Extropianism, also referred to as the philosophy of Extropy, is an "evolving framework of values and standards for continuously improving the human condition".
Extropians believe that advances in science and technology will some day
let people live indefinitely. An extropian may wish to contribute to
this goal, e.g. by doing research and development or by volunteering to
test new technology.
Originated by a set of principles developed by the philosopher Max More, The Principles of Extropy, extropian thinking places strong emphasis on rational thinking and on practical optimism.
According to More, these principles "do not specify particular beliefs,
technologies, or policies". Extropians share an optimistic view of the future, expecting considerable advances in computational power, life extension, nanotechnology and the like. Many extropians foresee the eventual realization of indefinite lifespans, and the recovery, thanks to future advances in biomedical technology or mind uploading, of those whose bodies/brains have been preserved by means of cryonics.
Extropy
The term 'extropy', as an antonym to 'entropy' was used in a 1967 academic volume discussing cryogenics and in a 1978 academic volume of cybernetics. Diane Duane was the first to use the term "extropy" to signify a potential transhuman destiny for humanity. Also published in 1983 was J. Neil Schulman's Prometheus Award winning novel, The Rainbow Cadenza which used the term "extropic" as a type of scale in visual music. 'Extropy' as coined by Tom Bell (T.O. Morrow) and defined by Max More in 1988, is "the extent of a living or organizational system's intelligence, functional order, vitality, energy, life, experience, and capacity and drive for improvement and growth." Extropy is not a rigorously defined technical term in philosophy or science; in a metaphorical sense, it simply expresses the opposite of entropy.
The Extropy Institute
In 1986 More joined Alcor, a Cryonics
company, and helped establish (along with Michael Price, Garret Smyth
and Luigi Warren) the first European cryonics organization, Mizar
Limited (later Alcor UK). In 1987, More moved to Los Angeles from Oxford University in England to work on his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Southern California.
In 1988, Extropy: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought was
first published. (For the first few issues, it was "Extropy: Vaccine
for Future Shock".) This brought together thinkers with interests in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, life extension, mind uploading, idea futures, robotics, space exploration, memetics,
and the politics and economics of transhumanism. Alternative media
organizations soon began reviewing the magazine, and it attracted
interest from like-minded thinkers. Later, More and Bell co-founded the
Extropy Institute, a non-profit 501(c)(3)
educational organization. "ExI" was formed as a transhumanist
networking and information center to use current scientific
understanding along with critical and creative thinking to define a
small set of principles or values that could help make sense of new
capabilities opening up to humanity.
The Extropy Institute's email list was launched in 1991 (and, as
of April 2015, continues to exist as "Extropy-Chat"), and in 1992 the
institute began producing the first conferences on transhumanism.
Affiliate members throughout the world began organizing their own
transhumanist groups. Extro Conferences, meetings, parties, on-line
debates, and documentaries continue to spread transhumanism to the
public.
In 2006, the board of directors of the Extropy Institute made a
decision to close the organisation, stating that its mission was
"essentially completed."
Extropism
Extropism is a modern derivation of the transhumanist
philosophy of Extropianism. It follows the same tradition - hence the
similarity in naming - but has been revised to better suit the perceived
paradigms of the 21st century. As introduced in The Extropist Manifesto, it promotes an optimistic futuristic philosophy that can be summed up in the following five phrases, which spell out the word "EXTROPISM":
- Endless eXtension
- Transcending Restriction
- Overcoming Property
- Intelligence
- Smart Machines
Extropists desire to prolong their life span to a near-immortal state and exist in a world where artificial intelligence and robotics have made work irrelevant. As in utilitarianism, the purpose of one's life should be to increase the overall happiness of all creatures on Earth through cooperation.
The Extropist Manifesto was written by web entrepreneur Breki Tomasson and writer Hank Pellissier - both of whom have had a long transhuman interest - in January, 2010.
It details the ways in which Extropism has evolved away from
Extropianism, while continuing to building upon its original tenets. For
example, it moves away from the original Extropian Principles by placing a significant focus on the need to abolish and/or restrict the current use of surveillance, copyright and patent laws.
