July 07, 2004

"The Hedonistic Imperative outlines how genetic engineering and nanotechnology will abolish suffering in all sentient life." Is it really a brave new world? We're not talking about just drugs anymore. ("As a rule of thumb, it is profoundly unwise to take crack-cocaine.")
So, do you really want to be happy for the rest of your life?
posted by wanderingstan 20 years ago
  • I wonder if Medicare will cover it.
  • Excellent post...wish I'd thought of it first. Ever since reading about Robert Anton Wilson's concept of Hedonics Engineering and Development (HEAD) I've tried to find more information on other's take on hedonism as a feasible lifestyle. Most of it seems pre-occupied with Terrance McKenna's Food of the Gods or similar works; or by people who have seen Altered States one too many times, experiment a little with acid, and then spend years trying to tell the world they've achieved transcendension. Drug-oriented hedonism is a far cry from philosophical epicureanism or tantri-sexual varieties. My questions are: Fun way to spend your early 20's, but is it sustainable? And 'what if everybody did it'? Does it have the same problems as anarchism? What's the difference?
  • If Buddha and Epicurus had been born in modern times, I wonder if this is what they'd be doing.
  • I hope not, homunculus. But, then I'm a ghost of Christmases past.
  • Great post wanderingstan. The moral and ethical problems arising from this imperative are staggering in scope. This manifesto presupposes that we can completely and totally understand the human condition. The consequenses of failing to realize a complete understand are nothing less than the creation of an entire society of sociopaths who feel no remorse for their most vile indiscretions. What about the people who do not wish to take part in this social/scientific experiment. I for one am quite happy with my imperfect existance. Am I given a choice not to participate? Do I become a second-class citizen for lack of a perfectionistic ideal? Do they make camps for people like me? Thirdly, we must ask if this is not the ultimate band-aid solution. What are the CAUSES of the suffering/pain/hatred that we feel. Misfiring neural pathways and abnormal brain chemistry are the symptoms. Why don't we spend our time and money trying to understand what exteral factors instill so many people with these terrible problems.
  • Before I read the articles, I'll say this; my 4-year-old son made me a card for father's day and it made me happy. And one of the questions is whether I'd like to feel like this all/most/a-lot of the time?
  • re: tantric sex. Once met this girl that raved about this. But, either I was (*cough*, am) a dummy, or she too impatient, but it all was as relaxing and enjoyable as learning to ride a bike, blindfolded. Mmmhh..
  • Flagpole, you must have been doing something wrong. Trust me ;) It's a strange concept to think about, though - discipline in the pursuit of hedonism. Perhaps tantra isn't related to hedonism at all. I guess it depends on the effort/reward ratio.
  • Via Long Road to Paradise: Comments on politics, technology and current events from a vegan transhumanist socialist perspective.