The Immortality Institute community is gearing up to produce a second book of essays, following up on the earlier publication of The Scientific Conquest of Death. The Institute has issued a call for abstracts with a June 30th deadline, and provides some suggested examples for theme and topic:

In 2004, the Immortality Institute, a registered not-for profit, grassroots organisation, published its first book, "The Scientific Conquest of Death", an anthology of essays on the science and philosophy behind a potential drastic extension of lifespan. The book has been a good success for the Institute. After the initial investment was recouped from sales, an electronic version was placed on the web last year, in order to maximise education and outreach potential.

In 2006, the Institute is seeking to publish a second book. Themes that were initiated in the first edition will be pursued further, new issues will be raised and new voices will be heard.

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The following themes have been identified as of particular interest. However, the themes are strictly suggestions. Authors should feel free to suggest their own ideas.

A. Science, Medicine & Lifestyle

• the first books addressed the scientific life extension strategies of stem cell therapy, nanomedicine, cryonics and neuroimaging. We would like to invite contributions that expand on these topics, while remaining accessible to a lay audience.

• we seek contributions on scientific strategies that were not specifically addressed in the first book, e.g. gene therapy, transplantation, nutrition.

• an essay that critiques the SENS approach as a whole or in an aspect.

• an account of on caloric restriction from the perspective of the practitioner, that addresses the scientific background and the human side of such a diet.

• the scientific conquest of death has sometimes been linked with the assertion that it requires the development of advanced artificial intelligence. Rarely has this link been explained explicitly. We are looking for an essay that explains the relationship.

• an account of the human side of cryonics or an insiders account of cryonics emergency procedures in practice.

• a short essay on survival skills in a modern society.

B. Social Science, Philosophy & Literature

• an essay on the spiritual aspects of the quest for immortality, either as an academic analysis or by giving an overview of a number of "esoteric" alternatives to scientific life extension.

• a short story dealing with life extension, preferably science-fiction but not too far removed from current science and society.

• a historical account of an aspect of life extension, preferably from an author who was present at these events or has talked to witnesses who were.

• a sociological account of the life extension "scene".

• a perspective from a "veteran immortalist" – someone who has been actively interested in the science of radical life extension for 40 years or more.

• an essay that deals with the assertion that life extension will lead to overpopulation. As this is probably the most frequent concern raised in relation to the issue, submissions specifically addressing this issue will be given special consideration.

• an essay that addresses the concern that life extension is only for the rich.

While the Institute is, by its mission statement, in favor of life extension, we specifically and warmly invite all skeptics to contribute. As in the first book, there will be no censorship of critical voices and no rebuttals will be published without the original authors express permission.

The Scientific Conquest of Death was well received, and continues to be a useful tool for raising awareness of a future that includes the technologies of radical life extension. The Immortality Institute film project, Exploring Life Extension, has also proven its worth since its release last year. Based on this record, I expect the Institute volunteers and contributers to turn out another quality product - I recommend involvement to the writers in the audience.

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Posted by Reason at April 16, 2006 4:15 PM | TrackBack (0)