of natural selection.

If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people. --- Old Chinese Proverb

Growing People To grow people, you must first learn what they are made of Evolutionary biologists view human consciousness as an enormously complex firmware sub-routine That firmware is spelled out in 30,000 genes of DNA software Although we are making strides, scientists have little knowledge of the genes that spell out the complex neurology of our brains

To grow people, you must first learn what they are made of

Evolutionary biologists view human consciousness as an enormously complex firmware sub-routine

That firmware is spelled out in 30,000 genes of DNA software

Although we are making strides, scientists have little knowledge of the genes that spell out the complex neurology of our brains

What We Do Know A simple code or formula can produce complex patterns, for example Weaving patterns Chaos patterns There is no other logical explanation for how brains are pre-wired for such an extensive array of behaviors

A simple code or formula can produce complex patterns, for example

Weaving patterns

Chaos patterns

There is no other logical explanation for how brains are pre-wired for such an extensive array of behaviors

Terminology & Analogies Behavioral expressions like moving DNA-defined neural paths Learned ways to use neural paths Human Example Input/Output aspects such as display Logic circuits burned into chips Operating system; Applications Computer Example Hardware Firmware Software

Why Do We Have So Many DNA Codes if the Code is Just Suppose to Replicate Itself

Answers to the Key Question for Evolutionary Biologists Nature frustrates its own programming, in order to evolve and promote survival DNA molecules enable DNA to copy itself and create a host body, that produces more copies Replication occasionally scrambles the code Scrambled DNA is usually destroyed by molecules that digest useless DNA Some scrambled DNA gives rise to new DNA codes and new host forms In short, DNA does more than simply replicate itself, it replicates DNA coding, not only DNA codes

Nature frustrates its own programming, in order to evolve and promote survival

DNA molecules enable DNA to copy itself and create a host body, that produces more copies

Replication occasionally scrambles the code

Scrambled DNA is usually destroyed by molecules that digest useless DNA

Some scrambled DNA gives rise to new DNA codes and new host forms

In short, DNA does more than simply replicate itself, it replicates DNA coding, not only DNA codes

Scrambled DNA is the Catalyst for Evolution If the scrambled DNA changes the host’s structure, new species may be born http://www.artdiamondblog.com/images/FishMissingLinkFossilSmaller-thumb.jpg http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/elephants/about/evolution.php

If the scrambled DNA changes the host’s structure, new species may be born

To An Evolutionary Biologist, History Looks Like This First there were nothing but gases The gases collided for eons and eventually formed molecules from which later came DNA DNA began reproduction and scrambling process A purpose for life was created, its self-perpetuation, for that is what it does Art by Andrew C. Stewart http://www.solarvoyager.com/images/art/New%20Earth%20by%20Andrew%20C%20Stewart.jpg

First there were nothing but gases

The gases collided for eons and eventually formed molecules from which later came DNA

DNA began reproduction and scrambling process

A purpose for life was created, its self-perpetuation, for that is what it does

All About Self-Replicating Code and the Environment First came RNA Then DNA DNA that permitted no “goof-ups,” became extinct as the environment that nurtured the original DNA turned hostile The purpose of life is to replicate the replication process, of which RNA & DNA are just examples http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v7/n1/images/7400609-f1.jpg

First came RNA

Then DNA

DNA that permitted no “goof-ups,” became extinct as the environment that nurtured the original DNA turned hostile

The purpose of life is to replicate the replication process, of which RNA & DNA are just examples

Status Quo is Not an Option “ But Natural Selection, we shall hereafter see, is a power incessantly ready for action…” - Charles Darwin

“ But Natural Selection, we shall hereafter see, is a power incessantly ready for action…” - Charles Darwin

Where to Go From Here At the end of eons of “goof-ups” sits Homo Sapiens Sapiens, but history has taught us that it shouldn’t stop there Dangers await those who don’t evolve, such as: Floods Diseases Global catastrophes Another form of reproduction may be our best solution; BNA instead DNA

At the end of eons of “goof-ups” sits Homo Sapiens Sapiens, but history has taught us that it shouldn’t stop there

