memesis: meme-x and memetics
cybernetic immortality: part II

through such techniques, the form or organization with which we identify our "i" could be maintained infinitely, and, which is important, evolve, become even more sophisticated, and explore new, yet unthought of, possibilities. even if the decay of biological bodies is inevitable, we can study ways of information exchange between bodies and brains which will preserve the essence of self-consciousness, our personal histories, our creative abilities, and, at the same time, make us part of a larger unity embracing, possibly, all of the humanity: the social superorganism. we call this form of immortality cybernetic, because cybernetics is a generic name for the study of control, communication, and organization. it subsumes biological immortality.
 

decay of biological bodies

the social superorganism

cybernetics

biological immortality

at present our ideas about cybernetic immortality are still abstract and vague. this is inevitable; long range notions and goals may be only abstract. but this does not mean that they are not relevant to our present concerns and problems. the concept of cybernetic immortality can give shape to the supreme goals and values we espouse, even though present-day people can think realistically only in terms of creative immortality [although - who knows?]. the problem of ultimate values is the central problem of our present society. what should we live for after our basic needs are so easily satisfied by the modern production system? what should we see as good and what as evil? where are the ultimate criteria for judging social organization? historically, great civilizations are inseparable from great religions which gave answers to these questions. the decline of traditional religions appealing to metaphysical immortality threatens to degrade modern society. cybernetic immortality can take the place of metaphysical immortality to provide the ultimate goals and values for the emerging global civilization.

supreme goals and values

creative immortality

metaphysical immortality

cybernetic immortality part I [y dead] part II [death]