What It Means to Be Human

Explore the profound implications of human augmentation in this thought-provoking 20-minute Web Summit talk featuring Bryan Johnson of Kernel and Simon Evetts of Blue Abyss. Delve into the realms of neuroscience, optimization, and directed evolution as the speakers discuss whether enhancing human capabilities could potentially lead to a loss of our fundamental humanity. Examine the current state of neuroscience, the concept of transgenesis, and the future of human evolution. Consider the challenges of predicting technological advancements and their impact on cognitive abilities. Reflect on global problems, personal experiences, and the potential risks associated with human-driven change. Gain insights into Silicon Valley's perspective on these issues and contemplate the greatest threats facing humanity in this era of rapid technological progress.

Intro
Why neuroscience
Current state of neuroscience
Optimization
Transgenesis
The future
Directed evolution
Analogy
Myth
What humans will look like
Predicting technology
The oceans
Cognitive toolkit
Greatest threat to humanity
Humans are the biggest risk
Silicon Valley
Global problem
Personal story
Conclusion