MTAConf 2022 website now live.

Philosophers and political scientists have long debated the challenge of balanced and sustainable governance. The problem of collective action or preference coordination has kept power sharing limited. For most of recorded history, humanity has been compelled to choose between anarchy and tyranny, with power usually concentrated within a relatively small group led by a single dictator.

The Mormon Transhumanist Association announces the results of recent director elections. The following three of five candidates have been elected by the voting membership:

• Teresa Garrison Pratt
• Charles Randall Paul
• Caleb Jones

We wish to congratulate the new directors and look forward to their service. We also extend our sincere thanks to the other nominees for their continued support and willingness to serve.

The Mormon Transhumanist Association is pleased to announce the formation of a new board of advisors. The board of advisors will consist of former members of the board of directors, and its role will be to advise the association presidency and board of directors in their efforts to fulfill the purpose of the association.

IMAGE: PHOTO OF MAN AND LIGHTS

This article was written by John LaRocco, PhD.

Introduction

Direct brain-to-brain communication has resulted in enhanced cognitive performance. Invasive, implanted devices have successfully demonstrated this in animals, while non-invasive testing demonstrated similar results for humans (Pais-Vieira, Chiuffa, Lebedev, Yadav, & Nicolelis, 2015; Rao, et al., 2014). While transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used for initial brain-to-brain interface in humans, transcranial focused ultrasound (TFUS) offers a smaller, more efficient alternative (Danilov & Kublanov, 2014; Sassaroli & Vykhodtseva, 2016).

IMAGE: PHOTO OF DEATH WORM

Last month my paternal grandfather, my Papa Jerry, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90, aided by the comforting care of hospice. He began showing signs of heart failure several years ago (swelling in the legs, shortness of breath, difficulty with exertion), but the risks had been present for many years: he had a pacemaker placed several years before, he had many years of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a distant history of tobacco use and a family history of heart disease on his father’s side.

IMAGE: PHOTO OF TAPESTRY

This Holy Saturday, Christians ponder on the silence, darkness, and death of Jesus Christ. Part of this tradition can include that story of Jesus' Harrowing of Hell where he descended into the lowest parts of earth and hell to overcome them. This symbolizes the overcoming of the monster death and unlocking hell to free its prisoners.

IMAGE: PHOTO OF GOLD DISCIPLES AROUND TABLE

Among the things contemplated this Good Friday are the events of Jesus' last moments: broken bread, betrayal, suffering, crucifixion, darkness, and burial.

At the 2017 Mormon Transhumanist Association (MTA) conference, Michaelann Bradley spoke about her impressions as she contemplated some of these same topics in light of human history and technology's role for good and evil in it:

IMAGE: PHOTO OF JESUS AND DISCIPLES PAINTING

IMAGE: PHOTO OF JESUS PAINTING

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While Palm Sunday and Holy Monday renew faith in and hope for the triumph and glory of Christ in this world before the darkness of Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday is traditionally a time to ponder on the betrayal and condemnation of Christ in this world. As told in the Gospel of Luke, when Pilate sought to appease the crowd to perhaps spare Jesus (and a possibly bad political situation for him) “They kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21).

IMAGE: PHOTO OF JESUS AND DISCIPLES PAINTING

On Holy Tuesday, many churches reflect on the image of Christ as Bridegroom. The intimate relationship of marriage is used throughout Jewish and Christian scripture. Perhaps we find this image so powerful because of the closeness, intimacy, vulnerability, and humanity that it brings. It brings front and center the reality and centrality of relationship and how the image of Christ can emerge from relationship.