The document discusses the intersection of transhumanism and education, proposing that education should focus on self-sufficiency and societal productivity while preparing individuals for an uncertain future influenced by emerging technologies. It emphasizes the need for relevant educational models that incorporate various scientific fields and tackle existential risks posed by rapid technological advancement. Jain calls for collaboration among educators, experts, and students to advance the understanding and implementation of transhumanist principles in education.

1. Transhumanism & EducationKevin JainPresident, Harvard College Future Societykevinjain@college.harvard.edu2010 H+ Summit at Harvard UniversityJune 12, 2010

2. Purpose of EducationFor the Individual:A means towards self sufficiency & well beingFulfilling desire to learn about somethingFor Society:Augment productivity & enable future well beingPrepare us for the future

3. Vision of the FutureEducation: to “prepare us for the future”What is assumed to be the “future” that we are being prepared for?

4. Modern Assumptions* As a model for the future, not “explanatory” or “descriptive”

5. Incorporating Emerging Technologies with Education Fields of StudyTechnological DevelopmentAnthropology

6. Astrophysics

7. Biology

8. Chemistry

9. Computer Science

10. Economics

11. English

12. Government

13. Philosophy

14. Physics

15. Psychology

16. Sociology

17. Etc.

18. Nanotechnology

19. Longevity

20. Cryonics

21. Artificial (General) Intelligence

22. Moore's law

23. Transhumanism & Human Enhancement

24. Virtual reality

25. Etc.Modern Assumptions ??

26. SignificanceKeep Education Relevant to GoalShaky foundationDisconnection between model and worldUnderstanding increases ReceptivityCounteract Short TermismConsider our BiologyGovernment, Businesses Interests

27. Towards a Solution: Our Current EffortsOrganizations & ConferencesHumanity+, Foresight, Singularity Summit, etc.Science FictionVernorVinge, Isaac Asimov, Books & MagazinesThe Singularity is Near, Ending Aging, hplusIndependent ResearchWikipedia, blogsClassroom?

28. Curriculum SampleWeek 2: (Jan 31- Feb 6) and Week 3: (Feb 7 – Feb 13) and Week 4: (Feb 14- Feb 20) -Accelerating Technological Change and Existential Risk

29. Accelerating Technological Change

30. Kurzweil, Ray. The Singularity Is Near When Humans Transcend Biology. New York: Viking Adult, 2005.

31. The Singularity is Always Near, Critique of Kurzweil: http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2006/02/the_singularity.php

32. Response to The Singularity is Always Near: http://www.kurzweilai.net/articles/art0664.html?printable=1

33. “What if the singularity does not happen” by vernorvingehttp://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0696.html

34. Smart, J. 2004. A Brief History of Intellectual Discussion of Accelerating Change. Published at AccerationWatch.com.

35. “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” by Bill Joy: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy_pr.html

36. Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us by Rodney Brooks (Excerpts)

37. Existential Risks

38. Existential Risks (2002): http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html 40 pages

39. TED Video on Different Routes to Human Extinction http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_petranek_counts_down_to_armageddon.html

40. The Future of Humanity by Nick Bostromhttp://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/10222/future_of_humanity.pdf

41. Other:

42. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_extinction

43. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_risk (and look for different organizational approaches to mitigate risk)Transhumanism Textbook Units (each with 8-10 chapters on specialized topics)Accelerating Technological ChangeHuman Enhancement Enabling Technologies

44. Getting Involved Textbook: Goal- Finish and get into classes by this time next yearCollaborate Effort:We need teachers to teach Experts to writeStudents to take it! Taking Charge: Recognize the importance of transhumanism

45. Educating the Future.

46. Transhumanism & EducationKevin JainPresident, Harvard College Future Societykevinjain@college.harvard.edu2010 H+ Summit at Harvard UniversityJune 12, 2010