Sunday, October 14, 2007

aspiring to hyperhumanity is integral
for our nature



Today, it's reported that researchers have identified a new batch of genes that slow the aging process. This may not seem to be news, but it's a reminder that the aspiration for immortality is becoming Big Science.

By the way, recalling that Darwin wrote "He who understands baboon would do more towards metaphysics than Locke" (Notebook M, 1838; quoted in Baboon Metaphysics), today's research is about genes shared by worms and humans.

More primordially still, this week's Science presents the complete genome of a species of algae that specifies eukaryotic functions shared by plants and animals. This kind of research into biomechanics has importance for aspirations to design artificial life, as well as for astrobiological venturing. Given the increasing liklihood that life begins easily and easily evolves to higher forms—relatively quickly—doing bioglyphics outstrips metaphysical pretense (that history of conceptualist mythics) scientifically, as real bio-ontology or biontology.