Wow, I had to look that term up and yup, I had no idea there was such a thing.
I am struck by the difference in tone (and militarism) between that early-Internet-era, un-self-serious, strident-but-just-an-argument venture and these new forms of atheist death cults.
I wonder how much of that is down to shifting cultural norms and how much has to do with the way digital platforms foment extremism at a structural level.
Intelligence is a unique spark within a cold and presumably dead universe. We should be trying to awaken the universe itself.
We should be trying to extend human lifespans within the parameters of sustainability. We should be trying to extend our species beyond death and mortality and this single planet.
If we master physics, we should reverse the light cone and bring back everyone who has ever lived [1].
We should turn every atom in the universe into us.
And then we can try to prevent the death of the universe. Or build a new one. Or several.
[1] "Down to what level?", you ask. "Beloved pets that died?" I should think even the ants. Bacteria. If we're gods, then why not?
That's what I mean by dead. We aren't even alive yet. We're bacteria.
Nothing personal.
> [Cosmism] is characterized by the belief in humanity’s cosmic destiny, the potential for immortality, and the use of scientific and technological advancements to achieve control over nature and explore space [Wikipedia, 1].
> Cosmism, specifically Russian Cosmism, is a philosophical and cultural movement that emerged in 19th and early 20th century Russia. It's characterized by its focus on the cosmos, humanity's relationship with it, and a belief in the possibility of humanity actively shaping its own destiny and the destiny of the cosmos through technological progress and spiritual transformation. [Google Gemini]
This is so much richer than efilism, nihilism, anti-natalism, and the rest of the misery lot.
This philosophy is a transhumanist, solarpunk ideal, full of infinite adventure.
It sounds like something an evil person in a space opera sci-fi book would talk about.
It's a great aesthetic and is basically how thousands of sci-fi bad guys and empires have been written.
And I don’t get this whole idea of using imperialism or fascism or whatever as an attack against ideas you don’t like. Because it doesn’t undermine the idea as much as it rehabilitates imperialism and fascism. So stop doing it.
It undermines the idea because it shows that the idea comes from a selfish place. "I am entitled to rape, kill, destroy your way of life because I have bigger weapons."
Humans are not the only intelligent life out there.
The human ego is comedicly pathetic and predictable.