Is Futurama the Best Argument Against Transhumanism? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios

Transhumanism is a scientific philosophy that says technology will solve all our human biological constraints and that immortality is right around the corner (well not RIGHT around the corner, but WAYYY closer). They envision a world of endlessly euphoric robo-humans that represent the next step in evolution. And while this sounds super awesome, we had to ask, will this really make us happy?! If you watch Futurama, than you know that the answer is probably NO. While not an exact illustration of transhumanism, Futurama does show a future of vast technological ability, where today’s everyday problems are rendered moot, and yet the characters on the show still seem to find themselves in some very non-euphoric emotional states. Does this disprove what transhumanists expect for our future?

Let us know what sorts of crazy ideas you have, about this episode and otherwise:
Tweet at us! @pbsideachannel (yes, the longest twitter username ever)
Email us! pbsideachannel [at] gmail [dot] com
Idea Channel Facebook!
http://Facebook.com/pbsideachannel
Hosted by Mike Rugnetta (@mikerugnetta)
Made by Kornhaber Brown (http://www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.

Links:

Kurt Vonnegut – Harrison Bergeron
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html

Come see Mike on NPR’s Ask Me Another:
http://www.thebellhouseny.com/calendar.php

Mike at Playlist Live in Orland:
http://playlist-live.com/

Music:
Roglok: http://vimeo.com/musicstore/track/21166
Binarpilot: http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/661417/geeks

Want some more Idea Channel?

Here’s Last Week’s episode: “Are MP3s & Vinyl Better Than Live Music?” http://youtu.be/WsZMZ86zgF4

Want another one? Here ya go: “Top 5 Most Artful Video Games” http://youtu.be/IAs4Dy-lh8E

Here’s Some More: “Are You A Hipster?” http://youtu.be/f3xe-Wxio1o

Rating Is Futurama the Best Argument Against Transhumanism? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios is 5.0 / 5 Votes: 4
Please wait...
Loading...