We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.
Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]
|
Metabolism 2.0 Looking for a real boost in the morning? Someday you may be able to do better than coffee. According to New Scientist (via the Foresight Institute):
Human cells could have their metabolisms upgraded without altering their genes by inserting tiny plastic packages of enzymes, Swiss researchers have shown. They hope the technique could allow advanced cancer therapies, or even upgrade a person’s metabolism.
I can hardly begin to imagine the applications. With this technique you could correct chronic genetically caused disorders. It makes drugs old hat. You could boost athletic performance from inside the cell and really give the luddite sports crowd something to worry about.
Imagine the battlefield applications! It could keep the 21st century soldier alert despite little sleep; alive when injured; fed from sunlight or other external energy sources and performance enhanced when under threat.
|
Who Are We? The Samizdata people are a bunch of sinister and heavily armed globalist illuminati who seek to infect the entire world with the values of personal liberty and several property. Amongst our many crimes is a sense of humour and the intermittent use of British spelling.
We are also a varied group made up of social individualists, classical liberals, whigs, libertarians, extropians, futurists, ‘Porcupines’, Karl Popper fetishists, recovering neo-conservatives, crazed Ayn Rand worshipers, over-caffeinated Virginia Postrel devotees, witty Frédéric Bastiat wannabes, cypherpunks, minarchists, kritarchists and wild-eyed anarcho-capitalists from Britain, North America, Australia and Europe.
|
“I chose…RAPTURE!”
Dale, try to get a British show called ‘Animal Pharm’. Some of the things they’re doing to animals will make you stomach sick, but some are amazing! Cows with some human genes! Rabbits that can glow in the dark! Featherless Chickens- they looked delicious, except for the eyes!
And they’re talking about growing body parts to order! They even show one of the protagonists having some skin made to fit his nose, just to show what is already old-hat! Grow meat in vats, without torturing or killing animals to make it! (I know, I know, where’s the fun in that?!)
The future aint what it used to be- it’s better!
My dear Dale… what are you smoking and where can I get me summa dat?
Now, before you get all tingly and excited, allow me to pour some cold water. Not much, but some.
1. What will this increased metabolism do to our lifespan? Bearing in mind that generally speaking, the higher the metabolic rate of a mammal, the faster it dies.
2. What kind of energy efficiencies can we get out of these organelles? Again, heat exchange could be a problem – normal people are already susceptible to heatstrokes when pushed harder than they’re used to.
3. Can these organelles generate force fields? If so, sign me up! 🙂
Seriously though, this looks pretty cool. I’d keep an eye out. But there are always problems, and personally speaking, I’d like them to iron the kinks out first.
Quote: Imagine the battlefield applications! It could keep the 21st century soldier alert despite little sleep; alive when injured; fed from sunlight or other external energy sources and performance enhanced when under threat.
Is that ironic ? Or do you really think that is what the world most needs ? jeesh
If I get the upgrade I’ll do it so that I can play all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas at a single sitting
Two pints of sunshine, landlord, please.
# Stefan
heh, as long as they don’t use transgenic little girls to grow the enzymes
evolve today!