quantification of post-human development, paper presented at the proceedings of the 5th beyond...

Beyond Humanism Conference Rome, September 2013

Quantification of Post-Human Development

Calimport, S. R. G

Introduction

The primary aim of this research was to develop a database of categorised

variables that could be tracked that would lead towards or away from a state

of post-human development – this research would act as a proof-of-principle

and stimulus for discussion and more advanced planning, categorization and

action. The secondary aim of the research was to utilise current self-tracking

tools to start to track multiple personal metrics, particularly metrics that where

linked to longevity, wellbeing and cognitive capacity. By recording the health,

wellbeing and cognitive metrics and effectors of the researcher carrying out

the finding and categorization of variables – this research also aims to explore

the possibility of tracking whether the individual, be they a decision maker or

stakeholder, categorizing is healthy and well, and to create a dataset where

this issue can be further explored.

By making abstract and qualitative claims about post-humanism this

fundamentally hinders progress to a post-human state and may lead to

changes that do not progress us towards a post-human state or particular

post-human state of interest. We are already living in an era of big data

(Letouze, 2011), digitalisation and self-quantification (Quantified Self, n.d;

Health 2.0, n.d.). Website click through rates, gross domestic product, heart

rate variability and many other variables are being constantly tracked and

analysed by individuals and multiple other entities. The extent to which

quantifiable and scientifically objective processes can aid post-human

development will be explored.

Many metrics we are already tracking could have an effect on our

development into a post-human state, but there exists an abundance of

metrics we are not yet analysing that could also be of use for quantifying post-

human development. If we are aiming to attain a post-human state –

quantification of and by citizens, decision makers and stakeholders is

essential as is the identification of actions to take, areas to address and

objective milestones that can be reached.

There are two key issues revolving around underutilisation of current metrics:

Firstly, the fraction of private and publicly funded research that analyses

current data for how it might lead to post-human state is miniscule. Although,

there are a few researchers using current data to address topics related to

post-humanism such as increases in longevity (Mathers et al, 2001),

decreases in violence (World Report on Violence and Health, 2002; Google

Ideas, n.d.), and whether artificial intelligence can recognize humans

(Chellappa et al, 2010). The potential for using the data that is already being

generated to quantify post-human development is enormous, and growing

bigger every minute of every day as more data, meta-data and more diverse

data types become available. The second issue regarding the underutilization

of current metrics is that there are few researchers, businesses and institutes

that are explicitly stating that they are aiming to measure and create a post-

human world. There is currently a lack of statement of values, and a lack of

transparency and dialogue on this subject.

Typical goals of researchers, venture capitalists, politicians, businesses and

institutes might include short to medium term goals that may or may not be

aligned with post-human development – such as curing a type of cancer,

creating an artificial heart, reducing violence, increasing innovation and

entrepreneurship and improving education and healthcare. Other individuals,

decision makers and stakeholders may not even state their long-term goals,

or measure them openly. The case needs to be made that the self-tracking

and institution-based tracking of individuals, decision makers and

stakeholders if done correctly, could enhance our ability to perform, set goals,

meet milestones and do so in a manner that is not invasive, imbalanced or

unethical – but serves to assist and empower individuals to make better

decisions and take better action personally and also for and with others.

Quantification, implemented ethically, may also allow for greater

understanding of others so that interventions and assistance can be given.

Transparency, mutual understanding, education and mutual goal finding and

setting are key to a post-human future.

The declaring of long-term post-human goals and values would transform

society and inform day-to-day actions and decision-making. It would also

allow us to specifically address social, legal, political and educational issues

and engage with those demographics that did not know whether they wanted

a post-human future or not, and unreached demographics that do not know

what a post-human future means. Statistics on these demographics would

also be important for polling, quantification, tracking and optimisation

purposes.

Next - We need to address the following questions - What should we be

quantifying now, that we are not already quantifying? And what novel things

do we need to be doing and quantifying? Current trends and emerging fields

can aid us in answering these questions and play a role by providing case

studies and assist in the creation of an interdisciplinary science of post-human

development.

