Illustration by Susanne Gold/ text by Ted Ganten
In this clip you will get more information on “Terraism”. Download the full book.

In addition to creating supportive economic conditions, a fundamental ethical discussion on how to deal with Cyborgs is needed.

Is Home Sapiens the cat’s meow?

As indicated at the beginning, our overall understanding of the role of humanity needs to change. If Homo Sapiens continues to see himself as the center of the universe, sooner or later this will kill us all. I have already explained that the preservation of the planet, our spaceship Terra, must be a priority. I have also pointed out the risks of such utilitarian approaches. However, we have no alternative. The basis of humanism and religions is the perception that we are the smartest and strongest living beings on the planet. That will soon be wrong. How did we end up thinking that the planet and the whole universe were created for us? How could we build consensus that we rightfully have full control over all other living beings? Just until recently under the law animals were treated as “things” not living beings. Same by the way with slaves just a few hundred years earlier. In the meantime, in some states there are minor forms of animal protection laws.

What if there was somone stronger and more intelligent on earth?

Let us test some of our humanist beliefs. What, if aliens land on earth, who are smarter and stronger than we are? May they generalize our rules and start breeding us for food or labor – because now they are the smartest and strongest on earth? What about Homo Deus, as Jouval Harari calls cyborgs and transgenic humans? Are they the new crown of creation? Should we wait until a prophet speakes to them and justifies the exploitation of Homo Sapiens?

Can the degradation of Homo Sapiens be prevented permanently?

I do not know. What seems clear, is that we would do well to change our anthropocentric ethics already now. At least we would increase our chances. I have already explained an adaptation of the categorical imperative under 1.3 and defined it as a central element of Terraism:

“Each individual acts in such a way that his/her will could serve as the basis for global rules that ensure the habitability of the earth in the long term and allow the individual to develop within the framework of his/her possibilities without discrimination, as long as this does not collide with the interests of other living beings. “

It is existential to establish this new idea in our minds, societies, and laws. To make this necessity clear will certainly be one of the most fundamental and difficult tasks of the terraistic association. In doing so, we stand against religions, against humanism and against the foundations of our exploitative, human-centered forms of society and market.

Next week will  be looking at the impact of genetically optimized beings and desirable guiding principles to deal with it. So, it will remain fascinating.