What Geeks Can Learn from Gurus
Lessons for the Transhumanist Movement from the Self Help Industry
Robert TercekJune 13, 2010
STEP INTO the Future
Joy Fear
Joy Fear?
PRO CONUNDECIDED
ABOLITION
WORKER’S RIGHTS Movement
CHILD LABOR Movement
SUFFERAGE Movement
EVOLUTION THEORY
CIVIL RIGHTS Movement
WOMEN’S LIBERATION
PRO-LIFE / PRO-CHOICE DEBATE
RIGHT TO DIE Movement
GAY RIGHTS Movement(NAME)
MARRIAGE EQUALITY Movement
PRO CONUNDECIDED
They ALREADY have an opinion of you
Transhumanism in popular culture
Bad Robot Meme
Bad Robot Meme
(in the past)what label stuck?SCARY CYBORG Meme
what label stuck?VIOLENT MUTANT Meme
CELEBRITY ROBOT Meme
EVIL CORPORATION Meme
NAZI CONSPIRACY Meme
“PLAYING GOD GONE WRONG” MemE
GENETIC DETERMINISM Meme
ORGAN FARM CLONE Meme
ORGAN FARM CLONE Meme
UNFAIR ADVANTAGE Meme
(in the past)
RICH METHUSELEH Meme
FREAKY DIY BODY MODIFICATION Meme
Spooky HYBRID Meme
UNNATURAL MONSTER Meme
HORROR WITHIN Meme
You are already
losing the pop culture game
WHO’S AGAINST TRANSHUMANISM?
RADICAL CHANGE?Whose ROoTS?
Government agenciesInsurance companiesAMABig PharmaceuticalsHospitalsHealth Maintenance OrgSReligious GroupsCultural conservativesBio-ethicistsPoliticians seeking an issue
To you, it’s about science.To them, it’s about survival.
Beliefs, values, CULTURE, TRADITIONS, heritage=
IDENTITY
Who PROMOTES radical positive life change?
1. MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT 3. HarNESS EMOTIONAL ENERGY4. INSPIRE ACTION
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
1. MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
a. Define what you stand for.b. Make it easy... to understand to Join to start immediatelyC. PROVIDE FACTS AND DATAD. BREAK IT DOWN INTO CHUNKS AND SMALL STEPS.E. BE HONEST ABOUT THE CHALLENGES.
1. MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT 3. HarNESS EMOTIONAL ENERGY4. INSPIRE ACTION
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
a. No Jargon. No freaks. NO WeiRDNESS.C. Emphasize practical benefits.D. RELATE IT TO COMMON EXPERIENCE.E. TELL THE HUMAN STORY: * SuCCESS CASES * REAL PEOPLEF. LINK YOUR VALUES TO EXISTING VALUES.
1. MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT 3. HarNESS EMOTIONAL ENERGY4. INSPIRE ACTION
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
3. HARNESS EMOTIONAL ENERGY
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
a. APPEAL TO EMOTIONAL INSTINCT, nOT INTELLECTb. RESPECT LEGITIMATE FEARS C. CONVERT RESISTANCE INTO FUEL FOR CHANGE D. LEVERAGE PAIN AND PLEASURE
1. MAKE IT EASY TO FOLLOW2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT 3. HarNESS EMOTIONAL ENERGY4. INSPIRE ACTION
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
4. INSPIRE ACTION
WHAT GEEKS CAN LEARN FROM GURUS
a. TALK ABOUT TODAY, not JUST the FUTURE. REALISTIC TIMELINE.b. SHOW HOW TODAY’S ACTION LEADS TO TOMORROW’S BRIGHT FUTURE.C. SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL.D. Link Today’S ACTION To HUMANITY AT LARGE.E. CONVEY A MISSION THAT IS LARGER THAN LIFE.
What Geeks Can Learn from GurusRobert Tercek
