WGBH Network is hosting a lecture and debate on the limits of intelligent machines. their site has an mp3 download version, streaming audio and video version. the debate features David Gelernter & Ray Kurzweil (inventor, writer) and is moderated by Rodney Brooks.

"A Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Alan Turing's Seminal Paper "On Computable Numbers" featuring a debate on the limits of intelligent machines and a lecture on Turing's contributions."

the transcript is available at KurzweilAI.net too (attached)

info via the generative.net mail list

transhumanism is a huge field encompassing many topics and arguments. concsiousness, what does it mean to be human, bio ethics, genetic modifications, nanotechnology, science, future technologies, spirituality, information technology, biopolitics, medical improvements, body enhancements, human computer interaction ... the list goes on

the World Transhumanist Association defines transhumanism as :

Transhumanism is a way of thinking about the future that is based on the premise that the human species in its current form does not represent the end of our development but rather a comparatively early phase. We formally define it as follows:

Technocalyps is a three-part documentary by Frank Theys on the idea of transhumanism

the documentary can be downloaded at greylodge.org, and they describe the parts as :

[quote]
Part 1: Transhuman
Part 1 gives an overview of recent technological developments (biogenetics, artificial intelligence, robotics, implants, nanotechnology,…) and prognoses made by leading scientists about the impact of these developments in the near future.

Part 2: Preparing for the Singularity
In this part advocates and opponents of a transhuman future are weighed against each other; prognoses are done when we can expect the transhuman revolution and how people are preparing for it already now.

Part 3: The Metaphysics of Technology

Onion Robotics website contains a great deal of technical, creative and background information on robotics for hobbyists and even those more experienced. Some areas of the site also form a dictionary for some of the terms and concepts used in robotics, electronics, porgramming, Lego building and engineering.

Alan Turing's paper about artificial intelligence and gender roles