Would you like to live forever? What do you think about the
idea that your conscious mind will be uploaded into a hologram? How far should
scientists go in their quest for human immortality?
Theses are just some of the many questions that concern
Project Avatar 2045.
More than 50 world-leading scientist, including physicists,
biologists, anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, and philosophers are
trying to outline a strategy for further development of the humankind.
Dmitry Itskov, a Russian media and founder of 2045 believes
it is possible to construct robots that will store a human's mind and keep that
consciousness working forever. This should be accomplished within ten years
Itskov says.
If this could be achieved you would never die.
Would you like to continue living as a hologram?
"This
project is leading down the road to immortality.
A person with a perfect Avatar will be able to remain part
of society.
People don't want to die," Itskov says.
Basically, what these scientists want to do is to
incrementally move the human mind into more disembodied and--no better way to
say it--futuristic vehicles: first a humanoid robot controlled entirely by a
human brain via brain-machine interface, then a conscious human brain
transplanted into a humanoid robot, then consciousness uploaded to a computer,
and finally a hologram that contains a full conscious human mind.
Earlier this year, Itskov met with the Dalai Lama and
received His Holiness' support for his 2045 Avatar Project.
Dalai Lama met with Dmitry Itskov earlier this year.
During the meeting, they discussed the three major steps of
2045 Avatar Project. First, the creation of a human-like robot dubbed
"Avatar A," and a state-of-the-art brain-computer interface system to
link the mind with it.
Next, it be created a life support system for the human
brain, which connects to the "Avatar A," turning into "Avatar
B." The third step, named "Avatar C", is developing an
artificial brain in which to transfer one's individual consciousness with the
goal of achieving cybernetic immortality.
"In the last few years, scientists now begin to show an
interest about consciousness, as well as brain specialists, neuroscientists,
who also begin to show interest about consciousness or mind. I feel that over
the next decades modern science will become more complete," said the Dalai
Lama.
"So up to now the matter side of science has been
highly technical, highly advanced, but the mind side has not been adequate.
This project, definitely, is helpful to get more knowledge."
Within 30 years Itskov anticipates developing hologram-type
bodies, instead of tangible robotic ones that can "host" human
consciousness.
"Holograms give plenty of advantages. You can walk
through walls, move at the speed of light," Itskov says. "Remember in
Star Wars, Obi-Wan's hologram? That was pretty amazing."
In February of 2012 the first Global Future 2045 Congress
was held in Moscow.
Itskov, who thinks this is a new strategy for the future of
humanity, hopes he will be able to collaborate with scientists from around the
world.
Itskov and his colleagues may be optimistic, but there are
many who consider this project as a waste of time and money.
The human brain is still a great unknown mystery to experts,
and we do not posses a lot of knowledge about consciousness either. So, how can
we copy our brain, many people wonder.
There will be many debates whether Project Avatar 2045 is a
new era for humankind or simply scientific madness.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment.