Mormon Transhumanist Association

In celebration of the new year, here's a look at the top five Mormon science and technology events from 2008. Happy new year!   5) Number of Mormon Science and Technology Web Sites Reaches At Least 18 Here are 18 Mormon web sites that focus on science or technology: http://convergencesciencereligion.org http://evolution.nfshost.com http://ldscio.org http://ldsmediatalk.com http://ldsscience.blogspot.com http://ldstech.org http://libertypages.com/cgw http://moregoodfoundation.org ...

I am Santa Claus. Yes. Whether you believe it or not, and whether you like it or not, I am. Some snort apathetically or with mild amusement. Some insist I'm changing the definitions of words. Most, though, get it. We understand: Santa Claus does exist and always has. Maybe we haven't yet figured out how to make the traditional reindeer fly, and certainly we're still missing presents for too many good girls and boys. But we're committed to doing better. Those reindeer will fly. Oh, they'll fly....

Online journal Re-public invites contributions for its upcoming special issue entitled "Transhumanism?". Is there a new challenge about to dominate our world ? A challenge that appears more pressing than the fight against climate change, as demanding as the one against "terrorism" or poverty, more complex than our current questions around bioethics. Are we in a position to redefine, to drastically transform our very human nature? This is a question formed in the last 20 years by an international...

Humanity+ (WTA) Board members set policy goals and oversee theirimplementation, contributing with their experience and expertise to theWTA's work. We've got a very full agenda for the coming year, setting upour new website, revising the Transhumanist Declaration, fundraising,building our network of chapters and student groups, and publishing ournew H+ magazine. Please think about contribute your talents and energy for our projects.Five Humanity+ (WTA) Board members' terms expire in January and twoothers...

Humanity+ (formerly known as the World Transhumanist Association) isaccepting applications for the position of Executive Director. TheExecutive Director is responsible for managing the affairs of H+ underthe Direction of the Board of Directors, including: - directing the work of the Assistant Director- maintaining the website- fundraising- managing H+ Magazine, mailing lists, a newsletter, and membercommunications- maintaining contact with chapters and organizing committees, andfacilitating chapter...

Mormon prophetic tradition includes the idea that humans (and perhaps other animals) will no longer eat other animals when the Earth attains its millennial or terrestrial glory. For example, see this recent post at the Mormon blog, Times and Seasons. Although some have interpreted these prophecies to support vegetarianism, others may be happy to learn that the techology to produce meat that has never been part of a sentient animal is already available. Would widespread use of such technology satisfy...

I recently came across a document by Margaret A Somerville, which presents "The Case Against 'Same-Sex Marriage'". This is, to date, the best argument I've read from opponents of gay marriage. It accounts for the importance of religious perspectives, but does not argue from them, and instead appeals to secular ethics. Somerville's summary of her argument follows: "Society needs marriage to establish cultural meaning, symbolism and moral values around the inherently procreative relationship between...

The Mormon Transhumanist Association is pleased to welcome David Foster to the board of directors. David is finishing his PhD in physics at Arizona State University, specializing in magnetic resonance imaging. He also has research experience in solar physics and superconductivity, and has degrees from Rick's College, Brigham Young University, and the University of Colorado. David grew up in Idaho. He and his two children now live in Arizona. David has a healthy respect for what the scientific method...

Now we know how the first God created a universe. Thanks to Chris Bradford for directing me to the answer: http://xkcd.com/505/ Enjoy! :-)...

Like yesterday afternoon, I participated in unconference sessions this afternoon. First, I attended a session with PJ Manney on empathy and technology. The session began by focusing primarily on how to promote empathy through video games, by encouraging persons to take on roles that require action other than violence. Then we discussed differences between how film and books promote empathy; the lack of differing details (internal dialog for film or visual stimuli for film) results in differing...