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Defining Humanity, Defending the Person, Part 2
We need communities and institutions where we explore and celebrate together what it means to be human persons so that we may learn to use technology wisely, and perhaps even reverse the current trend of dehumanizing ourselves.
Defining Humanity, Defending the Person, Part 1
A functional mechanism has no dignity, no individuality, and no rights. If this computational metaphor of human identity prevails, how long will it be until the person is sacrificed to the program?
The Cell Phone Is a Pair of Red High Heels
If one can possess a piece of the demi-god’s power – an autograph, a watch, a ring – one will somehow live forever. It’s not about “trusting the science” but about believing in the magic.
The Robot Who Wanted to Be a Man
A robot stands in a meadow. His feet are sinking into the earth. Flowers pierce his mechanism. He opens his arms in ecstatic surrender as he comes apart.
Did Cochrane sacrifice its researchers to appease critics?
Cochrane has a history of capitulating to pressure when researchers in the organisation come to scientific conclusions that are controversial.
The Principled Conservatism of The Last of Us (HBO)
The Fireflies were stuck in the false choice of The Trolley Problem — kill one or kill many. They could not conceive of any other possibilities. Joel was saying no, there are principles and obligations that are higher than utilitarianism.
Gene edited foods in our shops soon? Reality vs hype
We should remain vigilant and should continue to insist on mandatory labelling of all gene edited foods and push what many believe will be a new government in a year’s time to come up with a stronger regulatory framework.
The Looming Quadrillion Dollar Derivatives Tsunami
SVB could be the canary in the coal mine foreshadowing the fate of other over-extended banks, but its collapse is not the sort of “systemic risk” predicted to trigger “contagion.”
The Democrats’ Disastrous Miscalculation on Civil Liberties
Americans have been told a dangerous and uncertain world requires stronger managers and less freedom, but the decline of civil liberties is what started this mess.
The Weaponization of Psychology
One of the simplest and easiest techniques for controlling dissent is simply to pathologize it. Simply declaring resistance to the status quo to be a form of mental disorder can be an exceptionally powerful tool for silencing opposition.
Holi: the colours of biodiversity
About 20 years ago, just as we had started to get rid of poisons in our food and co-create with biodiversity, to use plants and trees as pest control agents, to turn biomass and organic matter into fertiliser, in Holi we have regenerated and resurrected the amazing biodiversity of colours.
Italy 2020: Inside Covid’s ‘Ground Zero’ in Europe
How was it that this virus was able to spread so fast across thousands of kilometers, peaking at the same time in selected locations, yet wasn’t contagious enough to spread to nearby locations?