Dangers await those who don’t evolve, such as:

Floods

Diseases

Global catastrophes

Another form of reproduction may be our best solution; BNA instead DNA

Beme Neural Architecture (BNA) Bemes are the smallest units of beingness that comprise our sense of self Elements of our Mannerisms, Personality, Recollections, Feelings, Beliefs, Attitudes, Values What is BNA? BNA is a to-be-determined set of mindware that enables our sense of self to be digitally realized from our bemes Synthetic Consciousness; Synthetic Life

Beme Neural Architecture (BNA)

Bemes are the smallest units of beingness that comprise our sense of self

Elements of our Mannerisms, Personality, Recollections, Feelings, Beliefs, Attitudes, Values

BNA is a to-be-determined set of mindware that enables our sense of self to be digitally realized from our bemes

Synthetic Consciousness; Synthetic Life

Mind Is Deeper Than Matter The beme is mightier than the gene We’re not our bodies; we are our minds Genes are not essential for our minds Our minds can be represented as bemes BNA can operationalize our bemes BNA can handle reproduction

The beme is mightier than the gene

We’re not our bodies; we are our minds

Genes are not essential for our minds

Our minds can be represented as bemes

BNA can operationalize our bemes

BNA can handle reproduction

DNA vs. BNA Slow to reproduce Limited survival in new environments Susceptible to disease and limited lifespan Rapid and unlimited reproduction Various bodies to chose from, for survival in many environments Unlimited lifespan Beme Neural Architecture

Slow to reproduce

Limited survival in new environments

Susceptible to disease and limited lifespan

Rapid and unlimited reproduction

Various bodies to chose from, for survival in many environments

Unlimited lifespan

Is BNA Reproduction Consistent With Nature’s Purpose Nature’s “purpose” is to create self-replicating codes Software reproduction is faster than wet biology, BNA is a more efficient way to replicate Shifting from genes to bemes is consistent with what life has always done

Nature’s “purpose” is to create self-replicating codes

Software reproduction is faster than wet biology, BNA is a more efficient way to replicate

Shifting from genes to bemes is consistent with what life has always done

My Avatar, My Self Re-creation of the human mind in a digital world has already begun Re-creation of the human “body” has already begun The melding of your mind to your digital body is the next logical step www.MyCyberTwin.com where a virtual version of you can conduct autonomous conversations www.SecondLife.com where entire virtual communities are built

Re-creation of the human mind in a digital world has already begun

Re-creation of the human “body” has already begun

The melding of your mind to your digital body is the next logical step

www.MyCyberTwin.com where a virtual version of you can conduct autonomous conversations

www.SecondLife.com where entire virtual communities are built

The Turing Test Was Just the Beginning Ray Kurzweil points out that artificial intelligence is already all around us, in… Our cars Airplane gate systems Computer guiding software Video game opponents

Ray Kurzweil points out that artificial intelligence is already all around us, in…

Our cars

Airplane gate systems

Computer guiding software

Video game opponents

Where Can We Place The Uploaded Consciousness Video from Hanson Robotics in Richardson, TX http://www.hansonrobotics.com

Video from Hanson Robotics in Richardson, TX

http://www.hansonrobotics.com

Can Or Should We Alter Our Code There are those who believe we should not They fear the results of translating life to a digital form Darwin would not have been one to fear the endless possibilities

There are those who believe we should not

They fear the results of translating life to a digital form

Darwin would not have been one to fear the endless possibilities

Humans Are Active Agents of Evolution A new variety raised by man will be a far more important and interesting subject for study than one more species added to the infinitude of already recorded species. -Charles Darwin

A new variety raised by man will be a far more important and interesting subject for study than one more species added to the infinitude of already recorded species. -Charles Darwin

Darwin Would Say ‘Yes’ To Improving Our Program In his own words, it would be far more ‘important and interesting’ to see on which evolutionary path our high level of intelligence can take us.

In his own words, it would be far more ‘important and interesting’ to see on which evolutionary path our high level of intelligence can take us.