The Quantified Self – Quantified Self is a community of citizen scientists and

self-trackers as well as collection of methods, tools and devices that utilise

personalised analytics. The Quantified Self concept shows promise for

performing experiments that lead to a post-human state. In addition, self-

tracking methods allow for states and qualities previously and widely

considered qualitative to be quantified. States such as emotional states,

elegance of form, brain states, interpersonal interaction and lifespan

predictors, for some parameters, can be measured quantitatively through

posture cue devices, electrocardiogram devices, social media tools and

biometric sensors (Quantified Self Guide To Self Tracking, n.d.). Through self-

tracking and biofeedback the individual can track, monitor and modify their

thoughts, behaviour, lifestyle and environment in order to assist the

development of post-human states. Self-tracking also includes sharing

knowledge on how to develop into a post-human and The Quantified Self

community offers a select of lead users as case studies and consultants for

post-human for development.

Big Data – Big Data and data science are the terms for handling and

analysing large complex datasets. Big data is being handled primarily for

business, investment and marketing uses as well for crisis response such as

terrorism and natural disasters (Letouze, 2011; Google Ideas, n.d., NSA/CSS

Strategy, n.d.) as well as the physical and social sciences. In its current state

Big Data and Big Data analytics is being under-utilised as it could be being

used specifically to analyse post-human development and factors that could

dramatically increase lifespan

Other fields that could be tracked and combined into the interdisciplinary field

of post-human development include - cosmetic surgery, implant surgery,

regenerative medicine (Jungebluth et al., 2012), personalised medicine,

preventative surgery, exosuit design, brain-computer interfacing,

cryopreservation, cryostasis and hibernation (Zancanaro e al., 2004), user

experience design, interface design, next-generation human habit prototyping

(Seasteading Institute, n.d, The Venus Project, n.d.) data warehousing and

brain banking (MRC Brain Banking - science, n.d.). Big data, self-

quantification and machine learning would be at the top of the hierarchy,

analysing post-human development and informing research and decision-

making.

Methods

Variable/metric finding

Variable and metric finding was performed via reading, travelling, networking,

researching and exposing oneself to many types of experiences, situations

and ideas.

Variable/metric logging

When a variable or metric was found that was predicted to have an impact on

post-human development and lifespan – it was logged in a database. Health,

wellbeing, fitness, cognition, nutrition, stress and longevity metrics were also

recorded simultaneously with variable logging (Calimport. S.R.G., 2013a).

Variable/metric categorising

Variables were categorised by whether they were predicted to positively or

negatively affect post-human development and longevity.

Longitudinal Study

The study was longitudinal and biometrics as well as variables to optimise for

post-human development were logged either continuously or at multiple time

points over the 2 year span of the project.

Open Science Commons

The variables and metrics recorded are available as an open science

commons (Calimport, S.R.G., 2013b) as the dataset is a proof-of-principle

dataset that is intended to stimulate thinking and action for post-human

development.

Feedback and editing As the project progressed, many variables and metrics were edited due to

new sources of intelligence, feedback, introspection and comparative analysis

versus biometrics for mood and cognition. This highlights that the variable

finding and categorisation is a mutual and developmental process.

Results

The primary creation of the longitudinal project was a database of categorised

processes, states and objects that may lead us towards or away from a post-

human existence with dramatically increased lifespans. This may be the first

project of its kind that seeks to catalogue processes, states and objects that

we could enrich for or remove from existence in order to attain dramatically

increased lifespans. This cataloging will enable milestones to be created,

experiments to be performed, actions to be quantified and goals to be

reached. The research is also a primer and invitation to you to think about

how data could be used for post-human development and what metrics could

be tracked and how to track them?

A dataset of over 34,000+ variables that were predicted to be non-conducive

to post-human development and 5,000+ variables that were predicted to be

conducive to post-human development were recorded. These variables

include instances of objects, processes, states and phrases that could be

tracked and quantified. It is important to note that there are a lot of variables

and factors that have been predicted to be non-conducive to post-human

development, and as individuals, a society, and as decision makers we need

to be both intellectually honest and rigorous about the notion that the need to

deal with these negative variables in an open and ethical way.

As an experiment to test the relationship between biometric data and

generation of variables – miles per day on foot versus variables predicted to

be conducive to post-human development was analysed. A negative

correlation between physical activity and variables predicted per day was

found – showing the influence of lifestyle on both health, and decision-making

processes for post-human development (Calimport, S.R.G., 2013a).

