from the thinking-big dept.
The Extropy Institute will be hosting the EXTRO-5 Conference: "Shaping Things to Come", in San Jose, California, June 15-17, 2001. According to a press release, the Extro-5 international conference will assemble "big thinkers from numerous fields to provoke our culture to think more carefully about the more plausible perils of progress and to shape the future for the better."
Big thinkers at Extro-5: "Shaping Things to Come" include inventor, entrepreneur, and writer Ray Kurzweil, leading information economist Hal Varian, science correspondent Ronald Bailey, leading information economy strategist Steve Flinn, cyberspace economist David Friedman, best-selling author Greg Bear, extropic philosopher Max More, evolutionary biologist Michael Rose, artist and cultural catalyst Natasha Vita-More, co-architect of the pre-Web Xanadu hypertext system Mark Miller, and other leading thinkers from computing, artificial intelligence, law, "hard" science fiction, Internet technologies, neuroscience, and business.
Don't miss out on this singular chance to listen to and network with those who are shaping the future. Stimulate your brain, expand your vision of the future, make contacts for your interests and businesses. Attendance is limited, so register now to secure your place.
For more information, visit the Extropy Institute conference Web site, email [email protected] or call conference Chair Max More at 310-823-3594.
Read more for the complete press release. For Immediate Release
THE FUTURE'S BIG THINKERS CONFRONT ISSUES AND DEVELOP SOLUTIONS
EXTRO-5 Conference: Shaping Things to Come
San Jose, California, June 15-17, 2001
We cannot ignore the growing confusion, concern, and opposition to the technologies that can improve and transform the human condition.
Strident voices and legislation threaten to hold back progress in biotech, information technology, the spread of open markets, and the development of technologies that could cure age-old ailments, extend our lives and augment our capabilities.
The Extro-5 international conference assembles big thinkers from numerous fields to provoke our culture to think more carefully about the more plausible perils of progress and to shape the future for the better.
Extro-5 will respond to influential figures who oppose the development of powerful new technologies. Bill Joy has called for limits on free speech to stop the spread of certain technologies. He is joined by various "ethicists" and even Prince Charles in calling for a moratorium on genetic technologies. Others oppose technologies such as stem cell research that could cure disease and extend life spans.
At Extro-5, a unique convergence of experts will separate the real concerns from those rooted in lack of knowledge or unexamined or outdated assumptions. Each session will bring together several high powered thinkers to examine the impact of advanced and accelerating technology, to look at opportunities and to anticipate and proactively address potential problems.
These big thinkers and achievers will address issues around four major themes:
— Machine Super-Intelligence — Threat or Opportunity?
— Thriving in the Information Economy
— Mastering the Information Explosion
— Overcoming Resistance to Superlongevity and Augmentation.
Each issue will be explored from multiple disciplines while allowing ample time for interaction between audience and presenters. The Extro-5 conference goes beyond voicing the views of the top experts. It also provides an unmatched networking opportunity for those seeking to shape the future for the better.
Big thinkers at Extro-5: "Shaping Things to Come" include inventor, entrepreneur, and writer Ray Kurzweil, leading information economist Hal Varian, science correspondent Ronald Bailey, leading information economy strategist Steve Flinn, cyberspace economist David Friedman, best-selling author Greg Bear, extropic philosopher Max More, evolutionary biologist Michael Rose, artist and cultural catalyst Natasha Vita-More, co-architect of the pre-Web Xanadu hypertext system Mark Miller, and other leading thinkers from computing, artificial intelligence, law, "hard" science fiction, Internet technologies, neuroscience, and business.
Don't miss out on this singular chance to listen to and network with those who are shaping the future. Stimulate your brain, expand your vision of the future, make contacts for your interests and businesses. Attendance is limited, so register now to secure your place.
For more information, visit the Extropy Institute conference Web site at http://www.extropy.org/ex5/extro5.htm email [email protected] or call conference Chair Max More at 310-823-3594