Best Darwinian Reasons For and Against BNA Reproduction FOR It can greatly extend our reproductive lifetimes, thereby serving evolution’s prime directive It can reduce the risk of consciousness extinction caused by a global catastrophe AGAINST We may inadvertently create “monster minds” It may diminish our motivation for reproduction, thereby undermining diversity and proclivity

FOR

It can greatly extend our reproductive lifetimes, thereby serving evolution’s prime directive

It can reduce the risk of consciousness extinction caused by a global catastrophe

AGAINST

We may inadvertently create “monster minds”

It may diminish our motivation for reproduction, thereby undermining diversity and proclivity

Why the Positives Outweigh the Negatives Our society already has institutions designed to deal with DNA-based “monster minds”; the same could be translated to a “monster mind” BNA-based individual Per evolutionary biology, the desire to reproduce ourselves is innate and we are unlikely to cease Most astrobiologists and geologists agree that global catastrophes are inevitable Therefore it is imperative to find ways to continue life Digital life is easier to transport between stars Digital life is easier to back-up redundantly

Our society already has institutions designed to deal with DNA-based “monster minds”; the same could be translated to a “monster mind” BNA-based individual

Per evolutionary biology, the desire to reproduce ourselves is innate and we are unlikely to cease

Most astrobiologists and geologists agree that global catastrophes are inevitable

Therefore it is imperative to find ways to continue life

Digital life is easier to transport between stars

Digital life is easier to back-up redundantly

Cyber Sapiens ...We will no longer be Homo sapiens, but Cyber sapiens--a creature part digital and part biological that will have placed more distance between its DNA and the destinies they force upon us than any other animal ... a creature capable of steering our own evolution.... Chip Walter. Thumbs, Toes, and Tears, Walker & Co. 2006. Excerpted on KurzweilAI.net on October 25, 2006.

Becoming Transbeman Uploading consciousness allows one to avoid unwanted death Digital conscious beings can live longer and impart wisdom to unlimited generations Multiple forms for conscious life Virtual reality Mechanical bodies Regenerated flesh According to evolutionary biology, this transbeman development should be highly favored by natural selection. People who trans cend b iological & e lectronic hu man boundaries

Uploading consciousness allows one to avoid unwanted death

Digital conscious beings can live longer and impart wisdom to unlimited generations

Multiple forms for conscious life

Virtual reality

Mechanical bodies

Regenerated flesh

According to evolutionary biology, this transbeman development should be highly favored by natural selection.

Defy Death The most compelling argument for BNA reproduction is defying death Some accept death as inevitable and reason for its necessity Claiming boredom with life Drain on social resources These are not relevant to a transbeman Millennia-long life spans allow you to explore millions of books, musical instruments, the universe, whatever meets your fancy Resources are more plentiful, because the new transbeman body would require less maintenance than a DNA-based life

The most compelling argument for BNA reproduction is defying death

Some accept death as inevitable and reason for its necessity

Claiming boredom with life

Drain on social resources

These are not relevant to a transbeman

Millennia-long life spans allow you to explore millions of books, musical instruments, the universe, whatever meets your fancy

Resources are more plentiful, because the new transbeman body would require less maintenance than a DNA-based life

Darwin on Varieties We have also seen that it is the most flourishing or dominant species of the larger genera within each class which on an average yield the greatest number of varieties, and varieties, as we shall hereafter see, tend to become converted into new and distinct species. Thus the larger genera tend to become larger; and throughout nature the forms of life which are now dominant tend to become still more dominant by leaving many modified and dominant descendants. -- Charles Darwin

We have also seen that it is the most flourishing or dominant species of the larger genera within each class which on an average yield the greatest number of varieties, and varieties, as we shall hereafter see, tend to become converted into new and distinct species. Thus the larger genera tend to become larger; and throughout nature the forms of life which are now dominant tend to become still more dominant by leaving many modified and dominant descendants. -- Charles Darwin

Darwin’s theory was developed without any known code, so he was unlikely to be hung up on DNA as the only code for life. He would have likely agreed that because Beme Neural Architecture (BNA) codes could replicate and diversify, they would stand a good chance of thriving in a supportive environment. Were he to accept Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns, he would have concluded that BNA-based life would dominate the destiny of the human species.