Some variables that could be tracked, quantified and reduced that were

identified include: platitudes used, design by deception, deadly biodiversity,

ageing, decorated traps, ritual sacrifice of animals, survival lotteries,

narratives that lead to death and quantified ageing and dying rather than

quantifying health and regeneration. Some variables that could be tracked,

quantified and increased that were identified include: gamification for post-

human development, utilisation of programmable matter, PR for post-

humanism, crowdfunding post-humanism, efficiency of participation

incentives, speed of machine learning, scaling of data warehousing and

numbers of preventative surgeries.

Core variables to attempt to quantify are whether a person wants to attain a

post-human state and whether a person is successful in their role to attain a

post-human state. This creates 4 distinct classes of individual – 1) those that

want to attain a post-human state and are on track with the metrics and

milestones being tracked 2) those that want to attain a post-human state but

are not on track and need help and assistance 3) those that do not currently

want to attain a post-human state for whatever reason but are actually

contributing to it and 4) those who do not currently want to attain a post-

human state and are not contributing to it. The possibility for individuals to

move between these classes over time would be expected and between some

classes –empowered and encouraged. Gathering this data would also serve

as engagement and polling for researchers and proponents of post-

humanism.

Variables ranged in difficulty to track, similarity to variables we track now, our

to quantify them, ability to analyse the, granularity of data, and spanned

multiple disciplines of expertise. Initial analysis also showed that the types

metrics recorded and how they were phrased varied greatly due to nutrition,

exercise, location and mood – which shows promise for the possibility of

controlling for cognitive biases and environmental effects. For the variables

and factors that might be hard to quantify or attain metrics for, as most

transactions and communications are being monitored already by private

industry (Google Ideas, n.d.), governments (NSA/CSS Strategy, n.d.) and

individuals (Quantified Self, n.d.), and the potential of data analytics

increasing daily – the prospect is getting progressively easier and the future of

humanity would be considered by all to be an ethical use of data that is

already being collected and analysed.

Discussion

The primary aim - to develop a database of objects, processes and properties

that may be optimal or sub-optimal for post-human development was a

success in terms of generating a case study dataset of quantifiable variables

as well as a host of other personal metrics. As a hypothesis generating and

variable finding experiment, recording many predictions and observations for

what may lead to a post-human state is perhaps the first step in the process.

Data for a single individual (n=1) can be powerful for personalised medicine

and to assess and inform the individual, but for mutual post-human

development we need metrics on individuals and whole systems. Database

entries were based on personal predictions, experience and empirical

measures – therefore database items will need to be tracked, tested and

validated as to whether they are optimal for post-human development

conducive to dramatically increased longevity.

This proof-of-principle attempted to demonstrate the wider potential and

impact that ‘quantification of post-human development’ could have on a

personal, governmental and international level. By quantifying our ability to

reach milestones towards post-humanity, we can start to track, optimise,

model and expedite that which we want to improve on over and above the

current level of humanity. We could track increases in longevity, intelligence,

philanthropy, innovation, accountability, organ transplants, social connectivity,

synthetic implants, cryopreservation, and increases in beautiful, peaceful

environments and individuals. We could track decreases in incidences of

violence, accidental deaths, both infectious and non-infectious diseases, and

the use of words and phrases that are correlated with individuals that have

short lifespans or shorten the lifespans of others. We may also want to use

metrics for how accurately devices and artificial intelligence can classify us

based on algorithms that are optimised for identifying humans as a metric of

changes in morphology and phenotype, to see which morphologies are living

longer or associated with other milestones in post-human development.

Currently big data, personal data and augmentation bring up issues such as

privacy, autonomy concerns, power imbalances, and issues of discrimination

and access. By adding quantification of post-human development to the

narrative of human progress this could inform bioethical inquiry, investment,

governance and policy. A quantified and machine intelligence assisted

approach is not meant to replace human decision-making, but augment

decision makers, be they citizens or governmental bodies with the tools to

assist us in how best to augment ourselves and improve society.

A meta-analysis of the health, intelligence and wellbeing of stakeholders and

decision makers as well as finding common metrics to track between

stakeholders and decision makers – would increase both objectivity and

inclusivity. The multi-layered quantification of systems, individuals and

decision makers would allow for an objective, inclusive, quantitative approach

to post-human development that includes accountability on the behalf of

society and decision makers.

