Transhumanist technicalities

I just read the "Cyborgs in the city" article by Kristian Gravenor about myself and NEXUS: The Montreal Transhumanist Association [July 1]. I want to thank the entire staff of the Mirror for your interest in our movement. However, due to the massive amount of data I provided your reporter, I'm not surprised to find a few mistakes. Please allow me the opportunity to make the proper corrections:

(1) Although some transhumanists are "hardcore techno-utopians," NEXUS is comprised of techno-realists who assess the social implications of new technologies so that people might all have more control over the shape of their future. This approach involves a continuous critical examination of how these technologies might help or hinder people in the struggle to improve the quality of their lives and their communities.

(2) Although the NEXUS vice-president studies the potential of brain-computer interface technology as a precursor to mind uploading, he is very much a down-to-earth fellow who keeps an archive of audio recordings of his life as a memory aid only.

(3) I do not foresee people using germline engineering to give themselves "animal feathers" or "changing the colour of one's skin"! I was only musing about the possibility that body modification could lead to animal-like features such as night vision or having one's skin and hair automatically adapt to weather changes. However, I do envision the coming of the "hybrid man" - an individual enhanced with both gene therapy and cybernetic implants.

(4) The visual phone and the Segway are not examples of ubiquitous integrated technology, but a single mother putting a radio frequency ID chip in her child's clothing in order to better track him for his safety is.

(5) There is much debate among scientists about whether or not an artificial intelligence explosion known as the Singularity will ever happen. However, there would be nothing "magical" about this event if it did.

(6) Finally, transhumanists may have different interests, but we all share the value of rational thinking, freedom, tolerance, democracy and concern for our fellow human beings.

Due to my respect for Margaret Somerville, rather than responding to her alarmist vitriol (which reminded me of the control voice from a bad episode of the Outer Limits) I invite her, and anyone else interested, to read the Transhumanist FAQ at http://transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/faq/

» Justice De Thézier, NEXUS: The Montreal Transhumanist Association

Film industry suffering

I read Kristian Gravenor's column and agree with some of the things he wrote ["Lights, camera, inaction," Kristian Perspective, June 17]. The film industry is dying a slow death. I've produced and directed two features here in town (Summer and Hatley High), which, instead of being lowbrow B and C movies, celebrate Montreal and are commercially viable films entirely created, crewed and cast with Montrealers.

The problem we've faced is that few people give a shit about our films, local press included. I invited a bunch of reporters from all the papers here in town to the premiere of Hatley High at the AMC and none of them showed. The industry will die if no one knows about it. Hatley High is now on DVD, and unless people rent it, no one would ever know it was made here in town. My first film, Summer, just got a distribution deal with Seville and will be out in August or September.

Tom Berry left the moment he could because he probably realized that the future of Canadian film is murky at best. The agencies are so desperate to suck the Yanks dry that they don't realize they're killing local filmmakers. It's a sad reality. Thanks for the article, it's good that at least someone is paying attention to what's going on out there.

» Phil Price

I was so sorry to read Kristian Gravenor's column slandering the film industry and in particular ACTRA. It baffles me that people keep reporting on the negative side of things and never focus on the positive. Will this constant trashing of the industry contribute to keeping our Canadian culture alive? I don't think so. We are all in this country together and creating value with what lies before us. Perhaps "good gossip" about the talent that exists would generate more positive effects.

ACTRA works incredibly hard at bringing production to Montreal as well as promoting Canadian talent. ACTRA believes in the capability of Canadian talent, and that fosters confidence in the acting community. As long as we believe in the American dream, the Canadian one will never have a chance to surface. We are a work in progress; it's time to open the doors to community in all the arts and work together to build a dynamic nation with its own culture - and that includes journalists. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

» Dawn Ford

Transsexuals and tykes

I have three children at home and when I arrived there the other day, they were colouring in your newspapers. One of them came to the door and asked me, "Maman, what are transsexuals?" I said, "What? Where did you learn that word?" He then showed me your paper, which contains photos of half-nude transsexuals [Classified section]. A child does not need to know what a transsexual is, okay? These are very abnormal things and you should be very careful because your papers are very accessible. I'm going to complain and go all the way! Your paper is shit, and you think of nothing but making money! Children should not see this! I want to save the children! This is disgusting!

» UNSIGNED

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