Darwin’s theory was developed without any known code, so he was unlikely to be hung up on DNA as the only code for life.

He would have likely agreed that because Beme Neural Architecture (BNA) codes could replicate and diversify, they would stand a good chance of thriving in a supportive environment.

Were he to accept Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns, he would have concluded that BNA-based life would dominate the destiny of the human species.

Expanding the Varieties of Homo Sapiens Sapiens BNA-based life will encourage mind-expansion beyond the abilities of DNA-based life Reproduction of the mind may allow the knowledge of each generation to be imparted immediately and then built upon Life would no longer be limited to earth, therefore experiences would be endless

BNA-based life will encourage mind-expansion beyond the abilities of DNA-based life

Reproduction of the mind may allow the knowledge of each generation to be imparted immediately and then built upon

Life would no longer be limited to earth, therefore experiences would be endless

Beme-Based Life Forms Can Also Clone Their Consciousness In addition to combining bemes with another for reproduction, you would be able to self-replicate This would help avoid any catastrophe to one’s substrate Each new version of you would still be a unique individual due to his/her experiences Multiple versions would make it easier to release one of your conscious copies onto an interstellar spaceship EveR-2 Muse, Humanoid Robot by KITEC (Korea Institute of Industrial Technology) in Seoul, Korea http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=882

In addition to combining bemes with another for reproduction, you would be able to self-replicate

This would help avoid any catastrophe to one’s substrate

Each new version of you would still be a unique individual due to his/her experiences

Multiple versions would make it easier to release one of your conscious copies onto an interstellar spaceship

Could Multiple Copies Destroy Autonomy? Artwork by: Kristina Abraham <http://www.kristinabraham.com/Straight%20Off%20the%20Assembly%20Line.jpg>

Autonomy The quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing Independence from the organism as a whole in the capacity of a part for growth, reactivity, or responsiveness autonomy. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary . Retrieved July 5, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/autonomy

The quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing

Independence from the organism as a whole in the capacity of a part for growth, reactivity, or responsiveness

autonomy. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary . Retrieved July 5, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/autonomy

Autonomy Is Built Into the Process Since bemes are personalized bytes of information based on the emotions, mindset and experiences of an individual, they create a highly unique consciousness By definition, each conscious being would be autonomous Individual beings Individual experiences Individual lives Though related, just as DNA-based children are different than their parents, so would beme-based children, and clones

Since bemes are personalized bytes of information based on the emotions, mindset and experiences of an individual, they create a highly unique consciousness

By definition, each conscious being would be autonomous

Individual beings

Individual experiences

Individual lives

Though related, just as DNA-based children are different than their parents, so would beme-based children, and clones

So What Would Darwin Think It is promulgation of a self-replicating code that sits atop the apex of life’s purpose DNA is a tool that enabled life to create a superior self-replicating code -- BNA The BNA code will be capable of both nanotechnologically creating all that came before it and diversely transcending a universe of challenges of which DNA might not survive So what would Darwin think… That BNA is just another step in the evolution of life, with good odds for success http://www.let.uu.nl/~Rosi.Braidotti/personal/teaching.htm

It is promulgation of a self-replicating code that sits atop the apex of life’s purpose

DNA is a tool that enabled life to create a superior self-replicating code -- BNA

The BNA code will be capable of both nanotechnologically creating all that came before it and diversely transcending a universe of challenges of which DNA might not survive

So what would Darwin think…

That BNA is just another step in the evolution of life, with good odds for success

Adaptation is the Natural Progression “… in short, we see beautiful adaptations everywhere and in every part of the organic world.” - Charles Darwin Cyberspace Nanotechnology + = Computronium = Ultimate Universal Adaptation

“… in short, we see beautiful adaptations everywhere and in every part of the organic world.”

- Charles Darwin