Call to Action

I would like to end with a call to action –a call to create a social, professional

and academic environment that is not only conducive to the quantification of

and development of a post-human future, but is actively, explicitly and openly

working towards it.

At present there are at least 5 identifiable actions we can perform to enhance

the quantification of post-human development.

1) Increase the number of researchers and stakeholders that are involved

in the research fields conducive to post-human development and

longevity – namely those that utilise diverse interdisciplinary datasets,

big data, self-tracking data, and machine learning.

2) Increase the number of stakeholders with access to the data and

skillsets needed to perform quantification experiments for post-human

development. Including in private industry, academia, data science and

government institutes. This may include the creation of a range

projects that utilise crowdsourcing, citizen science, international

partnerships and utilisation of institutes that specialise in increasing

lifespan and prototyping environments and lifestyles.

3) Increase interest in the concept of quantifying and optimising post-

human development as a transdisciplinary, scientifically grounded and

ethical discipline.

4) Increase the willingness and ability for professional scientists and key

stakeholders to stand up and speak out and say that they want to use

the most scientific, rigorous and advanced trans-disciplinary techniques

for post-human development. This includes being able to speak openly

about dramatic, healthy increases in lifespan and the creation of next

generation habitats. This would also include the creation of a social

and professional environment where scientists and stakeholders can

state that their long-term goals for dramatically increased lifespans,

astroengineering and creation of paradise-like environments – in an

environment that values and supports this.

5) Increase political lobbying, social engagement, collective action and

personal relations on issues of post-human development so that

parties and policies start to reflect post-human ideals. Through political

action we can develop countries and work environments whose

primary aims are to dramatically increase longevity and create proto-

paradises.

References:

Calimport, S.R.G. 2013a. Quantified Self EU 2013 conference. Memomics

and meme-longevity interactions. May 12. Amsterdam: Hotel Casa 400.

Available at http://www.slideshare.net/stuartcalimport/memomics-and-

memelongevity-interactions

[Accessed 31 August 2013]

Calimport, S.R.G. 2013b. Memes Predicted Optimal or Sub-optimal for

Lifespan (date). Available at

http://www-958.ibm.com/software/analytics/manyeyes/users/stuartcalimport


Chellappa, R., Sinha, P., & Phillips, P. J. (2010). Face Recognition by

Computers and Humans. Computer, 43(2), 46–55. doi:10.1109/MC.2010.37

Google Ideas (n.d.) Google Ideas. Available at

https://www.google.com/ideas/about


Health 2.0 (n.d.) Health 2.0. Available at http://www.health2con.com/


Jungebluth, P., Moll, G., Baiguera, S., & Macchiarini, P. (2012). Tissue

engineered airway: a regenerative solution. Clinical pharmacology and

therapeutics, 91(1), 81–93. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.270

Letouze, E. (2011). Big Data for Development: Challenges & Opportunities

(white paper) Available at

http://www.unglobalpulse.org/projects/BigDataforDevelopment [Accessed 31

August 2013]

Mathers, C.D., Murray, C.J.L., Lopez, A.D., Salomon, J.A., Sadana, R.,

Tandon, A., Ustun, B.L.. Estimates of healthy life expectancy for 191 countries

in the year 2000 (white paper) Available at

http://www.who.int/healthinfo/paper38.pdf


MRC Brain Banking (n.d.) MRC Brain Banking – science. Available at

http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/Resourceservices/UKBrainBanksnetwork/B

rainbanking/index.htm


National Security Agency (n.d.) NSA/CSS Strategy.

Available at

http://www.nsa.gov/about/_files/nsacss_strategy.pdf


Quantified Self (n.d.). Quantified Self. Available at http://quantifiedself.com/


Quantified Self (n.d.). Quantified Self, Guide To Self-Tracking. Available at

http://quantifiedself.com/guide/


The Seasteading Institute (n.d.) The Seasteading Institute. Available at

http://www.seasteading.org/


The Venus Project (n.d) The Venus Project. Beyond Politics Poverty and War.

http://www.thevenusproject.com/


World report on violence and health: summary. Geneva, World Health

Organization, 2002.

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Zancanaro, C., Biggiogera, M., Malatesta, M., Ayre, M. Mammalian

Hibernation: Relevance to a Possible Human Hypometabolic State. ESA

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ARI-036501-Morpheus-Verona.pdf


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